Author Topic: Want a solution for running only Qbert on mame (Read 15865 times)

redfivexw · « **on:** February 12, 2006, 08:37:33 pm »

I have been battling my Qbert arcade machine for about a month now, and am getting sick of it all. I would like to set up mame to just run qbert and to boot directly to it. I have an old pc here that i can set up for it, Can anyone tell me exactly how to set up the computer to run a vertical screen mame, with only qbert on it. I currently have another mame machine running Gameex, and i love it, however gameex does not run vertical, and it is too involved a program for this cabinet.

redfivexw · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:00:39 pm »

Actually, if i could have a mini game list, and have qbert, qberts cubes and congo bongo that would be even better (those 3 games all use the 45 degree rotated stick

daywane · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:03:08 pm »

you are running up the same problem ? I have.
mine is ms pac

I can get it to boot up but not flip. vert

Mario · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2006, 12:51:03 am »

I expect this would work: install DOS Mame on a DOS-only machine. Update the autoexec.bat file to automatically run mame with the command line set to run Q-Bert in rotated mode.

Mario

redfivexw · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:46:17 am »

to daywayne:
i just went and read your posts, yes it does look like we are trying to solve the same problem. Let me know how you make out, i will do the same. Email me at redfivexw@juno.com.

to Mario:

Any advice or how tos on the dos mame setup. I can setup windows, and i can setup GameEx front end, and setup mame32, but i have never done anything with DOS, i dont even know where to get dos or how you install it. But i do have a Celeron 600 computer here that i want to use. If anyone can give me a how to i would appreciate it, or if someone has the skills, i can send them a hard drive and you set it up for me

! I would be willing to pay a little for the effort. This is going in a genuine Qbert machine, i have given up on fixing the actual electonics in it, it is too problematic of a machine for me, however if i could get a PC in there and make it look original, that would be great. So, what i am looking for is a selection screen that has 3 choices: Qbert, Qberts Cubes, and Congo Bongo. I would want the screen to be rotated vertically and just boot right to the screen. help

youki · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:55:33 am »

Hi ,

Let me propose you a solution.

How much memory you have on your celeron 600 Mhz?

If you have at least 128mega , you can :
Install Windows XP
Install Atomic FE
Install MAME
Install the roms you want (here n Qbert, Qberts cubes and Congo Bongo)
Put Atomic FE in the start up folder.
Configure Atomic , to run directly the game you want (Qbert). (Atomic will run Qbert at start directly , and when you exit Qbert you will go back on the Front End to select the game you want).

If you have less then 64 mega of ram. Do the same thing but on Windows 98.

I'm here to help you to configure your machine if you go that way.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2006, 10:47:51 am »

I agree with others. For one game just get a cheap pc, install dos (and the annoying sound drivers). Actually, to make it easy get fraggel's boot CD, that installs everything for you I think.

If you want to use the knocker you can use qmame
http://members.cox.net/brado426/QMAME

Or go windows 98 (put mame in startup) and use PowerMame with the LEDwiz to drive the knocker.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2006, 11:18:17 am »

If you only want one game (or just a handful) than windows is a silly idea.

Setup dos with arcadeOS. There are options in AOS to boot into a game initially (without going into the aos menu). Use this method and upon bootup qbert (or whatever) will be loaded and if you exit you'll get your list of other games.

As for the rotation issue you guys really need to rtfm.

-autoror or -autorol will do ya.

youki · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2006, 11:35:53 am »

That's clear Dos would be the best solution. But as he seems to be not confortable with DOS , it is why i proposed a windows solution.

Dos confuguration is not easy for somebody who had never deal with it.

