SSF problem

[Chuplayer]

I'm having mostly the same problem MinionofCthulu was having. Quoting because it's so similar.

Sorry if this isn't the right place, the SSF guide on the homepage said to ask questions here, so here goes. I'm having a weird problem with SSF and I haven't seen any posts with people having a similar problem. Basically, I open it up, and it's just a tiny little window that just shows File(F) and Hardware(H). It then closes itself. When it doesn't, it just stays like that little window, looking nothing like the shots of people using it that I've seen. Pressing either of them gives me options (File for opening files, ect) but nothing works when I use the keys. The expand button so I can see the whole thing doesn't work (but neither does pressing O for options, which I assume is how it works but again, it doesn't show in the window), and it won't let me close the program via that handy red x either, I need to start the Task Manager and close it. I've used like five different versions of SSF, and it's the same every time.
Man, that was kind of wordy.

But instead of it being completely unable to close, I get a dialog box that gives me this info.

XAudio2Create() error.
File : ./XAudio2.cpp
Line : 218
Function : XAudio_Initialize

I've tried this both with and without a legit Saturn game in my computer's disc drive. Every time it gives me that error. I then click OK on the dialog box and the program closes, but sometimes it locks my DVD/Blu-Ray drive. I've also tried this both with and without a BIOS file. (I put the BIOS file in a folder I created myself called BIOS.) Nothing works.

This same exact problem happens in both Windows XP Pro x86 and Windows 7 Ultimate x64. (I have them on dualboot.) My CPU, a Core i5 should be more than enough. I have 8 gigs of RAM. Plenty. I have a Radeon HD 4890 which should be more than enough if I'm not mistaken. The sound is onboard. I guess it's good enough. I just put this computer together on Sunday. Finally, the optical drive is a Blu-Ray/DVD/CD combo thing.

I don't know what's wrong. I'm sure I'm overlooking something, so if somebody can help me, please do so!

[Dylan]

Kind of obvious, but have you tried re-downloading SSF? It sounds like you're missing files. Your core i5 can use sse2, so that shouldn't be the problem. hm...

[Chuplayer]

I should also add I downloaded it from the official site and then downloaded it from Zophar. It's just the one zip file, right? The download link here: http://www.zophar.net/saturn/ssf.html

[Dylan]

So you've downloaded it multiple times? Hm, have you been able to make it work in the past?

[gtmtnbiker]

It's been awhile since I used SSF. I'll try to see if I can fire it up tonight.

I really didn't have to do anything special aside from loading the correct BIOS and making sure that the iso was mounted. Have you checked the guide on this site? There's also a YouTube walkthrough guide.

What guide have you used to help you get this going?

[Chuplayer]

This is my first time doing Saturn emulation. I didn't know Saturn emulation was doing more than playing a couple games poorly until just a few days ago.

I have looked at guides, Youtube, etc. Nothing helps me with this problem.

[Chuplayer]

I just searched on all three computers in the house. None of them have anything called xaudio2 on the hard drive. One of them has an actual sound card and not onboard audio, but I didn't try SSF on the other computers because they're ancient. What's up with this xaudio2 thing?

[Chuplayer]

I got it! All I had to do was run the directx updater thingy. Prototype seems to have this problem, too. I found this fix as a fix for Prototype, but it works just fine for SSF. Both XP Pro x86 and 7 Ultimate x64 were fixed by the same updater, too.

http://www.programmerfish.com/how-to-fi ... and-vista/

They said Saturn emulation could never be done. Yeah right. Fighters Megamix and Daytona USA CCE run great after I did the maximum compatibility option. Daytona's got background flicker, but you don't notice that when you're racing! Anyway, I forgot how crappy Daytona looks compared to the direct3d patched Daytona USA Deluxe for the PC. Oh well, it's still good times

I've got to try more of my games later!

[Dylan]

Well, there you have it.

[gravitone]

Xaudio is the new audio api that is the official followup to the ancient and flawed directsound/directsound3d. As you can guess, its supported on both the windows platform and the xbox360 to make cross compatability easier. Xinput has also replaced directinput as the defacto api for game controllers. You see more and more games and emulators popping up with xinput support which is pretty much plug & play since you no longer have to mess with button assignment and device configuration. A 360 pad is pretty much mandatory for a popular dreamcast emulator if you want to use a gamepad with it.