EmuCenter2

EmuCenter2 don't start:

Check if Microsoft NET Framework 4.0 is installed.
(By default, Windows 8 include this framework)

Check if Microsoft VC++ REDIST 2010 (x86/x64) is installed

In case of 'SlimDX Initialization Error', download and install 'SlimDX redistributable package' (32 bits) here

If EmuCenter2 is only visible in the taskbar, download and run this patch

Completely uninstall EmuCenter2 (during the uninstall wizard, do not choose to save the covers, descriptions and options).
Then, try re-installing the complete installation package here

Try to use last developpement version of EmuCenter2 available here

EmuCenter2 stops working unexpectedly:

Try to disable hardware acceleration in EmuCenter2 (Page options, performance) (only available with 7.1.0.124 or later)

It can happen for various reasons EmuCenter2 encounters an unexpected error and be forced to close. Normally, the software capture and logs the error, and then offers to send the report via email.

Please, choose to send the report!
(if indeed it works, if not, you can send your emucenter2.log file to emucenter.2@free.fr)

Effectively, in the case of unexpected error, it is very important for the author of EC2 to see the error log. Usually errors are due to programming errors and therefore are easily correctable.

IMPORTANT: Before you contact the software author to report a problem, try the latest version under development here

EmuCenter2 shows no games in emulator sections:

EmuCenter2 don't provide any games by itself.

Be sure to set the correct ROMS folders paths in EmuCenter2. (That can be verified opening the Option section, then files tab, storage section; if the correct folder path is not listed there you can use the automatic Wizard button and/or add them one by one with the add button.

EmuCenter2 takes long time for startup (without SSD):

Since Windows Vista , the service "Superfetch" (activated by default) improves greatly the startup time of EmuCenter2.
More you use EmuCenter2, more "Superfetch" will cache files used by EC2 to start.
It is recommended to check/enable this Windows service.

(For users with SSD hard drive types, this service will have no impact on boot speed, and it is recommended to disable this Windows service named "Superfetch")

It may happen in some cases (eg freshly installed Windows, or after some Windows updates) that some "native images of the framework" (.NET dll) have become invalid.
Forcing each EmuCenter2 boot to re-generate the dll of .NET framework used by the interface and therefore take longer to start EmuCenter2.
Windows NGEN periodically cleans the cache, but if you want to force the update of NGEN cache:

Run the following command in a "Command Prompt" with administrator privileges:
(For Windows 64 bit) C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\ngen.exe update
(For Windows 32 bit) C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\ngen.exe update

(this command may take some time (10-20 minutes) and alot of system resources)

The 32-bits version of EmuCenter2 launches faster than its 64-bits version.
This is due (in part) to the size of .NET framework 64 bit libraries.

For those who would like to emphasize the speed of EmuCenter2 start, at the expense of execution speed of machine code,
it is possible to install EmuCenter2 in the NGEN cache:

Run the following command in a "Command Prompt" with administrator privileges:
(For Windows 64 bit) C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\ngen.exe install "C:\Program Files\EmuCenter2\EmuCenter2.exe"
((For Windows 32 bit) C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\ngen.exe install "C:\Program Files (x86)\EmuCenter2\EmuCenter2.exe"

For uninstall EmuCenter2 from the NGEN cache, replace "intall" with "uninstall" in the above command.

Obtain better performance when rendering web pages in EmuCenter2:

Update Software "Microsoft Internet Explorer" aka IE in its latest version!
(usually offered by Windows Update)

EmuCenter2 uses a snap of "Internet Explorer" for viewing Web pages. (RSS Reader, Google Images, Links to downloaded descriptions, flash video player for trailers, ...)
On Windows 7, the default IE installed version is 8.0 (rather old, dates from 2009.)
Windows 8, the default IE version is 10.0 (2012)

IE is not necessarily the best Web Browser, but it seems obvious to me that using an old version can only aggravate the situation.
It is recommended to install the latest Internet Explorer version (October 2014: Version 11), even if you do not use this software on a daily basis.

The Games runs in slow motion:

The emulation of more recent and powerful consoles like Wii, Ps2, Gamecube, Ds, and PSP requires a PC appropriately configured and powerful enough to handle them.

