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Author Topic: Boot CD installs DOS, Vantage, Raine, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher  (Read 137545 times)

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Twinbee

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #80 on: December 14, 2006, 02:54:47 am »
Just a quick question.

No matter what I try, I can't get this old P1 133mhz to boot from the CDROM drive, it will only boot from C or A. It is currently running Windows 98 and I can see the CD from there.

Also, If I boot from the Windows 98 boot disk (which installs the drivers for the CDROM) I can CD to D: and start the installation by typing DOS but when it gets to installing it trys to install to A:

Is there any way I can get this to run and install by first booting from the A drive?

Thank you!

UPDATE:   After trying some other CD's, I can boot from the Windows 98 CD and also the Norton CD. But your boot disc just won't boot for me. it tries to boot and them just says 'PRESS A KEY TO REBOOT' thats it. The disc will boot on my P4 desktop PC though so the boot disk must be ok. Any ideas?

Thanks again.
« Last Edit: December 14, 2006, 03:22:20 am by Twinbee »

spystyle

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #81 on: December 14, 2006, 09:01:51 am »
Howdy,

Here is a modified Windows 98 startup disk that contains "Xcopy" :
http://tinyurl.com/5om4fg

Boot from the windows 98 floppy disk

*optionally* format the drive like this:

from A:>

type:

format c: /q /s

This will make the hard drive bootable, yet blank

Now type:

md c:\disk

this creates a folder called "disk" on the hard drive

from D:>

type:

xcopy /e *.* c:\disk

This will copy the entire CD to c:\disk

then go to c:\disk and type:

dos

This will start the install, withing the install choose option 1, esc out of Fdisk, and type "n" (without quotes) when prompted to confirm formatting

Cheers,
Craig


« Last Edit: August 15, 2008, 02:14:15 pm by spystyle »

Twinbee

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #82 on: December 15, 2006, 04:03:17 am »
Thank you for your help, I shall give this a try tonight.

RXII

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #83 on: December 20, 2006, 07:40:25 pm »
Hi guys,
             Just wondering if anyone knows how to remove the 'pause' from the menu when loading a game as well as going back into Gamelauncher. When I choose a game it stops and says

C:\MAME>pause
Press any key to continue . . .

Then the game starts up fine
Then when I ESC out of the game it says

C:\GLAUNCH>pause
Press any key to continue . . .

Bit strange, any help would be great!

Cheers, Simon
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Soon I may actually be able to play it!

tikbalang

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #84 on: December 22, 2006, 05:07:58 am »
instead of the "pause" command, use "choice.com".

Code: [Select]
13. Delay a batch file.

There's a basic method to make a delay, which is using the CHOICE command with the /T switch. The following line will take a 60 second delay:
CHOICE /c:$ /t:$,60 /n > nul
::               ^^ Time to wait (from 1 to 99)
The delay will be skipped if user enters "$". That is useful if you want to give the option to skip the delay.

source:
http://www.batchfiles.co.nr/

RXII

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #85 on: December 24, 2006, 12:53:12 am »
Thanks, but I need to get rid of the pause step, I cant find anywhere in the .cfg files that add a pause.
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Soon I may actually be able to play it!

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #86 on: December 24, 2006, 09:02:18 am »
Have you checked the autoexec.bat?

I really can't imagine why you have pause coming up like that.

Cheers,
Craig



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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #87 on: December 24, 2006, 01:42:28 pm »
Have you checked the autoexec.bat?

I really can't imagine why you have pause coming up like that.

Cheers,
Craig

Probably because of this post:
One of my beta testers reports that he is using a fast computer (more than 1 ghz) and Game launcher would not load, he solved the problem by adding "pause" before "glaunch.exe" in the autoexec.bat

So the bottom of the autoexec.bat would look like this:

c:
cd glaunch
pause
glaunch
---------------------------
If you don't know how to add that do this: from the C:> prompt, type "edit autoexec.bat" (without quotes), scroll down to the bottom and add "pause" (without quotes) as seen above, then press ALT, ENTER, scroll down to exit, and press ENTER

I had this problem.  Added the lines above to my autoexec and experienced the same issue.  Also had to hit a key to continue.
Jeff

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #88 on: December 24, 2006, 02:04:21 pm »
All items are now gone.
« Last Edit: June 26, 2008, 02:37:33 pm by hsr »
Jeff

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #89 on: December 28, 2006, 10:01:43 pm »
Well, I've had a few days over the holiday's and have been tinkering around with the boot cd and thought I would post my progress.

