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| == Shortcuts == | == Shortcuts == | ||
| | [[#getting_started|Getting Started]] | [[#console_emulation|Console Emulation]] | [[#internal_ui_options|Internal UI Options]] | [[#controller_options|Controller Options]] | [[#system_specific_options|System Specific Options]] | | | [[#getting_started|Getting Started]] | [[#console_emulation|Console Emulation]] | [[#internal_ui_options|Internal UI Options]] | [[#controller_options|Controller Options]] | [[#system_specific_options|System Specific Options]] | | ||
| - | | [[#common_issues|Common Issues]] | [[#computer_emulation|Computer Emulation]] | [[#new_ui_options|New UI Options]] | [[#cheat_options|Cheat Options]] | [[#mess_tools|MESS Tools]] | | + | | [[#common_issues|Common Issues]] | [[#computer_emulation|Computer Emulation]] | | [[#cheat_options|Cheat Options]] | [[#mess_tools|MESS Tools]] | |
| - | | [[#folder_files|Folder & Files]] | [[#chess_computer_emulation|Chess Computer Emulation]] | [[#gui_options|GUI Options]] | [[#save_options|Save Options]] | [[#mess_error_messages|MESS Error Messages]] | | + | | [[#folder_files|Folder & Files]] | [[#chess_computer_emulation|Chess Computer Emulation]] | | [[#save_options|Save Options]] | [[#mess_error_messages|MESS Error Messages]] | |
| | [[#command_line_options|Command Line Options]] | [[#calculator_emulation|Calculator Emulation]] | [[#video_options1|Video Options]] | [[#snapshot_options|Snapshot Options]] | | | | [[#command_line_options|Command Line Options]] | [[#calculator_emulation|Calculator Emulation]] | [[#video_options1|Video Options]] | [[#snapshot_options|Snapshot Options]] | | | ||
| | [[#software_lists|Software Lists]] | [[#media_emulation|Media Emulation]] | [[#sound_options|Sound Options]] | [[#recording_options|Recording Options]] | | | | [[#software_lists|Software Lists]] | [[#media_emulation|Media Emulation]] | [[#sound_options|Sound Options]] | [[#recording_options|Recording Options]] | | | ||
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| | [[#mess_-_an_introduction|MESS - An Introduction]] | [[#supported_os|Supported OS]] | [[#using_mess|Using MESS]] | [[#pause_mess|Pause MESS]] | [[#quit_mess|Quit MESS]] | | | [[#mess_-_an_introduction|MESS - An Introduction]] | [[#supported_os|Supported OS]] | [[#using_mess|Using MESS]] | [[#pause_mess|Pause MESS]] | [[#quit_mess|Quit MESS]] | | ||
| | [[#purpose_of_mess|Purpose of MESS]] | [[#installing_mess|Installing MESS]] | [[#compiling_mess|Compiling MESS]] | [[#access_mess_internal_ui|Access MESS Internal UI]] | [[#frontends|Frontends]] | | | [[#purpose_of_mess|Purpose of MESS]] | [[#installing_mess|Installing MESS]] | [[#compiling_mess|Compiling MESS]] | [[#access_mess_internal_ui|Access MESS Internal UI]] | [[#frontends|Frontends]] | | ||
| - | | [[#systems_emulated_by_mess|Systems Emulated by MESS]] | [[#requirements|Requirements]] | [[#start_mess|Start MESS]] | [[#access_mess_internal_new_ui|Access MESS Internal New UI]] | | | + | | [[#systems_emulated_by_mess|Systems Emulated by MESS]] | [[#requirements|Requirements]] | [[#start_mess|Start MESS]] | | | |
| ===== MESS - An Introduction ===== | ===== MESS - An Introduction ===== | ||
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| ===== Purpose of MESS ===== | ===== Purpose of MESS ===== | ||
| - | The primary purpose of MESS is to preserve decades of computer and console history. As technology continues to rush forward, MESS prevents these important "vintage" systems from being lost and forgotten. MESS is based on MAME and shares many of its components. Additional information about MESS and MAME can be found at the [[http://www.mess.org|MESS home page]] or at [[http://mamedev.org|MAMEDev]]. You could also find the [[http://mamedev.org/devwiki/index.php?title=Frequently_Asked_Questions|MAME FAQs]] and [[:faq|MESS FAQs]] a very interesting read. | + | The primary purpose of MESS is to preserve decades of computer and console history. As technology continues to rush forward, MESS prevents these important "vintage" systems from being lost and forgotten. MESS is based on MAME and shares many of its components. Additional information about MESS and MAME can be found at the [[http://mess.redump.net|MESS wiki]] or at [[http://mamedev.org|MAMEDev]]. You could also find the [[http://mamedev.org/devwiki/index.php?title=Frequently_Asked_Questions|MAME FAQ]] and [[:faq|MESS FAQ]] a very interesting read. |
| ===== Systems Emulated by MESS ===== | ===== Systems Emulated by MESS ===== | ||
| - | [[:supported_systems|MESS wiki pages]] contain a complete list of the systems currently emulated. As you will notice, being supported does not always mean that the status of the emulation is perfect. You may want | + | [[:supported_systems|ProjectMESS]] contains a complete list of the systems currently emulated. As you will notice, being supported does not always mean that the status of the emulation is perfect. You may want |
