Making a MAME Dual Gun Cabinet

[drventure]

Dang. Nice job with the artwork!

[mike boss]

IF only everything else went as well as the art work I'd be good !
Thanks none the less. I really want this cabinet to be like nothing I've ever seen before.
In concept it will accomplish that. From the custom art to the 26" LCD I'm using.
If the software gets working for me I'll be really excited. Sadly I don't know many people into
this type of thing that could help me out. Either I figure it out...or it doesn't get working.

[BadMouth]

Not promising anything, but I'll try to find some time to post pics of my MALA settings.
Most of the problems you've mentioned are just a matter of settings in the Options (right click>options)

>Map buttons to change emulator (might have to enable joystick depending on interface)
>Mala Hot Keys to post Alt+F4 to close emulators that aren't closing.
>Command line paramaters are probably wrong on M2

Does M2 work ok outside of MALA?

The snaps must have the exact names of the roms for them to show up.
If they are close, you can use fuzzy rename (search mala forum).
If they use a different convention, there are other tools out there to convert them to rom names.

[mike boss]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the help.
I ended up figuring out the snaps thing by naming a few the exact same name as some of my ROMS........presto it worked.
Some of the ROM sets as I mentioned are US only. I'll look into that fuzzy rename.
I'd like to make this look as polished as I can.
For consoles that had very few light gun games I actually downloaded the screenshots myself and renamed them.
I've done this for PS1 and DREAMCAST. It works and looks good !

Loadman pushed me in the direction of the MaLa controls option. I have now got the layouts working propery and LEFT/RIGHT to switch between consoles.
However with that option set I could not go thru the invidiual console lists. To rectify this (for now) I utlized the ENTER key.
As noted above in the thread I'm going to have three admin buttons on the front of the cab (near coin door) ENTER - CREDIT - ESCAPE.
I did this on my DK and it works flawlessly. I'll also be adding a service and test button inside the coin door.

Here is a lil video in action.



Towards the end of the video when stopped on MAME you can see my cycle my lists.
This is done by using the ENTER key/button that will be on the cabinet.
I'm pretty happy with how this element is working.

[mike boss]

Not promising anything, but I'll try to find some time to post pics of my MALA settings.
Most of the problems you've mentioned are just a matter of settings in the Options (right click>options)

Thank you I appreciate all the help.

>Map buttons to change emulator (might have to enable joystick depending on interface)
>Mala Hot Keys to post Alt+F4 to close emulators that aren't closing.
>Command line paramaters are probably wrong on M2

I've used the LEFT + RIGHT arrow to now switch between emulators, however this option (when used) takes what typically would be used to scroll lists.
I thought by default perhaps it would go through the respect emulators lists, then move onto the next emulator. IT DOESN'T....or I didnt set it to do so.
However since I plan on my cabinet having three admin buttons, ENTER - CREDIT - ESCAPE, I have used the ENTER button to scroll lists.
My brain doesn't seem to be working as of late..............FAR TOO MUCH PC WORK! But if I could only get every emulator to exit via ESCAPE I'd be loving it.
So far I have tested NINTENDO (fecultra)...........calls the game with no problem, wont dump out.
SUPER NINTENDO (zsnes) ........... also calls the game, but ESCAPE dumps out to the zsnes menu. It wont dump out to MaLa

Does M2 work ok outside of MALA?

I'm yet to test M2 outside of Mala, but I do plan on doing so today.
The place where I obtained my ROM set is a service that I have used prior.
The stuff is top notch and I cant see why they would not work.
That [romsite name redacted] .....................


The snaps must have the exact names of the roms for them to show up.
If they are close, you can use fuzzy rename (search mala forum).
If they use a different convention, there are other tools out there to convert them to rom names.

SNAPS I ended up figuring out by renaming the odd one.
I will look into these tools now.

My biggest concern are emulators that require the mounting of images.
I just feel this will give me issues.
I used the guide created by Uncle  T.
I didn't install my DEAMON TOOLS where he said to, but when cutting the text he had used, I amended it to reflect my install.
I dunno! One day at a time I guess !

[BadMouth]

The emulators will stay on the last game list you left them on.
You can just leave them on the gun games list if the cab isn't going to have any other controls.