I've gotten several more of my machines to work with this puppy. The ones that I was having problems with earlier got resolved by using the v.55 mame option along with the pent 1 option during setup that someone mention earlier. I can get the games to run but they are just a tiny bit choppy and the sound is a little scratchy. They look pretty good and I could probably live with the chop however the sound is driving me nuts.

I am running MAME v.36 roms with the optimized V.55 of MAME so I am wondering if this could be the problem. I have talked to a guy and hopefully I can get some sets that match the optimized versions on the Boot CD.

Craig, do you think that this may be my problem? I've tried changing the samplerate to 11025 (even 5512) and it didn't make a difference and when I changed the resolution to 320 x 240 it crashes. Do you have any other ideas on what I could do to help speed things up some? Is there some more things in the Mame.cfg that can be changed?

I thought also about putting in a faster CPU (currently running 166's & 200's) if I kind find some. Or perhaps some more RAM if I can figure out what they need.

Let me know.
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spystyle

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #90 on: March 16, 2007, 09:36:40 am »
Have you had any luck resolving that?

I had the idea I should pick this project back up and add regular Dmame as an option (no optimisation, for compatibilty) and the AC97 sound drivers (the most common onboard sound card)

Cheers,
Craig



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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #91 on: March 19, 2007, 12:14:06 pm »
please do.

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #92 on: March 19, 2007, 04:55:43 pm »
Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner. I have got all the computers I've tried (24) to work with the boot cd as long a I follow a few guide lines:

  • 1. Sound card must be an ISA Soundblaster type. I couldn't get any PCI cards to work, no matter if they were soundblaster or esonic or whatever. 
  • 2. When asked which mame version, only v.55 worked regularly. And when asked only choose the P1 (i586) processor.

Now obviously I couldn't have tried every different system combination out there, but of the 24 I've tried so far, they have, for the most part, been different. That is different brands (Dells, Gateways, IBM's, Mitak's, emachine's ect.) Diff cpu styles (slot and conventional) Diff cpu speeds (166mhz - 800mhz) Diff ram sizes & styles (64mb simms - 256mb dimms) and all kinds of video cards. Not to mention the different mobo, HD & cd-rom manufacturers. So really the set-up options may be somewhat limited at the moment but you can still get most old computers to work if you have that ISA sondblaster card.

I did have a little trouble with the audio and video on a couple of the real low end machines but when I used the correct version of mame (v.55) roms with that option I chose in set-up, it helped alot. I also think my expectations were a bit high. The old classics Frogger, DK, Pac-man, Jungle King ect work great. Games like Alien Syndrome and Knights of the Round Table were the ones that were a bit stretched.

On a side note I've figured out a few configurations in GL that while they are probably in the docs. they are still hard for newbs like me to figure out. (I'm not an instructions reading kinda guy) So if anyone wants I may be able to help out a little.

I should also say Craig has been invaluable in this whole process and is a great help. I think adding dmame is also a good idea. I agree with him in that this CD can make a great use out of an old computer pretty easily and I hope he continues to develop it.

"I know what a HAL 9000 is... I was wondering if HAL 7600 was his retarded cousin or something..."
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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #93 on: April 03, 2007, 07:30:42 pm »
Hey Spystyle, when do you plan to implement the audigy drivers in the install? It would be much appreciated. Also, perhaps a guide to changing the frontend or adding an option to install different frontends? Also, I can't seem to get mamescan to work right, still not detecting any of my roms. Do they have to be for a certain Mame version? i wouldnt think that would affect glaunch seeing them. The roms are in the mame/roms folder and the glaunch cfg is set accordingly. Am i missing something easy?
« Last Edit: April 04, 2007, 01:56:14 am by deathbyc4 »

spystyle

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #94 on: May 24, 2007, 11:44:54 pm »
Howdy!

I have picked this project back up :)

I have added Dmame for compatibility.

