MAME causing monitor to go whacky

[mvolke1]

Installed Mame 32.062 after I upgraded the memory. The speed of the games is great.

However, whenever I start a game, the moniter (a Wells Gardner U3100) goes all fuzzy. When I unplug the monitor and plug it back in, the image becomes clear again.

Some games, though, have a double image. For instance, Crystal Castles will have a two images of the game on top of one another, and they will be hazy. You can play the game, but it doesn't look good, even after unplugging and plugging in the monitor.

Are there any settings in Mame or W2K that could remedy this? I feel like I'm so close!

[SirPeale]

You didn't mention what games you're trying to run.  Or the version of Mame.

Some games are just slow, no matter what.  Couple that with the slowness of your system (again, depending on the game and version of Mame) and you've got slowdown.

[mvolke1]

You didn't mention what games you're trying to run.  Or the version of Mame.

Some games are just slow, no matter what.  Couple that with the slowness of your system (again, depending on the game and version of Mame) and you've got slowdown.

Oh, right. It's Mame 32. But it's all games. Mr. Do! to Punchout! to Golden Tee. The sound is also stumbling and muttering.

[mvolke1]

Would a RAM upgrade do the trick?

[JustMichael]

A ram upgrade would help.  You do realize that onboard video and onboard sound use the cpu to run which means MAME will run even slower.  What version number is the MAME32 you are running (hint: it isn't 32)?  I would suggest using an older version.  The new versions of MAME can be real cpu hogs with the artwork, scanlines, etc.

[codeena]

Hey mvolke1,

Have you tried unchecking the "triple buffering" if checked? How about lowering resolution? Choosing a lower sound sample rate? Using Direct Draw and not Direct3D? Have you tried scanlines ir adjusting the frame rate settings? Just throwing out idears that I've tried. Good luck!

[TOK]

The sound stutters are a classic symptom of the processor being too slow. You said you're running MAME32, but what actual revision?

I'd also add the RAM to your system, but the first thing I'd do is go backwards on the MAME revision. Version .99 had support for Golden Tee and was a lot more streamlined than current builds. If you're willing to ditch the Golden Tee support, or run two builds of MAME, you can go back even further.

I stopped at .99 because the .1 and later builds of MAME haven't added anything I need and have also really ramped up the system requirements as well as messing up some of the older games. I think it's become pretty common for people to use the oldest version of MAME they can get away with.

[RayB]

RAM isn't going to do jack-all here.  128 is PLENTY for the kinds of games that a 1.0 ghz system is able to play (ie: mid-90's and earlier-- NO CHD games, NO 3D)

I'd recommend ditching MAME32 and using Windows command line version, in order to get best performance (or even DOS), and he'll have to turn off special graphics filters (scanlines etc).

For my 1.0 system, I use DOS mame 0.78 (though Windows command line version seems to run just as fast, without the need to set up sound and mouse drivers)

[Havok]

Yup - your Mame version is the problem. Go with a pre 100 build, although if you are a Phoenix fan, you need 104: they finally got the sound almost perfect...

[mvolke1]

Thanks for the advice, gents. I'm going to try it out and let you know how it goes. I think I'll try .99 first, and go from there.

[rdowdy95]

I run windows version .110 with latest mamewah beta!  My system is also an overkill system.  AMD 64 3500+ with 2GB of RAM, and a 256MB ATI RADEON!

[mvolke1]

Now you're just showing off.....

[zelony]

I would start by upgrading your RAM.  Unless you are running DOS you need more than 128 MB to run Windows.  Also, keep in mind that onboard video will share the RAM, which effectively lowers the amount of RAM you have in your system.  My guess is that your system is accessing the swap file, virtual memory, almost constantly, which will lag any game.

Jeff

[RayB]

Great points there Zelony.

[WaRpEd]

Hey
You don't mention what version of Windows your running. Have you tried 98Lite or 2000Lite there basically a stripped down version of Windows thats fast and stable without all of junk you don't use in a game rig.
Ie. Interent Explorer, all the network bloatware and it boots faster and shuts down faster.

[meltman]

I would start by upgrading your RAM.  Unless you are running DOS you need more than 128 MB to run Windows.  Also, keep in mind that onboard video will share the RAM, which effectively lowers the amount of RAM you have in your system.  My guess is that your system is accessing the swap file, virtual memory, almost constantly, which will lag any game.

I agree. Windows 2000 + Mame = more than 128 meg of ram consumption. Your processor is just fine to run mame32.

[zelony]

mvolke1,

Find out what kind of RAM your system uses.  I might be able to donate some to your cause.  If it is PC2100 DDR I could give you a 256MB stick.

[meltman]

Its almost definitely SDRAM.

[torez]

How old is your Win2K installation?  A fresh install may help here as well.  Remember how fast and tidy it was when you first time got it?

[mvolke1]

mvolke1,

Find out what kind of RAM your system uses.  I might be able to donate some to your cause.  If it is PC2100 DDR I could give you a 256MB stick.

The computers is a Dell Optiplex GX150 --
# 1 Ghz Celeron
# Windows 2000
# Memorry: PC133 128MB
# Hard Drive: 20GB
# On board Video & Audio (AC97 Codec)

According to this Web site, this is the type of RAM I need: Description : 128MB SDRAM PC100 3.3v 168PIN Non-ECC gold lead Memory upgrade
http://www.memorystock.com/orderitem.asp?it=13ms-006&MnfId=&MdlId=28650

I would be happy to take a RAM donation if it's the the right kind.

[meltman]

That website is wrong.

It says right in your specs that you need PC133 ram. That website is trying to sell you PC100 ram = not work.

[mvolke1]

That website is wrong.

It says right in your specs that you need PC133 ram. That website is trying to sell you PC100 ram = not work.

Good thing I didn't order it. I'm not so much a computer guy. I'm good with wood and wiring. I've had a friend help me with most of the software stuff.

The machine is done...just got to nail down this slow MAME thing...

[mvolke1]

That website is wrong.

It says right in your specs that you need PC133 ram. That website is trying to sell you PC100 ram = not work.

Here's the manual for my machine.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx150/en/ug/upgrades.htm#sysmemory

Does the ram thing make sense to any of you?

[meltman]

Yeah, It just shows you how to put it in.

A quick google search for "Optiplex GX150 ram" confirms that you need a PC133 DIMM. It must be NON ECC or "not registered" ram. Your dell manual states that.

Try getting another 128meg stick from another source than the one you originally tried.

[mvolke1]

Thanks for the advice.

This is what I got.
http://www.provantage.com/edge-tech-311-7001-pe~7EDGD03V.htm

I'm going to still try an older version of MAME to see if I have any luck. Thank you very much for the advice.

[mvolke1]

OK....

Installed Mame 32.062 after I upgraded the memory. The speed of the games is great.

However, whenever I start a game, the moniter (a Wells Gardner U3100) goes all fuzzy. When I unplug the monitor and plug it back in, the image becomes clear again.

Some games, though, have a double image. For instance, Crystal Castles will have a two images of the game on top of one another, and they will be hazy. You can play the game, but it doesn't look good, even after unplugging and plugging in the monitor.

Are there any settings in Mame or W2K that could remedy this? I feel like I'm so close!

And by the way, thanks to those who have posted in this thread. You've all been very helpful!