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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

    Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Help and Support
    messoverheat
    31 Posts 7 Posters 4.1k Views
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    • mediamogulM
      mediamogul Global Moderator @SpudsMcToole
      last edited by mediamogul

      @SpudsMcToole

      I used AdvanceMESS, which is installed alongside AdvanceMAME and I in-turn installed the Astrocade BIOS (astrocde.zip) to /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/rom/. Afterwards, I createad a directory named 'astrocade' at /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/ for the ROMs and then another directory named 'astrocade' at /opt/retropie/configs/ where I copied /opt/retropie/mame-advmame/advmess.rc, so the system could have its own unique config file. Also, in /opt/retropie/configs/, I created a emulators.cfg file with the following contents:

      astrocade-advmess = "/opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/bin/advmess astrocde -cfg /opt/retropie/configs/astrocade/advmess.rc -cart %ROM%"
      default = "astrocade-advmess"
      

      Finally, I edited /opt/retropie/configs/all/emulationstation/es_systems.cfg to include:

          <name>astrocade</name>
          <fullname>Bally Astrocade</fullname>
          <path>/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/astrocade</path>
          <extension>.bin .BIN</extension>
          <command>/opt/retropie/supplementary/runcommand/runcommand.sh 0 _SYS_ astrocade %ROM%</command>
          <platform>astrocade</platform>
          <theme>astrocade</theme>
        </system>
      

      That should do it, but below I'll also include my /opt/retropie/configs/astrocade/advmess.rc as a reference. There, you'll see a few settings that refine the picture and also setup analog control for the games that need it. All in all though, it's not too dissimilar from the settings you find in AdvanceMAME.

