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

[Dcpmark]

As my cab update project continues, I got my hands on a brand new i7-3770k with a 120 GB SSD/1 TB HDD combo and a GTX 660 that came pre-loaded with Windows 8. A bit overkill for MAME, yes, but I also wanted to run Model 3 games. So now I am planning to get rid of the pre-installed Windows 8, but which 64-bit OS should I install, Windows 7 Pro or XP Pro? I will most likely use Maximus Arcade as my frontend, and my cab update may eventually include putting in a 25" tri-sync arcade monitor, so are there any limitations with using either? Are there any compatibility problems loading XP on such a new computer? Are some cab-specific versions of MAME (ie Cabmame, AdvanceMame) compatible with Windows 7? I'd like to install Windows 7 if possible, but not at the risk of not having certain things compatible. I know the Win 7 Pro version has XP Compatibility Mode, but I'm a Mac guy so I'm not sure that means as it relates to MAME and all of the related hardware (AVGA card) and software stuff (Soft 15, Powerstrip, etc).

Thanks in advance!

[DeLuSioNal29]

XP pro 64-bit.

[Dcpmark]

XP pro 64-bit.

Thanks! I see now where XP isn't always SSD friendly, so I think I may try to do a dual boot and leave Win 8 on the SSD drive and put an XP Pro partition on the 1TB hard drive. Now if this Mac guy can figure out how to do this, I'll be one happy camper.

[Diet_Pepsi]

Not sure its really worth going through all that trouble?  As far as MAME is concerned, what can xp pro do that Windows 8 cannot with an i7-3770k?

[Dcpmark]

Not sure its really worth going through all that trouble?  As far as MAME is concerned, what can xp pro do that Windows 8 cannot with an i7-3770k?

So you are saying that Windows 8 runs cab-specific versions of MAME (ie Cabmame, AdvanceMame), frontends like Maximus Arcade, all of the potentially-related hardware (AVGA card, encoders), and software stuff (Soft 15, Powerstrip, etc) as well as XP Pro? I thought not everything works well under Windows 7, much less Windows 8.

[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]

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 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]

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.

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. 

[wp34]

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

[Dcpmark]

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

This is the kind of specific info I was looking for....thanks. Although in perusing the Groovy Mame thread, I do note that Calamity wrote that the latest version should work in Windows 7 "in theory." That sounds more promising than for some older stuff that definitely won't work and don't have great active developers like Calamity constantly updating it.

[wp34]

I'll have to look into that issue again.  When I was researching GM I got the impression that Windows 7 was optimized for LCD's and could not take full advantage of GM.  I'm pushing GM on an arcade monitor so I stuck with Windows XP.   

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

This is the kind of specific info I was looking for....thanks. Although in perusing the Groovy Mame thread, I do note that Calamity wrote that the latest version should work in Windows 7 "in theory." That sounds more promising than for some older stuff that definitely won't work and don't have great active developers like Calamity constantly updating it.

[sharpfork]

I had a hell of a time getting my legit XP Pro SP1 to instal on a newer MOBO with an SSD.  Do the folks who are recommending XP have a specific version that seems to work better with modern hardware?
If I have OS issues again, I think I'm going to nuke the whole thing and give Linux another shot.

[Sparkolicious]

I moved on to windows 7 just because.. Everything works fine with ZiNc being the exception.. PSXMame fixed that issue.

[wp34]

I'm using older hardware so I can't be any help.  I have considered moving to newer hardware at some point and am concerned about XP compatibility. 

I would have moved to Windows 7 64-bit were it not for GroovyMame.

I had a hell of a time getting my legit XP Pro SP1 to instal on a newer MOBO with an SSD.  Do the folks who are recommending XP have a specific version that seems to work better with modern hardware?
If I have OS issues again, I think I'm going to nuke the whole thing and give Linux another shot.

[Dcpmark]

I had a hell of a time getting my legit XP Pro SP1 to instal on a newer MOBO with an SSD.  Do the folks who are recommending XP have a specific version that seems to work better with modern hardware?
If I have OS issues again, I think I'm going to nuke the whole thing and give Linux another shot.

I am by no means a Windows expert, but I would guess that you might have more success with an SP3 version, which was released in 2008. SP1 was released in 2001!! Also, are you trying to install XP on a computer that previously had Windows 8 on it??

You could also do what I'm doing, bypassing the SSD, and putting XP Pro on a separate primary partition on your regular HDD.