Be sure to have:
1) A good CPU Processor (at least a Dual Core with high frequency, superior at least to 3.0 GHZ)
2) Enough Ram (high frequency and speed access. More than 2GB at least)
3) An adequate Graphic Card (at least, an ATI HD 4850 or NVIDIA 8800 GT is recommended)

Maybe you're playing with a the too much high screen resolution, lower it and try again.

Some graphic options of the emulators such as "V-Sync", Resolution", "Filter Anti-Aliasing" Can cause an heavy loss of the performances. Also, maybe you could try to set manually in the emulator lower graphic setting, if you know what you're doing.

The games work partially or not at all:

The emulation of the Amiga, Atari, Panasonic, Sony (except PSP), Sega (Dreamcast and Saturn) and arcade requires the Bios files from the original systems for work.
Those aren't supplied with the EmuCenter2 for legal reasons;
however, it's still possible buy, download over Internet or rip them directly from the original consoles.

Have Microsoft directX 9c or better installed and your graphic card driver updated.

Some games could not works with the emulators, due to lack of compatibility, missing or not implemented functions/bugs of the emulator.
The emulation of console games is rarely perfect.

If the emulator that launches your game use a BIOS, you can try to use a different version of it (like an US or EU one instead a JP one, for example)

A PC game that works correctly, does not works into EmuCenter2:

Open the registry key "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\EmuCenter2\PC"

Edit the string value that corresponds to the executable of the PC game, and adding the eventual "command line parameter" of game
(For this setting, just look at the properties of the game shortcut)

Examples of registry keys to change:
"left4dead2.exe"="D:\MEDIA\Mes jeux\PC\L4D2\left4dead2.exe -console|Left 4 Dead 2"
"Launcher.exe"="D:\MEDIA\Mes jeux\PC\Valkyria Chronicles\Launcher.exe -bootgame|Valkyria Chronicles"

Some Arcade games worked before updating EmuCenter2 (or emulators):

It may happen "suddenly" some arcade games for the emulator Mame can not start properly.
(A message appears indicating that one or more missing files)
(Latest example is for the missing qsound.bin file for multiple games (xmvsf.zip / X-Men Vs. Street Fighter))

This is not due to EmuCenter2 but the Mame emulator.
To solve this, it is necessary to download the latest version of the game.

Daemon tool lite error 1500:

It may happen that "Daemon Tools Lite" don't install it's virtual devices:
"Error on the pilot Daemon tools pro: 1500"

To solve this:
1) Disable your anti-virus software
2) Set the Daemon Tools's shortcut properties in compatibility mode with Windows XP SP3
(to do this, do a right-click on the shortcut, then click Properties, then compatibility tab, and finally check the option run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 3)).
3) Launch Daemon Tools Lite
4) If no virtual drive is added when start DTLite, click Add a virtual device (DT+ icon at the bottom).

If that still don't work , try to reinstall the program rebooting Windows after the step 1.

!!! Warning, Daemon Tools Lite version 10 (and higher) is currently incompatible with EmuCenter2 !!!

Use another software for mounting disk images (.iso, .bin, .cue, ...):

Since version 7.0 EmuCenter2, it is possible to use another disk image mounting software. (default Daemon Tools Lite)
To do this, you will add 4 values in the registry key of EmuCenter2.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\EmuCenter2]

Example: (with Alcohol 52% Free Edition)

MountingToolEnabled=True
MountingToolPath=C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 52\axcmd.exe
MountingToolMountCommand=0: /M:%image_file%
MountingToolUnMountCommand=0: /U

(The value %image_file% in the line "MountingToolMountCommand" must always be present! This variable will be replaced with the full path of the disk image)

(Beware with the software "Alcohol 52% Free Edition"! To avoid the installation of "partasite software" (smart file advisor), it is strongly recommended to install "Alcohol 52%" with the "offline" installation package and disconnect from the Internet during installation.)