      debug_crash no
      debug_rawsound no
      debug_speedmark no
      device_alsa_device default
      device_alsa_mixer channel
      device_color_bgr15 yes
      device_color_bgr16 yes
      device_color_bgr24 yes
      device_color_bgr32 yes
      device_color_bgr8 yes
      device_color_palette8 yes
      device_color_yuy2 yes
      device_dpi_pclock_low 31250000
      device_hdmi_pclock_low 0
      device_joystick auto
      device_keyboard raw
      device_mouse auto
      device_raw_firstkeyhack no
      device_raw_mousedev[0] auto
      device_raw_mousedev[1] auto
      device_raw_mousedev[2] auto
      device_raw_mousedev[3] auto
      device_raw_mousetype[0] pnp
      device_raw_mousetype[1] pnp
      device_raw_mousetype[2] pnp
      device_raw_mousetype[3] pnp
      device_sdl_samples 512
      device_sound auto
      device_video auto
      device_video_cursor auto
      device_video_doublescan yes
      device_video_fastchange no
      device_video_interlace yes
      device_video_output auto
      device_video_overlaysize auto
      device_video_singlescan yes
      dir_artwork /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/artwork
      dir_crc /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/crc
      dir_diff /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/diff
      dir_hi /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/hi
      dir_image /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/image
      dir_inp /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/inp
      dir_memcard /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/memcard
      dir_nvram /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/nvram
      dir_rom /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/rom
      dir_sample /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/sample
      dir_snap /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/snap
      dir_sta /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/sta
      display_adjust none
      display_antialias yes
      display_artwork_backdrop yes
      display_artwork_bezel no
      display_artwork_crop yes
      display_artwork_overlay yes
      display_aspect auto
      display_beam 1
      display_brightness 1
      display_buffer no
      display_color auto
      display_expand 1.0
      display_flicker 0
      display_flipx no
      display_flipy no
      display_frameskip auto
      display_gamma 1
      display_intensity 1.5
      display_interlaceeffect none
      display_magnify auto
      display_magnifysize 640
      display_mode auto
      display_pausebrightness 1
      display_resize integer
      display_resizeeffect none
      display_restore yes
      display_rgbeffect none
      display_rol no
      display_ror no
      display_scanlines no
      display_skipcolumns auto
      display_skiplines auto
      display_translucency yes
      display_vsync yes
      include 
      input_hotkey yes
      input_idleexit 0
      input_map[event10] auto
      input_map[event11] auto
      input_map[event12] auto
      input_map[event13] auto
      input_map[event14] auto
      input_map[event1] auto
      input_map[event2] auto
      input_map[event3] auto
      input_map[event4] auto
      input_map[event5] auto
      input_map[event6] auto
      input_map[event7] auto
      input_map[event8] auto
      input_map[event9] auto
      input_map[key_0] auto
      input_map[key_1] auto
      input_map[key_2] auto
      input_map[key_3] auto
      input_map[key_4] auto
      input_map[key_5] auto
      input_map[key_6] auto
      input_map[key_7] auto
      input_map[key_8] auto
      input_map[key_9] auto
      input_map[key_a] auto
      input_map[key_again] auto
      input_map[key_alt] auto
      input_map[key_asterisk] auto
      input_map[key_b] auto
      input_map[key_back] auto
      input_map[key_backquote] auto
      input_map[key_backslash] auto
      input_map[key_backspace] auto
      input_map[key_break] auto
      input_map[key_c] auto
      input_map[key_capslock] auto
      input_map[key_closebrace] auto
      input_map[key_colon] auto
      input_map[key_comma] auto
      input_map[key_copy] auto
      input_map[key_ctrl] auto
      input_map[key_cut] auto
      input_map[key_d] auto
      input_map[key_del] auto
      input_map[key_diesis] auto
      input_map[key_doublequote] auto
      input_map[key_down] auto
      input_map[key_e] auto
      input_map[key_edit] auto
      input_map[key_end] auto
      input_map[key_enter] auto
      input_map[key_equals] auto
      input_map[key_esc] auto
      input_map[key_f10] auto
      input_map[key_f11] auto
      input_map[key_f12] auto
      input_map[key_f13] auto
      input_map[key_f14] auto
      input_map[key_f15] auto
      input_map[key_f16] auto
      input_map[key_f17] auto
      input_map[key_f18] auto
      input_map[key_f19] auto
      input_map[key_f1] auto
      input_map[key_f20] auto
      input_map[key_f21] auto
      input_map[key_f22] auto
      input_map[key_f23] auto
      input_map[key_f24] auto
      input_map[key_f2] auto
      input_map[key_f3] auto
      input_map[key_f4] auto
      input_map[key_f5] auto
      input_map[key_f6] auto
      input_map[key_f7] auto
      input_map[key_f8] auto
      input_map[key_f9] auto
      input_map[key_f] auto
      input_map[key_fctn] auto
      input_map[key_find] auto
      input_map[key_forward] auto
      input_map[key_g] auto
      input_map[key_graph] auto
      input_map[key_h] auto
      input_map[key_help] auto
      input_map[key_hold] auto
      input_map[key_home] auto
      input_map[key_i] auto
      input_map[key_ins] auto
      input_map[key_j] auto
      input_map[key_k] auto
      input_map[key_l] auto
      input_map[key_lalt] auto
      input_map[key_lctrl] auto
      input_map[key_left] auto
      input_map[key_less] auto
      input_map[key_lshift] auto
      input_map[key_m] auto
      input_map[key_menu] auto
      input_map[key_minus] auto
      input_map[key_move] auto
      input_map[key_n] auto
      input_map[key_numlock] auto
      input_map[key_o] auto
      input_map[key_open] auto
      input_map[key_openbrace] auto
      input_map[key_p] auto
      input_map[key_pad_0] auto
      input_map[key_pad_1] auto
      input_map[key_pad_2] auto
      input_map[key_pad_3] auto
      input_map[key_pad_4] auto
      input_map[key_pad_5] auto
      input_map[key_pad_6] auto
      input_map[key_pad_7] auto
      input_map[key_pad_8] auto
      input_map[key_pad_9] auto
      input_map[key_pad_asterisk] auto
      input_map[key_pad_colon] auto
      input_map[key_pad_diesis] auto
      input_map[key_pad_enter] auto
      input_map[key_pad_minus] auto
      input_map[key_pad_plus] auto
      input_map[key_pad_slash] auto
      input_map[key_paste] auto
      input_map[key_pause] auto
      input_map[key_period] auto
      input_map[key_pgdn] auto
      input_map[key_pgup] auto
      input_map[key_play] auto
      input_map[key_plus] auto
      input_map[key_pound] auto
      input_map[key_print] auto
      input_map[key_q] auto
      input_map[key_quickload] auto
      input_map[key_quote] auto
      input_map[key_r] auto
      input_map[key_ralt] auto
      input_map[key_rctrl] auto
      input_map[key_record] auto
      input_map[key_restore] auto
      input_map[key_rew] auto
      input_map[key_right] auto
      input_map[key_rshift] auto
      input_map[key_s] auto
      input_map[key_scrlock] auto
      input_map[key_semicolon] auto
      input_map[key_shift] auto
      input_map[key_slash] auto
      input_map[key_space] auto
      input_map[key_stop] auto
      input_map[key_store] auto
      input_map[key_t] auto
      input_map[key_tab] auto
      input_map[key_u] auto
      input_map[key_undo] auto
      input_map[key_up] auto
      input_map[key_v] auto
      input_map[key_w] auto
      input_map[key_x] auto
      input_map[key_y] auto
      input_map[key_z] auto
      input_map[p1_dialx] auto
      input_map[p1_dialy] auto
      input_map[p1_lightgunx] auto
      input_map[p1_lightguny] auto
      input_map[p1_mousex] auto
      input_map[p1_mousey] auto
      input_map[p1_paddlex] mouse[0,x] mouse[1,x] mouse[2,x]
      input_map[p1_paddley] mouse[0,x] mouse[1,x] mouse[2,x]
      input_map[p1_pedalbrake] auto
      input_map[p1_pedalgas] auto
      input_map[p1_pedalother] auto
      input_map[p1_stickx] auto
      input_map[p1_sticky] auto
      input_map[p1_stickz] auto
      input_map[p1_trackballx] auto
      input_map[p1_trackbally] auto
      input_map[p2_dialx] auto
      input_map[p2_dialy] auto
      input_map[p2_lightgunx] auto
      input_map[p2_lightguny] auto
      input_map[p2_mousex] auto
      input_map[p2_mousey] auto
      input_map[p2_paddlex] mouse[0,y] mouse[1,y] mouse[2,y]
      input_map[p2_paddley] mouse[0,y] mouse[1,y] mouse[2,y]
      input_map[p2_pedalbrake] auto
      input_map[p2_pedalgas] auto
      input_map[p2_pedalother] auto
      input_map[p2_stickx] auto
      input_map[p2_sticky] auto
      input_map[p2_stickz] auto
      input_map[p2_trackballx] auto
      input_map[p2_trackbally] auto
      input_map[p3_dialx] auto
      input_map[p3_dialy] auto
      input_map[p3_lightgunx] auto
      input_map[p3_lightguny] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_a] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_b] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_bet] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_c] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_chance] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_chi] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_d] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_double_up] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_e] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_f] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_flip_flop] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_g] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_h] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_i] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_j] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_k] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_kan] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_l] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_m] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_n] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_pon] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_reach] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_ron] auto
      input_map[p3_mahjong_score] auto
      input_map[p3_mousex] auto
      input_map[p3_mousey] auto
      input_map[p3_paddlex] auto
      input_map[p3_paddley] auto
      input_map[p3_pedalbrake] auto
      input_map[p3_pedalgas] auto
      input_map[p3_pedalother] auto
      input_map[p3_stickx] auto
      input_map[p3_sticky] auto
      input_map[p3_stickz] auto
      input_map[p3_trackballx] auto
      input_map[p3_trackbally] auto
      input_map[p4_dialx] auto
      input_map[p4_dialy] auto
      input_map[p4_lightgunx] auto
      input_map[p4_lightguny] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_a] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_b] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_bet] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_c] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_chance] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_chi] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_d] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_double_up] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_e] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_f] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_flip_flop] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_g] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_h] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_i] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_j] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_k] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_kan] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_l] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_m] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_n] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_pon] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_reach] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_ron] auto
      input_map[p4_mahjong_score] auto
      input_map[p4_mousex] auto
      input_map[p4_mousey] auto
      input_map[p4_paddlex] auto
      input_map[p4_paddley] auto
      input_map[p4_pedalbrake] auto
      input_map[p4_pedalgas] auto
      input_map[p4_pedalother] auto
      input_map[p4_stickx] auto
      input_map[p4_sticky] auto
      input_map[p4_stickz] auto
      input_map[p4_trackballx] auto
      input_map[p4_trackbally] auto
      input_map[safequit] auto
      input_map[service_coin5] auto
      input_map[service_coin6] auto
      input_map[service_coin7] auto
      input_map[service_coin8] auto
      input_steadykey no
      lcd_server none
      lcd_speed 4
      lcd_timeout 500
      misc_bios default
      misc_cheat no
      misc_cheatfile /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/misc/cheat.dat
      misc_difficulty none
      misc_eventdebug no
      misc_eventfile /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/misc/event.dat
      misc_freeplay no
      misc_hiscorefile /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/misc/hiscore.dat
      misc_lang none
      misc_languagefile /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/misc/english.lng
      misc_mutedemo no
      misc_quiet yes
      misc_ramsize auto
      misc_safequit no
      misc_smp yes
      misc_timetorun 0
      record_sound yes
      record_sound_time 15
      record_video yes
      record_video_interleave 2
      record_video_time 15
      script_coin1 
      script_coin2 
      script_coin3 
      script_coin4 
      script_emulation 
      script_event1 
      script_event10 
      script_event11 
      script_event12 
      script_event13 
      script_event14 
      script_event2 
      script_event3 
      script_event4 
      script_event5 
      script_event6 
      script_event7 
      script_event8 
      script_event9 
      script_knocker on(kdb, 0b100); wait(!event()); off(kdb, 0b100);
      script_led1 on(kdb, 0b1); wait(!event()); off(kdb, 0b1);
      script_led2 on(kdb, 0b10); wait(!event()); off(kdb, 0b10);
      script_led3 
      script_play 
      script_safequit 
      script_start1 
      script_start2 
      script_start3 
      script_start4 
      script_turbo while (event()) { toggle(kdb, 0b100); delay(100); } off(kdb, 0b100);
      script_video wait(!event()); set(kdb, 0);
      sound_adjust auto
      sound_equalizer_highvolume 0
      sound_equalizer_lowvolume 0
      sound_equalizer_midvolume 0
      sound_latency 0.05
      sound_mode auto
      sound_normalize yes
      sound_samplerate 44100
      sound_samples yes
      sound_volume -3
      sync_fps auto
      sync_resample auto
      sync_speed 1
      sync_startuptime auto
      sync_turbospeed 3
      ui_color[help_other] 000000 808080
      ui_color[help_p1] 000000 ffff00
      ui_color[help_p2] 000000 00ff00
      ui_color[help_p3] 000000 ff0000
      ui_color[help_p4] 000000 00ffff
      ui_color[interface] 000000 ffffff
      ui_color[select] 000000 afffff
      ui_color[tag] 247ef0 ffffff
      ui_font auto
      ui_fontsize auto
      ui_helpimage auto
      ui_translucency 0.8
      input_map[ui_pause] keyboard[0,w] keyboard[0,a]
      input_map[ui_reset_machine] keyboard[0,w] keyboard[0,b]
      input_map[ui_snapshot] keyboard[0,w] keyboard[0,y]
      input_map[ui_save_state] keyboard[0,w] keyboard[0,q]
      input_map[ui_load_state] keyboard[0,w] keyboard[0,l]
      input_map[ui_configure] keyboard[0,tab] or keyboard[0,w] keyboard[0,x]
      input_map[ui_up] keyboard[0,up]
      input_map[ui_down] keyboard[0,down]
      input_map[ui_left] keyboard[0,left]
      input_map[ui_right] keyboard[0,right]
      input_map[ui_select] keyboard[0,enter] or keyboard[0,a]
      input_map[ui_cancel] keyboard[0,esc] or keyboard[0,w] keyboard[0,t]
      input_map[p1_up] keyboard[0,up]
      input_map[p1_down] keyboard[0,down]
      input_map[p1_left] keyboard[0,left]
      input_map[p1_right] keyboard[0,right]
      input_map[p1_doubleright_up] 
      input_map[p1_doubleright_down] 
      input_map[p1_doubleright_left] 
      input_map[p1_doubleright_right] 
      input_map[p1_doubleleft_up] 
      input_map[p1_doubleleft_down] 
      input_map[p1_doubleleft_left] 
      input_map[p1_doubleleft_right] 
      input_map[p1_button1] keyboard[0,b]
      input_map[p1_button2] 
      input_map[p1_button3] 
      input_map[p1_button4] 
      input_map[p1_button5] 
      input_map[p1_button6] 
      input_map[p1_button7] 
      input_map[p1_button8] 
      input_map[p1_button9] 
      input_map[p1_button10] 
      input_map[p1_start] 
      input_map[p1_select] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_a] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_b] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_c] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_d] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_e] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_f] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_g] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_h] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_i] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_j] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_k] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_l] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_m] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_n] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_kan] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_pon] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_chi] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_reach] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_ron] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_bet] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_chance] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_score] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_double_up] 
      input_map[p1_mahjong_flip_flop] 
      input_map[p2_up] keyboard[0,3_pad]
      input_map[p2_down] keyboard[0,4_pad]
      input_map[p2_left] keyboard[0,1_pad]
      input_map[p2_right] keyboard[0,2_pad]
      input_map[p2_button1] keyboard[0,6_pad]
      input_map[p2_button2] 
      input_map[p2_button3] 
      input_map[p2_button4] 
      input_map[p2_button5] 
      input_map[p2_button6] 
      input_map[p2_button7] 
      input_map[p2_button8] 
      input_map[p2_button9] 
      input_map[p2_button10] 
      input_map[p2_start] 
      input_map[p2_select] 
      astrocde/input_setting[p1_paddlex] keydelta:20,centerdelta:20,sensitivity:20,reverse:1
      astrocde/input_setting[p2_paddlex] keydelta:20,centerdelta:20,sensitivity:20,reverse:0
      astrocde[home_pi_retropie_roms_astrocade_bally_pinball]/input_map[p1_button1] keyboard[0,l]
      astrocde[home_pi_retropie_roms_astrocade_bally_pinball]/input_map[p2_button1] keyboard[0,q]
      astrocde[home_pi_retropie_roms_astrocade_bally_pinball]/input_map[p2_down] keyboard[0,b]
      
