Topic: Final Burn Alpha Frontend v1.0.0

[KOF2112]

FB Alpha Frontend for Windows Xp/2000/98SE
==========================================

Written by Darren G. Vir
sjr_seh@hotmail.com
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sjr_seh/

Final Burn Alpha: http://fba.emuunlim.com/


Introduction
------------

FBA FE is a frontend for Final Burn Alpha, reusing code from MAME Player.


Installing
----------
Unzip the archive to a new folder or your FBA folder.
Overwrite all files of a previously installed FBA FE if asked.

If you get a COMCTL32.OCX missing message, you can get it from:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sjr_seh/comctl32ocx.zip

You can put this file in the Windows system folder, or in the same folder as
MAME Player. If your Windows isn't allowing the ocx to auto register, you may
need to type the following at the command prompt in the same folder as the ocx:

regsvr32 COMCTL32.OCX


Usage
-----
Run fbafe.exe and an Open dialog will appear so you can select your FBA
executable. The game list will then generate. Please do not block FBA if
your firewall asks. If you need to change paths, do so via Options...Paths...
FBA will see \roms\ by default, so there is no need to add that path. You can
change up to 4 paths within FBA FE, but it will read all 8 paths from fba.ini
when checking for files (the same as FBA itself). All set filenames will be
checked for existance if a ROM path is changed. You can refresh the set list
anytime by selecting Tools...Check Sets Exist. FBA FE simply checks for set
filenames on your HDD. It does not scan for file CRCs etc.

If you want to use the pictures feature then the pictures (.png) need to be
unzipped. Set the path via the Paths dialog.

Put history.dat in your FBA folder if you want to use that.

If you want to use a mame32 favorites.ini, then rename it to fbafe.fav,
renaming your existing fbafe.fav if necessary.

If you want to hide a column, just resize it to 0 width

The joystick select feature, allows you to select and play a game via a
joystick/pad. Button 1 = play. Buttons 2 and 3 = move up and down the list.



Uninstalling
------------
Delete the following files:
fbafe.exe (program)
fbafe.ini (settings)
fbafe.dat (database)
fbafe.txt (documentation)

You might want to keep fbafe.fav if upgrading, or plan on using FBA FE again.


Any bugs, suggestions etc. welcome. Email: (sjr_seh@hotmail.com).

[MasterPhW]

I didn't tried it yet, but why do I need a frontend, when FBA already has a great GUI?

[KOF2112]

FBA FE changes.txt

1.0.6
- removed checking single sets for existance (checking them all is fast).
- fixed wrong named menu item.

1.0.5
- fixed crash after checking all sets with clones hidden.
- fixed a few other non crash bugs.

1.0.4
- fixed fba launching in non focused state (e.g. behind an explorer window).

1.0.3
- fixed error if an exe isn't selected at first run.

1.0.2
- fixed crash when resetting column order.
- removed some unused code.

[0746]

I didn't tried it yet, but why do I need a frontend, when FBA already has a great GUI?

The project is nice but I was thinking the same thing. It'd be a different story if the front end was multi-platformed thou.

[iq_132]

It's cool that there's a front end, but honestly it seems a bit bland looking.