Can't help you with the emu's that require image mounting.
I've stuck to emulators that don't require it.
(Demul, NullDC or Makaron for dreamcast, but I doubt they'll run well on a P4 and Makaron doesn't support light guns)

There aren't any other options for Sega Saturn though.

[mike boss]

Does the Sega M2 emulator need a wrapper ?
I think I have the newest version and I'm going to try my ROMs with an older version....................
you never know that could be the problem ?
I tested it outside of MaLa and no luck.
Worst case I will just get a different set as it wont eat up too much of my bandwidth.

[BadMouth]

Get it working in M2 emulator first.  If it doesn't work in the emulator, the problem isn't with MALA.
There really isn't much to the M2 emulator.  It's the easiest one in my opinion.
Drop the roms in the rom folder and go....

What exactly is it doing? 

If you're getting a missing dll error, you may want to make sure your c++ & direct x runtimes are up to date.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=a7b7a05e-6de6-4d3a-a423-37bf0912db84
There is a package toward the bottom for computers that aren't hooked up to the internet.

[mike boss]

The M2 emulator is stating that I'm missing files in many of the ROMs I've tested.
It's a full set from [romsite name redacted], so I find that odd. As most things I've ever got from them worked well.

I'm proud to say I THINK I've got the SNES emulator working. I downloaded the wrapper for version 1.51 (which I'm using) it also included a script file. I see the script in my tool bar along the bottom of my screen. I just have to test to make sure that scrip runs each time the PC comes on.

[BadMouth]

The M2 emulator is stating that I'm missing files in many of the ROMs I've tested.

Make sure that your roms folder is in the same folder as the .exe
(otherwise you have to put the path to the rom folder in the EMULATOR.cfg by hand)

Also make sure you aren't missing one called model2
That's the bios.

There really isn't much that can go wrong with M2.

[mike boss]

Thanks! I'm going to try that now.

[mike boss]

I created the "roms" folder and obtained a few BIOS files.
They are BIN files ?
Anway tested 10 games, all cause M2 to close.
Here is the contents of the folder.

[BadMouth]

Dude, those are Sega CD bios  
 
There should be a zipped folder in the roms folder called model2
If it isn't there, just copy the one from your mame roms.

You say it closes.  Before you said it gave you a message about missing files.
It is behaving differently than before?

Also, how did the .dll get in there?  
If it said you were missing dll's then you need to update your runtimes (see my earlier post).

Yer gonna learn a lot before this is all over  

[mike boss]

Id like to thank you Bad Mouth for taking the time to help me out, I really appreciate it. And I'm glad that I will learn something, trust me I'm a willing student !

I removed the SEGA Bios files
I added the M2 zip folder and extracted the contents into the M2 folder.
Prior when I would goto load a rom I would see this screen and it would be scanning the contents of the folder I  take it. I would get an error saying missing files.
Now I have the BIOS files unzipped and in the folder, but get the same error.
The dll I had a note before saying missing so I guess I put it in the wrong folder!

[BadMouth]

I added the M2 zip folder and extracted the contents into the M2 folder.

Should be zipped and in the roms folder, just like any other rom.

I would get an error saying missing files.

What type of files? dll? rom? Does it give you the name of the file?

The dll I had a note before saying missing so I guess I put it in the wrong folder!

The reason is says you are missing dlls is that your directx runtimes aren't up to date.
Sometimes putting the missing dll into the same folder as the exe will work, sometimes not.
Either way, it isn't the right way to do it.  Update your runtimes per above posts.

If you don't want to do that, try an older version of M2 emulator.  It might work.
Older versions don't require the "newest" runtimes, but the ones you have might still be too outdated.

[mike boss]

Well I'm happy to report that I just unzipped the contents of the folder again and now M2 is working outside of MaLa.

I have no joysticks, but I see the games load up.
In MaLa do I point it to : emulator_multicpu OR emulator ?

Looks like I need to tweak it to get it fullscreen and add the option to exit via the escape key.

EDIT - unloading the ROM is causing the program to crash.
EDIT - why are the games black and white ?

