Attract-Mode Support Forum

Attract-Mode Support => General => Topic started by: MachoMan22 on November 12, 2018, 04:23:18 PM

Title: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: MachoMan22 on November 12, 2018, 04:23:18 PM
I am guessing this problem has a hardware or driver interaction, because I only have this problem on one older [2006] Dell tower PC I just recently purchased.  I tried several different versions of Windows 10 on this PC (Pro, Home, Home N).  The bios is updated, and the graphics driver is up-to-date according to Device Manager.  My other PCs/Laptops run Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Home N, and Windows 8.1 with no problems in any display mode.

On the afflicted PC, when launching a mame rom from AM, AM begins its correct process by switching to a black screen, however MAME is never brought into focus.  My exit hotkey will bring me back to AM.  This problem seems to only affect Fullscreen Mode and Fillscreen Mode (default).  As long as I run AM on this PC in Window mode or in Window (no border) MAME will be given the focus it needs.

Has anybody had success at figuring out what hardware or driver issue causes this malfunction?
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: Brian on November 12, 2018, 05:58:52 PM
I'm having the same issue. I registered here to post the issue but you beat me to it. Not sure if it's related to drivers. I have a newer PC but needed a graphics card with s-video to connect to a CRT TV. I bought a used ATI 2400 XT and Windows 10 installed the driver. I'm unable to install any driver or Catalyst program since it's not supported I'm guessing. Either way, the driver Windows installed works fine.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: progets on November 12, 2018, 07:27:01 PM
Look at this thread for suggestions http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=2589.msg17681#msg17681.

You could also try the experimental AM release here http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=2597.msg17721#msg17721.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: jimmer on November 13, 2018, 07:54:41 AM
2.0.0.cr2 is the ONLY version in the 2's that works properly on my arcade cabinet:  Win7 64bit SP1 aerotheme (necessary) Intel HD2000 integrated graphics.

Give it a go and report back. It could be a good clue for the developers.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: Brian on November 13, 2018, 04:39:13 PM
2.0.0.cr2 is the ONLY version in the 2's that works properly on my arcade cabinet:  Win7 64bit SP1 aerotheme (necessary) Intel HD2000 integrated graphics.

Give it a go and report back. It could be a good clue for the developers.

Thanks for the info. I tried your recommended version and MAME now focuses correctly.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: MachoMan22 on November 13, 2018, 04:56:22 PM
2.0.0.cr2 is the ONLY version in the 2's that works properly on my arcade cabinet:  Win7 64bit SP1 aerotheme (necessary) Intel HD2000 integrated graphics.

Give it a go and report back. It could be a good clue for the developers.

Wow, this worked for me too!  Thanks!!

Runs like a champ on version 2.0.0 rc2
I was worried that it would be too old of a revision to run the new Nevato layout, but that too works flawlessly.

Great suggestion!

So the PC which wouldn't run the newer versions of AM is running an internal Intel HD graphics card.  Driver date is 5/19/2016 version 9.17.10.4459    This was originally a Windows XP computer if I check the build information with Dell, which I am now running with Windows 10 Home N.

Any developers checking the forums might want to see if there is a conflict with the HD graphics systems since two users have had same symptoms vanish by reverting to AM version 2.0.0 rc2
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: xod on November 13, 2018, 07:52:42 PM
I've been having major headache with AM 2.5 -> MAME, and trying version 2.0.0-rc2, and it is working, I don't need to either run AM in windowed mode, or terminate explorer shell, or set random application's window "always on top", not anymore :) Thanks for the tip, and hope to see a fix for latest versions (cannot try the experimental since I'm on 32-bit OS).
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: jimmer on November 14, 2018, 10:57:48 AM
TRIPLE WHAMMY   :D

I can't remember who it was, but a year ago I found a post from someone saying version 2.0.0-rc2 solved their problems, and it solved mine too.






Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: MachoMan22 on November 15, 2018, 07:09:40 AM
How do we get this information in front of the developers?

I think the root cause may have other interactions with other AM functions that may drive people away from using AM.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: Kevin on November 16, 2018, 06:38:48 AM
try my Program http://meinhtpc.bplaced.net/wordpress/?page_id=30

I don't know if this work for Mame. But my Programm can set the focus to all Emulators.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: raygun on November 16, 2018, 05:33:58 PM
How do we get this information in front of the developers?

I think the root cause may have other interactions with other AM functions that may drive people away from using AM.

I'm aware this issue, but haven't been able to track it down or reproduce it myself to debug.
Knowing that it doesn't happen with 2.0.0rc2 is very helpful. I've gone back and looked at what might have changed and have a theory as to what might be causing this....

I've made a test patch in 2.5.1, would someone who is experiencing this please test one of the following and let me know if the problem is still happening?:

[edit: links removed]

cheers
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: xod on November 16, 2018, 06:54:43 PM
@raygun

I tested the 32-bit build, and unfortunately it's the same problem as the 2.4.1 for me. (Works when setting some window to "always on top" etc, just like 2.4.1)
Log when launching AM 2.5.1 (32-bit) -> MAME 0.78 -> 1942 below under normal conditions.

