Main > Software Forum
Boot CD installs DOS, Vantage, Raine, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
IG-88:
--- Quote from: spystyle on May 25, 2007, 03:05:32 pm ---
Anyway, I just tested the new release boot CD on an old computer:
P2 333mhz
32 MB RAM
4 GB HDD
24X CD-Rom
ISA soundblaster sound card, CT2260, Vibra 16
PCI video card, Ct6760, 3D Blaster Banshee
mame .36 optimized for Pentium 2
--- End quote ---
So, if I'm reading you right, you got your computer to work by using "version .36 mame" option and selecting the "1. Pentium II / III / 4 or Celeron (i686 optimization)" ?
I couldn't get any of mine to work unless I choose the "v.55 mame" and the "2. Pentium I (i586 optimization)....weird!
Have you tried the dmame option yet?
spystyle:
Yes, that's correct. I chose the optimixation that matched the CPU and it worked great. The "soundblaster ISA" instalation and setup went without a hitch. The video was smooth on the classics, I didn't try anything new.
I'm willing to try more combinations, I have a few other P2 style rigs.
As for "Dmame", use it if your optimization acts screwy. Or use it straight away if you are cautios type. It will definately work - it's DOS MAME.
Because of the PCI sound cards I will add AdvanceMAME as an option too. I keep hearing that it supports more soundcards.
I just need to track down those 7 versions of AdvanceMAME...
Also some DOS soundcard drivers...
I like the idea of defragmenting too, that really speeds things up. I will look for a DOS defragmentor.
Right now I am testing out Raine. I have the complete set and it fits on a single CD. It has about 500 games. I think GameLauncher is capable of being a front end for MAME, Raine, and other emus all at the same time.
Cheers,
Craig
spystyle:
Update:
I have discovered an error that makes "Game Launcher not show any roms"
If you don't have any roms showing up in game launcher do this:
(note = to get to C:> prompt from any subdirectory type "cd\" without quotes)
from C:> prompt type
cd mame (enter)
mame (enter)
If you get a long message displaying mame's usage, your mame is working :) The problem is elsewhere.
If you get the error message "no DPMI" then you have too little RAM. Use a lower version number of mame. ie: ".75" has error, try ".65" then "55" and so on.
I found this when running mame .85 on a rig with 32 MB RAM. Bumping the RAM up to 128 solved the problem.
A Google search will tell you "no dpmi" error's solution is to install CWSDPMI.EXE, (it is already in DOS directory). If you want to try this type:
(from the C:> prompt)
copy c:\dos\cwsdpmi.exe c:\mame
according to mame.net "cwsdpmi.exe" just sits in the mame directory, it doesn't need to be called on.
But the error is "not enough RAM"
Apparently there is a minimum amount of RAM each version of MAME needs, I will discover what it is and post it here (and to the boot disk)
I have also added CWSDPMI.EXE to the mame dorectory for future revisions. It is only 20K.
----------------------------
OK, I have tested for the practical minimum amount of RAM per mame version:
Version 36 = 16 MB RAM
Version 55 = 64 MB RAM
Version 65 = 80 MB RAM
Version 75 = 128 MB RAM
Version 85 = 256 MB RAM
Version 95 = 256 MB RAM
Version 100 = 256 MB RAM
My "recommended" would be X2 the above. Games tested with minimum had low FPS
Ofcourse if you were just going to play the classics, I'm sure minimum would work :)
--------------------------------------------------
Another problem that can cause Game Launcher to not display your roms, is mismatching romsets and mame versions.
For example, the game "Robby" that comes free with the disk can not be read by 2 out of the 7 versions of MAME.
spystyle:
OK,
I have updated it again.
I added scandisk so you can check your hard drive any time by typing "scandisk" (without quotes) at the C:> prompt
I wanted to add "defrag" but couldn't find a DOS7 compatible defragmentor.
After some further reading I've decided that "Scitech Display Doctor" is the universal video card driver for DOS. So we install a sound card driver but why not a video card driver too?
The new version of the boot CD has an option to install and register Scitech Display Doctor. I made it an option so if it has adverse effects you can choose to not install it. Options are good.
----------------
I have also made batch files that optimize MAME for speed or quality, and a batch file that returns it to default. This automatically changes mame.cfg.