      

      RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

      S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • S
        SpudsMcToole Banned @mediamogul
        last edited by SpudsMcToole

        @mediamogul Cheers for that, but it's not working for me - I get dumped straight back to the Retropie menu for every ROM, not even going through the MESS splash screens first.

        I'd already figured most of it out for a couple of other systems, as noted here:

        https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/19816/getting-control-inputs-to-work-in-advmess

        ...but for the Astrocade with your files above I'm not even getting as far as I did with those - the BBC and Astrovision do at least both boot to their respective systems, I just can't get any sort of input to register.

        I've got every conceivable BIOS file and variant in the directory you specified, called ASTROCADE.ZIP, ASTROCDE.ZIP, ASTROCDW.ZIP, ASTRO.BIN and BIOSWHIT.BIN. I've got all the game files in .BIN format in the usual ROMS directory in a folder called ASTROCADE.

        Can I just check a couple of things quickly to see if I can get to the bottom of it?

        (1) When you say "in /opt/retropie/configs/, I created a emulators.cfg file with the following contents:", do you mean just in the root CONFIGS folder, or inside the CONFIGS/ASTROCADE folder? (I've tried both with no discernible difference, but it'd be good to rule it out as the possible problem source.)

        (2) In the line astrocade-advmess = "/opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/bin/advmess astrocde -cfg (etc), is that spelling at the end ("astrocde" with no "a") correct? (Same again, have tried both ways but just trying to narrow things down.)

