Hi Camper,
Short answer :
No, we can't legally distribute MAME-XP. And even if it was legal, it is very large (700MB and possibly more) on account of the driverpacks. So it wouldn't be something hosted casually.
Long answer :
I don't know all the legalities but I know we strive to keep all things on this message board perfectly legal. Lawyers are scary and Saint hates going to jail
So until we figure out a legal method to distribute pre-made "MAME-XP" we all must make our own. But it's easy using any XP CD and following instructions for a couple hours.
It's a couple hours well spent that will not only allow you to make a "MAME-XP" CD but also introduce you to "Nlite" and "DriverPacks". With those you can make any type of "custom XP" for your various projects.
I am running a custom XP on my own computer as I type this, it's nice and fast.
Once you learn Nlite you can try other people's versions of "custom Windows XP" as well, legally, by trying their "lastsession.ini" file. "Lastsession.ini" is a tiny file that tells Nlite how to modify your XP CD.
So go ahead and follow my tutorial and make your own MAME-XP. You can burn it to a CD and try it on a spare computer or test it on a "virtual computer" using a free program called "virtual PC".
You can make many custom versions of Windows and try them all in virtual PC - doing benchmarks and installing programs to verify compatibility ect, all without making "coasters" (wasting blank CDs).
Be creative and make a custom version of Windows XP that really suits you
Optional :
For fun, attached is the lastsession.ini I use to make a custom Windows XP SP3 I install on my computer and all of my customer's computers. I call it "Skinny XP" and so far we all like it a lot.
Also attached is the lastsession.ini from my last version of MAME-XP.
Cheers,
Craig
edit : I updated the lastsession.ini files - apparently if you "Nlite" and already "Nlited" OS the lastsession.ini doesn't save your previous "Nliting" - only your most recent "Nliting" - so be sure to get it all done in one session if you plan to upload it to the internet
Here are the files :
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C6XT6HYM