nLited XP installs for a cab

[spystyle]

Hmmm, looks OK to me. Does it work?

You can test your ISO in VirtualPC

Here is what my directory looks like :

[iano]

Cheers Craig. I don't know anything about virtual pc. I have an old pc i got out of work which i don't mind mucking around with - so i'll probably give it a shot within the next couple of weeks. Thanks again.

 

[spystyle]

OK, good luck

[georgemcfly]

looked for ever last night for a way to do this and finally found NLite. Could have saved my self hours of work had I came here first. Good info.

[IG-88]

Hey Craig, couple of questions.

1. How big is the "footprint" of your MameXP after it's installed? Mine is 2GB. Is that normal?
2. Does it help or hinder to compress the c: drive to save space?


Thanks,

d.

[spystyle]

Hi Dana,

There is a temporary folder "C:\D", that is the unpacked driverpacks. The directory is supposed to be deleted during install - oops. Mine messes that up as well.

My MAME-XP, an old installation on virtualPC :

1.96 GB before D folder is deleted

669 MB after folder D is deleted

Apparently MAME-XP's footprint is approximately 700 MB.

As for compression - I wouldn't do it.

Cheers,
Craig

[georgemcfly]

Boot time is too long for me. Its on a celeron test machien with 1GB of mem, 5400 drive, and ~2GHZ proc. It takes 25 seconds from button push till desktop and no hour glass.

[IG-88]

Cool, thanks. One other thing. Is there a setting in XP that allows the computer to shut off completely rather than going to the screen where it says "Its now OK to shut off your computer"?

[spystyle]

Oh that's a good question! I think we discussed that earlier in this thread at length...

As for boot time - Hmmm, 25 seconds. Is that with Minlogon installed and the bios set up to post quickly?

What boots faster than MAME-XP? What are you comparing it to?

Have you considered hibernate mode? Can MAME-XP even do that?

So many questions ...

IT guy, where are you?

[TeutonicDarkness]

Hello,


 Does Anyone by any chance have any idea how you could make a
MAME - XP install the OS pre-shelled?

I have allready Started hacking the Windows XP installation
screens Logon etc, Looking to remove basically all hints
of Windows XP from Install  to Shell..


I saw the post about how to have it copy Mame files
to C:/mame... which is a good start however .....
I'm looking for something that can start Mamewah
instead of exploer.

Is this even possible?

Kinda thought maybe some hidden
registry setting packed away in a cab file or something..


any thoughts?

[IG-88]

Oh that's a good question! I think we discussed that earlier in this thread at length...

Ah yes. So it was. And not too long ago either. Thanks alot!

[slasherman]

Hi...
I was just wondering is TinyXp (Rev09) a good solution for a multi emulator cab ?
I mean I'm planning to have Play Station 1 emulator and a couple of other emulators...
The Play Station emu works fine on my full xp pro 2002 version when I add zlib1 and ForceASPI_v17.
Planning to use Maximus Arcade as the front system. So is TinyXp just good for Mame or many other emulators as well ? I'm a newbie by the way 

[spystyle]

As far as I know :

TinyXP is based on XP SP 2.

It is missing Windows Native drivers (in the unlikely event you need them, you'll be out of luck as they are not easily downloaded like regular drivers).

I'd sooner use an SP3 based Windows.

But to answer your question - would TinyXP be good for a multi-emulator cab - probably, but I bet some OS would be better. Your best bet is to try a few different OS in virtual PC - see if they can run your software. Benchmark the ones that can and use the one that was fastest.

Cheers,
Craig

[system01]

Hi...
I was just wondering is TinyXp (Rev09) a good solution for a multi emulator cab ?
I mean I'm planning to have Play Station 1 emulator and a couple of other emulators...
The Play Station emu works fine on my full xp pro 2002 version when I add zlib1 and ForceASPI_v17.
Planning to use Maximus Arcade as the front system. So is TinyXp just good for Mame or many other emulators as well ? I'm a newbie by the way 

I use TinyXP r09 on my cab and it runs good.  Before I added drivers and MAME stuff it was 18-19 seconds from button-press to hourglass-gone.