        (3) When you say to put the BIOS files in /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/rom/, is that right? I've been putting the other ones in /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame/rom. (Once again, have tried both.)

        mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • mediamogulM
          mediamogul Global Moderator @SpudsMcToole
          last edited by mediamogul

          @SpudsMcToole said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

          (1)

          The files should be located at /opt/retropie/configs/astrocade/emulators.cfg and /opt/retropie/configs/astrocade/advmess.rc

          (2)

          It is spelled right there. That argument is meant to specify the driver that AdvanceMESS will use. It also means that I made a typo when referencing the BIOS name, which should be astrocde.zip. I'll correct it above.

          (3)

          The path that AdvanceMAME will check for its BIOS files is specified in the advmess.rc. You should check yours to see what it's set to, but I would advise the path be different than your MAME files so that it's easier to manage separately.

          RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

          S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • S
            SpudsMcToole Banned @mediamogul
            last edited by SpudsMcToole

            @mediamogul said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

            The path that AdvanceMAME will check for its BIOS files is specified in the advmess.rc. You should check yours to see what it's set to, but I would advise the path be different than your MAME files so that it's easier to manage separately.

            Which path? dir_image? dir_rom?

            Otherwise I'm perplexed. I'm doing everything you say and I've got all the files where they should be and I'm still getting dumped straight back to the menu. I can't find anything different that I'm doing to what I'm doing with the BBC and Arcadia setups, but those are working except for inputs.

            For clarity:

            (1) I've copied your emulator.cfg file and put it in /opt/retropie/configs/astrocade/

            (2) I've copied your advmess.rc file and put it in the same folder.

            (3) I've copied your lines for es_systems.cfg and added them into mine.

            (4) I've got astrocde.zip, containing astro.bin, in /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame/rom (and also in /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/advmess/rom)

            (5) I've got my game ROMs as unzipped BIN files in /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/astrocade

            But I don't even get as far as the MESS warning screens.

            mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • mediamogulM
              mediamogul Global Moderator @SpudsMcToole
              last edited by mediamogul

              @SpudsMcToole said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

              Which path? dir_image? dir_rom?

              dir_rom

              But I don't even get as far as the MESS warning screens.

              After it fails to launch, post the contents of your /dev/shm/runcommand.log to pastebin.com and let's see if we can't find where the breakdown is happening.

              RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

              S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • S
                SpudsMcToole Banned @mediamogul
                last edited by SpudsMcToole

                @mediamogul Okay, huge breakthrough, thanks to the tried and tested "flail around hitting buttons at random and see what happens" method.

                When I use this as the .RC file:

                debug_crash no
                debug_rawsound no
                debug_speedmark no
                
                device_alsa_device default
                device_alsa_mixer channel
                device_color_bgr15 yes
                device_color_bgr16 yes
                device_color_bgr24 yes
                device_color_bgr32 yes
                device_color_bgr8 yes
                device_color_palette8 no
                device_color_yuy2 no
                
                device_joystick auto
                device_keyboard sdl
                device_mouse auto
                
                device_raw_firstkeyhack no
                device_raw_mousedev[0] auto
                device_raw_mousedev[1] auto
                device_raw_mousedev[2] auto
                device_raw_mousedev[3] auto
                device_raw_mousetype[0] pnp
                device_raw_mousetype[1] pnp
                device_raw_mousetype[2] pnp
                device_raw_mousetype[3] pnp
                
                device_sdl_samples 512
                device_sound auto
                
                device_video sdl
                device_video_cursor auto
                device_video_doublescan yes
                device_video_fastchange yes
                device_video_interlace no
                device_video_output overlay
                device_video_overlaysize 0
                device_video_singlescan no
                device_video_clock 10 - 150 / 30.5 - 60 / 55 - 130
                
                dir_artwork /home/pi/.advance/artwork:/usr/local/share/advance/artwork:/opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/share/advance/artwork
                dir_crc /home/pi/.advance/crc
                dir_diff /home/pi/.advance/diff
                dir_hi /home/pi/.advance/hi
                dir_image /home/pi/.advance/image:/usr/local/share/advance/image:/opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/share/advance/image:/opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame/image:/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/bbcmicro
                dir_inp /home/pi/.advance/inp
                dir_memcard /home/pi/.advance/memcard
                dir_nvram /home/pi/.advance/nvram
                dir_rom /home/pi/.advance/rom:/usr/local/share/advance/rom:/opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/share/advance/rom:/opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame/rom
                dir_sample /home/pi/.advance/sample:/usr/local/share/advance/sample:/opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/share/advance/sample
                dir_snap /home/pi/.advance/snap
                dir_sta /home/pi/.advance/sta
                
                display_adjust none
                display_antialias no
                display_artwork_backdrop no
                display_artwork_bezel no
                display_artwork_crop no
                display_artwork_overlay no
                display_beam 1
                display_brightness 1
                display_buffer no
                display_color auto
                
                # Below widens the screen to 16:9
                # display_expand 1.35
                
                display_flicker 0
                display_flipx no
                display_flipy no
                display_frameskip auto
                display_gamma 1
                display_intensity 1.5
                display_interlaceeffect none
                display_magnify auto
                display_magnifysize 640
                display_mode auto
                display_pausebrightness 1
                display_resize fractional
                display_resizeeffect none
                display_restore no
                display_rgbeffect none
                display_rol no
                display_ror no
                display_scanlines no
                display_skipcolumns auto
                display_skiplines auto
                display_translucency no
                display_vsync yes
                
                include 
                input_hotkey yes
                input_idleexit 0
                input_map[event10] auto
                input_map[event11] auto
                input_map[event12] auto
                input_map[event13] auto
                input_map[event14] auto
                input_map[event1] auto
                input_map[event2] auto
                input_map[event3] auto
                input_map[event4] auto
                input_map[event5] auto
                input_map[event6] auto
                input_map[event7] auto
                input_map[event8] auto
                input_map[event9] auto
                
                input_map[key_0] joystick_button[0,18] or keyboard[0,0]
                input_map[key_1] joystick_button[0,8]  or keyboard[0,1]
                input_map[key_2] joystick_button[0,9]  or keyboard[0,2]
                input_map[key_3] joystick_button[0,10] or keyboard[0,3]
                input_map[key_4] joystick_button[0,11] or keyboard[0,4]
                input_map[key_5] joystick_button[0,12] or keyboard[0,5]
                input_map[key_6] joystick_button[0,13] or keyboard[0,6]
                input_map[key_7] joystick_button[0,14] or keyboard[0,7]
                input_map[key_8] joystick_button[0,15] or keyboard[0,8]
                input_map[key_9] joystick_button[0,16] or keyboard[0,9]
                