Games of NEC PC-Engine CD / Sega Saturn (with SSF) won't launch:

EmuCenter2 requires Daemon Tools Lite installed to mount the BIN/CUE/ISO/IMG/CCD files
(if you already did that, go to step 3)

1) Download Daemon Tools Lite and install it.
2) When you launch the software for the first time, a virtual drive is installed to your system.
(if not the case, add manually a virtual "DT" device (no SCSI!)
3) Run the emulator with EmuCenter2, and manually change the drive letter as default CD drive to match the one of your virtual drive of Daemon Tools.

For Ootake (NEC PC-Engine section) can press ALT + C for display the CD-rom menu, then just click the proper drive letter.

For SSF can press ALT + O for display the Options menu, press O again for display the options, then in the Peripheral tab change the Cd Drive string accordingly.

EmuCenter2 will take care of mount/unmount the BIN/CUE/ISO/IMG/CCD/MDF/MDS files automatically.

Unable to play the video with internal media player (WMP)

Check the installation of the Windows Media Player and the it's components (alias WMP)
(note that WMP is normally installed by default in Windows).

For some video format (such as *.avi, *.mov, *.mp4, *.mkv, ...) , it's necessary to have installed the appropriate codecs
EmuCenter2 provides through this link, an installation package including some codecs.
This will allow you to play most video and audio files in EmuCenter2 with the internal media player (WMP)
(including AVI, MP4 and MKV HD with subtitles and also the audio files mp3, ogg and .flac)

For Windows XP SP3, it's necessary to update Windows Media Player to the version 11 (works even if the Genuine Validation isn't performed successfully)

To install it, start WMP version 9, then press ALT for en-light the menu bar, select the menu, and finally click the option 'check available updates online'.
Follow the wizard until the end, which will update the WMP to the version 11
(this version of WMP requires the genuine validation performed successfully to be used, but the WMP snap in EmuCenter will be functional regardless).

Video are played with "tearing" (tearing of the video image)

In windows 7 and 8, this error can be avoided enabling Aero
(note that Aero is enabled by default in Windows).

Playing bad quality videos on Windows 7 and 8:

The default video player on EmuCenter2 is a snap of Windows Media Player (alias WMP) installed on your system.
On Windows Vista, 7 & 8, WMP use Media Foundation instead of DirectShow, which may cause various defects in terms of image quality
(eg: On Windows 8, staircase effect in a full screen videos encoded in MPEG 4 (xvid, divx, ...)

One solution to this, is to use Win7DSFilterTweaker
!!! Do note use this tool if you already use Shark007 Codecs !!!
This tool (very easy to use) allows you, among other things, to disable this framework Media Foundation and preferred codecs other than microsoft (eg: LAV Filters, FFDShow Tryouts, CoreAVC ...)

- Download and execute Win7DSFilterTweaker

- Click on "Media Foundation"
- Check the extensions that pose problems
(in our example: ".avi" (part 64 bit if you use X64 EmuCenter2)


- Click "Preferred decoders" button
- Check the codecs you want to use
(in our example: Check, in XVID and DIVX, "LAV Video")

EmuCenter2 don't find the covers for all my games:

Before a cover search, try to use the search fuction in emucenter with precise strings of text for maximixe the chances of getting covers and descriptions
(for example, 'Final_Fantasy_VII [USA] (CD1).iso' will become 'Final Fantasy VII').
However, if the name of your games is not typed correctly, the search will never succeed.

The EmuCenter2's database counts more than 3600 covers and MobyGames and Gamefaqs probably even many more.
The major part of covers (except Sega Master System and Genesis) hosted on emucenter.2.free.fr (server 1) were treated for optimum quality (contrast, brightness, saturation, tint, rotation angle, remove stripe, ...)

Error in Amiga games (System failure or various bugs):

The emulator WinUAE isn't the easiest to use.
A number of games requires different settings
(multiply the system configurations. UAE it's this kind of emulator.)
That's why Emucenter2 offers the option 'Winuae Config' in the game profile panel
(can access it pressing CTRL + P).
This will allow to choose among 5 proposed configuration files for WinUAE (Default, A500, A1200, A4000, CD32).

If you encounter a serious problem starting or during the game (like system failure or other), try to change the configuration file.
By default, the 'EC2-A1200.uae' file is the one that being used; the 'Ec2-A500.uae' one is intended to being used for older games.

