Beginning with MAME--HELP!

[Geo]

Hello All,

I am new to the world of MAME and find it intriging to say the least!  The biggest draw was the ability to play actual ARCADE versions of classic games from the early 80's from the likes of Space Invaders, Galaga, Phoenix, Pac Man, Defender, etc

My goal is to take an existing arcade cabinet that no one wants, preferably a cocktail table (since it is small), but am also interested in an upright if I come across such a cabinet.

I would prefer to use the existing monitor, but will change if I have to.  It has to work off of coin for "authenticity".

I would like to try both Dos and Windows versions of MAME out to see what I would like best.

Thus I have downloaded what I thought was a Windows version of MAME and I downloaded a few roms.

Upon executing the program, it goes to Dos for a split second and then shuts down.  I don't know what I am doing wrong, or if I need what is called a front end

What I would like to know is the basic procedure for setting this up on a Pentium 500 computer with windows 95 and 128m of ram

I have access to half a dozen old 486 66 to 100 machines.   I am sure I can use these as well, but perhaps under Dos only.  I would like to know how to set up the Dos version of MAME as well.

Please respond directly to my EM address
Jukingeo@optonline.net

Thank You,

Geo

[Agent Davis]

Go to www.mameworld.net and start reading on some of the links.