After 16 years I might want to upgrade. Looking for advice and comments...

[rmcelwee]

History:
I built my MAME cabinets (one with a 25" vertical arcade monitor and one with a 25" horizontal monitor) back in 1999. They no longer get the use that they deserve but I want to start playing with them again. I've got a few computers sitting here getting ready for the hardware upgrade (faster CPU - more memory) and I was wondering if I needed to or should do a software upgrade as well. I currently have around 100 games as "favorites" on each machine and those are all that I play. I really couldn't care less if I had more games - I have enough. So, that is not a justification for doing an upgrade.

Software:
I'm running ArcadeOS ver 2.47 (8/31/2001) as a frontend booting into arcade monitor mode over MAME 0.62 (11/12/2002). My computers boot via a floppy (seemed like a good idea at the time) into Window98 DOS mode. I'm thinking about upgrading my MAME version as well as my ArcadeOS version. I'm wondering if that will fix a few bugs that I seem to have:
- several games displaying on only the center 1/4th of the screen (Mortal Kombat, Gauntlet). Yes, I've been playing with the settings for 15 years.
- some roms disappearing (Cyberball keeps going somewhere. Just won't show up in ArcadeOS)

Questions:
- Should I upgrade my ArcadeOS and Mame version?
- Should I switch to a different front end? After being out of the hobby (building) for over a decade I just don't know what all is out there for use with arcade monitors.
- I have a Ultimarc ArcadeVGA card and could probably do a Windows GUI build on my horizontal monitor cabinet but what would that really do for me?

What I have works fairly well and I am not big into having "the latest and greatest" (you could probably tell that). Still, I would really appreciate any suggestions/comments you could throw my way. Thanks!!!

[Generic Eric]

Future. Proof.

If you build a PC for one program, it will be of little use after you tire of that program.  That is why I say future proof.  If you get a modern board for the newest CPU architecture, upgrade parts that connect to it every 2 or so years.  Damn the retirement! Max the ram!  Ramen for wife!  RAM for LIFE!

It is difficult to make a convincing case to build a PC when many folks would rather wash the car through a drive through than do it themselves.  Just remember to stay within the budget you set. 

[big10p]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[menace]

Ah good old arcadeOS--I remember the first time it did the snowfall thing for christmas--I was so impressed.  I would advise an upgrade but only partially.  Used computers are cheap/free so its not a cost of hardware thing and you do get some performance gains by just starting fresh.  I use Xp (again, free licences) and mala as a front end (easily configured and has video previews--which I really like).  As far as a mame version I stopped at .86 or so--can't remember why but found no reason to grab the latest mame..

At the end of the day, if you don't feel like tinkering with it then don't bother, but if you are like me and sometimes like to mess around with things--then go for it!

[pbj]

Ugh. ArcadeOS.  Ordinarily I'd tell you to leave it alone but that front end has got to go.

[rmcelwee]

Ugh. ArcadeOS.  Ordinarily I'd tell you to leave it alone but that front end has got to go.

... and replaced with what? I need something that is easy to learn and works with arcade monitors.

[big10p]

Ugh. ArcadeOS.  Ordinarily I'd tell you to leave it alone but that front end has got to go.

... and replaced with what? I need something that is easy to learn and works with arcade monitors.

MaLa works with arcade monitors and all configuration is done using Windows UI dialogs. No messing with INI/CFG files. It has a few minor bugs but it's the frontend of choice for me, in my MAME cab.

[rmcelwee]

I tried MALA four years ago when I was trying to upgrade the first time. It never did work for me and was a complete waste of time. I ended up scrapping the project and returning to ArcadeOS. Hopefully I'm either smarter now or MALA has a few of the bugs worked out:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,109137.msg1158651.html#msg1158651

I might try it again though. So, I can't remember, do you set it up and it boots into arcade monitor mode or do I have to do all my configurations with a regular computer monitor? I'll have to do some investigation.


Also, have I set a record with only 41 posts in 13 years? 

[Locke141]

I have not yet had the opportunity to use a real arcade monitor in a build yet, but Groovy Mame may be a good options for you if you are going to upgrade. That and a J-Pack from Ultimarc will protect your monsters from you accidentally using the wrong Htz.

There are a lot of front ends out there and you will find lots of different opinions on what to use. Attract mode is my favourite for Linux if you go the Groovy Mame root. It also clams to import mala templets but I have not tried it.

[big10p]

MaLa boots into whatever video mode/resolution you have your Windows desktop set to. The problem you have in the link you posted, about he game screen being too small, is related to how you have MAME configured and nothing to do with MaLa. As Locke141 suggests, I highly recommend using groovyMAME. Amongst other benefits, it creates modelines on-the-fly when a game is launched and attempts to run the game at the same resolution and refresh rate as the original arcade game.

[rmcelwee]

Well, after two hours of trying to get the Radeon 7000 I just got off Ebay to work with WinXP (Catalyst 6.5 XP-32 drivers) I am about ready to give up. My Dell 2400 absolutely hates having a second video card in it (well known issue) and XP keeps telling me the drivers are not the right ones. I might have to change gears and go back to my old setup for a while. I have two more Dell computers sitting at my parents house so when I get down there in a month or two I'll see if I can get the Radeon set up on one of them.

[rmcelwee]

I'm beginning to think the card is defective. I've tried two different computers and still no go. The catalyst drivers (even the OEM ones) don't like the card. Anyway, I just ordered an ATI Radeon 7500 and I will try that next week when it gets here. Wish me luck!

[Locke141]

I would recommend you try Groovy Mame before giving up. You can try a live CD from HERE

If you need more help then do some reading HERE.

[rmcelwee]

I would recommend you try Groovy Mame before giving up. You can try a live CD from HERE

That is what I am trying to do but I can't try it until I get a video solution working.

[Locke141]

I would recommend you try Groovy Mame before giving up. You can try a live CD from HERE

That is what I am trying to do but I can't try it until I get a video solution working.

I'm confused. You said you video card is not working in winXP. Groovy Name is Linux. The live I linked to will let you test with out having to delete you XP setup.

[rmcelwee]

I'm confused. You said you video card is not working in winXP. Groovy Name is Linux. The live I linked to will let you test with out having to delete you XP setup.

No, GroovyMame is both Win and Linux. I have tried to switch to Linux at home plenty of times but have never had any luck. Usually the problems are with network cards or ease of use on my existing Win networks. In the old days when I was an ISP (back in the stone ages of the internet) I ran Linux for my DNS servers and a few other things. Great software but I just haven't ever been able to make it work for home use. Still, I might try the Live CD and see how that works for me.

[MTPPC]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Perfect is the enemy good enough. Are your machines good enough?