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Title: Unknown scan returns 0 in multi‑segment cus

Cheat Engine Forum Index -> Cheat Engine Lua Scripting

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xxhehe
Expert Cheater

Reputation: 0

Joined: 11 Mar 2015
Posts: 163

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 4:32 am Post subject: Title: Unknown scan returns 0 in multi‑segment cus

'm writing a Lua script for VBA‑M that scans multiple memory segments (some valid only in GBC or GBA mode). Exact value scan works, but unknown initial value scan (soUnknownValue) always returns 0 results – even though the same segments contain valid data (confirmed by exact scan).

What I tried:

ms.firstScan() with full parameters (soUnknownValue, vtByte, …)

ms.scan() with ScanOption = soUnknownValue

using FoundList (createFoundList + initialize)

protection flags set to "" or "*X*C*W"

removing any ScanValue assignment

Segments resolve correctly (base addresses print), and exact scan yields hundreds of matches. Unknown scan still outputs "Total matches found (unknown): 0". Same behavior for Byte, Word, Dword, etc.

CE 7.7 , target is VBA‑M 32‑bit on Windows 10.

I suspect a known limitation when scanning non‑contiguous regions, or I need to call something after firstScan. Any concrete hints would help.

Simplified script (key parts):
[firstScanUnknown function and relevant setup]

Code:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 首次扫描（精确）
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function firstScanExact()
lastResults = {}
lastVarType = nil
lastScanType = "exact"
print("Starting new EXACT first scan...")

-- 选择数据类型
local typeCode = inputQuery("选择数据类型",
"请输入数据类型代号：\n1=字节 2=2字节 3=4字节 4=8字节\n5=浮点 6=双精度 7=字符串", "1")
if typeCode == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
typeCode = tonumber(typeCode)
local varType
if typeCode == 1 then varType = vtByte
elseif typeCode == 2 then varType = vtWord
elseif typeCode == 3 then varType = vtDword
elseif typeCode == 4 then varType = vtQword
elseif typeCode == 5 then varType = vtSingle
elseif typeCode == 6 then varType = vtDouble
elseif typeCode == 7 then varType = vtString
else varType = vtByte end
lastVarType = varType
print("Using type: " .. tostring(varType))

local val = inputQuery("首次搜索", "请输入要搜索的数值（十进制）:", "0")
if val == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end

local validSegments = getValidSegments()
if #validSegments == 0 then print("No valid segments.") return end

local allResults = {}
for _, segInfo in ipairs(validSegments) do
local startAddr = segInfo.base
local stopAddr = startAddr + segInfo.size
print(string.format("Scanning: 0x%X - 0x%X", startAddr, stopAddr))

local ms = createMemScan()
ms.ScanOption = soExactValue
ms.VarType = varType
ms.ScanValue = val
ms.Hexadecimal = false
ms.ScanWritable = 'scanDontCare'
ms.ScanExecutable = 'scanDontCare'
ms.ScanCopyOnWrite = 'scanDontCare'
ms.StartAddress = startAddr
ms.StopAddress = stopAddr
ms.firstScan()
ms.waitTillDone()

local results = ms.Results
if results then
for _, addr in ipairs(results) do
local currentVal = readValueAt(addr, varType)
if currentVal ~= nil then
addResultUnique(allResults, addr, currentVal)
end
end
end
ms.destroy()
end

lastResults = allResults
print(string.format("Total matches found: %d", #lastResults))
printResults(allResults)
if ADD_TO_LIST then addToAddressList(allResults) end
end

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 首次扫描（模糊 - 未知初始值）
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function firstScanUnknown()
lastResults = {}
lastVarType = nil
lastScanType = "unknown"
print("Starting UNKNOWN first scan...")