So there are now 3 choices when choosing from the 7 versions of mame available:

1. Pentium II / III / 4 or Celeron (i686 optimization)
2. Pentium I (i586 optimization)
3. DOS MAME (best compatibility)

Keep me updated, you are my beta testers!

I intend to add AC'97 audio when I have time. I will also take requests :)

I don't see why I couldn't add anything that is compatible with DOS, like other front ends and sound card drivers.

I'd like to integrate Raine and Vantage eventually too, from what I've read those have very small system requirements.

Let's make DOS MAME easy-peasy

Cheers,
Craig

-----------------------------------------------

How to burn the ISO:

Download burn4free*, it's free. Install it, then go to add/remove programs and uninstall it's toolbar. The program remains

start burn4free, click: drive > burn iso

use it to burn the ISO "as" a disk

some users accidentally burn it "to" a disk using other programs, that is why I recommend burn4free

Cheers,
Craig

*
http://tinyurl.com/b8mco
« Last Edit: August 23, 2007, 10:21:16 am by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #95 on: May 25, 2007, 01:23:34 am »
If you add Raine and Vantage that would be great! Raine does run the same games faster than mame. The last dos version is 0.43.2

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #96 on: May 25, 2007, 12:58:35 pm »
Good to see this project resurrected.  Could you look into setting up a vertical monitor in DOS?

TTFN :cheers:
Kaytrim

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #97 on: May 25, 2007, 03:05:32 pm »
That should be easy with Vantage.

Also Game Launcher and MAME support vertical, see GL's readme here:

http://www.dribin.org/dave/game_launcher/readme.html

(that readme doesn;t represent how I remapped the keys in my boot CD)

-------------------

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

I installed the boot CD, then used "update" to dump "roms" and "snap" directory from a CD to the MAME directory.

GameLauncher scanned and detected the games

GameLauncher worked fine, except once when I was holding the left arrow key down (to flip through pages quickly) it had a "page fault" and crashed. Other than that it worked a treat. I ran Dig Dug, Elevator Action, and Ghosts n' Goblins.

I unplugged it and then plugged it back in. DOS did not break, it started right up. That is the type of cool "arcade friendly" environment DOS is :)

So, it works! There are still some things to add but it's good.

That $20 computer could now be the engine of an arcade machine, cool huh?

Cheers,
Craig
« Last Edit: May 25, 2007, 03:34:59 pm by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #98 on: May 25, 2007, 04:00:38 pm »
That should be easy with Vantage.

Also Game Launcher and MAME support vertical, see GL's readme here:

http://www.dribin.org/dave/game_launcher/readme.html

(that readme doesn;t represent how I remapped the keys in my boot CD)


Could you go into a little more detail on Vantage  I have a PIII 760 that I would like to setup in DOS and has a vertical PC monitor.  See link in my sig for the project (Dad's Bartop).

TTFN :cheers:
Kaytrim

spystyle

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #99 on: May 25, 2007, 05:18:14 pm »
Here is Vantage:

http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/vantage.html

Mame can also be run vertically

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #100 on: May 25, 2007, 08:44:08 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

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?
"I know what a HAL 9000 is... I was wondering if HAL 7600 was his retarded cousin or something..."
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spystyle

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #101 on: May 25, 2007, 09:24:15 pm »
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

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #102 on: May 26, 2007, 10:58:44 am »
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.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2007, 03:24:17 pm by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #103 on: May 27, 2007, 03:12:29 pm »
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
« Last Edit: August 23, 2007, 10:34:28 am by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #104 on: May 28, 2007, 01:15:58 am »
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.


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

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #105 on: May 28, 2007, 01:31:24 am »
1. mouse support: are you saying this doesn't automatically have mouse support at all?...meaning no trackball/spinner?

2. advancemame I think has different video requirements than regular Mame. Particularly when using the effects.

All-in-all neat idea, though. I have an old compaq, maaybe PII level, I may try this on.

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #106 on: May 28, 2007, 09:48:44 am »
Is there some way to rotate the screen in DOS like iRotate or Pivot Pro does in Windows?

Kaytrim

It's very easy to rotate the screen in DOS. You just have to tell mame (mame.cfg) and your front end (in Game Launcher's case glaunch.cfg) that you have a vertical cab.

