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Which Mame to use in a Cocktail Table
NickS:
Hello.
I looking for some advice on running Mame in a cocktail table cabinet that I am building.
I was thinking that it would be better to use mame in Dos rather than in Windows as it would be easier to shutdown. I also hear that mame in dos is faster. I was hoping to be able to wire enrthing up so that one switch would power everything up and shutdown. I know windows can be corrupted by just switching off the power. Is this possible ?. Does anyone have an opinion which would be best ?.
I was hoping to be able to use a menu system where I would use the controls to select the games. I am planning to use an ipac interface for the controls. I understand that there are frontend programs that can be used to provide a menu and allow you to configure mame like in mame32. Does anyone have an opinion or recommendation as to which frontend would be best to use for my needs ?.
Your opinions and advice will be greatly appreciated.
Minwah:
I guess it depends how good the PC spec is that you want to use. An old (slow) PC will probably work better in DOS but I found my newish PC worked SLOWER in DOS.
Most Windows frontends can shut down the PC safely thru software (without pressing a switch) btw.
I guess if you choose DOS then look at GameLauncher or ArcadeOS, for Windows try 3dArcade, Lazarus, again GameLauncher or my very own MAMEWAH. These can all be controlled by arcade controls.
I've probably missed one or two, check out the Software section to the left.
Good luck :)
SirPoonga:
There's a couple of more factors.
Are you going to use a PC monitor. Does it have a suspend mode?
If you use windows you can shutdown windows and that will shut the machine off too. Many monitors will detect tha and go into suspend mode.
As for frontends, do you want to display it vertically. There are not many FEs that support that.
NickS:
--- Quote from: Minwah on September 12, 2002, 03:14:18 pm ---
I guess it depends how good the PC spec is that you want to use. An old (slow) PC will probably work better in DOS but I found my newish PC worked SLOWER in DOS.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for your reply.
I was thinking of using a pentium or pentium 2 pc. It seems a waste to use a higher spec pc. Although I would consider a higher spec if the improvement in quality justifies it. If I use dos could it be switched on and off without corrupting the programs ?. I will have a look at your frontend recommendations.
NickS:
--- Quote from: SirPoonga on September 12, 2002, 03:21:08 pm ---
There's a couple of more factors.
Are you going to use a PC monitor. Does it have a suspend mode?
If you use windows you can shutdown windows and that will shut the machine off too. Many monitors will detect tha and go into suspend mode.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for your reply.
I have bought a WG U3000 VGA monitor that I was thinking of using. I understood that it opeates in a similar way to a pc monitor. Would dos shutdown or suspend the monitor in the same way that windows does ?. It has been a long time since I have used a dos based computer so I am not sure. I have not discounted using a pc monitor if it would be better for my specific requirements but safely mounting it upside is a concern, along with adequate air circulation and overheating. Do you have any opinions ?.
--- Quote from: SirPoonga on September 12, 2002, 03:21:08 pm ---
As for frontends, do you want to display it vertically. There are not many FEs that support that.
--- End quote ---
Yes, I guess I would ideally want it display vertically. Can you recommend any frontends that can do this ?.