| - | - to check the status of the emulation in the wiki pages of each system, accessible from the [[:mess:drivers|drivers page]] (e.g. for Myarc Geneve, from the page for [[:mess:drivers:geneve|geneve.c driver]] you can reach the pages for both [[:mess:drivers:geneve:geneve|geneve]] and [[:mess:drivers:geneve:genmod|genmod]]), | + | - to check the status of the emulation in the wiki pages of each system, accessible from the [[:mess:drivers|drivers page]] (e.g. for Apple Macintosh, from the page for the [[:mess:drivers:mac|mac.c driver]] you can reach the pages for both [[:mess:drivers:mac:macplus|macplus]] and [[:mess:drivers:mac:macse|macse]]), |
| - | - to read the corresponding [[:sysinfo|sysinfo.dat]] entry in order to better understand which issues you may encounter while running a system in MESS (again, for Myarc Geneve you have to check [[:sysinfo:geneve|this entry]]). | + | - to read the corresponding [[:sysinfo|sysinfo.dat]] entry in order to better understand which issues you may encounter while running a system in MESS (again, for Apple Macintosh Plus you have to check [[:sysinfo:macplus|this entry]]). |
| Alternatively, you can simply see the status by yourself, launching the system emulation and taking a look to the red or yellow warning screen which appears before the emulation starts, if any. | Alternatively, you can simply see the status by yourself, launching the system emulation and taking a look to the red or yellow warning screen which appears before the emulation starts, if any. | ||
| - | Notice that if you have information which can help to improve the emulation of a supported system, or if you can directly contribute fixes and/or addition to the current source, you can follow the instructions at the [[http://www.mess.org/contacts.php|contact page]] or post to the [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1|MESS Message Board]]. | + | Notice that if you have information which can help to improve the emulation of a supported system, or if you can directly contribute fixes and/or addition to the current source, you can follow the instructions at the [[http://mess.redump.net/contacts.php|contact page]] or post to the [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1|MESS Message Board]]. |
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| === Windows === | === Windows === | ||
| - | You simply have to download the latest binary archive available at [[http://mess.redump.net/downloads|this page]] and to extract its content to a folder. You will end up with many files (below you find explanations about some of these), and in particular with mess.exe. This is a command line program. The installation procedure ends here. Easy, isn't it? | + | You simply have to download the latest binary archive available at [[http://mamedev.org/release.html|this page]] and to extract its content to a folder. You will end up with many files (below you find explanations about some of these), and in particular with mess.exe. This is a command line program. The installation procedure ends here. Easy, isn't it? |
| === Other Operating Systems === | === Other Operating Systems === | ||
| - | In this case, you can either look for pre-compiled (SDL)MESS binaries (e.g. in the repositories of your favorite Linux distro) which should simply extract all the needed files in a folder you choose, or compile the source code by yourself. In the latter case, see [[#compiling_mess_on_other_os|next entry]]. | + | In this case, you can either look for pre-compiled (SDL)MESS binaries (e.g. in the repositories of your favorite Linux distro) which should simply extract all the needed files in a folder you choose, or compile the source code by yourself. In the latter case, see the [[#compiling_mess|entry on compiling]]. |
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| === MESS / MESSUI (Windows) === | === MESS / MESSUI (Windows) === | ||
| - | Compiling MESS for Windows requires the MinGW toolkit, a variant of GCC. MinGW comes with a variant of GDB for debugging. Downloads of those tools can be found on the [[:build_tools|build tools page]]. Notice also that the same tools are used to compile MAME. Hence, you can download them from the correspondent [[http://mamedev.org/tools/|MAME build tools page]] as well. | + | Compiling MESS for Windows requires the MinGW toolkit, a variant of GCC. MinGW comes with a variant of GDB for debugging. Downloads of those tools can be found on the [[:build_tools|Build Tools page]]. Notice also that the same tools are used to compile MAME. Hence, you can download them from the correspondent [[http://mamedev.org/tools/|MAME Tools for building MAME on Windows page]] as well. |