Asus A7V333 w/ ~2GHz Athlon (I dont really remember) & 1GB RAM & nVidia 4400Ti card with bulging caps

The r09 version I got had SP3 included.  I also fired driverpacks in there, as well as .NET for some headkaze sweetness.  I run MaLa with .127u4 and currently figuring out CPWizard.  I havent tried networking yet, but it looks like sharing drives is no problem.

I havent tried any other emu on it, but Id say "go for it".  It installs very quickly with minimal prompts.  I would think the hardware will be the hurdle before r09.

[spystyle]

OK, you guys have me all curious now. I will run some benchmarks against said OS and also a few more recent releases from the same author against MAME-XP.

I see he's released 4 in the past 4 months. Maybe he's smartened up and left the Windows native drivers by now so I can test it in Virtual PC?

I have the idea those OS will not be as zippy as MAME-XP on account of them being "desktop operating systems", rather than purpose built for the arcades.

Those OS definately have a lot of components for going on the internet and other things an arcade machine doesn't need to do.

I'll post the scores.

Cheers,
Craig

[DP Louie]

Craig,

I am in the process of building a vertical cab running your Mame XP and using Mala as a FE.  Everything is great except that I can't get the game video previews(emumovies) to show in Mala.  Do you know if there's some windows component that was removed that might need to be installed in order for the videos to show?  I can't seem to figure this out - Loadman(Mala master) has a standalone video player for testing, and they play fine in that, just not within Mala.  And yes, I've checked and triple checked all the settings in Mala...

[TeutonicDarkness]

It sounds like you should uninstall minlogon (use regular winlogon) and see if bootskin works.

As for the APM tab I have and no one else has - I am beginning to think it is a feature found only in "corporate" version of XP...

Cheers,
Craig

 For the record here is why none except you has this option:


From XP Help and support

"The APM tab is unavailable on ACPI-compliant computers. ACPI automatically enables Advanced Power Management, which disables the APM tab."



I knew their was something to this as I have pure versions
of XP  both retail and corporate none have that option.

[spystyle]

TeutonicDarkness, that solves that mystery, good Googling

DP Louie, I don't know what to tell you, though Mala has a forum and I bet it's creators could tell you what services need to be enabled for that to work.

http://malafe.net/

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,43.0.html

Movies on a cab huh?

A cab that strays so far from minimal perhaps shouldn't have a minimalist OS...

Was that in the styling of a Chinese proverb?

Cheers,
Craig

[TeutonicDarkness]

Craig,


 I hate to bring this up again..
but was really hoping someone might know!

Is Their a way I an alter the XP install so that after
first full launch it does not load explorer but a front - end
instead?

This would save a lot of time for all of us if we could figure
out a way to have Windows install pre-shell things for us...
as compared to doing it later.


a .Bat file launched on run ounce, registry setting tucked away somewhere....?


Any ideas?



*** Teutonic Darkness ***

[spystyle]

I think you could install a replacement shell for explorer, one that has the option to automatically launch an executable upon startup. I am not IT enough to comment further...

Oh IT guy, where are you?

This thread needs an official IT guy!

Cheers,
Craig

[TeutonicDarkness]

I think you could install a replacement shell for explorer, one that has the option to automatically launch an executable upon startup. I am not IT enough to comment further...

Oh IT guy, where are you?

This thread needs an official IT guy!

Cheers,
Craig

 Well I'm not giving up on the idea!
I'll keep messing around and digging about on the internet!

 I'm kind of leaning to maybe a batfile on runonce
that applies the registry changes for it to be shelled...

as opposed to installing Windows and then applying the
registry tweaks.


If I find anything I'll be sure to post so other can benefit
from this Pre-shelled Arcade XP idea....



*** Teutonic Darkness ***

[IG-88]

Well, keep up the good work! I really hope you figure this out as it would make a fantastic addition to the "O/S".

[spystyle]

Personally, I adore explorer shell. Besides 3rd party software support that is the reason I use Windows.

