Game won't load: resolution changes, but goes no further

[Hashakgik888]

When I load a .bin or .iso in 1.70, it goes to load the game and the screen's resolution changes like it alway does when loading a game and the screen goes black but the taskbar stays visible. Then it just stays like that. It does that every time and goes nowhere. It does this with every game. Any suggestions?

[jonc2006]

try using the disc to play instead and see what it does. can you post the plugins and settings you are using as well as your system specs.?

[Bouchacha]

I'm getting the exact same problem. This happens even when I'm just loading the BIOS meaning it isn't a game specific issue. I tried version 1.6 and 1.7, with only Pete's video plug-ins (both Peops and OpenGL2) with the same result. I tried different BIOS files to no avail. I deleted both registry entries to no avail. I copied the entire ePSXe directory to another computer and it worked flawlessly even though they both have the exact same windows configuration and version, albeit different hardware.

Problem computer specs:
XP SP3
Intel E8400 dual core
eVGA GeForce 8800 GT 512mb

Anything else I can try? Thanks.

[KrossX]

Could be an issue with Dual Cores?

If so, open the Task Manager (right click the taskbar) select ePSXe.exe (just before loading an ISO) and change its afinity (right click it) to use only one Core of your CPU. See if that helps.

[jonc2006]

the dual core issue was fixed in 1.7.0 so i dont think it is related to whatever this is if the same issue is happening in both 1.6.0 and 1.7.0. are you sure you have set up the emulator correctly? remove epsxe and get rid of the registry entries again, once that is done do the installation process but this time set it up while following this (http://forums.ngemu.com/generic-epsxe-queries/85600-epsxe-configuration-guide-windows.html) guide as closely as you can.

[Bouchacha]

I followed that guide to the letter. I will try setting the affinity to just one CPU when I get a chance to see if that makes any difference.

This computer was built just this February, and I was able to run ePSXe 1.6 successfully with no problems. When I ran into this problem, I figured that maybe XP SP3 might've screwed up some configurations but I tested my laptop which is identically configured and didn't run into any problems. So I'm at a loss as to what to do besides reinstalling XP.

edit: does ePSXe leave a log or something? I couldn't find anything.

[jonc2006]

what are driver versions are you using for your video card? are they up to date? do any of the d3d plugins work?

[Bouchacha]

I'll have to check for that but I did update my gfx drivers about a month ago. I haven't tried the D3D plugins but I did try the Peops plugin and ended up with the same issue. Will try D3D when I get a chance.

I wish the OP would come back and contribute so that we can get to the bottom of this! Thanks for your help by the way.

[jonc2006]

indeed because it would be useful to see how his system compares to yours, im wondering if it is something hardware related or plugin/setting related atm.

[Bouchacha]

I have the latest nvidia drivers (175.16). I deleted the registry entries, restarted, then used the D3D plugin instead and to no avail.

In Windowed mode, the ePSXe window just disappears. In full-screen, the resolution switch is made then the ePSXe window disappears without restoring the old resolution.

I can't think of anything else to try, any ideas?

edit: I forgot to mention I tried it with just one CPU and the result was the same. What a brain buster this is!

[jonc2006]

you open up the task manager does the epsxe.exe still show up running in the "processes" tab? what are the directory paths to the epsxe and its sub-folders? like how are they written out?

[KrossX]

So, you have the emulator setted up proplery following the previous suggested guide.
You cannot run your BIOS nor any game regardless of plugin used.

Drivers up to date, there shouldn't be a Dual Core issue and tested but 'twas futile...
This is pretty weird.

Try with another emulator like pSX...

Do you have any other weird issue such as this with PC games?
Do the tests in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool go well? (WIN+R => Type "dxdiag" => Enter)
Have you tried by disabling DEP? (this is just for testing, if there's no change, enable it back)

[jonc2006]

the DEP issue seems to be more common in vista than it is in xp, although im not going to say it isnt a possibility here, and i would turn it off anyway just to prevent it from causing problems somewhere down the line.

[Bouchacha]

:yippee::yippee::yippee:

DEP it is!!!

When I read that I immediately remembered I had turned it on in an attempt to get rid of an XP annoyance (I was getting a security warning with every desktop file). I just turned it off and ePSXe is working like a charm, thank you!!!!

[jonc2006]

remember to send your hate mail to micro$oft.