-- 选择数据类型
local typeCode = inputQuery("选择数据类型",
"请输入数据类型代号：\n1=字节 2=2字节 3=4字节 4=8字节\n5=浮点 6=双精度 7=字符串", "1")
if typeCode == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
typeCode = tonumber(typeCode)
local varType
if typeCode == 1 then varType = vtByte
elseif typeCode == 2 then varType = vtWord
elseif typeCode == 3 then varType = vtDword
elseif typeCode == 4 then varType = vtQword
elseif typeCode == 5 then varType = vtSingle
elseif typeCode == 6 then varType = vtDouble
elseif typeCode == 7 then varType = vtString
else varType = vtByte end
lastVarType = varType
print("Using type: " .. tostring(varType))

local validSegments = getValidSegments()
if #validSegments == 0 then print("No valid segments.") return end

local allResults = {}
for _, segInfo in ipairs(validSegments) do
local startAddr = segInfo.base
local stopAddr = startAddr + segInfo.size
print(string.format("Scanning (unknown): 0x%X - 0x%X", startAddr, stopAddr))

local ms = createMemScan()
ms.ScanOption = soUnknownValue -- 未知初始值
ms.VarType = varType
-- 未知初始值不需要 ScanValue，不设置或设为空字符串均可
ms.ScanValue = "" -- 设为空字符串，CE 会忽略
ms.Hexadecimal = false
ms.ScanWritable = 'scanDontCare'
ms.ScanExecutable = 'scanDontCare'
ms.ScanCopyOnWrite = 'scanDontCare'
ms.StartAddress = startAddr
ms.StopAddress = stopAddr
ms.firstScan() -- 统一使用 firstScan()
ms.waitTillDone()

local results = ms.Results
if results then
for _, addr in ipairs(results) do
local currentVal = readValueAt(addr, varType)
if currentVal ~= nil then
addResultUnique(allResults, addr, currentVal)
end
end
end
ms.destroy()
end

lastResults = allResults
print(string.format("Total matches found (unknown): %d", #lastResults))
printResults(allResults)
if ADD_TO_LIST then addToAddressList(allResults) end
end

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 再次扫描（根据上次扫描类型自动适配）
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function nextScan()
if not lastResults or #lastResults == 0 then
print("No previous results. Please do a first scan first.")
return
end
if not lastVarType then
print("Unknown data type. Please do a first scan first.")
return
end

local isString = (lastVarType == vtString)

-- 根据上次扫描类型决定再次扫描的选项
local conditionOptions
if lastScanType == "exact" then
conditionOptions = {"等于", "不等于", "大于", "小于", "增大了", "减小了", "变化了", "未变化"}
else -- "unknown"
conditionOptions = {"增大了", "减小了", "变化了", "未变化"}
end

local condListStr = ""
for i, opt in ipairs(conditionOptions) do
condListStr = condListStr .. i .. "=" .. opt .. " "
end

local condCode = inputQuery("选择比较条件",
"请输入条件代号：\n" .. condListStr, "1")
if condCode == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
condCode = tonumber(condCode)
if condCode < 1 or condCode > #conditionOptions then
print("Invalid condition, using 1")
condCode = 1
end
local compareType = conditionOptions[condCode]
print("Using condition: " .. compareType)

local compareVal = nil
-- 只有“等于/不等于/大于/小于”需要输入数值
if compareType == "等于" or compareType == "不等于" or compareType == "大于" or compareType == "小于" then
local val = inputQuery("再次搜索", "请输入要比较的数值（十进制）:", "0")
if val == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
compareVal = val
end

local newResults = {}
for _, entry in ipairs(lastResults) do
local currentVal = readValueAt(entry.addr, lastVarType)
if currentVal ~= nil then
if meetsExactCondition(currentVal, compareVal, compareType, entry.lastVal, isString) then
addResultUnique(newResults, entry.addr, currentVal) -- 去重
end
end
end

lastResults = newResults
print(string.format("After filtering, matches found: %d", #lastResults))
printResults(newResults)
if ADD_TO_LIST then addToAddressList(newResults) end
end