I like having explorer shell on a cab in the event I want to tweak something. Without explorer shell you'd have to boot from a CD or something when you want to make adjustments.

The only benefit I can see to ditching explorer shell for a "MAME front end" is a small amount of RAM gained and not seeing the explorer shell at boot.

To me it would be like a radio that's missing the knob - you can adjust it but you need to go get a butter knife from the kitchen...

But good luck, people get a kick out of things like that. If it's not practical it must be a novelty

Cheers,
Craig

[TeutonicDarkness]

Personally, I adore explorer shell. Besides 3rd party software support that is the reason I use Windows.

I like having explorer shell on a cab in the event I want to tweak something. Without explorer shell you'd have to boot from a CD or something when you want to make adjustments.

The only benefit I can see to ditching explorer shell for a "MAME front end" is a small amount of RAM gained and not seeing the explorer shell at boot.

To me it would be like a radio that's missing the knob - you can adjust it but you need to go get a butter knife from the kitchen...

But good luck, people get a kick out of things like that. If it's not practical it must be a novelty

Cheers,
Craig

 I never said anything about removing it!
You must be missing what I'm saying...

Yes for maintenance and such explorer is a absolute must in my book!


Just no reason to have to look at it every time we boot up
in a Arcade Environment right?

So We shell it and start Mamewah, Mala, whatever,
and call it from Task Manager when needed..

This part I have done successfully many times as others here!

I'm just talking of Refining a little further and have
XP Pre- Shell for you..


I hope you understand me now?





*** Teutonic Darkness ***

[spystyle]

I thought you meant complete shell replacement.

So we want Mala to boot before explorer, but upon CTRL ALT DEL (task manager) explorer.exe can be launched?

I don't have a keyboard on my cabs... Just a mouse for maintenance. So that would be tricky for me. I am a minimalist.

But as I said, if it ain't practical it must be fun

Good luck!
Craig

[TeutonicDarkness]

 
 Craig,

 I understand what you mean about the keyboard..
This whole pre-shell Mame XP is going to be
more for people who have Mame, emulators, etc
already pre-configured.

That being said in a ideal world After installing
the proposed "Mame - XP" you would not have
to touch the keyboard again. Your work would
already be done after installation and your ready to play!

...

AH HAH...

I got it! 

I'm making further adjustments will post back soon with further
details, maybe even a download and a read me test file!


 



Knew I would turn something up... 




*** Teutonic Darkness ***

[hms666]

So We shell it and start Mamewah, Mala, whatever,
and call it from Task Manager when needed..

This part I have done successfully many times as others here!

I'm just talking of Refining a little further and have
XP Pre- Shell for you..


I hope you understand me now?


*** Teutonic Darkness ***

reg edits with nlited xp installs. Maybe helps if you add this part last to your unattended cd.

First make a reg file wich has tweaks you want. Change the explorer.exe to FE you are using with full path if its not in SYSTEM folder.
Like "Shell"="C:\MAME\FE\uBerFE.exe"  or whatever whereever.
copy all thats between the 2 -------------- and paste it to notepad and save as shange.reg .

-------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\system.ini\boot]
"Shell"="USR:Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Winlogon"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

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

Then copy this shange.reg to \$OEM$\$1\install\  folder .

Then edit RunOnceEx.cmd file in \$OEM$\ folder (create if its not there) and add these 2 lines to it. 

REG ADD %KEY%\050 /VE /D "Importing Shell Registry Tweak" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\050 /V 1 /D "REGEDIT /S %systemdrive%\install\shange.reg" /f

[TeutonicDarkness]

 I actually already figured that much a few days ago..
Been trying to Add The Mame Bootskin to the mix.

 I used a program called install watch monitor all files, registry
settings, etc....

I can get it down to a complete Pre-Shelled MAME XP...
except:

Copying 1 file:
 C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\vidstub.sys

Its the bootloader file added by Bootskin


and 2 necessary registry entries for bootskin..
They copy over to the 2 install fine but re-fuse to merge
into the registry during install.


