Is this a good idea? Vertical or horizontal?

[Arcade82]

We have this 4-5 year old computer and I think there's something wrong with the fan so it won't run (so does that mean I need to a get new mobo and cpu or just mobo?) and we replaced it with a new computer. I was thinking of fixing it a lil and using it as the basis for a tiny (or just maybe not full size) pac-man arcade cabinet and use it for all vertical games, since it has a 17" monitor. We'd have to build the cabinet and t-mold it and paint it, get some kind of device (like an ipac i think but that cheaper one on the market? I cant remember what it's called, help me out here) and the ms pacman/galaga reunion joystick, a few buttons and voila a lil arcade machine. we also have an ok coin door

EDIT:

Since it's only 17" And I"m thinking about just making it a classic games arcade, I should probably just go vertical right? Is it dangerous or harmful in anyway (to myself or the monitor/arcade machine) to have a computer monitor in there all weird like and sideways?

If I do go vertical should I just go with a 4-way joystick only?

[KDOG]

maybe tokn 16 or something like that

[tommy]

maybe tokn 16 or something like that

Thats a cheap type of Ipac. ^



For somebody to help you out more it would be wise to give your computer specs. Depending on what PC you have it might be easy or hard to find replacement parts or cheaper to just start over.

[Arcade82]

pentium 3 866mhz..
512mb of ram (not sure what kind, all i know is that they werent compatible with our new dell)
20gb harddrive
some nice video card i bought a few years ago

[tommy]

If the your mobo is not dead and the fan is bad try going to your local PC shop and give them the specs,  they should have a replacement fan or be able to order one. You wouldn't need to replace anything other then the fan IF that is the true problem.

[Arcade82]

well i tried lookin for a fan but couldn't find any in any store
maybe i just need to tote the mobo around

[tommy]

Try here  http://www.digiconcepts.com/globalwin_cpufans_08.htm

Just search Google to find the fan that matches yours.

[forbiddenlyrics]

maybe tokn 16 or something like that

I'd go with a $20 keywiz, or if you are feeling like soldering I bet you could get away with a keyboard hack on a cab with only one joystick and a few buttons.

[RayB]

well i tried lookin for a fan but couldn't find any in any store
maybe i just need to tote the mobo around

Yeah, shouldnt hurt to bring it into a shop and find out what fan you CPU needs. Note that the type of fan you need is based on your CPU, not the mobo (or do you have something where the CPU is built into the mobo?)

Make sure the fan is plugged in correctly. It's rare for fans to just stop working.

So that's step 1. Now if the fan broke while the computer was in use, I wonder if maybe your CPU might havebeen damaged from overheating. You'll only know this once you replace the fan I guess...

[AceTKK]

which fan went out?  The one that cools the processor?  I bet you could source a new heat sink + fan pretty easily; P3 chips are still very common.  And yea, that system is plenty for any of the standard vertical games.  In fact, it could easily run most any non-CHD game in MAME.

-Ace-

[Arcade82]

Since it's only 17" And I"m thinking about just making it a classic games arcade, I should probably just go vertical right? Is it dangerous or harmful in anyway (to myself or the monitor/arcade machine) to have a computer monitor in there all weird like and sideways?

If I do go vertical should I just go with a 4-way joystick only?

[NoOne=NBA=]

Since it's only 17" And I"m thinking about just making it a classic games arcade, I should probably just go vertical right? Is it dangerous or harmful in anyway (to myself or the monitor/arcade machine) to have a computer monitor in there all weird like and sideways?

Not generally.

You may run into the odd monitor that is completely unvented on the sides, and may have some heat issues if you leave it in the case though.

An even worse thing (that we do all the time anyway) is to lean the monitor so far back that its neck is straight down-ish, collecting all the junk that drops off the front of the monitor from use.

That, like vertical orientation, will "shorten" the overall life according to most manufacturers--but BOTH of those were done in alot of the original arcade cabinets, which use basically the same tube.

If I do go vertical should I just go with a 4-way joystick only?

I'd go with 1-stick, and have two buttons on each side of it.
That will let you play pretty much any classic vertical game, and will let people use whichever hand they are most comfortable with on the stick.

No buttons at all will limit your game selection drastically; and only one button will limit you somewhat.
There aren't many vertical games that use more than two buttons.

[Arcade82]

i was going to do 3 buttons but now 2 on each side might be a good idea, i donno

i might do the three and put the first two closer to the stick than say a galaga machine so people who are comfortable with galaga can use the far right one with their other fingers resting on the CP

my main goal for this machine: make it simple and cheap as possible.

next set of concerns though
if I use a frontend (one that's in vertical orientation, i think it's game launcher that sounds good).. is it possible to arrange windows 98 to startup and as soon as the computer comes on, it goes straight to the frontend? that way no weird sideways windows on the screen and constantly having to use the mouse..  and can I use the joystick with frontends?

[NoOne=NBA=]

i was going to do 3 buttons but now 2 on each side might be a good idea, i donno

Unless you can think of a game that you want to play that NEEDS three buttons, I'd only do two.

if I use a frontend (one that's in vertical orientation, i think it's game launcher that sounds good).. is it possible to arrange windows 98 to startup and as soon as the computer comes on, it goes straight to the frontend?

You can blackout the boot screens, and set your front-end to autolaunch; but you shouldn't get any orientation problems if your video card supports vertical orientation.

and can I use the joystick with frontends?

You can with MAMEWah.
That's the only one that I've used to any extent.
I've played around with a few others briefly, but not enough to comment on them, although I do know that there are several others that support joystick navigation.

[Arcade82]

I don't really care much about bootup screens or anything.. I just want to it to go to the frontend as soon as I hit the power button then anyone who can use the joystick can pick a game

new question.. frank answer needed but dont be too harsh.. a 17" pc monitor (16" viewable).. that's pretty good for ms pacman right? vertical

[paigeoliver]

Its two buttons for a vertical setup, unless you want to play Mouse Trap, in which case it is 4 buttons.

Of course you can also just map the start buttons as well, allowing you to play Mouse Trap on a 2 button setup.