I've Decided on SpyStyle's DOS CD, so What Hardware for Galaga Only Console?

[SECONDandBOWERY]

Thanks 80s Man!  This Dreamcast emulation looks really cool!  Will it play vertically or just horizontally?  If it can run vertically, then can you explain to me what a .sbi file is and how I should burn what I need to burn (I'm assuming the just .sbi and the ROM) so that everything works?

Thanks!

Rock'n'Roll,
--Andy

[The 80s Man]

I haven't messed with Dreamcast for 2 years now the truth is I haven't tried the exact emulator that I gave you the link to. I have tried a MAME emulator 2 years ago called "WoW 80;s pack" which is a MAME emulator for the DC. I do remember playing Donky Kong in vertical screen mode but I never did try flipping the screen for other games.

You will need a software called SelfBootInducer to use sbi files.
this page explains how to use sbi files.
http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/index.php/Main/SelfbootInducer

SelfBootInducer is a soft ware that will help you create a disk image that you can burn to cd and will boot up on the dreamcast.

[SECONDandBOWERY]

As fascinating as this Dreamcast-based emulator sounds, I think I'm gunna stick with the good old PC and use SpyStyle's DOS boot CD.  So my next noobie question is "What PC parts should I get?"

Here's what I know I need:

• Processor
• RAM
• Motherboard
• Main Drive (Compact Flash Card, in this case)
• Audio Card
• Video Card
• Am I Missing Anything?

So if this is going to be a Galaga-only cab running DOS, are there any super-cheap barebones PCs that will satisfy whatever needs I'll have?  I've been the FAQ on PCs that gives these minimum specs for running classic games:

• Pentium 200 MMX
• 64M Ram
• 20G HD
• 4M PCI Vid Card (or on-board)
• On-board sound

...but I don't think Pentium MMX CPUs are in production anymore, plus I think I'm a little more limited if I'll be running DOS, right (I know very little, but apparently compatibility is everything in DOS)?

So if I were to use parts that are at least still in production (the more I can buy from www.newegg.com the better, I guess) and still keep the price as low as I can, what's the way to go?  I know very little about building computers from scratch, so the more specific the better (i.e. use the "such-and-such" processor with the "such-and-such" board, actual product names would be a huge help instead of just guidelines).

Thanks so much for putting up with all this noobie-ness!

Rock'n'Roll,
--Andy

[XtraSmiley]

Buying?  No way man, you need to look for a cheap (under $30) computer on craigslist or a garage sale or something.  If you try to actually build it, it will cost you over a hundred bucks.

[leapinlew]

Buying?  No way man, you need to look for a cheap (under $30) computer on craigslist or a garage sale or something.  If you try to actually build it, it will cost you over a hundred bucks.

Agree.... stick with windows unless your comfortable in DOS.

[Kaytrim]

Buying?  No way man, you need to look for a cheap (under $30) computer on craigslist or a garage sale or something.  If you try to actually build it, it will cost you over a hundred bucks.

You will defiantly end up with more computer power than you will need for this little project.  Google for your local craigslist and freecycle.  You can get a computer monitor rather cheep as well there.  With the IDE to CF adapter card and Spystyle's CD I had more than enough room to store the files needed to run just Galaga or any other single game.  Spystyle's and Fraggel's DOS CDs install DOS and a front end.  The front end is not needed FWYW.  You can easily call MAME and run the ROM file from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file for DOS.

Kaytrim

[BobA]

You should be able to get it free.  I regularly receive the better portions of 1 Ghz plus computers with 20gb and 256 mem for free when people are upgrading.  All most people ask is to move a few files over for them (pictures etc) and they do not need the old hunk of junk.

Dos is nothing to be afraid of.  It is actually alot simpler then all the windows setups because there is less to go wrong.   If you get a computer with on board video and sound you have to go up to w98 to get the drivers to make it work.   Tiny XP or W98 are good choices for op sys if you cannot find a simple dos machine with a sound card.

Spystyles setup with freedos makes everything quite easy if you can get the right computer.