If you go to a dos solution ,to make your life easier, :

-have a real soundblaster card. (or be sure to have dos driver for your sound card)
-not use USB device.

redfivexw · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2006, 02:43:45 pm »

thanks so much for all the advice! i have 128mb of ram in the machine, it has built in sound. I have installation disks for win98 and win 2000 here that i can use (i have xp but i dont have anymore activations left

). Whatever you guys think is easiest. I will tell you, i have NEVER worked in DOS, DOS MAME, or anything like that. It is not that i would be adverse to trying it, however i would definitely need some guidance.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2006, 02:48:32 pm »

If you are going to use onboard sound then go with windows 98. On board isn't usually dos soundblaster compatible. At least it will be a pain to get working in DOS.

Create a bat file on c:\ that contains
c:\
cd mame
mame qbert

put a shortcut to it in your startup folder and qbert will start. Granted oyu will see windows for a moment. If you do a search you should be able to find threads on how to hide windows.

redfivexw · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2006, 02:52:32 pm »

PS- i did download Fraggles boot Cd, and i did run it, but once the main screen game on with ArcadeOS, i was clueless what to do next or how to use it! If things are not laid out for me pretty clearly, i will get lost. Getting the Knocker to work would be cool, i had no idea that you could do that! My knocker is in good working order on the cabinet, so if i could get that to work i would love it. What would power it, though? I have several hard drives here at my disposal, when i get home tonight i will install fraggle's on one drive, and windows 98 on the other, i will then try what Youki said, and also what the others said. I am pretty sure i can get AtomicFe installed, running my need help. I just want this to be as simple as possilble, i would like to press power on the pc (which i will wire to a push button on the front) and have it boot directly to a menu that just has the 3 games to choose from, then press the power button or use the controls to shut it down. I dont want to see windows or have to use a keyboard or anything like that. Thanks for the help, i truly appreciate it.

redfivexw · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2006, 02:54:03 pm »

sorry, help what is a bat file? I have only used mame32 and gameex so far. i am sorry if this is basic stuff

redfivexw · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2006, 02:55:22 pm »

I can add a soundcard if that helps, i have 4 open expansion slots that i can use, and sound cards are cheap (i probobly have one here from an old computer)

redfivexw · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2006, 02:59:55 pm »

the Qmame links are dead, does anyone have this program?

SirPoonga · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2006, 04:04:49 pm »

well, you need to put the qbert rom in the rom folder so arcadeos can see it. Then it will be in the arcadeos menu.

bat file is a batch file, just a text file with commands that ends in .bat.

daywane · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:34:59 pm »

I got my mspac up and going. Here is how.
I am sure there is a much better way and cleaner looking but this works good enough for me.
make a batch file ( note pad and save as qbert.bat)
C:
cd \
cd mame
mame32.exe roms\qbert.zip -ror -joystick

the -ror means rotate clockwise if you need the otherway just change to -rol

the -joystick turns on the joystick option in mame. ( even though I had it on in mame32's options . It would not work unless I started mame 32 first

put in startup folder

I have joy to mouse in startup

mame.exe shortcut in startup
You only need to put mame.exe in there if you want to play other games other than qbert. ... hit escape and you have the mame32 menu you are used to seeing

redfivexw · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:44:56 pm »

Youki,
where do i put the GDIplus.dll file for windows 98? i downloaded it and your program is asking for it, but i dont know where to put it...

redfivexw · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2006, 10:08:01 pm »

Youki
i installed atomic fe, i also installed the plug and play, then i put the roms in the roms directory of mame (included in the plug and play). I also found where to put the dll! I keep getting No roms found. help

redfivexw · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2006, 11:33:03 pm »

Daywayne, thanks for the update. I will try that if i cannot atomic fe up and running.

redfivexw · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2006, 12:02:17 am »

Oh yeah,
tonight i set up two hard drives, one i used the fraggle boot cd and it has arcade os on it, it boot ups and shows the couple of games that comes with it, no sound, though. I dont know how to get the games into it. I also set up another drive with windows me and Youki's Atomic FE, i cant get that to work either. I am willing to try both setups, but i need more help configuring both.

youki · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2006, 03:50:06 am »

Hi Redfivexw,

For the GDIPlus.dll , if you don't have it already on your system (should be in windows/system32) you can put it here or in the AtomicFE folder.