| - | Then, you need the MESS source, of course. You can either take the whole tree from the svn repository (see [[http://www.mess.org/download.php|this page]]), or download latest stable source (see again [[http://www.mess.org/download.php|this page]]) and add to it the corresponding version of the MAME source. The svn is however the recommended choice, because of the frequent updates. | + | Then, you need the MESS source, of course. You can either take the whole tree from the svn repository (see [[:subversion|this page]]), or download the latest stable source package (see [[:downloads|this page]] instead). The SVN is, however, the recommended choice because of the frequent updates. |
| - | Once you have both sources, to compile the command line version of MESS is enough to open a command prompt and type (assuming MinGW has been correctly installed as explained at [[http://mamedev.org/tools/|MAME build tools page]]) | + | Once you have the source, to compile the command line version of MESS is enough to open a command prompt and type (assuming MinGW has been correctly installed as explained at [[http://mamedev.org/tools/|MAME Tools for building MAME on Windows page]]) |
| make TARGET=mess | make TARGET=mess | ||
| Please notice the capital letters for ''TARGET'': if you use ''target=mess'' it won't work. | Please notice the capital letters for ''TARGET'': if you use ''target=mess'' it won't work. | ||
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| If you want to compile MESSUI, then you need to type | If you want to compile MESSUI, then you need to type | ||
| make TARGET=mess OSD=winui | make TARGET=mess OSD=winui | ||
| - | This also compiles the alternative Internal New UI (which can then be enabled the ''-menu'' option). | ||
| Finally, if you want to compile the Tools (e.g. chdman, imgtool and castool), then you need to type | Finally, if you want to compile the Tools (e.g. chdman, imgtool and castool), then you need to type | ||
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| (if you forget the "TARGET=mess" part you will end up only compiling the MAME tools). | (if you forget the "TARGET=mess" part you will end up only compiling the MAME tools). | ||
| - | You can also read our [[:compiling_mess|Compile wiki page]]. | + | You can also read our [[:compiling_mess|Compile MESS wiki page]]. |
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| Starting from version 0.137, the SDL component of MAME/MESS are included in the official source. | Starting from version 0.137, the SDL component of MAME/MESS are included in the official source. | ||
| - | Therefore, to compile MESS you only need to download the source from [[http://www.mess.org/download.php|this page]] (and to add the MAME source), or to checkout the svn repository (see [[http://www.mess.org/download.php|this page]] for instructions about svn). | + | Therefore, to compile MESS you only need to download the source from [[:downloads|this page]], or to checkout the SVN repository (see [[:subversion|this page]] for instructions about SVN). |
| Required packages and instructions about compiling (SDL)MESS are the same used to compile (SDL)MAME and can be found following the links at [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=35138#Post35138|this thread]]. In general, you only need a compatible version of GCC (sometimes latest bleeding edge versions may cause compile issues), the SDL libraries and the MESS & MAME sources: the makefile has been written so that typing | Required packages and instructions about compiling (SDL)MESS are the same used to compile (SDL)MAME and can be found following the links at [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=35138#Post35138|this thread]]. In general, you only need a compatible version of GCC (sometimes latest bleeding edge versions may cause compile issues), the SDL libraries and the MESS & MAME sources: the makefile has been written so that typing | ||
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| (if you forget the "TARGET=mess" part you will end up only compiling the MAME tools). | (if you forget the "TARGET=mess" part you will end up only compiling the MAME tools). | ||
| - | You can also read our [[:compiling_mess|Compile wiki page]]. | + | You can also read our [[:compiling_mess|Compile MESS wiki page]]. |
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| If you don't like using MESS from command line, you may want to use MESS in conjunction with a frontend. Various frontends currently support MESS. In alphabetical order: | If you don't like using MESS from command line, you may want to use MESS in conjunction with a frontend. Various frontends currently support MESS. In alphabetical order: | ||
| - | * [[http://emuloader.mameworld.info/|EmuCon Playground EX]] - Windows only | + | * [[https://web.archive.org/web/20210607003404/https://emuloader.mameworld.info/emucon/|EmuCon]] - Windows only |
| * [[http://gelide.sourceforge.net/|Gelide]] - Linux | * [[http://gelide.sourceforge.net/|Gelide]] - Linux | ||
| * [[http://bobz38.free.fr/gnomess/index.php|GNOMESS]] - Linux | * [[http://bobz38.free.fr/gnomess/index.php|GNOMESS]] - Linux | ||
