[Question] Mala and Mame 1.33 on Windows 7 64-Bit

[Draugr]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post here. I've been working on getting my own Arcade cabinet completed. I used the guys at Emdkay and they did a great job. Now it is time for me to get MAME and a front end working. I used MameWah in the past, but Mala looks to be similar, and still around. After an entire day tinkering with Mala, Mame and my custom configurations, I'm loving Mala and will continue to use it for my cabinet.

Currently, I am using my Asus EEEpc Laptop to power the gaming system. My cabinet is a 2 button, vertical monitor cabinet that I wanted developed specifically to play 70s, 80s, and early 90s vertical arcade games. I am only using my netbook as a temporary solution while I configure the front end and the game lists that I will be using. Tonight, I started the hunt for a repalcement PC for the netbook. This PC will become my permenant replacement and will remain inside the cabinet for good. It will be only used for the arcade and possibly other early console systems. What I wanted to do was ask some questions to find out if this PC I'm looking at might work without any issue.

Let me mention a few possible important points.

1. I'm using Mala v1.73
2. I am using MAME v1.33u3
The reason I am using that version of MAME is because I like having the high score saving features that used to be a regular part of MAME, but has since been removed.

So, saying that I am looking at the following computer from ACER. I like that it has wireless keyboard and mouse. That will be perfect for working on the PC while its in the cabinet. I won't have to pull out keyboard and mouse from within via a USB port. The wireless function will allow me to store the keyboard and mouse under my computer desk only pulling them out when needed. This system uses Windows 7 64-Bit. I'd appreciate it if any of you might give me some advice on whether or not I should purchase this PC. I will get it if, it will work with the version of Mala and Mame that I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103297

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks
John

[loadman]

Should run MaLa fine....

Dunno how demanding Mame 1.33 is

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

that's not going to be terribly much more powerful than the netbook you're currently using.

How about these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.563592

Save $19.97 when purchased together
Rosewill R103A :$39.99 (case plus power supply)
ASUS M2N68-AM PLUS :$54.99 (mobo with nvidia 7000 series onboard video)
AMD ADX260OCGMBOX :$71.99 (3.2Ghz Dual core)
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ :$39.99 (2gb ram)
Combined Total:$206.96
Combo Discounts:-$19.97
Combo Price:$186.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$54.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041
Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 Black 102 Normal Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse
$29.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
Win7 OEM
$99.99

Subtotal:   $371.96
Shipping:   $12.89

Grand Total:   $384.85

That's a hell of a lot more computer for $40 more dollars.

[Draugr]

That's a hell of a lot more computer for $40 more dollars.

Yea, you said it. A hell of a lot more. Except I'm not talking about the specs, but the size. Thats a full height case. Unfortunately, it won't fit inside my cabinet. My cabinet is a bartop, but a large one at that due to the height requiring space for my 20.1" vertical monitor. Sadly, the tower won't fit in my cabinet. That is why I'm thinking of getting one of those small PCs. As for the hardware specs, that initial PC I linked to should do the job. Currently the netbook I have is a 1.6GHZ single core, and the PC is a 1.8GHZ duo core. With the netbook, I'm not having any speed issues luckily. Then again, I'm really only looking to add the older 70s, 80s and maybe early 90s games that were vertical and only had Fire A, Fire B buttons, so that pretty much eliminates any of the big Street Fighter II type games and such. What I'm really curious about is Windows 7 and the 64-bit architecture. Will Mala and MAME 1.33u3 run on that OS in 64-bit and not have any issues. If anyone has any other PC suggestions, I'm thinking anything the size of a mini-itx and smaller would fit inside my cabinet and still leave room for air flow and such.


Thanks for your suggestions guys.

John

[jipp]

is 133 the last version they did not compile in support for highs core?  iv seen others compiling in a high score no nag screen section of code.  could you not do the same if you had to update your mame ?

the  mame ill be using is 139 
so i dunno if ill have to compile in support for high scores or not.

chris.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Well if you decase it then it wont be that big. It's a micro atx board, 9.6" x 8.2".

But if size is your primary concern, that nettop you linked to will probably do well enough.

[elmago]

What I'm really curious about is Windows 7 and the 64-bit architecture. Will Mala and MAME 1.33u3 run on that OS in 64-bit and not have any issues. If anyone has any other PC suggestions, I'm thinking anything the size of a mini-itx and smaller would fit inside my cabinet and still leave room for air flow and such.

I use mameui 0.134 with mala 1.73 under a windows 7 64 bit pc. All works great!

The only issue, that i have solved, is for some EXEs (emulators) on win7, they require to execute with administrator preferences, or compatibility with win XP, but its easy to change it on win 7.