Setup Guide

Welcome to the setup guide for Dea7hSmiles Launchbox\Bigbox Automated Lightgun Build. This guide will help walk you through the setup process and answer some common questions you may have

It is recommended to use a drive of at least 2TB to allow for future updates. This can be an internal or external drive. Using a SSD will give better performance but is not required

Downloading the software and Installation

Step 1

Connect the drive to your computer you will install the software to. Once connected, exclude this drive from your antivirus software.

1. If using Windows built in antivirus, you can exclude the drive by clicking the Search Bar and typing Virus & threat protection
2. In the window that opens click Manage Settings under the header Virus & Threat protection settings
3. Scroll down until you see Exclusions. Click Add or remove exclusions
4. Click Add an exclusion -> Folder. Select the drive you will use for the build and click Select Folder

If using an alternative anti-virus software, it is recommended to Google the instructions if you are not sure how

Step 2

Download the full base package from Arcade Punks or the Dea7hSmiles website.

Once downloaded, extract (using 7Zip) the software to the root of your drive. Do not add additional folders (such as "Light Gun Build")

1. Right click on the Dea7hsmiles Launchbox Build.rar file
2. In the menu that opens click 7-Zip -> Extract Files... (if using Windows 11, you first will have to click Show More Options at the bottom)
3. In the Extract to field, select your drive. Do not add additional folders\paths here. See below
4. Wait for the extraction to finish. This can take many hours due to the size and speed of your devices

Step 3

Download the newest All in one Update from Dea7hSmiles website.

Once downloaded, extract (using 7Zip) the update to the root of your drive, overwriting any files it asks.

1. Right click the Dea7hsmiles-Launchbox-All-In-One-Update(Recommended).zip file
2. In the menu that opens click 7-Zip -> Extract Files... (if using Windows 11, you first will have to click Show More Options at the bottom)
3. In the Extract to field, select your drive. Do not add additional folders\paths here. Also select Overwrite without prompt in the Overwrite Mode. See below
4. Wait for the extraction to finish. This can take many hours due to the size and speed of your devices

Step 4

Run the setup.exe. This installs software such as .Net updates and AutoHotKey that are required to make the build function

1. Navigate to the drive where the software has been extracted
2. Click the Setup.exe file
3. Follow along with the prompts that appear

Step 5

Set the correct COM ports for your Light Guns.

1. Right click the Windows Start button on your taskbar and select Device Manager
2. In the window that opens select Ports (COM & LPT)
3. Right click on your light gun and select Properties
4. In the window that opens, click Port Settings then Advanced
5. In the window that opens, change the COM Port in use to the one identified in the chart below:

   COM Port Assignment List
   OpenFire
   Gun 1 → COM1
   Gun 2 → COM2
   
   Blancom
   Gun 1 → COM1
   Gun 2 → COM2
   
   Gun4IR
   Gun 1 → COM1
   Gun 2 → COM2
   
   XGunner
   Gun 1 → COM1
   Gun 2 → COM2
   
   MX24
   Gun 1 & 2 → COM5 (Hub)
   
   RS3 Reaper
   Hub → COM5
   Gun 1 → COM6
   Gun 2 → COM7
   Gun 3 → COM8
   Gun 4 → COM9

If you have trouble finding what your player 1 and player 2 gun is under the (COM & LPT) section, unplug the guns and plug them in one by one. The devices will disappear when unplugged and reappear when plugged back in

Step 6

HookOfTheReaper/MameHooker are similar pieces of software that allow your Light Guns to respond to the game. This includes features such as rumble when taking damage, slide recoil when pulling the trigger, etc.

HookOfTheReaper is a newer implementation of these features and is continuing to get updates and support. While you can use either piece of software, it is recommended to use HookOfTheReaper for future compatibility

1. Navigate to the drive where the software has been extracted
2. Depending on the type of Light Gun, Click either 1- Set XXXXX For Hook Of The Reaper.exe or 2- Set XXXXX For Mamehooker.exe depending on what software you wish to use
3. Wait for a prompt to appear that says "Hook of the Reaper successfully set for XXXXX" or similar for Mamehooker

Launching the software

This build uses software called Launchbox to help with the automation and keep everything in one neatly organized interface

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Extract to the root of a drive, the result should look like D:\launchbox, D:\tools. There should be no additional folders ie D:\dea7thsmiles\launchbox. You should also exclude this drive (or at least the folders/subfolders) from your antivirus. Just google it

Download the all in one update from deaths site (https://www.dea7hsmiles.com/725gb-Launchbox/Bigbox-Build-Updates/),

Extract to the root of the same drive, making sure to overwrite any files. (ie the update has a launchbox folder in it, this will be extracted to the same location)

Run the setup.exe - this installs required software.

Check the txt file (cant remember exact name) for information on setting the correct com ports for your guns, but rs3 reapers for example should be hub com5, gun1 com6, gun2 com7

Run the setmamehookerforXXX.exe or sethookofthereaperforXXX.exe depending on your guns and preference (hookofthereaper is continuing to get support so may be better in the long run. You can also change this by running the opposite exe again)

Run launchbox from the launchbox folder. If you want to use bigbox, you are required to buy a license from the launchbox team.

Step 1: Run Setup.exe

Run Setup.exe and go through the installation process. This installs dependencies (like DirectX) and sets paths for MAMEHooker based on its location, since MAMEHooker has trouble using relative paths.

Step 1.a Choose a Drive Letter

This build uses almost all relative paths, so the drive letter does not matter. Choose a drive letter or use the drive letter that Windows assigned to the drive.

Step 1.b Place The Build On Root Of Your Drive

If your build is on drive H: for example the paths should look exactly as they do below.

H:\Launchbox  
H:\Tools

If this step is skipped, the build will not work correctly. This is very important.

Step 2: Mamehooker/Hook Of The Reaper Setup

Step 2.a Com Port Setup

Set COM Ports For All Players Based On Gun Type Using The COM Port Assignment List below.

• Open Device Manager
• Expand Ports (COM & LPT)
• Right-click each device → Properties → Port Settings → Advanced
• Assign COM ports as follows:
• If you have trouble finding what your player 1 and player 2 gun is under the (COM & LPT) section unplugged the guns and plug them in one by one the correct device should disappear and reappear.
  

COM Port Assignment List

OpenFire

Gun 1 → COM1

Gun 2 → COM2

Blancom

Gun 1 → COM1

Gun 2 → COM2

Gun4IR

Gun 1 → COM1

Gun 2 → COM2

XGunner

Gun 1 → COM1

Gun 2 → COM2

MX24

Gun 1 & 2 → COM5 (Hub)

RS3 Reaper

Hub → COM5

Gun 1 → COM6

Gun 2 → COM7

Gun 3 → COM8

Gun 4 → COM9

Turn off recoil switch (set slider to the middle)