| - | * [[http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/|HyperSpin]] - Windows - [[http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=116|Atari 5200 tutorial]] | + | * [[https://www.hyperspin-fe.com/|HyperSpin]] - Windows - [[http://hyperspin-fe.com/oldsite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=116|Atari 5200 tutorial]] |
| - | * [[http://sourceforge.net/projects/kxmame/|kxmame]] - Linux | + | * [[https://sourceforge.net/projects/kxmame/|kxmame]] - Linux |
| - | * [[http://mameicons.free.fr/mame32p/|MAME Plus! GUI]] - Windows, Linux and Mac OS X supported | + | * [[https://sourceforge.net/projects/mameplus/|MAME Plus! GUI]] - Windows, Linux and Mac OS X supported |
| * [[https://sites.google.com/site/meagrefrontend/home|MEAGRE]] - Windows only | * [[https://sites.google.com/site/meagrefrontend/home|MEAGRE]] - Windows only | ||
| - | * [[http://eadmaster.altervista.org/pub/prj/cliapps.htm#mess|MESS auto-launcher]] - Windows and *nix (command-line only) | + | * [[https://eadmaster.altervista.org/pub/index.php?page=cliapps#mess|MESS auto-launcher]] - Windows and *nix (command-line only) |
| - | * [[http://macmess.org/|MessMenu]] - Mac OS X only | + | * [[https://macmess.org/|MessMenu]] - Mac OS X only |
| - | * [[http://messui.the-chronicles.org/|MESSUI]] - Windows only (formerly part of the official project) | + | * [[https://messui.1emulation.com/|MESSUI]] - Windows only (formerly part of the official project) |
| - | * [[http://mameload.mameworld.info/|ML TNG]] - Windows only | + | * [[https://mameload.mameworld.info/|ML TNG]] - Windows only |
| - | * [[http://robert.hurst-ri.us/myarcade/|My Arcade]] - Windows, Linux | + | * [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180817030035/https://robert.hurst-ri.us/myarcade/|My Arcade]] - Windows, Linux |
| - | * [[http://qmc2.arcadehits.net/|QMC2]] - Windows, Linux and Mac OS X supported | + | * [[https://qmc2.batcom-it.net/|QMC2]] - Windows, Linux and Mac OS X supported |
| * [[http://www.anti-particle.com/wahcade.shtml|Wah!Cade]] - Linux | * [[http://www.anti-particle.com/wahcade.shtml|Wah!Cade]] - Linux | ||
| - | * [[http://sourceforge.net/projects/xlbmessui/|xlbmessui]] - Linux | + | * [[https://sourceforge.net/projects/xlbmessui/|xlbmessui]] - Linux |
| - | * [[http://code.google.com/p/xmessgui/|xMess GUI]] - cross-platform | + | * [[https://code.google.com/archive/p/xmessgui/|xMess GUI]] - cross-platform |
| Please refer to their home pages and support forums for more information about the available options of the frontends. | Please refer to their home pages and support forums for more information about the available options of the frontends. | ||
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| * Alternatively, don't hesitate to ask for suggestions on the [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1|MESS message board]] | * Alternatively, don't hesitate to ask for suggestions on the [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1|MESS message board]] | ||
| - | If you can provide fixes or addition of missing components, please follow the submission rules at the [[http://www.mess.org/contacts.php|contact page]]. | + | If you can provide fixes or addition of missing components, please follow the submission rules at the [[http://mess.redump.net/contacts.php|contact page]]. |
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| * The whole Internal UI is completely clickable with the mouse. Start command line MESS with a double click, and you will be prompted with a random list of the systems you can launch. Click on one of them and the emulation will start. Press <key>Tab</key> during the emulation and you will enter again the Internal UI which allows you to configure Inputs, Video and Sound options by simply clicking on them with your mouse (a complete description of the available options can be found below...) | * The whole Internal UI is completely clickable with the mouse. Start command line MESS with a double click, and you will be prompted with a random list of the systems you can launch. Click on one of them and the emulation will start. Press <key>Tab</key> during the emulation and you will enter again the Internal UI which allows you to configure Inputs, Video and Sound options by simply clicking on them with your mouse (a complete description of the available options can be found below...) | ||