Edit those two files and you're vertical.

I'll do it now on my virtual PC MAME 36:

type 'setup' at the C:> prompt

change the following lines:

ror = ('yes' if rotate right, 'no' if rotate left)                   
rol = ('yes' if rotate left, 'no' if rotate right)

then to save and exit - press 'alt' 'enter' scroll down to 'exit' and press 'enter' twice

then type 'setupGL' at the C:> prompt

change the following lines:

menu_orientation = 1
----------------------------
Thanks for the question, I've added the above to the readme for the next revision
-----------------------------

As for SDD

Scitech display doctor just speeds up video. It adds "univbe" and "VBE 2.0 / 3.0" which are video accelerators for DOS. Windows already has drivers but DOS doesn't so they should be added. If SDD doesn't crash your computer it should speed it up. If it does crash your computer try installing the actual DOS driver for your video card.

Quote from: shorthair

1. mouse support: are you saying this doesn't automatically have mouse support at all?...meaning no trackball/spinner?


This does have optional mouse support. It's an elective at install.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2007, 11:28:08 am by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #107 on: May 28, 2007, 11:31:04 am »

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

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?

By the way, I had an old proprietary computer (compaq or something) and it would always crash with optimized MAME. So I think your problem is common for 'proprietary' computers, they probably all have the same motherboard chipset.

The P2 that I successfully used optimization on was a 'home build' (ie: not Compaq)

Dmame will likely solve the problem
« Last Edit: May 28, 2007, 12:30:51 pm by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #108 on: May 28, 2007, 12:33:26 pm »
Is there some way to rotate the screen in DOS like iRotate or Pivot Pro does in Windows?

Kaytrim

It's very easy to rotate the screen in DOS. You just have to tell mame (mame.cfg) and your front end (in Game Launcher's case glaunch.cfg) that you have a vertical cab.

Edit those two files and you're vertical....

 :woot SWEET.  Thanks Craig this is the little tidbit that I have been missing.  Now I can go solid state with a CF card instead of the the dieing HD that I currently have.  I used your sortinfo system to pare down the ROMs list now I can use your DOS CD.

 :cheers:
Kaytrim

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #109 on: May 28, 2007, 12:44:54 pm »
CF card?

If it is faster than a hard drive, I'd like a link to info about that. The last time I becnhmarked a USB keydrive it was slower than a hard drive.

If your hard drives are failing stop dropping them, also check the power supply with a PSU tester - it may be frying them.

About sortinfo : it's an excellent tool! Not mine though, written by "EmuMannen"

He also wrote a Raine tool for GameLauncher!

http://hem.passagen.se/robert.palmqvist/Downloads/downloads.html

I will use that to add Raine to the next revision fot he boot CD :)

Big thanks to EmuMannen


« Last Edit: May 28, 2007, 12:46:48 pm by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #110 on: May 28, 2007, 02:21:56 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

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?

By the way, I had an old proprietary computer (compaq or something) and it would always crash with optimized MAME. So I think your problem is common for 'proprietary' computers, they probably all have the same motherboard chipset.

The P2 that I successfully used optimization on was a 'home build' (ie: not Compaq)

Dmame will likely solve the problem

Hey. What exactly does this dmame do that dos7 and mame doesn't? You still use the G.L. FE with it right? Does it just have more driver support or is it faster or what. I'm not sure what it's about.  :dunno
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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #111 on: May 28, 2007, 04:02:00 pm »
Quote from: IG-88
Hey. What exactly does this dmame do that dos7 and mame doesn't? You still use the G.L. FE with it right? Does it just have more driver support or is it faster or what. I'm not sure what it's about. 

DOS 7 = OS
DMAME = MAME without optmiziation

Dmame is just another name for DOS MAME, which has no optimizations (ie: not 686 or K6 ect)

Sorry to confuse you!

Dmame should be more compatible
optmized MAME should be slightly faster than DMame

I personally would try the optimization first (ie: 686 version) , and if it failed I would try Dmame.

Cheers,
Craig
« Last Edit: May 28, 2007, 10:45:57 pm by spystyle »

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OK, another update,

I have added Raine!

