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mess:howto [2013/08/10 10:43]
stiletto [Systems Emulated by MESS]
mess:howto [2021/10/20 02:19] (current)
stiletto [Frontends]
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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 FAQ]] and [[:faq|MESS FAQ]] 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 =====
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 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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 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. 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 choicebecause 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 ishoweverthe 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 Tools for building MAME on Windows 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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 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 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/​|EmuCon]] - 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://​hyperspin-fe.com/​oldsite/​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://​sourceforge.net/​projects/​mameplus/​|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/​index.php?​page=cliapps#​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/wordpress/|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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 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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   -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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 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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   -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