| * In the ''File Manager'' and in the ''Software List'' menu, the navigation through folders filled of hundreds of files can be made a lot faster, if you know a couple of features of the Internal UI! First of all, <key>PgUp</key>, <key>PgDn</key>, <key>Home</key> and <key>End</key> are fully supported and allow for faster scroll of the list of filenames. Moreover, as of MESS 0.142, you can type the beginning of a filename, and the File Manager will scroll until the file with the closest name. Adding the fact that you can click with the mouse of the file to start it, finding the file you want to launch has never been so easy! | * In the ''File Manager'' and in the ''Software List'' menu, the navigation through folders filled of hundreds of files can be made a lot faster, if you know a couple of features of the Internal UI! First of all, <key>PgUp</key>, <key>PgDn</key>, <key>Home</key> and <key>End</key> are fully supported and allow for faster scroll of the list of filenames. Moreover, as of MESS 0.142, you can type the beginning of a filename, and the File Manager will scroll until the file with the closest name. Adding the fact that you can click with the mouse of the file to start it, finding the file you want to launch has never been so easy! | ||
| - | * For many calculator and chess computers, MESS provides an artwork which depicts the original aspect of the emulated machine (see also the [[#artwork_folder|Artwork]] section). In the ''Video options'' menu of the UI, you can turn it on or off. When the artwork is used, you can also click with the mouse on the keys that you see to produce the expected effect on the emulated machine rather than using keyboard inputs. If you find a system using an artwork but not working when you click on it, please report it on the [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1|MESS message board]] (this feature is not currently supported in every system with an artwork, but we are working on it). | + | * For many calculator and chess computers, MESS provides an artwork which depicts the original aspect of the emulated machine (see also the [[#artworks|Artwork]] section). In the ''Video options'' menu of the UI, you can turn it on or off. When the artwork is used, you can also click with the mouse on the keys that you see to produce the expected effect on the emulated machine rather than using keyboard inputs. If you find a system using an artwork but not working when you click on it, please report it on the [[http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1|MESS message board]] (this feature is not currently supported in every system with an artwork, but we are working on it). |
| * When emulating a computer in MESS, you may want to try some BASIC program you have found in internet. However, the process of writing them in the emulated system is usually quite tedious. This is why MESS allows you to directly paste into the emulated system whatever text you copy from a file! Simply select the program / command you want to enter, copy it (e.g. by using <key>C-c</key> on Windows) and paste it in MESS by pressing <key>S-ScrLock</key> (this is the default key sequence, but you can remap it to any key you want entering the Internal UI, choosing ''Inputs (general)'' and then ''User Interface''). | * When emulating a computer in MESS, you may want to try some BASIC program you have found in internet. However, the process of writing them in the emulated system is usually quite tedious. This is why MESS allows you to directly paste into the emulated system whatever text you copy from a file! Simply select the program / command you want to enter, copy it (e.g. by using <key>C-c</key> on Windows) and paste it in MESS by pressing <key>S-ScrLock</key> (this is the default key sequence, but you can remap it to any key you want entering the Internal UI, choosing ''Inputs (general)'' and then ''User Interface''). | ||
| * MESS can load zipped BIOSes based on their CRC checksum. Hence, if you have a correct BIOS zipped in the roms/ folder, the names of the single files are not really important. However, if you keep your BIOS unzipped, MESS cannot load the files by CRC and you need the BIOS files to be named in a very precise way. If you keep receiving a ''missing files'' error message and you think you have already the required files unzipped in a subfolder of the roms/ folder, check if their names are correct. | * MESS can load zipped BIOSes based on their CRC checksum. Hence, if you have a correct BIOS zipped in the roms/ folder, the names of the single files are not really important. However, if you keep your BIOS unzipped, MESS cannot load the files by CRC and you need the BIOS files to be named in a very precise way. If you keep receiving a ''missing files'' error message and you think you have already the required files unzipped in a subfolder of the roms/ folder, check if their names are correct. | ||
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| == Shortcuts == | == Shortcuts == | ||
| - | | [[#mess.ini|mess.ini]] | [[#ini_folder|ini/ Folder]] | [[#tools_folder|tools/ Folder]] | | + | | [[#mess.ini|mess.ini]] | [[#inifolder|ini/ Folder]] | [[#toolsfolder|tools/ Folder]] | |
| - | | [[#roms_folder|roms/ Folder]] | [[#ctrlr_folder|ctrlr/ Folder]] | [[#effects_files|Effects Files]] | | + | | [[#romsfolder|roms/ Folder]] | [[#ctrlrfolder|ctrlr/ Folder]] | [[#effects_files|Effects Files]] | |