[mike boss]

Doing a little more testing, but I think this PC is going to TONS more work.
Was playing around with M2 the other day. Outside of MaLa M2 is working well.
unloading the ROMs caused M2 to crash. Using "X" to exit is no issue.
The games play in black & white, reading online seems my video card is not sufficient.
No issue with that as I plan on changing that also, I have two at home.
I will also upgrade the RAM in the future.

For now I think it will be take one emulator at a time, configure it, test it, make sure it works, then move onto the next one. I'll start with FCEUltra and move on. I think the only emulator I have working flawless in MaLa is SNES.

OH MAN!......................

On a good note, I got the 26" TV other day....so that will be a nice lil addition to the cabinet.

[mike boss]

I've done  a little work on the PC.
I've got the NES emulator working, SNES working, and MAME working.
I'm using SEGA Fusion, SEGA master system games load, but not full screen, ESCAPE makes it full screen.
So I'll need to do a lil tweaking with Fusion.
M2 works outside of MaLa ,but for some reason when I call a game in MaLa it wont load.
I might need to post my settings in the event that I did something wrong.
I've gone over it several times, no luck figuring this out.
The rest of the SEGA systems that Fusion plays don't work. All I get is a screen that looks like your TV when your cable goes out. Soooooooooooo a lil more work ahead of me. I'm hoping to get it finished OR close to finished over the weekend.

[mike boss]

These are the videocards I have on hand. I plan on using one of them for this machine.
I know Ive had some issue as the existing (stock) card does not support pixel shader.
I'm hoping these are OK.

[mike boss]

I've got the Fusion emulator now working with Master System games.
I had posted in the software section a question about exiting the NES emulator.
It was suggested I use the "EDIT HOT KEYS" option, IT WORKED !
I used the same method with all the systems the Fusion emulates, it also worked.
So now all the Fusion systems exit with the ESCAPE key and start fullscreen.
However only the Master System ROMS load. I followed Uncle T's guide to the letter.
I don't know why they are not working.
I'm hoping this weekend to rectify all the existing programs.
As is M2 works fine outside of MaLa, but in MalLa the games wont load.
Chankast I cant get to work period.
Same thing with the PlayStation emulator.
Looks like I have tons of reading ahead!
Once the computer is working the way I want I'll move on to preparing the guns.
Cosmetically the cabinet is pretty close to complete. It still needs a good cleaning, the coin door needs a coat of black, and I have to install the three yellow admin buttons. Depending on how I feel (and availability) I might get some Virtua Cop side art.

[mike boss]

It just dawned on me that perhaps some of my other issues are BIOS related issues.
So I'll try my luck with that tonight.
Fingers crossed it works !
I know with the PS1 it's a lil deeper as I do have the BIOS files.
But for Dreamcast it could be the issue ?
Also, with FUSION would each console have its own BIOS files ? As noted Master System works

[mike boss]

UPDATE :

All emulators have been configured to exit using ESCAPE.
I've  got Fusion working now for SEGA Master System, 32X, and Genesis.
I had to unzip the ROM files for 32X & Genesis. Not sure why, but I had to. None the less they work so I'm stoked !

PS1 emulation is giving me a hard time. My Resident Evil game is an MDF file, it works.
I converted several games to MDF which also produces a MDS file. However they still don't work. If I'm not mistaken the PS1 emulator works off ISO files. I created ISO files for several games and no luck. This will take me a lil longer to figure out.

I switched from Chankast to Null DC. I'm having much better luck with Null DC, however I can tell I need more RAM. I get some load screen and the system hangs up. This emulator as well as SSF will require more work.

I've got House Of The Dead 1,2, & 3 for PC. One and two are installed. They are working great. They will however require my ADMIN buttons to exit. I tried using a hotkey in MaLa but it gave me an error message in HOTD1.

Here is a lil video, I created a custom skin for the House of the Dead menu.

[mike boss]

House of the Dead PC version - HOTD pt1 like many of the console emulators on the PC will make the most use of the ENTER button. The back of the GunCon2's will have the D-pad configured.

[mike boss]

This is the screen I get when loading NRG files in NullDC

[mike boss]

So as things start coming together and this project takes shape I thought I would ask again..................
any thoughts, ideas, things I'm missing ?