If you're still unable to start your game, you can create your own WinUAE configuration file and add it to EmuCenter2.
Copy the *.uae, previously generated by the emulator, in the WinUAE folder of your installed Emucenter2 folder
(the default path is 'C:\Users\Public\EmuCenter2\Emulators\WinUAE\Configurations');
the configuration files *.UAE will appear in the drop-down list in WinUAE configuration panel
(again, access it with CTRL + P).

Amiga games with multiple disks:

Emucenter2 deals with the configuration of WinUAE for mount 4* disks of a game.
It's only necessary that the game is a zip file that contain all the disks needed.
(* 4 disks and no one more because WinUAE cannot handle over 4 floppy drives)

For games with more than 4 disks, it's still necessary to change the disk manually when the game is asking for it;
in that case, press f12 for making the menu pop up and use the disk swapper function.

(For the game "First Samurai" (config A500), it is necessary to load only the first floppy and load the second disk when the game asks you, otherwise the game is unplayable (halt issue))

(Important! Temporary directory for extracting zip format games:
Don't specify a path with accented characters, otherwise, WinUAE don't recognize the path to the uncompressed disk).

WHDLoad Amiga games:

The "WHDLoad" games are Amiga games (.zip or .lha) pre-installed on a virtual hard disk and which have the following advantages:
- increased compatibility with games and hardware
- faster loading
- no need to load / change disks in the emulator WinUAE

Since EmuCenter2 version 7.0, it is possible to run these games from the interface through the WHDLoad and WHDrun software.
All you have to do it's to acquire and add a WHDload game (.zip) and enable the option "WHDLoad" in game profile (CTRL + P).

(Note: each time you start a game, a message appears for 20 seconds. This is due to the WHDLoad release included in EmuCenter2 (it's an "unregistered" version).
It is possible to purchase a registration key (€20) on the official Website WHDLoad.
Once in possession of a key, copy the "WHDLoad.key" file in the folder ".\WinUAE\WHDRun\WHD\S" (default: "C:\Users\Public\EMUCENTER2\EMULATORS\WinUAE\WHDRun\WHD\S")

NAOMI arcade games with NullDC_NAOMI emulator:

It is possible with the NAOMI version of the NullDC emulator (Sega Dreamcast), to play games designed for the Naomi Arcade system

(eg: Melty Blood Act Cadenza (Rev C))

Update NullDC in its latest version proposed by EmuCenter2 updates page

This version of NullDC requires Bios named 'naomi_boot.bin'
and works with *.dat and *.lst games files

Add files *.dat and *.lst in your Arcade storage
EmuCenter2 display files *.lst in the list of games that will be used to start the game

Control the mouse with the joystick stops (EC2 6.7):

Currently, a problem remains: the left and right click on EmuCenter2's title bar will freeze EmuCenter2's mouse.

Don't use the title bar for close, minimize or maximize the Emucenter2's window with the joypad controlled mouse.

If you want control with the joystick controlled mouse a software launched with administrator privileges
(for example: Windows 8 Task Manager, HwMonitor...) is necessary launch EmuCenter2 as Administrator.

My DualShock3 gamepad works poorly or not at all:

Did you install a specific driver for the PS3 controller ?
The built-in Windows driver is not enough to run correctly your controller

Several choices are available to you to properly install the DS3 (DualShock3):
SCP DS3 Driver Package or even MotioninJoy

According to some test, I recommend the SCP driver is more practical and has a better flow to the sticks that MotioninJoy

Before installing 'SPC DS3 Driver Package':
- This driver requires the gamepad driver XBOX 360 (install HERE in case)
Windows XP users: install this 'XBOX 360 gamepad driver' after the installation of SPC Driver
- Connect your DS3 with the USB cable to your PC and let Windows install the Windows driver

Install 'SPC DS3 Driver Package':
- Download HERE archive 'SCP DS3 Driver Package'
- Extract *.7z archive to 'C:\Program Files'
(eg with 7zip (free))
- (DS3 always connected) Run 'ScpDriver.exe'
(in the example : 'C:\Program Files\ScpServer\bin\ScpDriver.exe')
- Click the 'Install' button

Now your controller DS3 should be functional in EmuCenter2 and PC games

Problems to configure the controller buttons for emulators with Emucenter2:

Important: For the handling of the controls (especially for the configuration of your controller's buttons in EmuCenter2),
XInput works much better than the older alternative available in EmuCenter2, DirectInput.
It's therefore recommended to enable XInput support in the panel 'option -> controllers'.