| - | | [[#nvram_folder_.nv_files|nvram/ Folder & .nv Files]] | [[#hash_folder|hash/ Folder]] | [[#font_files|Font Files]] | | + | | [[#nvramfolder_nv_files|nvram/ Folder & .nv Files]] | [[#hashfolder|hash/ Folder]] | [[#font_files|Font Files]] | |
| - | | [[#cfg_folder_.cfg_files|cfg/ Folder & .cfg Files]] | [[#memcard_folder|memcard/ Folder]] | | | + | | [[#cfgfolder_cfg_files|cfg/ Folder & .cfg Files]] | [[#memcardfolder|memcard/ Folder]] | | |
| - | | [[#artwork_folder|artwork/ Folder]] | [[#snap_folder|snap/ Folder]] | | | + | | [[#artworkfolder|artwork/ Folder]] | [[#snapfolder|snap/ Folder]] | | |
| ===== mess.ini ===== | ===== mess.ini ===== | ||
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| Afterwards, you can always edit this file and the configuration values by opening and editing it with a text editor. The same command can be also handy if you want to reset every option to its default value at once, because the new mess.ini will overwrite the one already present. | Afterwards, you can always edit this file and the configuration values by opening and editing it with a text editor. The same command can be also handy if you want to reset every option to its default value at once, because the new mess.ini will overwrite the one already present. | ||
| - | It is recommended that you modify the writeconfig setting to 1. | + | It is generally recommended that you modify the writeconfig setting to 1. Keep in mind that this will also save the information what cartridges and floppy disks are inserted, so they are automatically re-mounted on the next start unless you specify something different. If you prefer to start with a clean system each time you should set this value to 0. |
| writeconfig 1 | writeconfig 1 | ||
| Save your changes. Then, copy your new mess.ini to the ini folder. | Save your changes. Then, copy your new mess.ini to the ini folder. | ||
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| MESS emulates the video output of the emulated systems as accurately as possible. Hence, no enhancement filters or effects are implemented. | MESS emulates the video output of the emulated systems as accurately as possible. Hence, no enhancement filters or effects are implemented. | ||
| - | However, it is possible to overlay the screen with tiled .png files to mimic and re-create scanlines or tv effects. Some ready-to-use effect files can be found at [[http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=emuadvice|Emuadvice Mameworld Forum]] (these are for MAME, but they work in the same way in MESS). To enable such effect files, you can load them at command line with the option ''-effect'' | + | However, it is possible to overlay the screen with tiled .png files to mimic and re-create scanlines or tv effects. Some ready-to-use effect files can be found at [[http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=emuadvice|The Sticky Collection MAMEWorld Forum]] (these are for MAME, but they work in the same way in MESS). To enable such effect files, you can load them at command line with the option ''-effect'' |
| The .png files must be uncompressed and located in the artwork directory (artwork/ by default). You load them by launching, e.g. | The .png files must be uncompressed and located in the artwork directory (artwork/ by default). You load them by launching, e.g. | ||
| mess.exe -effect aperture1x2rb | mess.exe -effect aperture1x2rb | ||
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| In MESS, you can also customize the font of the Internal UI in a very easy way. Simply put a .bdf file in the same directory as MESS (but you can modify the location by using the ''-fontpath'' option), rename it to ui.bdf and, next time you start the emulator, the new font set will be used. | In MESS, you can also customize the font of the Internal UI in a very easy way. Simply put a .bdf file in the same directory as MESS (but you can modify the location by using the ''-fontpath'' option), rename it to ui.bdf and, next time you start the emulator, the new font set will be used. | ||
| - | Some ready-to-use font sets in .bdf format can be found at [[http://mrdo.mameworld.info/mame_artwork_supp.html|Mr. Do's artwork pages]]. | + | Some ready-to-use font sets in .bdf format can be found at [[http://mrdo.mameworld.info/mame_artwork_supp.php|Mr. Do's artwork pages]]. |
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| == Shortcuts == | == Shortcuts == | ||
| | [[#overview|Overview]] | [[#performance_options|Performance Options]] | [[#emulated_ram_size_options|Emulated RAM Size Options]] | | | [[#overview|Overview]] | [[#performance_options|Performance Options]] | [[#emulated_ram_size_options|Emulated RAM Size Options]] | | ||
| - | | [[#creating_mess.ini|Creating mess.ini]] | [[#frameskipping|Frameskipping]] | [[#emulated_media_options|Emulated Media Options]] | | + | | [[#messini|Creating mess.ini]] | [[#frameskipping|Frameskipping]] | [[#emulated_media_options|Emulated Media Options]] | |
