Black Screen

[jarvis24]

I just revised the file you posted above so that it is now comma delimited rather than semi-colon delimited (you take a look at both files in a text editor like notepad.exe and compare differences). See if the revised versions works ok (it does here) and if any changes you make will run ok (i.e., changes made under the new regional settings).

[vumrikar]

Hi, Thanks so much for the help! Yes, the file finally works now, but I can't see my stimuli (images) even though they are saved in a folder called "stim," which is in the same folder as the input file. Is there a specific image format (i.e. jpeg, bmp, gif) that the images need to be in?

[jarvis24]

yes, .bmp

see also:
www.empirisoft.com/directrt/help/directrt_stim.htm
www.empirisoft.com/directrt/help/directrt_notes_about_image_files.htm

Note that the 2010 version, we expect, will allow for pretty much any image file format.

[vumrikar]

Thanks for the help. I have just two more questions:

1.) Can you have more than two keys available for a response? After my stimulus is shown, I want the subjects to be able to respond by entering anything of the arrow keys on the keyboard. However, if I enter in rt:200,205,209,201 in my input file, only the up and right arrow key work!

2.) How do I get rid of a random blank gray screen that's showing up in between my trials?

I am attaching a copy of my revised input file for your reference.

Thanks!

[jarvis24]

Check your keycodes. I think the codes for left and right are 203 and 205. As far as colours go, check to make sure all the background colours match in your styles (.drt) file. You can also shorten the inter trial interval under options in the style file.

[Anneke]

I have the same problem. Whenever I try to run an input file, I get a black screen and DirectRT refuses to run the file. Even one as simple as the one in the attachment doesn't get run. I've edited the semi-colons to commas (with and without quotation marks) in Notepad for several times, but it still doesn't work.
I cannot change the regional functions on the computer since it is administrated by the university.

How do I fix this?

[Trevor Newell]

I have the same problem. Whenever I try to run an input file, I get a black screen and DirectRT refuses to run the file. Even one as simple as the one in the attachment doesn't get run. I've edited the semi-colons to commas (with and without quotation marks) in Notepad for several times, but it still doesn't work.
I cannot change the regional functions on the computer since it is administrated by the university.

How do I fix this?

Anneke,

The issue might be caused due to the way your input files are structured. Input files are nothing more than comma-delimited data files. The data within the input file you've attached looks like this:

block,trial,!Condition,bgr,wgr,style,stim,loc,time,*
"1,1,pos,0,0,2,~hi,""0,0,1"",""rt:any"",*"
"1,2,pos,0,0,2,~bye,""0,0,1"",""rt:any"",*"

The contents of the file should look like this:

block,trial,!Condition,bgr,wgr,style,stim,loc,time,*
1,1,pos,0,0,2,~hi,"0,0,1",rt:any,*
1,2,pos,0,0,2,~bye,"0,0,1",rt:any,*

What program are you using to edit these files?

Regards,
Trevor