                input_map[key_a] auto
                input_map[key_again] auto
                input_map[key_alt] auto
                input_map[key_asterisk] auto
                input_map[key_b] auto
                input_map[key_back] auto
                input_map[key_backquote] auto
                input_map[key_backslash] auto
                input_map[key_backspace] auto
                input_map[key_break] auto
                input_map[key_c] auto
                input_map[key_capslock] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,1,1] or keyboard[0,capslock]
                input_map[key_closebrace] auto
                input_map[key_colon] auto
                input_map[key_comma] auto
                input_map[key_copy] auto
                input_map[key_ctrl] auto
                input_map[key_cut] auto
                input_map[key_d] auto
                input_map[key_del] joystick_button[0,17] or keyboard[0,del] or keyboard[0,backspace]
                input_map[key_diesis] auto
                input_map[key_doublequote] auto
                input_map[key_down] auto
                input_map[key_e] auto
                input_map[key_edit] auto
                input_map[key_end] auto
                input_map[key_enter] joystick_button[0,19] or keyboard[0,enter]
                input_map[key_equals] auto
                input_map[key_esc] auto
                input_map[key_f10] auto
                input_map[key_f11] auto
                input_map[key_f12] auto
                input_map[key_f13] auto
                input_map[key_f14] auto
                input_map[key_f15] auto
                input_map[key_f16] auto
                input_map[key_f17] auto
                input_map[key_f18] auto
                input_map[key_f19] auto
                input_map[key_f1] auto
                input_map[key_f20] auto
                input_map[key_f21] auto
                input_map[key_f22] auto
                input_map[key_f23] auto
                input_map[key_f24] auto
                input_map[key_f2] auto
                input_map[key_f3] auto
                input_map[key_f4] auto
                input_map[key_f5] auto
                input_map[key_f6] auto
                input_map[key_f7] auto
                input_map[key_f8] auto
                input_map[key_f9] auto
                input_map[key_f] auto
                input_map[key_fctn] auto
                input_map[key_find] auto
                input_map[key_forward] auto
                input_map[key_g] auto
                input_map[key_graph] auto
                input_map[key_h] auto
                input_map[key_help] auto
                input_map[key_hold] auto
                input_map[key_home] auto
                input_map[key_i] auto
                input_map[key_ins] auto
                input_map[key_j] auto
                input_map[key_k] auto
                input_map[key_l] auto
                input_map[key_lalt] auto
                input_map[key_lctrl] auto
                input_map[key_left] auto
                input_map[key_less] auto
                input_map[key_lshift] keyboard[0,lshift] or joystick_button[0079_0006_3,2]
                input_map[key_m] auto
                input_map[key_menu] auto
                input_map[key_minus] auto
                input_map[key_move] auto
                input_map[key_n] auto
                input_map[key_numlock] auto
                input_map[key_o] auto
                input_map[key_open] auto
                input_map[key_openbrace] auto
                input_map[key_p] auto
                input_map[key_pad_0] auto
                input_map[key_pad_1] auto
                input_map[key_pad_2] auto
                input_map[key_pad_3] auto
                input_map[key_pad_4] auto
                input_map[key_pad_5] auto
                input_map[key_pad_6] auto
                input_map[key_pad_7] auto
                input_map[key_pad_8] auto
                input_map[key_pad_9] auto
                input_map[key_pad_asterisk] auto
                input_map[key_pad_colon] auto
                input_map[key_pad_diesis] auto
                input_map[key_pad_enter] auto
                input_map[key_pad_minus] auto
                input_map[key_pad_plus] auto
                input_map[key_pad_slash] auto
                input_map[key_paste] auto
                input_map[key_pause] auto
                input_map[key_period] auto
                input_map[key_pgdn] auto
                input_map[key_pgup] auto
                input_map[key_play] auto
                input_map[key_plus] auto
                input_map[key_pound] auto
                input_map[key_print] auto
                input_map[key_q] auto
                input_map[key_quickload] auto
                input_map[key_quote] auto
                input_map[key_r] auto
                input_map[key_ralt] auto
                input_map[key_rctrl] auto
                input_map[key_record] auto
                input_map[key_restore] auto
                input_map[key_rew] auto
                input_map[key_right] auto
                input_map[key_rshift] keyboard[0,rshift]
                input_map[key_s] auto
                input_map[key_scrlock] auto
                input_map[key_semicolon] auto
                input_map[key_shift] auto
                input_map[key_slash] auto
                input_map[key_space] auto
                input_map[key_stop] auto
                input_map[key_store] auto
                input_map[key_t] auto
                input_map[key_tab] auto
                input_map[key_u] auto
                input_map[key_undo] auto
                input_map[key_up] auto
                input_map[key_v] auto
                input_map[key_w] auto
                input_map[key_x] auto
                input_map[key_y] auto
                input_map[key_z] auto
                input_map[p1_dialx] auto
                input_map[p1_dialy] auto
                input_map[p1_lightgunx] auto
                input_map[p1_lightguny] auto
                input_map[p1_mousex] auto
                input_map[p1_mousey] auto
                input_map[p1_paddlex] auto
                input_map[p1_paddley] auto
                input_map[p1_pedalbrake] auto
                input_map[p1_pedalgas] auto
                input_map[p1_pedalother] auto
                input_map[p1_stickx] auto
                input_map[p1_sticky] auto
                input_map[p1_stickz] auto
                input_map[p1_trackballx] auto
                input_map[p1_trackbally] auto
                input_map[p2_dialx] auto
                input_map[p2_dialy] auto
                input_map[p2_lightgunx] auto
                input_map[p2_lightguny] auto
                input_map[p2_mousex] auto
                input_map[p2_mousey] auto
                input_map[p2_paddlex] auto
                input_map[p2_paddley] auto
                input_map[p2_pedalbrake] auto
                input_map[p2_pedalgas] auto
                input_map[p2_pedalother] auto
                input_map[p2_stickx] auto
                input_map[p2_sticky] auto
                input_map[p2_stickz] auto
                input_map[p2_trackballx] auto
                input_map[p2_trackbally] auto
                input_map[p3_dialx] auto
                input_map[p3_dialy] auto
                input_map[p3_lightgunx] auto
                input_map[p3_lightguny] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_a] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_b] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_bet] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_c] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_chance] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_chi] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_d] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_double_up] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_e] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_f] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_flip_flop] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_g] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_h] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_i] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_j] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_k] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_kan] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_l] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_m] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_n] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_pon] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_reach] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_ron] auto
                input_map[p3_mahjong_score] auto
                input_map[p3_mousex] auto
                input_map[p3_mousey] auto
                input_map[p3_paddlex] auto
                input_map[p3_paddley] auto
                input_map[p3_pedalbrake] auto
                input_map[p3_pedalgas] auto
                input_map[p3_pedalother] auto
                input_map[p3_stickx] auto
                input_map[p3_sticky] auto
                input_map[p3_stickz] auto
                input_map[p3_trackballx] auto
                input_map[p3_trackbally] auto
                input_map[p4_dialx] auto
                input_map[p4_dialy] auto
                input_map[p4_lightgunx] auto
                input_map[p4_lightguny] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_a] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_b] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_bet] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_c] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_chance] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_chi] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_d] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_double_up] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_e] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_f] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_flip_flop] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_g] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_h] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_i] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_j] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_k] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_kan] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_l] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_m] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_n] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_pon] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_reach] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_ron] auto
                input_map[p4_mahjong_score] auto
                input_map[p4_mousex] auto
                input_map[p4_mousey] auto
                input_map[p4_paddlex] auto
                input_map[p4_paddley] auto
                input_map[p4_pedalbrake] auto
                input_map[p4_pedalgas] auto
                input_map[p4_pedalother] auto
                input_map[p4_stickx] auto
                input_map[p4_sticky] auto
                input_map[p4_stickz] auto
                input_map[p4_trackballx] auto
                input_map[p4_trackbally] auto
                input_map[safequit] auto
                input_map[service_coin5] auto
                input_map[service_coin6] auto
                input_map[service_coin7] auto
                input_map[service_coin8] auto
                input_map[ui_cancel] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,8] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,10] or keyboard[0,f7]
                input_map[ui_mode_next] keyboard[0,f24]
                input_map[ui_mode_pred] keyboard[0,f24]
                input_map[ui_reset_machine] joystick_button[0079_0006,4] or joystick_button[0079_0006_2,4] or keyboard[0,f9]
                input_map[ui_toggle_debug] keyboard[0,f24]
                