| - | | [[#getting_started1|Getting Started]] | [[#debugging_options|Debugging Options]] | [[#ui_options|UI Options]] | | + | | [[#getting_started|Getting Started]] | [[#debugging_options|Debugging Options]] | [[#internal_ui_options|Internal UI Options]] | |
| | [[#rom_verification_options|ROM Verification Options]] | [[#system_bios_options|System BIOS Options]] | | | | [[#rom_verification_options|ROM Verification Options]] | [[#system_bios_options|System BIOS Options]] | | | ||
| | [[#directories_options|Directories Options]] | [[#emulated_keyboard_options|Emulated Keyboard Options]] | | | | [[#directories_options|Directories Options]] | [[#emulated_keyboard_options|Emulated Keyboard Options]] | | | ||
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| Sharing its core with MAME, MESS is a very powerful and flexible emulator. This results in a very large number of command line options available, which can easily lead the user to some confusion. | Sharing its core with MAME, MESS is a very powerful and flexible emulator. This results in a very large number of command line options available, which can easily lead the user to some confusion. | ||
| - | However, in general, most options can be set once and then seldom modified: for this reason is important to keep in mind that to each option below (and to the ones described in the [[#video_option|Video Options]], [[#sound_options|Sound Options]] and [[#input_options|Input Options]] sections of the Manual) there correspond a configuration option in mess.ini. | + | However, in general, most options can be set once and then seldom modified: for this reason is important to keep in mind that to each option below (and to the ones described in the [[#video_options1|Video Options]], [[#sound_options|Sound Options]] and [[#controller_options|Controller Options]] sections of the Manual) there correspond a configuration option in mess.ini. |
| Editing a configuration option in [[:mess:mess.ini|mess.ini]] will force MESS to change that particular aspect of the emulation every time it is launched, exactly as if you would pass the corresponding command line option at launch. | Editing a configuration option in [[:mess:mess.ini|mess.ini]] will force MESS to change that particular aspect of the emulation every time it is launched, exactly as if you would pass the corresponding command line option at launch. | ||
| This approach allows you to only remember a couple of options when you are starting emulation, namely the ones that you want to overwrite for a particular system (and also in this case you may want to modify them once for all creating a <system>.ini file, where "system" is the computer or console you want to emulate) | This approach allows you to only remember a couple of options when you are starting emulation, namely the ones that you want to overwrite for a particular system (and also in this case you may want to modify them once for all creating a <system>.ini file, where "system" is the computer or console you want to emulate) | ||
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| Also, remember that if you are using MESS in conjunction with a frontend, you can set your favorite configuration options through the frontend's graphical interface rather than launching the emulation from the command line. The option in the frontend should have the same name of the Command Line / Configuration ones. | Also, remember that if you are using MESS in conjunction with a frontend, you can set your favorite configuration options through the frontend's graphical interface rather than launching the emulation from the command line. The option in the frontend should have the same name of the Command Line / Configuration ones. | ||
| - | Notice that here we list and discuss only general MESS options, and only the main ones. For Video, Sound and Input options, please look at the corresponding entries below. For a complete list of command line options, you can see the [[mess:usage|usage]] page of this wiki, while for a list of the corresponding configuration options you can see the [[:mess:mess.ini|mess.ini]] page of this wiki | + | Notice that here we list and discuss only general MESS options, and only the main ones. For Video, Sound and Controller options, please look at the corresponding entries below. For a complete list of command line options, you can see the [[mess:usage|usage]] page of this wiki, while for a list of the corresponding configuration options you can see the [[:mess:mess.ini|mess.ini]] page of this wiki |
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| -comment_directory [for debugger comments] | -comment_directory [for debugger comments] | ||
| - | Check also [[http://mess.toseciso.org/mess:mess.ini#core_search_path_options|this page]] and [[http://mess.toseciso.org/mess:mess.ini#core_output_directory_options|this page]], respectively, to read about the corresponding configuration options available in mess.ini. | + | Check also [[mess:mess.ini#core_search_path_options|this page]] and [[mess:mess.ini#core_output_directory_options|this page]], respectively, to read about the corresponding configuration options available in mess.ini. |
