Cleaning it up- power buttons, auto boot, etc

[eyal8r]

Hi guys-
I'm ready to start putting finishing touches on my cab. I'd like to add some things, maybe you guys can help me out.

I want to have a master power & reboot button on the top of the cab, so I don't have to go inside and fumble around the computer. Are there specific types of buttons I need to do something like this?

Also- how do I get it so that windows if completely hidden upon boot up and shut down?  Obviously, I need ways to be able to get into windows enviornment at times, but- for most users, I don't want people to know it's a computer in there. Is there a way to disguise this?  IE- hide the XP startup screen, logos, music, etc?  And I am now using GameEx for my front end (for now)- how do I have windows boot directly to this smoothly?

THANKS!

[subcriminal]

I'm now going to hide Windows on mine, I've changed the boot screen with BootXP so far and just set the desktop to black and hid taskbar as the desktop shows for a second before mamewah loads, you can also change Windows default sounds through the control panel.

[RetroACTIVE]

Here is some good info on hiding windows:

http://tomspeirs.com/gameex/Shell.htm

from the same gent who brought you GameEx...

[thebrownshow]

As far as powering up your cabinet? EASY.

1.) Get a Smart Strip (RetroBlast Review)
2.) Set your BIOS to "Restore power after AC power loss"
3.) Plug your cabinet into the control outlet
4.) Plug your PC into a switched outlet

When you turn on the power to the cabinet, the SmartStrip will apply power to the other outlets.  Your pc will sense that power has been restored to the outlet, and will fire up the PC.

If you don't have that setting in your BIOS, you'll have to be a bit trickier, but it's really the easiest way, and requires ZERO modifcation to your cabinet - you can use the existing cabinet power switch.  Really makes things transparent.

[eyal8r]

Anything specific I need to do for the power/reset buttons?  Any type of button specifically to use?
Thanks

[RayB]

A button is a button is a button. You just need a "momentary contact, normally off" switch. That's basically most buttons. Arcade buttons are this (though you can wire them to be "normally on" as well).

Basically what you'll be doing is taking two wires that are connecting to your mobo's power switch pins, and when you touch those two wires together, you cause the power to come on. Same for a reset button. That's how a button works.


For hiding Windows: What version? In 98 I unhid the file "logo.sys" in the root of C: drive, rename it to Logo.bmp. Load it in an image editor. Change it to all black, or your own custom screen. Mine is all black with the word "LOADING". Save it. Then rename back to logo.sys

As for the rest it depends on if you are using DOS mame or Win MAME?

[eyal8r]

oh yeah- running Analog+ for XP.

I found a little installer that will hide cursors, start screens, etc etc- but- there's a ton of warnings on it saying that you can screw up your system by using it. I think Tom Spiers over at www.gameex.net wrote it. If I want to get out to Windows from this shell program, how do I do it?  Is it easy to escape out of the shell to work in Windows enviornment?  Also- what problems could go wrong by using something like this?
Thanks!

[Taborious]

I was even in worse shape, I had to actually crawl behind the cab, reach inside, feel around for the button. I had to find a better way and VIOLA. I bought a remote control power switch like you use for xmas lights and what not. Just put the remote in with the keyboard and when I want to play just push the button on the remote and everything in the cab powers on. I did have to set the BIOS to auto start on power but very easy and I'm very pleased with the results...

As for getting rid of Windows during boot, I asked the same questions a while back and got a lot of usefull info...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39920.msg360848#msg360848