Dark Byte
Site Admin

Reputation: 475

Joined: 09 May 2003
Posts: 25973
Location: The netherlands

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 5:16 am Post subject:

soUnknownValue always returns 0 results. You must do a normal scan afterwards to get results (e.g. unchanged) _________________ Tools give you results. Knowledge gives you control. Like my help? Join me on Patreon so i can keep helping

xxhehe
Expert Cheater

Reputation: 0

Joined: 11 Mar 2015
Posts: 163

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 6:24 am Post subject:

Dark Byte wrote:

soUnknownValue always returns 0 results. You must do a normal scan afterwards to get results (e.g. unchanged)

Your hint — "soUnknownValue always returns 0. Do a normal scan afterwards" — fixed my problem. I'd been misusing soUnknownValue for a while.

Now I have a working multi‑segment fuzzy scanner for VBA‑M.

Thanks for Cheat Engine and the community support.

Code:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 首次扫描（精确）
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function firstScanExact()
lastResults = {}
lastVarType = nil
lastScanType = "exact"
print("Starting new EXACT first scan...")

local typeCode = inputQuery("选择数据类型",
"请输入数据类型代号：\n1=字节 2=2字节 3=4字节 4=8字节\n5=浮点 6=双精度 7=字符串", "1")
if typeCode == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
typeCode = tonumber(typeCode)
local varType
if typeCode == 1 then varType = vtByte
elseif typeCode == 2 then varType = vtWord
elseif typeCode == 3 then varType = vtDword
elseif typeCode == 4 then varType = vtQword
elseif typeCode == 5 then varType = vtSingle
elseif typeCode == 6 then varType = vtDouble
elseif typeCode == 7 then varType = vtString
else varType = vtByte end
lastVarType = varType
print("Using type: " .. tostring(varType))

local val = inputQuery("首次搜索", "请输入要搜索的数值（十进制）:", "0")
if val == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end

local validSegments = getValidSegments()
if #validSegments == 0 then print("No valid segments.") return end

local allResults = {}
local addrSet = {} -- 去重字典
for _, segInfo in ipairs(validSegments) do
local startAddr = segInfo.base
local stopAddr = startAddr + segInfo.size
print(string.format("Scanning: 0x%X - 0x%X", startAddr, stopAddr))

local ms = createMemScan()
ms.ScanOption = soExactValue
ms.VarType = varType
ms.ScanValue = val
ms.Hexadecimal = false
ms.ScanWritable = 'scanDontCare'
ms.ScanExecutable = 'scanDontCare'
ms.ScanCopyOnWrite = 'scanDontCare'
ms.StartAddress = startAddr
ms.StopAddress = stopAddr
ms.firstScan()
ms.waitTillDone()

local results = ms.Results
if results then
for _, addr in ipairs(results) do
if not addrSet[addr] then
local currentVal = readValueFast(addr, varType)
if currentVal ~= nil then
addrSet[addr] = true
table.insert(allResults, {addr = addr, lastVal = currentVal})
end
end
end
end
ms.destroy()
end

lastResults = allResults
print(string.format("Total matches found: %d", #lastResults))
printResults(allResults)
if ADD_TO_LIST then addToAddressList(allResults) end
end

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 首次扫描（模糊）
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function firstScanUnknown()
lastResults = {}
lastVarType = nil
lastScanType = "unknown"
print("Starting UNKNOWN first scan...")