XP install errors and say file "vidstub.sys"
did not copy correctly..(though it did)
just screws up a smooth install with errors.

 I have all icons removed.. Shell launches, Games are
preloaded! Just after first login I have to  copy
vidstub.sys and merge bootskin entries to registry.

I have even considered manually editing ntoskrnl.exe
and applying my bootskin directly.. this just doesn't
seem to be the logical approach.

I'm guessing the registry entries for bootskin not
taking has to do with vidstub.sys not copying correctly.

 I'll bet when I get it to copy to the drivers folder
successfully the registry entries will take just fine!


I'll keep toying around...

[hms666]

http://www.msfn.org/board/Stardock-Silent-Installer-t37488.html&pid=259435&mode=threaded

unattended install using "bootskin103.exe /silent"

See if you can get something out of those, maybe less trouble directly haxoring the ntoskrnl , bootskin would allow better gfx thru vidtub.sys tho. Vidstub doesn't work with all mobos. If you go ntoskrnl way, you only need to redo it if MS brings update for it.

[TeutonicDarkness]

http://www.msfn.org/board/Stardock-Silent-Installer-t37488.html&pid=259435&mode=threaded

unattended install using "bootskin103.exe /silent"

See if you can get something out of those, maybe less trouble directly haxoring the ntoskrnl , bootskin would allow better gfx thru vidtub.sys tho. Vidstub doesn't work with all mobos. If you go ntoskrnl way, you only need to redo it if MS brings update for it.

 Thanks,

 unforunatly the download link dosn't work!
Nothing else there helps.

Bootskins works fine with this mobo.. used it before.
Yes I was thinking that directly applying the skin
would be less graphical..

If the page actually gave a working link to
applying Stardock bootskin silently to a XP
install that would have been just perfect!

I'll keep digging...

[hms666]

Bootskin (the original freeware setup.exe from stardock) should take that /silent switch too , i posted above link so u can see the registry part related to what skin is selected / to figure out what to change. Have you tried with the older one you can dl from bootskins homepage?

[TeutonicDarkness]

Bootskin (the original freeware setup.exe from stardock) should take that /silent switch too , i posted above link so u can see the registry part related to what skin is selected / to figure out what to change. Have you tried with the older one you can dl from bootskins homepage?

 I allready have the necessary registry setting all exported to .reg files

Immediatly after fresh install I must copy the vidstub.sys
and then merge the .reg files and its done.


Perhaps I am missing what your saying here?

[TheNoodleMan]

Big thanks to spystyle for his step by step guide.
Very comprehensive and thorough, an impressive document to say the least/

[shags0024]

spystyle,
thank you for the very thourough tutorial on Mamexp, i have been able to get a working ISO for my cab running on virtual pc but for the life of me i cannot seem to get the build less than 874 mb. i have burned it to DVD but it will not boot. is there something that i am missing?  do you know how to make a DVD bootable?

thanks again.

shags

[spystyle]

I boot from DVDs all the time.

Of course you'll need a DVD reader in the MAME PC

Have Nlite make your ISO, burn your ISO with Nero - slowly. Well, then you should be in business.

If you really want to make the ISO smaller, when installing driverpacks skip the Video card drivers - I estimate that those are big and you should easily be able to find and install yours manually simply by looking at your video card then Googling for the driver.

Though I'm not sure if you can install drivers in that super stripped OS ... it's worth a try I guess

Good luck!
Craig

[shags0024]

That is exactally what i have been doing... (many coasters later) i still cannot get either of my computerd (equipped with DVD Readers) to boot from them....

maybe i am overlooking something. i dunno.

thanks for your advice

mike

[IG-88]

Stupid question maybe but have you tried burning it as an .iso?

Burn for free does an excellent job of this.

[shags0024]

computerd = computurds.......lol

[shags0024]

IG-88

i don't think i have... i have been using the bootable dvd selection.
let me try that


ta

[spystyle]

It's true, a few people have burned ISO "on to" CD rather than "as a" CD

Here are my old instructions for Burn4Free :

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

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