Main > Main Forum
Best OS choice for creating multiple Mame/Jukebox systems
jukingeo:
--- Quote from: bitbytebit on January 31, 2011, 10:12:56 am --- I am using Gentoo, I think Gentoo is the best choice as a base but you basically are having to build your own distribution first then figure out how to install it. That's what I've been doing basically, have a gentoo build that's a LiveCD/InstallCD both in one basically. So ideally when this is done, it'd be the quick, pop in CD and run through a setup menu on the console quickly and you've got a cloned system. Might want to give the next release a spin when I get this setup interface completely done, at least would be great to hear more feedback on things and my goal is the same as yours so definitely would work towards improving it that direction in the future.
--- End quote ---
Gentoo was one of the options I was looking into, but given the complexity in setting it up, it sounded like Arch would what I wanted, but would take a lot less time setting up. So this sounded more appealing to me than spending (from what I read) whole day(s) setting up Gentoo.
As it stands though, for some reason Arch will not install to a USB memory stick. The message board over there says it can be done, but I have tried three different brands of memory stick and all have failed.
I did read that USB memory sticks do have very slow write times, and it is possible the installation isn't waiting for the writes to complete, and that could be why I am getting errors on install. At any rate, I am going to drop the memory stick for a Compact Flash card. I know these can be set up as solid state hard drives and the write times are much better.
--- Quote from: Havok on January 31, 2011, 10:35:05 am ---You forgot the best one: Windows 7 nlite install. You're completely wrong about phoning home to Microsoft for installs; XP never needs to go online, and Windows 7 will require a one time activation, just to validate the O/S. The benefits to using Windows 7 are you get the best peripheral support, and can run virtually any front end. With nlite, you can strip it way down and make it quite efficient. (My cab from power off to front end running is 20 seconds).
--- End quote ---
Excuse me? I am wrong about Windows XP needing to go on-line? Then if that is the case, then how come whenever I install a Windows XP product I get a message that says the operating system will shut down if it is not activated within 30 days? You think I am making that up?
Over the years I have installed a few different versions of Windows XP from the Home version to the Professional version and ALL have asked to connect (or call Microsoft) to activate it.
To All,
I have looked into several options thusfar and while Linux seems to be the most ideal, it does have its hiccups. Windows XP probably would be the most reliable. While I know I could probably use nLite with my copy of Windows XP Pro. I had thought of looking into a small, low footprint version of Windows Embedded. As of now the smallest version is Windows Embedded CE, and this is what most Smart Phones use. The thing is that I don't know how much it would cost to go this route. Furthermore, I wouldn't be surprised that it has to be activated as well.
So that is the scoop for now.
Thanx all for the info.
Geo
Nacimroc:
--- Quote from: jukingeo on February 19, 2011, 04:01:47 pm ---
--- Quote from: Havok on January 31, 2011, 10:35:05 am ---You forgot the best one: Windows 7 nlite install. You're completely wrong about phoning home to Microsoft for installs; XP never needs to go online, and Windows 7 will require a one time activation, just to validate the O/S. The benefits to using Windows 7 are you get the best peripheral support, and can run virtually any front end. With nlite, you can strip it way down and make it quite efficient. (My cab from power off to front end running is 20 seconds).
--- End quote ---
Excuse me? I am wrong about Windows XP needing to go on-line? Then if that is the case, then how come whenever I install a Windows XP product I get a message that says the operating system will shut down if it is not activated within 30 days? You think I am making that up?
Over the years I have installed a few different versions of Windows XP from the Home version to the Professional version and ALL have asked to connect (or call Microsoft) to activate it.
--- End quote ---
I've been using Tiny XP on loads of machines for past few years. Its fantastic. Never had 1 error, 'dial home' problem, driver issue etc. Even if you did get an error, whatever sheller program you are using wouldn't show it anyway? Maybe its the "copy" of windows you are using ? ;)
General_Faliure:
I use Lubuntu + Wahcade for my arcade cab.
My hardware is pretty old; An Athlon 64 3200, a Gforce 5200 and 1 gig of ram.
The system starts up very fast and runs well, besides mame i have several other emulators.
There is a new version of Wahcade on launchpad, but it's not out officially yet.
Greetz, Ger.
jukingeo:
--- Quote from: Nacimroc on February 20, 2011, 09:48:42 pm ---
I've been using Tiny XP on loads of machines for past few years. Its fantastic. Never had 1 error, 'dial home' problem, driver issue etc. Even if you did get an error, whatever sheller program you are using wouldn't show it anyway?
--- End quote ---
What is Tiny XP?
--- Quote --- Maybe its the "copy" of windows you are using ? ;)
--- End quote ---
It is a copy of Windows Professional with SP2.
--- Quote from: General_Faliure on February 23, 2011, 03:46:10 am ---I use Lubuntu + Wahcade for my arcade cab.
My hardware is pretty old; An Athlon 64 3200, a Gforce 5200 and 1 gig of ram.
The system starts up very fast and runs well, besides mame i have several other emulators.
There is a new version of Wahcade on launchpad, but it's not out officially yet.
Greetz, Ger.
--- End quote ---
Generally this is something that I want to do. As of now I am doing testing with Ubuntu Studio Lucid (10.04), but I also have Lubuntu Meerkat (10.10), which is what I want to use for embedding work such as for Mame. But even smaller would be a streamlined distribution such as Gentoo or Arch Linux. My initial choice here would have been Arch because it is simpler to set up than Gentoo, but I tried to install Arch to a USB memory stick and the result...FAIL. Next I am going to try an Arch install to a Compact Flash card (which is what I want to use instead of a hard drive). If I am met with failure there, then I will fall back on Lubuntu.
As of now with Ubuntu Studio Lucid, I AM having a sound issue with SDLMame. I get a series of crackles and pops with the audio, of which I do not have with any other sound (or game) program I am using. So this has to be rectified before I settle on using a Linux based embedded OS for Mame.
Should Linux fail, then I will go back to "lightened" version of Windows XP. As it is I might go this route anyway because I really would like to use Hyperspin as the front end, and that only works with Windows. I tried it in Wine, but couldn't get it to work :(.
Thanx,
Geo
ark_ader:
I think you should look at what applications you are going to use with your ITX. That said, the older ITX boards especially the fan-less ones are not that great with modern Operating Systems. You could get by with Windows 2000 Professional if you are wanting a NT platform, but you will need to install 1gb or more. But you seem not to like to fiddle about with Linux, so Puppy Arcade would be out of the question. I boot that on a thumb drive, all 16gb of it.
The problems with Tiny XP is the malware associated with it. eXperience's build had some code inside from those who hosted it that called home, then you have the WGA issues that do not go away. Tiny XP does not play nice with ITX kit as most of the inf files are gone to reduce space.
Your DOS problem isn't really a problem as you can boot USB flash from Dos from a non capable Bios. It is quite easy, but again the original suggestion still applies: what applications have you found and what is the target OS. You need to do that first, then worry about the rest later.
Besides you are still missing an important contender, which you and I are familiar with, and does the job very well. You just have to crack her open and build your cab around it. ;D