local typeCode = inputQuery("选择数据类型",
"请输入数据类型代号：\n1=字节 2=2字节 3=4字节 4=8字节\n5=浮点 6=双精度 7=字符串", "1")
if typeCode == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
typeCode = tonumber(typeCode)
local varType
if typeCode == 1 then varType = vtByte
elseif typeCode == 2 then varType = vtWord
elseif typeCode == 3 then varType = vtDword
elseif typeCode == 4 then varType = vtQword
elseif typeCode == 5 then varType = vtSingle
elseif typeCode == 6 then varType = vtDouble
elseif typeCode == 7 then varType = vtString
else varType = vtByte end
lastVarType = varType
print("Using type: " .. tostring(varType))

local validSegments = getValidSegments()
if #validSegments == 0 then print("No valid segments.") return end

local allResults = {}
local addrSet = {} -- 去重字典
for _, segInfo in ipairs(validSegments) do
local startAddr = segInfo.base
local stopAddr = startAddr + segInfo.size
print(string.format("Scanning unknown->unchanged: 0x%X - 0x%X", startAddr, stopAddr))

local ms = createMemScan()

-- 未知初始值
ms.firstScan(
soUnknownValue, varType, rtRounded,
nil, nil, startAddr, stopAddr,
"", -- 保护标志：空表示所有内存
fsmNotAligned, "",
false, false, false, false
)
ms.waitTillDone()

-- 未变化
ms.nextScan(
soUnchanged, rtRounded,
nil, nil,
false, false, false, false, false
)
ms.waitTillDone()

-- 读取结果
local fl = createFoundList(ms)
if fl then
fl.initialize()
local count = fl.Count
if count and count > 0 then
for i = 0, count - 1 do
local addrStr = fl.getAddress(i)
if addrStr then
local addr = tonumber(addrStr, 16)
if addr and not addrSet[addr] then
local val = readValueFast(addr, varType)
if val ~= nil then
addrSet[addr] = true
table.insert(allResults, {addr = addr, lastVal = val})
end
end
end
if i % 1000 == 0 then processMessages() end
end
end
fl.deinitialize()
fl.destroy()
end
ms.destroy()
end

lastResults = allResults
print(string.format("Total matches found (unknown->unchanged): %d", #lastResults))
printResults(allResults)
if ADD_TO_LIST then addToAddressList(allResults) end
end

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 再次扫描（通用）
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function nextScan()
if not lastResults or #lastResults == 0 then
print("No previous results. Please do a first scan first.")
return
end
if not lastVarType then
print("Unknown data type. Please do a first scan first.")
return
end

local isString = (lastVarType == vtString)

local conditionOptions
if lastScanType == "exact" then
conditionOptions = {"等于", "不等于", "大于", "小于", "增大了", "减小了", "变化了", "未变化"}
else
conditionOptions = {"增大了", "减小了", "变化了", "未变化"}
end

local condListStr = ""
for i, opt in ipairs(conditionOptions) do
condListStr = condListStr .. i .. "=" .. opt .. " "
end

local condCode = inputQuery("选择比较条件",
"请输入条件代号：\n" .. condListStr, "1")
if condCode == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
condCode = tonumber(condCode)
if condCode < 1 or condCode > #conditionOptions then
print("Invalid condition, using 1")
condCode = 1
end
local compareType = conditionOptions[condCode]
print("Using condition: " .. compareType)

local compareVal = nil
if compareType == "等于" or compareType == "不等于" or compareType == "大于" or compareType == "小于" then
local val = inputQuery("再次搜索", "请输入要比较的数值（十进制）:", "0")
if val == nil then print("Cancelled.") return end
compareVal = val
end

local newResults = {}
local addrSet = {} -- 确保新结果也去重（虽然理论上不会重复，但安全起见）
for _, entry in ipairs(lastResults) do
local currentVal = readValueFast(entry.addr, lastVarType)
if currentVal ~= nil and not addrSet[entry.addr] then
if meetsCondition(currentVal, compareVal, compareType, entry.lastVal, isString) then
addrSet[entry.addr] = true
table.insert(newResults, {addr = entry.addr, lastVal = currentVal})
end
end
end

lastResults = newResults
print(string.format("After filtering, matches found: %d", #lastResults))
printResults(newResults)
if ADD_TO_LIST then addToAddressList(newResults) end
end

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