Code: [Select]
loading 1-n3a.bin   
loading 1-n4.bin   
loading 1-n5.bin   
loading 1-n6.bin   
loading 1-n7.bin   
loading 1-c11.bin   
loading 1-f2.bin   
loading 2-a1.bin   
loading 2-a2.bin   
loading 2-a3.bin   
loading 2-a4.bin   
loading 2-a5.bin   
loading 2-a6.bin   
loading 2-l1.bin   
loading 2-l2.bin   
loading 2-n1.bin   
loading 2-n2.bin   
loading 08e_sb-5.bin
loading 09e_sb-6.bin
loading 10e_sb-7.bin
loading f01_sb-0.bin
loading 06d_sb-4.bin
loading 03k_sb-8.bin
loading 01d_sb-2.bin
loading 02d_sb-3.bin
loading k06_sb-1.bin
loading 01m_sb-9.bin
                   
Unable to start video emulation
Error setting cooperative level: 88760245
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: Brian on November 17, 2018, 11:35:23 AM
@raygun: test patch didn't work for me either. Thanks for looking.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: raygun on November 17, 2018, 07:05:40 PM
ok thanks for checking!  back to the drawing board....
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: MachoMan22 on November 19, 2018, 07:08:52 PM
ok thanks for checking!  back to the drawing board....

@raygun, is there any other system/driver/hardware information we all could provide to you to make your next problem solving comparison/contrast?
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: raygun on November 30, 2018, 09:19:23 PM
Hi MachoMan22,
 
I've made another update to try to fix the issue you have reported.  Would you mind testing the build of attract-mode linked below and let me know your results?  Make sure you set the "Window Mode" to "Fill Screen (Default)" when testing this out.  Thanks!

32-bit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTufcjRpDeF6v-UJVwszp10q2nLR5PO-/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTufcjRpDeF6v-UJVwszp10q2nLR5PO-/view?usp=sharing)

64-bit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IYvUVaeT2BvyrJNPPmtVS4-mg5jTbI6P/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IYvUVaeT2BvyrJNPPmtVS4-mg5jTbI6P/view?usp=sharing)
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: rand0m on December 01, 2018, 11:10:07 PM
Hi MachoMan22,
 
I've made another update to try to fix the issue you have reported.  Would you mind testing the build of attract-mode linked below and let me know your results?  Make sure you set the "Window Mode" to "Fill Screen (Default)" when testing this out.  Thanks!

32-bit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTufcjRpDeF6v-UJVwszp10q2nLR5PO-/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTufcjRpDeF6v-UJVwszp10q2nLR5PO-/view?usp=sharing)

64-bit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IYvUVaeT2BvyrJNPPmtVS4-mg5jTbI6P/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IYvUVaeT2BvyrJNPPmtVS4-mg5jTbI6P/view?usp=sharing)

(Not directly related to thread, sorry)

Hi, I was facing a different problem of AM screen blinking once when starting or changing focus back to AM (like exiting emulator or alt-tabbing) on Win 8.1 x64, the blinking problem persisted on all window modes. The AM file linked here fixes that issue. Please incorporate the fixes in upcoming releases. Thanks!

Can I keep using this fixed version instead of regular 2.5.1 or wait for an official release? I also made a bug fix request #487 about the flickering/ blinking issue.

https://github.com/mickelson/attract/issues/487
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: deanobirko on December 06, 2018, 01:31:30 AM
If its win 10 theres a setting in Registry...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > CONTROL PANEL > DESKTOP > FOREGROUNDLOCKTIMEOUT

Change the value of foregroundlocktimeout to 0 and that solved the problem for me.  The window was popping under instead of over and this fixed it.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: mondaiji on December 07, 2018, 02:32:49 AM
I had an issue with any version after attract-v2.4.0-win64 AttactMode would not switch to GroovyMAME correctly.

I downloaded and tested attract-v2.5.1-1-win64b and it works fine.

Thankyou Raygun.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: nickblame on February 23, 2019, 03:55:10 AM
Hi MachoMan22,
 
I've made another update to try to fix the issue you have reported.  Would you mind testing the build of attract-mode linked below and let me know your results?  Make sure you set the "Window Mode" to "Fill Screen (Default)" when testing this out.  Thanks!

32-bit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTufcjRpDeF6v-UJVwszp10q2nLR5PO-/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTufcjRpDeF6v-UJVwszp10q2nLR5PO-/view?usp=sharing)

64-bit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IYvUVaeT2BvyrJNPPmtVS4-mg5jTbI6P/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IYvUVaeT2BvyrJNPPmtVS4-mg5jTbI6P/view?usp=sharing)

I'd like to also confirm that this version fixed the issue for me.

I'm using a windows 8.1 embedded with a Ati 4670HD with it's latest driver which is off course old. I had the same issue with attract-mode staying on top of MAME and I had to press alt tab to get it fixed. This beta version is now fine for me.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: Rupert H on March 04, 2019, 09:31:07 AM
Hi, I'm still having this exact problem using Windows 7 Pro, GroovyMAME64 2.06 d3dex non-nag with Attract Mode 2.5.1.

raygun, did the changes you made in the later version patches also apply to Windows 7? It used to run fine when I was using AM 2.3 with GroovyMAME 1.93 a few years back but with my current build it refuses to switch from AM to GM in anything other than "windowed" mode.
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: amnesia on March 16, 2019, 12:59:06 AM
I just wanted to chime in, and tell that the "*-1" version also helped my problems.

Running Windows 10 with Intel graphics, I only got a black screen when running a MAME game. It worked fine, until i installed the Intel driver, but thereafter it was as mentioned.

Again, this solved it - so the WIN10/Intel graphics driver is probably bad in regards to some versions of AM - working like a charm now :-)
Title: Re: Mame not getting focus when lauching from AM in anything but Window-Mode
Post by: Tapper on March 26, 2019, 09:01:00 PM
The 251-1 build seems to fix it for me! FWIW I'm on Windows 10 with a nvidia 1080.