                input_steadykey no
                
                lcd_server none
                lcd_speed 4
                lcd_timeout 500
                
                misc_bios default
                misc_cheat no
                misc_cheatfile cheat.dat
                misc_difficulty none
                misc_eventdebug no
                misc_eventfile event.dat
                misc_freeplay no
                misc_hiscorefile hiscore.dat
                misc_lang none
                misc_languagefile english.lng
                misc_mutedemo no
                misc_quiet yes
                misc_ramsize auto
                misc_safequit no
                misc_smp no
                misc_timetorun 0
                
                record_sound no
                record_sound_time 15
                record_video no
                record_video_interleave 2
                record_video_time 15
                
                script_coin1 
                script_coin2 
                script_coin3 
                script_coin4 
                script_emulation 
                script_event1 
                script_event10 
                script_event11 
                script_event12 
                script_event13 
                script_event14 
                script_event2 
                script_event3 
                script_event4 
                script_event5 
                script_event6 
                script_event7 
                script_event8 
                script_event9 
                script_led1 on(kdb, 0b1); wait(!event()); off(kdb, 0b1);
                script_led2 on(kdb, 0b10); wait(!event()); off(kdb, 0b10);
                script_led3 
                script_play 
                script_safequit 
                script_start1 
                script_start2 
                script_start3 
                script_start4 
                script_turbo while (event()) { toggle(kdb, 0b100); delay(100); } off(kdb, 0b100);
                script_video wait(!event()); set(kdb, 0);
                
                sound_adjust auto
                sound_equalizer_highvolume 0
                sound_equalizer_lowvolume 0
                sound_equalizer_midvolume 0
                sound_latency 0.05
                sound_mode auto
                sound_normalize yes
                sound_samplerate 44100
                sound_samples yes
                sound_volume 0
                
                sync_fps auto
                sync_resample auto
                sync_speed 1
                sync_startuptime auto
                sync_turbospeed 3
                
                ui_color[help_other] 000000 808080
                ui_color[help_p1] 000000 ffff00
                ui_color[help_p2] 000000 00ff00
                ui_color[help_p3] 000000 ff0000
                ui_color[help_p4] 000000 00ffff
                ui_color[interface] 000000 ffffff
                ui_color[select] 000000 afffff
                ui_color[tag] 247ef0 ffffff
                ui_font auto
                ui_fontsize auto
                ui_helpimage auto
                ui_translucency 0.8
                
                280x210/display_resize fractional
                320x192/display_mode sdl_1824x984
                320x192/display_resize fractional
                320x192x59/display_mode sdl_1824x984
                320x192x59/display_resize fractional
                336x225/display_mode sdl_416x288
                336x225/display_resize fractional
                320x204/display_mode sdl_1920x1080
                320x204/display_resize fractional
                800x300x50/display_mode generate-double
                
                bbcbp128[home_pi_retropie_roms_bbcmicrochuckieegg_chuckie]/script_play delay(750); simulate_key(key_scrlock,75); simulate_key(key_c,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_h,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_a,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_i,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_n,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_space,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_c,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_h,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_u,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_c,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_k,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_i,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_e,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_space,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_e,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_g,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_g,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_enter,75); delay(75);
                
                bbcbp128[home_pi_retropie_roms_bbcmicroelite_elite]/script_play delay(750); simulate_key(key_scrlock,75); simulate_key(key_c,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_h,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_a,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_i,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_n,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_space,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_l,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_o,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_a,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_d,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_enter,75); delay(75);
                
                bbcbp128[home_pi_retropie_roms_bbcmicroplanetoid_planetoid]/script_play delay(750); simulate_key(key_scrlock,75); simulate_key(key_c,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_h,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_a,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_i,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_n,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_space,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_l,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_o,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_a,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_d,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_enter,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_scrlock,75); delay(75);
                
                bbcbp128[home_pi_retropie_roms_bbcmicrothrust_thrust]/script_play delay(750); simulate_key(key_scrlock,75); simulate_key(key_c,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_h,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_a,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_i,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_n,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_space,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_t,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_h,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_r,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_u,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_s,75); delay(75); simulate_key(key_t,75); delay(200); simulate_key(key_lshift,200); simulate_key(key_2,50); delay(200); simulate_key(key_enter,75); delay(75);
                