*To use Raine*

1. Insert a CD containing Raine roms in a folder called 'roms'
and optionally a folder called 'snapshots' containg the snap shots

2. type 'updateR' at the C:> prompt to copy the files to raine directory

3. In GameLauncher press 'Left CTRL' to change the game list from MAME to Raine

4. You can edit Raine's configuration file by typing 'setupR' at the C:> prompt.  This file doesn't exist until you have run Raine once.

Cheers,
Craig
« Last Edit: August 23, 2007, 10:37:58 am by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #113 on: May 28, 2007, 04:53:30 pm »
CF card?

If it is faster than a hard drive, I'd like a link to info about that. The last time I becnhmarked a USB keydrive it was slower than a hard drive.


I use an IDE to CF card that plugs into the IDE connector on the motherboard.  They are as fast as a hard drive because it uses the IDE buss not the USB buss.  You can find more information on it here...  LINK  I got my cards from eBay just do a search for IDE to CF.  Here is the auction where I got mineI also got my 512 MB CF cards there as well.

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On the topic of IDE CF to replace IDE HDD:

http://www.multigame.com/CF.html

It's cool! No IDE cables.

I would need to see a benchmark though... I think older IDE HDD are right around 25-35 MB/sec data transfer

Run HDtune to find out your MB/sec rate

On an intel board try installing "Intel application accelerator first, I've seen this turn an 8MB/sec drive into a 25MB/sec drive. 

edit: I've just read to the end of that article, they are SLOW!

quote

"some will read as slow as 4Mbytes/sec, others as fast as 12Mbytes/sec. The 2GB card I have probably falls in the 6-8Mbyes/sec range,"

end quote

Much too slow for my taste, especially since I have a shoebox full of hard drives.

If I was using such a slow drive I'd be inclined to unzip the roms, I would assume that speeds things up because mame doesn't have to unzip them before loading. Maybe a MAME whiz will chime in and elaborate on that theory.

Cheers,
Craig

update:

Dana e-mail the author of that article, gotta love the internet eh? Read something on-line then a moment later contact the author - try that with Newsweek.

Quote from: IG-88
I just read your article on replacing hard drives with CF cards and I have a 
few questions. I was just wondering on the speed issue. I think older IDE HDD
are right around 25-35 MB/sec data transfer. You said your rates were 
"6-8Mbyes/sec range," Do you think a person would notice the difference in
 those rates when loading or playing a game? What was your experience with them? 

Quote from: Clay
It's *really* going to vary.  Electrically speaking an IDE/ATA drive doing DMA33 could potentially do speeds in excess of 33Mbytes/sec...  The problem is that the platter speed of the drive matters far more-- and then it depends on if the hardware was using PIO or DMA modes for shuffly the data around in the first place.
 
For an older drive you might have 3600 RPM with ~65 sectors per track and 512 bytes/sector.  Multiply that out and you get 1.90MBytes/sec off the drive.  (So while you could move data at 30Mbytes out of the cache/memory on the controller, the drive was still only getting it off the disk at less than 2Mbytes/sec-- so a CF card would probably be faster overall.)  For newer drives they might be 5400RPM with 150+ sectors per track, that could give a data rate abover 7Mbytes/sec which would be comparable to a CF card.
 
The tricky part to know is whether or not the game uses DMA to move data, or the CPU.  If the CPU it pulling data from the drive in PIO mode, then the speed will be limited by what the CPU can do, so as long as the media is faster than the CPU needs it, you're OK regardless...
 
If you're talking about games that didn't originally use a Hard Drive (like loading a NeoGeo game from a computer drive for emulation), a modern PC hard disk will likely always be faster and have quicker load times than a CF card.  If you're talking about something like Killer Instinct where a drive is used, but it tends to load and run and not stream data-- it may or may not be noticeable.  When you talk about something like Area51 that streams data constantly, as long as the media is faster than the slowest drive it was intended to work with it'll work the same.  (Since "extra speed" isn't used since the drive is pulling data at a constant rate for the video.)
 
For something like a Dragon's Lair type game the CF card might actually be *better*-- since there's virtually no 'seek' time in a solid state drive the random access time is better than a hard drive that has to move the read heads and wait for the right part of the disk to come around...
 
