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Can't afford xp, should I try linux?
torez:
Windows NT is 4.0 version
Windows 2000 is 5.0 version
Windows XP is 5.1 version
Windows 2003 Server is 5.2 version
Windows Vista is 6.0 version
If you have a slower computer, definitely install Windows 2000.
Windows 98SE (Second Edition - USB support, not the initial Win98) - not bad, but prone to memory leaks, so you have to restart more often or it will freeze. Also, important point - Win98 works with max 256 MB of memory, more efficiently with 128 MB. Adding more ram can actually slow down the computer.
Windows ME - some people didn't like it and still preffered 98, but I had a decent experience with it. Felt like it was a bit faster than Win98 and had system restore and lots of updated drivers.
Windows 2000 - remember using a beta version of it first. Very stable for its time. Still preffered by many today. Runs well on older laptops and computers. Better memory management, so you can install up to 4 GB of ram and NTFS system supports files bigger than 4 GB. Highly recommended for older computers. RAID, iSCSI and accessibility support. Less fluff than WinXP. Can be run stable for long periods of time.
Windows XP - Stable platform (I run it sometimes nonstop month or two without a reboot). More fluff on desktop, but it can be turned off in preferences to speed it up, so it will basically look like Windows 2000. Multithreading, improved device support, kernel tweaks, better power management with hibernate, compatibility mode, fast user switching and ClearType for TFT/LCD monitors. Windows Genuine Advantage checks for valid license, but this can be easily circumvented.
If you need any help with Windows, PM me.
Mark
DarkBubble:
--- Quote from: elvis on July 28, 2006, 06:28:01 pm ---
--- Quote from: rackoon on July 28, 2006, 04:40:02 pm ---
Can't afford xp, should I try linux?
--- End quote ---
I was contacted by an 80 year old grandmother not 2 months ago who told me that she successfully installed and configured Ubuntu Linux on her home PC with near zero effort, and was happily chatting to her grandkids over IM and email in under 30 minutes. If grandma can do it, anyone can do it.
Download Ubuntu here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/
--- End quote ---
They've sent a case of install disks to the office, I've taken two, and have yet to try it out. Any advantages over XP Pro at all? I've never used Linux.
lokki:
--- Quote from: In2ishun on July 29, 2006, 11:27:34 pm ---
--- Quote from: lokki on July 29, 2006, 10:17:19 pm ---If you are doing this for a CAB. Consider DOS. it is supported by MAME and there are a couple of good Front ends (ArcadeOS comes to mind).
Freedos works great
http://www.freedos.org/
--- End quote ---
What are you smokin'?!?!?! DOS was a great OS up until that whole mouse thing came along. And yeah, Mame can run on DOS, but why bother. You have to load USB support if you can find the driver for the mobo you are using, and good luck finding audio drivers for any sound card made in, oh, say, the last 10 years. And then recommend some kind of DOS that isn't nearly as ubiquitous and understood as MSDOS (which is free BTW)? Hell you might also recommend that he upgrade to the latest 12-inch EGA computer monitor for his cabinet.
--- End quote ---
He never mentioned he needed USB. Or the computer that he was planning on using. Mouse support is not really that hard (Non USB). I agree that sound is an issue but there are plenty of mobo that work under DOS.
He mentioned he did not have money to buy XP. I would say he should use XP. But given his original request.
--- Quote ---There's nothing, absolutely NOTHING, wrong with Windows 2000. Windows XP has slightly better USB device recognition, but that's only because it's newer and there are more devices now. Windows 2000 will leave you with a smaller memory footprint than XP too. PLUS, if you can't find a copy of Windows 2000 *wicked cheap*, I'd be surprised. There's no online activation of Windows 2000 so, theoretically, you could borrow your buddy's copy, install and be done with it. No money out of pocket!
I don't hate DOS or Linux and I don't give a ---Cleveland steamer--- about brand loyalty. I use whatever operating system will allow me to get my job done the fastest and the most efficient with the least amount of screwing around.
Lokki, I didn't mean to piss in your punch, but it *drives me crazy* when obviously technical people recommend overly technical solutions for people who are obviously not highly technical. It's a waste of time and it only leads to ample amounts of frustration of the non-technical person.
--- End quote ---
Are you implying that Installing and using Linux is easier than installing and using DOS?
Once you have the OS installed you still have to configure MAME (and or other emulators) and configure a front end.
TOK:
--- Quote from: DarkBubble on July 30, 2006, 12:27:23 pm ---They've sent a case of install disks to the office, I've taken two, and have yet to try it out. Any advantages over XP Pro at all? I've never used Linux.
--- End quote ---
I messed aroud with Linux (Mandrake) a bit before deciding on using XP with all unnecessary Services shut down.
If you don't learn how to tweak it, it starts and shuts down slower than XP/2000. Using the Black Viper guide, I got my MAME cab booting into MAME in about 22 seconds.
It has mediocre driver support. Nearly all video/sound card companies call it beta and don't offer any tech support beyond basic instructions. Most places you can go for help tell you to read the Docs/FAQs if you have any basic questions, so make sure you read 800 pages of English Docs typed by a non-English speaking person before you ask how to get a USB mouse working.
It doesn't run MAME games any faster than Windows. This was a huge disappointment to learn, and the main reason I considered it, then abandoned it.
If you do want to try an install and experiment with it, the best advice I can offer is to make sure you have ALL of the hardware you plan on using connected to it while you're doing the install. Adding stuff and trying to update drivers after the fact was my greatest stumbling block.
The main front ends are Windows only.
If you're already familiar with Windows, I don't consider it viable to learn just for MAME unless your time has little value. I spent long hours trying to get my machine working with Linux before bagging it. I never got the NVidia video card drivers working properly. If you've grown up with Windows and DOS, you're suddenly going to feel like the annoying relative that knows nothing about computers and asks you all kinds of nonsensical questions.
I got the basic install working rather easily just like Elvis said, but I'm so used to configuring/installing devices in minutes with Windows that the whole experience was a little humbling for me.
My parents are in there 80's and can't comprehend a DVD player let alone a computer, so I'm thinking Elvis' grandma was a bit ahead of the curve. ;D
Boz:
--- Quote from: lokki on July 30, 2006, 01:07:31 pm ---Are you implying that Installing and using Linux is easier than installing and using DOS?Once you have the OS installed you still have to configure MAME (and or other emulators) and configure a front end.
--- End quote ---
I don't know how you got that impression from my statement. I was implying that I don't hate operating systems that I don't prefer to use. It was a pre-meditated defense for some people reading and posting to the thread who are *militant* supporters of the operating systems they use. Many (not all) Mac and Linux aficionados, for all their passion, get *nasty* when they hear anything negative about their chosen OS. I wanted to clarify before having to don a fire protection suit.
Lokki, I came off a bit strong and I apologize for my boldness -- it was a bit uncalled for. Rackoon was asking questions like whether or not Mame was supported on Windows 2000 (!?) after he bought Saint's book (!?) as well as a book on how to install Windows (!?). You and I and many others can wade through the complexity of configuring Mame to run on DOS with nearly any hardware. But, people with questions and statements like these will only become frustrated with the process and may give up too early. My goal was to protect Rackoon from what could turn out to be hours and hours of troubleshooting, resulting in him loosing interest and forsaking his project. I can take the "hours and hours", and I know you could too. I think we just have to be mindful of the advice we offer to people who are obviously new. (No insults intended Rackoon).
Rackoon, the process boils down to what you want to spend. You can spend nothing or very little on an OS, but end up spending lots of time learning. Or, you can find the extra cash up front, and spend a lot LESS time configuring. It's a balancing act only you can decide upon.