[mike boss]

No new update really.
Still trying to get the PC fully configured.
Having issues getting M2 & Null to work with MaLa.
(by work I mean launch the games from MaLa)

Over and above that all is going ok.
Looks like some of my issues during play stem from insufficient graphics and RAM issues.
But with this project strictly getting done for short term use and later selling I'm going to avoid putting more money into the PC. If I can find used parts locally for a good price I will do the videocard and RAM upgrades.

The retail location I got the PC from has RAM for about $45 and videocard for $60.

[mike boss]

Having a hell of a time getting NullDC & Sega M2 to work within MaLa (IE launch from MaLa).
It does appear (as noted here prior) that the PC itself would indeed need some upgrading to play these games anyway.
I got a price on RAM & a new videocard and honestly, by the time I add them to the PC cost it would be a waste of time.
I could have bought a better PC for less then the PC would end up costing me.
I've decided that I will leave the emulators and ROM files installed, but should the buyer want to figure it out or upgrade the PC he/she can.
I would have liked to have M2 running for Virtua Cop 2 which is true to what the cabinet is. But testing M2 outside of MaLa I noticed my videocard was not sufficient enough anyway.

All my other emulators are working and installed. I'm having issues with the PS1 emulator, but I have figured out its a ROM issue. One of my ROM files is an MDS (not on the PC so I'm going off memory) it works perfect. The ISO files I have wont launch.

So with the PC officially "done" (for all intensive purposes) I'll be moving onto the guns shortly. To get my House Of The Dead fix I installed 1,2, and 3, but all of which are the PC versions.

I'm liking this project, I think it will be really cool when all is said and done. I'm going to try something similar on a new better PC for my personal use in the near future. I've always wanted a Multi-System Arcade Cabinet in my line up. Looking online I've seen some awesome work. I've really come to like the idea of also adding a pair of Aim Trak guns again. In fact I just bid on a pair of GunCon 2's again.................I lost !

[mike boss]

Been awhile since I updated this.
Not much has happened in the way of the project as the warm weather brings with it tons-o-seasonal-fun !
And let me state for the record I mean work, lots of f**king work, work I don't enjoy doing.
But with my garage repair done and my garden now done I can come back to this project.

So here is the run down :

PC - Done ! Wasn't able to get some of the emulators working. As noted prior (and above) the PC isn't quite powerful enough to do all I wanted it to do.
All in all graphically and functionality I think it looks and works well. The MaLa images I created for menus have gotten quite a bit of positive feedback.
I'm debating changing the images to have a more orange look and match more the cabinet. That I'll see how I like later.

Cabinet - All cleaned up and ready to go. Just need to clean up the coindoor and install that again. I'll need to mount a simple shelf for the monitor and wire the buttons.
I'm yet to drill the menu button holes, however I have wired and tested the buttons and harness. That should be a really simple job.

Guns - A friend of mine was willing to help me out this week ,but due to some prior obligations I was unable to meet up. I would expect these done in the next two weeks.

From that point getting it all together should be easy. Going to the local coin-op auction on the 25th of the month, so I'll have some help that day should I need it.

[mike boss]

Recently came across the GunCon2Mouse driver online. Said I could use my GunCon2 plugged into my PC USB and then videocard video out into my TV.
I've purchased the Aim Trak modules but thought I'd give it a shot. It works, its' not perfect but it works.
Sadly the PCI videocard I got isn't sufficient enough to run MAME (ya I think it's SUPER FU*KING OLD!).
For that reason I'm unable at this time to fully configure everything as I cant change the Mame options.
I did notice I had a better time calibrating the guns on my 32" tube TV vs. my 21" TV.
The guns worked well for the NES emulator but were not tested in Mame.
In HOTD (House of the Dead) PC version I found the gun got stuck in the top left of the screen.
Someone had said that you could use the Troubleshooter patch that was designed for Act Labs guns.
But one thing I did notice is my guns when plugged in were recognized as GunCon2 and HID (?) devices.
However in the GunCon calibration menu the guns were not detected automatically.
Part of me thinks it could be this pair of guns ? So I'm trying to track down locally another pair of guns.
I figure if I can get them cheap enough why not try ?
Hoping that they get automatically detected perhaps I'll have better luck and perhaps they will work in connection with the troubleshooter patch.