So describe me what happens when you load Atomic? you downloaded the plug'n play module for mame?

When you run on Atomic , you see the Module selection layout , you choose Mame , and then you should see a category list , and if you select a category AND if you have roms corresponding to that category you should see your games.

Try to go in the Shooter Category , the plug'n play module should display the Game Gridlee .

But in your case, you should'nt use that plug'n play module because you want only Qbert and few other. You don't need to categorize.

So , run the plug'n play manager , disable the Mame module.

Then run : AtomicManager , go on the Folder tab. Fill folder entry and Default Emulator field with your value. Save it as Atomic.cfg , clique on "Set as STart up config".

Then exit, and run Atomic.

Let me know.

redfivexw · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2006, 07:32:18 am »

When i lauch atomic, i am getting the screen that has the arcade game photo on the left, and the selection bars on the right. The bar has "mame module 1" on it. I press that, it says loading, then it says "no roms found" and "extension." cfg. that is as far as i got. I tried loading atomic on the old pc that i am using for qbert, and also on my main computer (which is much faster) and i get the same result so whatever i am doing wrong i am doing it twice! I will try your suggestion tonight when i get home from work. thanks alot!

youki · « **Reply #23 on:** February 14, 2006, 07:55:11 am »

thanks.

I'm going to check that. I have some problem with this module. I made it to fast..

If i find time, i will make a new one better for you , tomorrow . And correct the existing one.

Just a question in what folder did you install AtomicFE?

Just in case, try to keep the default folder.

southpaw13 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 14, 2006, 09:25:21 am »

Interesting thread. I actually just got done building a Multi-Q*bert. As far as games go, you can also run Mello Yellow Q*bert and the harder faster more challenging version. I did not put Congo Bongo on it because you will need to add a jump button. My computer is a bit faster so I went with the advance menu frontend and the latest version of Mame. I did not install the knocker, BUT I did put a sub woofer speaker system in it and it sounds awesome when he he hits the bottom. I was thinking about running PowerMame at some point because it has the Q*bert knocker thing included. So can anyone confirm that Atomic FE can run in a vertical mode at 640x480? Most of the other frontends require the video card to have rotation software. This is why I went with AdvanceMenu, but I have been looking for other options. On a side note, inside the Q*bert sound zip file is a WAV for "I'm turned on". I use this WAV at start-up to make it sound a little more real....

Southpaw

youki · « **Reply #25 on:** February 14, 2006, 09:30:08 am »

Quote

So can anyone confirm that Atomic FE can run in a vertical mode at 640x480?

Yes, i confirm.

redfivexw · « **Reply #26 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:04:14 pm »

southpaw - that is cool, looks like we are doing the same thing.. I did not know about the other versions of qbert, are they much different? I would like any advice you have on this.

Youki - you are too cool, thanks again. As far as installation, i think i just let the program decide where it wanted to go. I dont question things that are smarter than me

southpaw13 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 14, 2006, 02:37:28 pm »

Mello Yellow has a cartoon between screens (like pacman). Harder Faster More Challenging pretty much sums it up right there. Besides the difficulty going way up, the discs dissappear and pop up somewhere else....

Southpaw

redfivexw · « **Reply #28 on:** February 14, 2006, 08:57:40 pm »

Youki-
i did what you said, i removed the mame module, now i do see the roms and they do play, however i cannot get them to rotate to play vertical. I saw the rotate option in the atomic manager, but when i select it it just makes my computer hang on a black screen. how do i get it rotated?

ArcadEd · « **Reply #29 on:** February 14, 2006, 10:38:25 pm »

You can also try AdvanceCD if you system allows you to boot from CD. Burn it with the qbert roms, and adjust the mame settings as needed.