For those who don't have a real XInput joystick.
It's possible "disguise" your pad as an XBOX 360 controller (XInput one) with the utility x360ce;
this will allow you to play some pc games that are compatible only with XBOX 360 controllers and enable the support for XInput in EmuCenter2.

For those who have a Playstation 3 controller with MotioninJoy installed, it is strongly recommended to enable mode 'xbox 360 controller emulator' in the DS3 Tool utility (from MotioninJoy) for activating the option in XInput EmuCenter2

Project64 win32k.sys BSOD (blue screen error) when launching a fullscreen game with this emulator:

With Windows 7 system, if Aero it's activated, it's possible that your computer freeze on a blue screen error 'win32k.sys' (BSOD).
You can fix this simply updating Windows with Windows Update (you can also disable Aero, or disable the desktop composition' in the properties of the executable Project64.exe).

Define your own emulators for each section:

(not recommended, since you'll lose the functionality of the automatic configuration and screen setting).

Edit the "emulators.ini" file with Notepad, located in the installation folder.
(By default, the path is "C:\Program Files\EmuCenter2").

Inside you'll find:
- The full path of the executable file of the emulator.
- The command for start the game automatically.
- If the emulator is activated or not (enabled = "true" it's active, enabled = "false" it's disabled.)
Here an example configuration of the Nintendo 64, Bandai Wonderswan and Sony Playstation sections:

[N64]
enabled=true
exe=D:\TEMPORAIRE\mupen64plus\mupen64plus.exe
command=%game%
useQuotes=true
useFullGamePath=true
useGameWithoutExt=false
fullscreenCommand=

[BWS]
enabled=true
exe=D:\TEMPORAIRE\mednafen-0.9.35-win64\mednafen.exe
command=%game%
useQuotes=true
useFullGamePath=true
useGameWithoutExt=false
fullscreenCommand=-video.fs 1 -wswan.videoip 1

[SPS1]
enabled=true
exe=D:\TEMPORAIRE\pcsxr-1.9.93-win32\pcsxr\pcsxr.exe
command=-nogui -cdfile %game%
useQuotes=true
useFullGamePath=true
useGameWithoutExt=false
fullscreenCommand=""

Play Pioneer LaserDisc games with emulator Daphne (for advanced users)
(EC2 Version 6.7):

1) Download the emulator Daphne HERE

2) Unzip the archive to 'C:\Users\Public\EmuCenter2\Emulators'

To continue, you must have did the operation of Daphne with roms and media files (video, audio, text) first.

3) Edit the file 'C:\Users\Public\EmuCenter2\Emulators\Daphne\EmuCenter2-GamesLauncher.ini' with notepad and paste it into your file 'storage Arcade games'

Example of an INI file to launch a game with Daphne
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Game]
rom_name=roadblaster
frame_file_path=D:\My Games\Emulation\Arcade\daphne\rb\rb.txt

[Daphne]
fullscreen=false
exe_path=C:\Users\Public\EmuCenter2\Emulators\daphne.exe
full_commandline=%rom_name% vldp -framefile "%frame_file_path%"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Values "rom_name" and "frame_file_path" required to be declared for the game starts!

[Game]
rom_name=
rom file that is normally located in "C:\Users\Public\EmuCenter2\EMULATORS\Daphne\roms\"

[Game]
frame_file_path=
full location (* txt) of 'Framefile" text file.

[Daphne]
exe_path=
daphne.exe executable location.
(default path "C:\Users\Public\EmuCenter2\EMULATORS\Daphne\daphne.exe")

[Daphne]
fullscreen=false (or true)
starts the game in fullscreen if "true".

[Daphne]
full_commandline=
Command line used to start the game (edit it only if you know how it matches).