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Doing a clean install on a new Win 8 computer: what's the best OS for MAME?

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kahlid74:

Windows XP is still the safest from a "everything works" perspective.  Windows 7 is a good place too but you might have some compatibility issues with older apps/software.  I would steer clear of Windows 8 with regard to MAME.  So many of the improvements of Windows 8 are built around areas you'd never use unless you plan to use a touchscreen and there are some big compatibility issues in Windows 8 with XP era software.

Paul Olson:

With everyone clinging to XP, pretty soon we will have to emulate XP as well to play these games. If more people would upgrade, we might be able to get more people working on development for newer systems.

There might be issues with that old software, but that is a problem with the software, not the OS. I really think we need to keep the development focused on new systems so we can enjoy playing these classic games well into the future. I think there are a few games emulated by MAME now that are newer than the OS most people are still running.

I have been using Windows 8 for a few months now, and it is just a better operating system than XP or 7. It is definitely a hybrid with the new UI, but it works. I use mostly desktop apps on content creating machines, and mostly windows 8 apps on content consuming machines. It is nice being able to use both when I need to on both types.

I still have a lot of testing to do on the MAME cab (and admittedly, I have embraced the new display layer in MAME so I am no longer trying to use arcade monitors), but whatever doesn't work now needs to be rewritten to work with current operating systems. That will require users to test and let the devs know what doesn't work.

Dcpmark:


--- Quote from: kahlid74 on February 13, 2013, 09:23:41 am ---Windows XP is still the safest from a "everything works" perspective.  Windows 7 is a good place too but you might have some compatibility issues with older apps/software. 

--- End quote ---

I presumed that XP would probably be the best, but can you (or anyone else) think of specific MAME cabinet-related hardware and software that definitely won't work with Windows 7?

I have a basic cab now with 2 ghz dual core running XP Home 32-bit, running MAME .0143 with a Maximus Arcade frontend, a 21" Hitachi Multisync (only goes to 31k), and has a HotRod SE built-in for a control panel. My desire to upgrade came from deciding to add Model 3 emulation and build a new 2-player CP from scratch that with include, among other things, a trigger joystick, trackball, spinner, proper admin buttons, etc. I'm probably going to replace the monitor too if I can find a suitable 24"-26" digital monitor that can do the proper arcade resolutions.

If I can do all this in Windows 7, then I'll go that route in a dual boot.



Dcpmark:


--- Quote from: Paul Olson on February 13, 2013, 09:59:45 am ---With everyone clinging to XP, pretty soon we will have to emulate XP as well to play these games. If more people would upgrade, we might be able to get more people working on development for newer systems.

There might be issues with that old software, but that is a problem with the software, not the OS. I really think we need to keep the development focused on new systems so we can enjoy playing these classic games well into the future. I think there are a few games emulated by MAME now that are newer than the OS most people are still running.

I have been using Windows 8 for a few months now, and it is just a better operating system than XP or 7. It is definitely a hybrid with the new UI, but it works. I use mostly desktop apps on content creating machines, and mostly windows 8 apps on content consuming machines. It is nice being able to use both when I need to on both types.

I still have a lot of testing to do on the MAME cab (and admittedly, I have embraced the new display layer in MAME so I am no longer trying to use arcade monitors), but whatever doesn't work now needs to be rewritten to work with current operating systems. That will require users to test and let the devs know what doesn't work.

--- End quote ---

I agree with the sentiment, but as a Mac guy with little Windows knowledge or experience I'm not the one to be a test subject for MAME-related compatibility in Windows 8.  :D

wp34:

If you think you are going to use GroovyMame you will want to stick with XP. 

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