It's worth a shot for a single download, it might just work out.

youki · « **Reply #30 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:55:11 am »

Quote

Youki-
i did what you said, i removed the mame module, now i do see the roms and they do play, however i cannot get them to rotate to play vertical. I saw the rotate option in the atomic manager, but when i select it it just makes my computer hang on a black screen. how do i get it rotated?

Atomic doesn't rotate ROM for you , it is a MAME Setup not a Atomic one.

What you can do :

in the Default Emulator field on the folder tab , just behing the name of the .Exe put : -autoror (or -autorol)

ex:
c:\mame\mame.exe -autoror

this way assume that all your game are vertical.

you can do the same thing by creating or editing a MAME.INI file in the mame folder. and Putting :

Code: [Select]

autoror  1

inside.

if Autoror doesn't work for you , you can try with ror, rol , autorol, autoror .

If only few game are vertical and other horizontal.

create an INI folder under the MAME Folder.

And for each game you want vertical create a INI file in the INI Folder, called <romname>.ini and put

Code: [Select]

autoror  1

Rotation option on the Front End, are just for the Front Itself. It should not hang. What resolution you used?

redfivexw · « **Reply #31 on:** February 15, 2006, 06:55:00 am »

I tried 800x600 and 640x480, both hung up

youki · « **Reply #32 on:** February 15, 2006, 07:13:21 am »

hum Strange. You tried with the default layout?

Can you do a quick test? Try in a 320x240 (or 200) resolution. (it will be ugly , but just to try).

May be it is a memory issue. Are you running on 98 or 2000? Have you other application running?

Can you try with another layout ? (for example the Jeston3 , you can find it on my website).

Thanks

redfivexw · « **Reply #33 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:11:37 pm »

I tried the 320x240 and it worked! However you could not read the writing on atomic. I put it back to 640x480 and it hung up. I am using windows me. What next?

redfivexw · « **Reply #34 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:58:28 pm »

Also,
i tried running Atomic on my other computer, and i thought i set up everything identical, but when i lauch it says something about not having full list.txt and needing to go to atomic config. not sure whats up there

youki · « **Reply #35 on:** February 16, 2006, 03:38:09 am »

humm...it seems you have a memory problem. Or a Win ME problem.. (i never tried on it).

Can you try , to put you windows ME in a 16bits color mode? (65535 colors) From Control Panel , Display Settings , Parameters. And Try again?

Concerning the FullList problem , check the METADATA Folder on the Folder Tab. Look in that folder , you must have a file called FullList.txt. I think your METADATA directory is not pointing to the folder provided by Atomic.

One solution, if the 16bits thing doesn't work. Would be to make a nice 320x240 layout (readable). I can try to adapt one for you if you want.

redfivexw · « **Reply #36 on:** February 16, 2006, 06:54:53 am »

I already tried 16 colors, that did not work, it still hung. If you could make a layout for 320x240, that would be great. I dont need any fancy graphics or anything (a Qbert themed layout would be nice, though). If i had that, i think i would done. As far as the other computer, i will try the metadata. Once i get the frontend working, i think i will always use it!

youki · « **Reply #37 on:** February 16, 2006, 07:28:26 am »

Hi,

I'm going to make a layout for you.

So, you will use it in vertical mode only ?

And you will run only : qbert, qbert's cubes , and congo bongo?

What version of mame do you plan to use?

Thanks

youki · « **Reply #38 on:** February 16, 2006, 08:51:42 am »

Hi,

I would need to know how is oriented your screen? Vertical right or Vertical left?

thanks

redfivexw · « **Reply #39 on:** February 16, 2006, 12:33:32 pm »

thanks Youki! I will be running in vertical only, i will be running only the following roms:
QBERT
QBERT'S CUBES
MELLO YELLO QBERT
CONGO BONGO

The mame that i have running is the mame 32 that you had in your pre-made pack, i do not know which version it is but you must. As far as the rotation, it was rotated Vertical Right.


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