In an arcade environment, as long as it plays OK I really prefer the CF.  Less heat, immune to shock and vibration, no bearings or moving parts to wear out... -Clay

Quote from: spystyle
Interesting!

But remember he is talking about an arcade machine, not a computer.

So - we can't use "MB/sec" to gauge this thing.... I guess we should use a stop watch to measure "load times"

How long from power button to game launcher? 1. HDD ___ 2.CF ___
How long to load game X ? 1. HDD ___ 2.CF ___

For us with home arcades, we don't really benefit from "shock proof" because we don't roll our cabs off of trucks regularly.

However - I find them a tremendous novelty and wouldn't blame you if you do too!

One thing I would like acout the CF drive is "no noise" -  the "whining" old hard drives annoy me.

Cheers,
Craig
« Last Edit: May 29, 2007, 07:42:34 am by spystyle »

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Re: Boot CD installs DOS, MAME (1 of 7 versions) and Game Launcher
« Reply #115 on: May 31, 2007, 09:35:11 pm »

----------------------------

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.

Imagine DOS OS with USB and LFN support, also Windows 98 explorer!

All the stability of DOS with the option to launch Windows 98 explorer? That sounds very good for an arcade machine!

You could have a nice clean DOS OS, then for occasional file management launch a user friendly Windows 98 explorer... sounds too good to be true. I'm curious to see how it works. 

------------------


Cheers,
Craig


Hey Craig. Have you had a chance to take a look at this part of the project yet? I came across this while doing some searching and thought you may be interested:
http://www.bootdisk.com/usb.htm
That may help on the USB support but I'd really like to see that GUI you mentioned ^ work...
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Howdy Dana,

I did try it briefly, I wasn't very impressed.

I can e-mail it to you with the addons if you like.

You boot into DOS, and have the option to launch Win98 (if it's installed) - there's nothing new about that, is there? There was a legnthy installer that claimed LFN support was buggy and some older programs may delete files if it's enabled... it all felt like "tacked on unnecessary stuff that didn't work properly". But I'll take another look at it some time.

Maybe I was doing it wrong....

There are allot of "file managers" available for DOS if that interests you.

I am interested in adding USB support.
---------------------------------------

In other news, I discovered MAME does not need SB16 drivers! It only needs the following line in the autoexec.bat:

SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6

wild huh?

Coincidentally I am looking at DOS sound card drivers right now:
http://www.mameworld.net/dosmame/other.php
http://vsynchmame.mameworld.net/

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Craig,

I have a problem with version 1F of your setup.  It is almost a show stopper too because it related to video.  It is also the most difficult to solve, the intermintant kind.  Most of the time when I let the computer boot normally it will lock up just prior to showing the menu screen in GL.  Other times it will go normally and show the menu screen.  I have tried it with both the new video program and without but have the same results.  However when I press the ESC key durring the logo display it runs GL without problems.  I also renamed the logo.sys to logo.bat and the Win98 logo showed up as expected but the same result when trying to start GL. 

When the screen locks up it looks like it should be there is no line at the top and no game names sliding onto the screen.  Any ideas on what the problem might be?  I am out of options.

btw have you looked at FreeDOS instead of using DOS7?  That would get you away from Win98 all together.  I am toying with the idea myself.

TTFN
Kaytirm

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I could swap out DOS 7 for freeDOS I guess...I think... I'll have to look at that.

As for your video problem, try the new version.

Choose "No" for "Scitech Display Doctor" and tell me how it works.

Cheers,
Craig


« Last Edit: August 23, 2007, 10:53:46 am by spystyle »

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Spystyle, great work on the boot disk! I have installed it using different options on several machines at home trying to find the best combo for an arcade cabinet with only 1 minor niggle (some drives won't boot from the disk).This problem seems to relate to the drive label (x:) in the dos.bat file.If I boot from a floppy disk & edit the .bat file to use the drive letter the boot disk uses, then save to (A:) or (C:) & run it , I get a perfect install. The only real issue I have had is not related to your boot disk at all-partial sound on space invaders. Strangely, all the isa soundblaster cards in desktop PC's had this problem but my old toshiba notebook didn't. looks like the cabinet is going to have a notebook installed....