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

Download and Installation

Step 1 - Setup your drive

Connect the drive to your computer you will install the software to. The drive can have use any letter (A:/, F:/, Z:/ for example) as this build uses relative paths

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 base package

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. The final result should look similar to below:

Wait for the extraction to finish. This can take many hours due to the size and speed of your devices

Step 3 - Download the All in One Update

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

Wait for the extraction to finish. This can take many hours due to the size and speed of your devices

Step 4 - Setup

Run the setup.exe. This installs software such as DirectX 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 your COM ports

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 Ports (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 - Setup HookoftheReaper or MameHooker

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

If you want to switch the build to try the alternative software, you can run either Switch Build To Hook Of The Reaper.exe or Switch build to Mame Hooker.exe

Using the Software

This build uses software called LaunchBox to help with the automation and keep everything in one neatly organized interface. The base version of LaunchBox is free to use. BigBox is a licensed piece of software from LaunchBox that provides a more sleep interface that can be customized. To use BigBox, you will be required to purchase a license from LaunchBox

LaunchBox

LaunchBox can be run by navigating to the Launchbox folder and selecting LaunchBox.exe

BigBox

BigBox can be run by navigating to the Launchbox folder and selecting BigBoxLightGunControl.exe

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)