                input_map[p1_up] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,0,0] or keyboard[0,up]
                input_map[p1_down] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,0,1] or keyboard[0,down]
                input_map[p1_left] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,1,1] or keyboard[0,left]
                input_map[p1_right] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,1,0] or keyboard[0,right]
                input_map[p1_start] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,7] or keyboard[0,1]
                input_map[p1_select] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,7] or keyboard[0,5]
                input_map[p2_up] joystick_digital[0079_0006,0,0,0] or keyboard[0,r]
                input_map[p2_down] joystick_digital[0079_0006,0,0,1] or keyboard[0,f]
                input_map[p2_left] joystick_digital[0079_0006,0,1,1] or keyboard[0,d]
                input_map[p2_right] joystick_digital[0079_0006,0,1,0] or keyboard[0,g]
                input_map[p2_button1] joystick_button[0079_0006,1] or keyboard[0,a]
                input_map[p2_button2] joystick_button[0079_0006,3] or keyboard[0,s]
                input_map[p2_button3] joystick_button[0079_0006,5] or keyboard[0,q]
                input_map[p2_button4] joystick_button[0079_0006,0] or keyboard[0,w]
                input_map[p2_button5] joystick_button[0079_0006,2]
                input_map[p2_button6] 
                input_map[p2_button7] 
                input_map[p2_button8] 
                input_map[p2_button9] 
                input_map[p2_button10] 
                input_map[p2_start] joystick_button[0079_0006,4] or joystick_button[0079_0006_3,10] or keyboard[0,2]
                input_map[p2_select] joystick_button[0079_0006,4] or joystick_button[0079_0006_3,10] or keyboard[0,6]
                input_map[ui_up] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,0,0] or keyboard[0,up]
                input_map[ui_down] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,0,1] or keyboard[0,down]
                input_map[ui_left] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,1,1] or keyboard[0,left]
                input_map[ui_right] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,1,0] or keyboard[0,right]
                input_map[ui_select] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,2] or keyboard[0,enter]
                input_map[ui_record_start] 
                input_map[ui_record_stop] 
                
                

                ...(almost) everything miraculously works! I have keyboard access on BBC, and it also works for the Arcadia and Astrocade (although not, bizarrely, Fairchild Channel F).

                The only tiny problem left with the BBC is that because Tab is a key on the BBC keyboard, MESS doesn't recognise it for accessing the menu, and I can't figure out how to fix it because the keyboard map code is all incomprehensible bollocks like this:

                input_map[key_tab] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,1]
                

                Which is annoying, because if I could figure out the maps I could either enable Tab and set controls via the menu, or just set the joystick directly in the RC file to Z, X, /, : and Return and take care of about 90% of BBC games straight away.

                (I've tried pasting in the line from the Astrocade RC file after I've mapped Tab to a joystick button, which is this:

                input_map[ui_configure] keyboard[0,tab] or joystick_button[0079_0011_2,7]
                

                but that doesn't seem to do anything in the BBC file.)

                But yeah, otherwise that RC file is the Rosetta Stone and I have no clue why.

                mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • mediamogulM
                  mediamogul Global Moderator @SpudsMcToole
                  last edited by

                  @SpudsMcToole said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                  The only tiny problem left with the BBC is that because Tab is a key on the BBC keyboard, MESS doesn't recognise it for accessing the menu

                  You might try something like:

                  input_map[key_tab] keyboard[0,tab]
                  input_map[ui_configure] keyboard[0,lalt] keyboard[0,tab] or keyboard[0,ralt] keyboard[0,tab]
                  

                  In theory that would allow the BBC environment to use the 'Tab' key as its own, while the config menu would be invoked by either 'LeftAlt+Tab' or 'RightAlt+Tab'.

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                  • S
                    SpudsMcToole Banned @mediamogul
                    last edited by

                    @mediamogul Hmm, nope. Adding those lines has no discernible effect - pressing either Alt with Tab just acts like a normal BBC tab.

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                    • ?
                      A Former User
                      last edited by

                      I would like to thank mediamogul. Those Astrocade instructions worked perferct.
                      Just one thing to add to the advmess.rc, this for joystick support.
                      Scroll down to these lines and make sure they look like so.

                      input_map[p1_up] auto
                      input_map[p1_down] auto
                      input_map[p1_left] auto
                      input_map[p1_right] auto
                      input_map[p1_button1] auto
                      input_map[p1_button2] auto
                      input_map[p1_button3] auto
                      input_map[p1_button4] auto
                      input_map[p1_button5] auto
                      input_map[p1_button6] auto
                      input_map[p1_button7] auto
                      input_map[p1_button8] auto
                      input_map[p1_button9] auto
                      input_map[p1_button10] auto
                      input_map[p1_start] auto
                      input_map[p1_select] auto

                      That should work for whatever controller you are using for player 1.
                      One thing that I noticed was that the actual emulation wasn't very good. Lots of flickering, and often garbled sprites can be seen ,on some games, at the top of the screen. The sound was also a bit crackly, popping, and other weird sounds. I used the same Advmess as the original instruction, so perhaps a newer version has many fixes.
                      Off to try BBC emulation, and a few other systems.

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                      • mediamogulM
                        mediamogul Global Moderator @SpudsMcToole
                        last edited by mediamogul

                        @SpudsMcToole said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                        Alt with Tab just acts like a normal BBC tab.

                        Ha! Well, that was me assuming that 'Alt' wasn't used in the BBC environment, but if it is, it would just put you back at square one. I've run into this before with other emulated computer systems that map the majority of the keyboard. While there might be a more elegant solution out there, I ended up mapping keys for emulator functions that weren't used in the emulated environment. Normally, I'd say to open up the options menu to discover which keys aren't already being used, but in your case you can't open up the options menu to check. If your physical keyboard has media controls, I doubt they would be in use here. For example, you might try using:

                        input_map[ui_configure] keyboard[0,playpause]
                        

                        @John_RM_70

                        That should work for whatever controller you are using for player 1.

                        Those are indeed likely to be the sanest default settings. One word of warning however, is that when set to 'auto', AdvanceMAME/MESS will grab whatever controller is assigned by the OS as js0 and js1 for players one and two respectively and so on down the line. Seeing as how this assignment often varies between sessions, it can create issues with setups that require the player controls to remain constant.

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                          SpudsMcToole Banned @mediamogul
                          last edited by

                          @mediamogul said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                          @SpudsMcToole said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                          Alt with Tab just acts like a normal BBC tab.

                          Ha! Well, that was me assuming that 'Alt' wasn't used in the BBC environment, but if it is, it would just put you back at square one. I've run into this before with other computer systems that map the majority of the keyboard. While there might be a more elegant solution out there, I ended up mapping keys for emulator functions that weren't used in the emulation environment. Normally, I'd say to open up the options menu to discover which keys aren't already being used, but in your case you can't open up the options menu to check. If your physical keyboard has media controls, I doubt they would be in use. For example, you might try using:

                          input_map[ui_configure] keyboard[0,playpause]
                          

                          Sadly my keyboard is a basic one with nothing like that. But the BBC doesn't have an Alt key, so goodness knows what's going on.