From the readme:
7. What does the "optmization" do?
It automatically changes these lines in mame.cfg
"fast"
triplebuffer = no
samplerate = 11025
resolution = 320x240
"quality"
triplebuffer = yes
samplerate = 44100
resolution = auto
"default"
triplebuffer = no
samplerate = 22050
resolution = auto
--------------------------
On the topic of options I would like to add some more front ends with a menu choosing which front end will be default. The other front ends will also be installed and the user could manually switch to one of those instead.
Which front ends would you guys like to see?
What are the most popular DOS front ends?
---------------------------
I would also add some other versions of MAME, versions that support more hardware. I think AdvanceMAME is the only such version for DOS.
What versions of MAME would you guys like to see added?
----------------------------
I will also redo Fraggal's sound card installation, when time allows. It seems wacky - just take a look at DOS.bat on the disk. Specifically he has the sound card installation copying files, swapping out the autoexec.bat and config.sys, then adding lines to them.
Once I redo Fraggal's soundcard installation it will no longer be his disk! That is the last thing remaining - I've worked many hours re-doing the entire disk.
-----------------------------
If you guys want to see any DOS programs, drivers, or files included in the disk get me a direct link to the file and I'll take a look at it.
Also, this project is completely "open source" - if you want to change it to your specific needs simply look at DOS.BAT file on the CD and use "magic ISO" to replace the files on the CD image with your own files. You can test your ISOs with Microsoft Virtual PC* (which is free from M$) without having to burn them to CD.
I would also gladly accept any advice from DOS gurus! I am not one... Just a DOS student.
*http://tinyurl.com/287fx8
Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Professional Edition ; Windows XP Professional x64 Edition ; Windows XP Tablet PC Edition; Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86); Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition; Windows Vista Business; Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Enterprise; Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Ultimate; Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition.
*http://tinyurl.com/34tooe
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86); Windows XP Service Pack 2
----------------------------
I have also heard about "DOS version 7.1" allegedly it has USB support for CD drives and mouse, and can use GUI from Win 3.11, Win95, or Win98. I will look into it when time allows.
Quote:
"MS DOS 7.1
DOS 7.1, the best DOS that ever relased ! (It got USB (Drive, Mouse...) Support, You can use GUI´s (3.11, 95, 98...) they need only 600-5000kb !"
From:
http://vetusware.com/select-by/category/OS/?cat=1
Notice: The above site allows 2 initial downloads, then 1 download per day.
------------------
Notice:
I have set up mame's configuration file to expect a "sound blaster" sound card
This is a line in mame.cfg
If you are not using "sound blaster" sound card you must edit mame.cfg line:
soundcard 1
to edit mame.cfg type "setup" (without quotes) from C:> prompt
Here are mame's soundcard codes:
0. Silence
1. Sound Blaster
3. Pro Audio Spectrum
4. Ultrasound Max (CS4231 codec)
5. Ultrasound
6. Windows sound system
7. Ensoniq Soundscape
(it's not an error, there is no #2)
Example, if you have an Ultrasound card you would change the line to:
soundcard 5
Note:
Running "optimizations" will reset mame.cfg to soundcard 1, so you will have to edit this line every time you run an optimization.
---------------------
It seems that getting sound to work is DOS's "Achillies Heel". Why not just stick to soundblaster ISA? A $5 card gets your $10 computer running as a MAME machine very easily.
The catch is - not all motherboards have ISA!
If you don't have an ISA soundblaster card, choose "No sound configuration, I will configure my sound card manually" during set up, then install your sound card's driver manually. You can usually find your sound card DOS drivers at driverguide.com
I look forward to simplifying this sound card "issue"
If I can re-do the entire sound card section of this disk to become compatible with more sound cards it may become very good!
----------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Craig
Kaytrim:
--- Quote from: spystyle on May 27, 2007, 03:12:29 pm ---After some further reading I've decided that "Scitech Display Doctor" is the universal video card driver for DOS. So we install a sound card driver but why not a video card driver too?
The new version of the boot CD has an option to install and register Scitech Display Doctor. I made it an option so if it has adverse effects you can choose to not install it. Options are good.
--- End quote ---
Does the Scitech Display Doctor give the ability to rotate the screen? Maybe I am missing something but I have a PC monitor that is mounted vertically. Is there some way to rotate the screen in DOS like iRotate or Pivot Pro does in Windows?
Kaytrim
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version