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| Keep in mind that dropping too many frames will cause the game to become more jerky and stuttery. | Keep in mind that dropping too many frames will cause the game to become more jerky and stuttery. | ||
| - | Check also [[http://mess.redump.net/mess:mess.ini#core_performance_options|this page]], to read about the corresponding configuration options available in mess.ini. | + | Check also [[mess:mess.ini#core_performance_options|this page]], to read about the corresponding configuration options available in mess.ini. |
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| | [[#overview1|Overview]] | [[#usage_from_command_line|Usage from Command Line]] | [[#additional_usage|Additional Usage]] | | | [[#overview1|Overview]] | [[#usage_from_command_line|Usage from Command Line]] | [[#additional_usage|Additional Usage]] | | ||
| | [[#list_format|List Format]] | [[#usage_from_internal_ui|Usage from Internal UI]] | [[#using_software_lists_with_cmpro|Using Software Lists with cmpro]] | | | [[#list_format|List Format]] | [[#usage_from_internal_ui|Usage from Internal UI]] | [[#using_software_lists_with_cmpro|Using Software Lists with cmpro]] | | ||
| - | | [[#setting_up_lists|Setting Up Lists]] | [[#usage_from_new_internal_ui|Usage from New Internal UI]] | [[#software_sources|Software Sources]] | | + | | [[#setting_up_lists|Setting Up Lists]] | | [[#software_sources|Software Sources]] | |
| - | | [[#setting_up_software|Setting Up Software]] | [[#usage_from_messui|Usage from MESSUI]] | [[#missing_features|Missing Features]] | | + | | [[#setting_up_software|Setting Up Software]] | | [[#missing_features|Missing Features]] | |
| ===== Overview ===== | ===== Overview ===== | ||
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| MESS solution to this problem is to offer two different emulation modes for the keyboard of each system, Full and Partial, whenever you start the emulation of a computer (this does not apply to console). As said above, you can switch between the two using <key>ScrLock</key> (in (SDL)MESS, the default key is <key>Delete</key> and you can change it in [[:mess:mess.ini|mess.ini]] changing the ''uimodekey'' line). | MESS solution to this problem is to offer two different emulation modes for the keyboard of each system, Full and Partial, whenever you start the emulation of a computer (this does not apply to console). As said above, you can switch between the two using <key>ScrLock</key> (in (SDL)MESS, the default key is <key>Delete</key> and you can change it in [[:mess:mess.ini|mess.ini]] changing the ''uimodekey'' line). | ||
| - | (For more information on how to change this <key>ScrLock</key> to be something else, see: http://mess.redump.net/faq#for_some_reason_esc_does_not_quit_mess_nor_does_tab_bring_up_the_menu) | + | (For more information on how to change this <key>ScrLock</key> to be something else, see: [[:faq#for_some_reason_esc_does_not_quit_mess_nor_does_tab_bring_up_the_menu)]] |
| Below is a short description of the differences between the two modes. | Below is a short description of the differences between the two modes. | ||
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| ===== CD-ROM Emulation ===== | ===== CD-ROM Emulation ===== | ||
| - | MESS supports CD-ROM for a few systems. Typical tape format for MESS is CHD. You can read a guide about how to create a CHD from a CD [[http://guru.mameworld.info/tutorials/dumping_cds_&_hdds/index.html|here]], courtesy of The Guru. | + | MESS supports CD-ROM for a few systems. Typical tape format for MESS is CHD. You can read a guide about how to create a CHD from a CD [[http://members.iinet.net.au/~lantra9jp1/gurudumps/tutorials/dumping_cds_&_hdds/index.html#cd|here]], courtesy of The Guru. |
| To load a CD-ROM in MESS, you simply need to use the ''-cdrom'' option | To load a CD-ROM in MESS, you simply need to use the ''-cdrom'' option | ||
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| -video gdi | -video gdi | ||
| - | D3D is the fastest setting, but it requires a Direct 3D 8+ compatible graphics card. If your card is not compatible with latest Direct 3D, you may want to try ddraw or gdi. | + | D3D is the fastest setting, but it requires a Direct 3D 9+ compatible graphics card. If your card is not compatible with latest Direct 3D, you may want to try ddraw or gdi. |
| - | + | ||
| - | You can also select which version of Direct 3D libraries to use, by setting the ''-d3dversion'' options. You can only choose between 8 and 9 (corresponding to Direct 3D 8 and Direct 3D 9), 9 being the default. | + | |
| If you are using (SDL)MESS, you can select | If you are using (SDL)MESS, you can select | ||