                          https://acorn.huininga.nl/pub/software/BeebEm/BeebEm-4.14.68000-20160619/Help/keyboard.jpg

                          I've tried everything I can think of in terms of editing the RC file manually, both trying to get the menus up and trying to hardcode the joystick to keys, especially around these lines:

                          input_map[p1_up] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,0,0] or keyboard[0,up]
                          input_map[p1_down] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,0,1] or keyboard[0,down]
                          input_map[p1_left] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,1,1] or keyboard[0,left]
                          input_map[p1_right] joystick_digital[0079_0006_3,0,1,0] or keyboard[0,right]
                          input_map[p1_start] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,7] or keyboard[0,1]
                          input_map[p1_select] joystick_button[0079_0006_3,7] or keyboard[0,5]
                          

                          but nothing has any effect. I know people HAVE managed to get the MESS menu up in the BBC emulator, but Lord knows how they did it.

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                          • mediamogulM
                            mediamogul Global Moderator @SpudsMcToole
                            last edited by mediamogul

                            @SpudsMcToole said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                            BBC doesn't have an Alt key, so goodness knows what's going on.

                            Still, it may be using the 'Alt' key as a stand-in for some other key. If you could find one key that isn't being used, you should be able to access the menu. Below is a list of all the available options.

                            a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, n0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0_pad, 1_pad, 2_pad, 3_pad, 4_pad, 5_pad, 6_pad, 7_pad, 8_pad, 9_pad, f1, f2, f3, f4, f5, f6, f7, f8, f9, f10, f11, f12, esc, backquote, minus, equals, backspace, tab, openbrace, closebrace, enter, semicolon, quote, backslash, less, comma, period, slash, space, insert, del, home, end, pgup, pgdn, left, right, up, down, slash_pad, asterisk_pad, minus_pad, plus_pad, period_pad, enter_pad, prtscr, pause, lshift, rshift, lcontrol, rcontrol, lalt, ralt, lwin, rwin, menu, scrlock, numlock, capslock, stop, again, props, undo, front, copy, open, paste, find, cut, help, calc, setup, sleep, wakeup, file, sendfile, deletefile, xfer, prog1, prog2, www, msdos, coffee, direction, cyclewindows, mail, bookmarks, computer, back, forward, closecd, ejectcd, ejectclosecd, nextsong, playpause, previoussong, stopcd, record, rewind, phone, iso, config, homepage, refresh, exit, move, edit, scrollup, scrolldown, leftparen_pad, rightparen_pad, intl1, intl2, intl3, intl4, intl5, intl6, intl7, intl8, intl9, lang1, lang2, lang3, lang4, lang5, lang6, lang7, lang8, lang9, playcd, pausecd, prog3, prog4, suspend, close, brightnessdown, brightnessup, macro, mute, volumedown, volumeup, power, compose, f13, f14, f15, f16, f17, f18, f19, f20, f21, f22, f23, f24

                            EDIT: Anyone know what the 'coffee' key is?

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                            • ?
                              A Former User
                              last edited by

                              Got it working great.
                              Followed Spud11's post, and partly mediamogul's astrocade posts.
                              Just fired up Planetoid, looks good.
                              Tried a few bbc disk commands, and they too worked - *cat, *!boot , etc....
                              It's 2am here, so off to bed. Tomorrow, I will test a real BBC Master, alongside the Pi, and post some screens from the same games.
                              Whats weird is that my BBC Master has a Pi Zero inside it, running as a co-pro, along with usb and a CF HD. Amazing what people are doing with the Pi, even adding it to it's big old granddad, the BBC.

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                              • mediamogulM
                                mediamogul Global Moderator @A Former User
                                last edited by

                                @John_RM_70 said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                                Tomorrow, I will test a real BBC Master, alongside the Pi, and post some screens from the same games.

                                Very nice! I look forward to seeing how it holds up.

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                                  SpudsMcToole Banned @mediamogul
                                  last edited by SpudsMcToole

                                  @mediamogul said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                                  @SpudsMcToole said in Pro tip for anyone thinking of installing MESS:

                                  BBC doesn't have an Alt key, so goodness knows what's going on.

                                  Still, it may be using the 'Alt' key as a stand-in for some other key. If you could find one key that isn't being used, you should be able to access the menu. Below is a list of all the available options.

                                  Gah. My best bet out of this lot was probably "lwin", but that does nothing either.

                                  0_1541156114382_lwin.jpg image url)

                                  I booted the emulator up and tried every key at the command prompt, and the only one that had no discernible effect on either the BBC or MESS was F12, but that was no good either. How in the heck are people getting the menus up?

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                                  • ?
                                    A Former User
                                    last edited by A Former User

                                    Here are 2 wholly un-scientific images from a real BBC Master, and a Raspberry Pi 3b+ running Advmess.

                                    The hardware
                                    https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/jgjFDN.png
                                    https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/922/xNrlqc.png

                                    Just 2 images, for now.
                                    https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/6qkdSb.png
                                    https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/921/qKm7Jx.png

                                    Can't get images working, so only links for now. The first image under "Just 2 images, for now.", is the BBC Master.
                                    You can see the Pi isn't running in the correct aspect ratio. But overall, it's not bad for composite. The Master is RGB Scart.

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                                    • mediamogulM
                                      mediamogul Global Moderator @A Former User
                                      last edited by

                                      @John_RM_70

                                      Very nice. When I got into retro emulation years ago, I made a decision to focus my attention on North American games only, mainly due to there being more titles there alone than I could ever play in a lifetime. However, I've constantly found that the European computer systems are just too hard to ignore. Some of the most original game concepts I've ever seen originate there and the hobbyist spirit is arguably stronger than any other area of gaming.

                                      The first stretch of free time I can find, I plan to start exploring these games and their history more deeply. My first brush has been looking at rivalry between Clive Sinclair and Chris Curry, which led me to the BBC docu-drama 'Micro Men', but I can't help but think that production was a bit embellished for entertainment, similarly to the Steve Jobs and Bill Gates television docu-drama, 'Pirates of Silicon Valley' as seen in the trailer below.

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                                      • ?
                                        A Former User
                                        last edited by

                                        You should also give the Amstrad CPC, a go. Great games, and when programmed properly they were often very colourful games that looked best across all the 8-bit computers. I got the Pi Amstrad emulator working, and it looks and runs great. Again, I own the real thing, but I can't use the same TV as the Pi, since the Amstrad came with it's own 14" monitor. So a comparison isn't apples to apples. But it's close.

                                        That Micro Men docu, was good. But, like you said, a few liberties were taken when it came to Sir Clive. I believe he was portrayed a bit too nicely, probably for TV. Some people from that era have said he has often a bit of a bastard, and wanted things completed yesterday.

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