Converting an Ultracade

[sstwistoffate]

Yeah people make mistakes but I'm trying to fix this one.  Trying to be legit is really lame, especially when the company just gets up and walks away from the whole damn thing.  Anyways, I'm trying to convert this thing over to MAME,  I need ALOT of input on this. 

I believe it has a 27" flat screen for a monitor, it's a vision pro.  The board WAS a crappy Mini atx with a Celeron 1.2 ghz, 512mb pc133 ram, 40gb HD, and a DVD-rom. 

I scrapped the board and bought a Intel D945Psn motherboard and got a Pentium D 2.66 with a gig of ram now.  I'm using the same hard drive because I just plan on using it only for the arcade games.  Windows XP Pro is installed with just the service pack 2 update.

It has a USBlinx for a control interface, it plugs through the JAMMA harness.  It seems to be defective, Windows doesn't like it through the USB but it looks like the PS/2 works.  The only thing bad about it not being able to use the USB is it's apart of the trackball controls.  So I either need to buy a Jpac and an Optipac OR I can keep the USBlinx and possibly see about either purchasing a USB trackball or I'm not sure if there is a adaptor to convert the trackball over to USB.

I got one of the Arcade VGA cards because they said there was a difference with the older games, basically older games look like ass.  I do notice Bubble Bobble looks really blurry, so I did manage to pick one up.  I got the x550
Pci-Xpress version.  With my monitor, was this even necessary?

I think I got everything, but I'm trying to get some input on WHAT ELSE I need.  I like using Mame32 because it's alot easier (to me) and wanted a front end (Like Maximus Arcade).  PLEASE let me know.  Right now I'm auditing 13GBs of games I got through a torrent.  Hopefully after I sift through everything and delete the 100 copies of mahjong I should be getting around to playing stuff I actually want.   Thanks.

[Jetto Funk]

I like the JPacs, it's been about 6 years since I used one but it worked great in the day. If it's trackball than optipac is what you're looking for.
I wouldn't bother with the ArcadeVGA unless your really trying to get authentic. The Ultracade has a high quality monitor, great for PC games and newer games but too great because older games use lower resolution and it takes away the pixelated look that collectors and game enthusiast learned to love.
I would say give it a shot running without the ArcadeVGA and if really bothers you than cash up and get one.
Good luck with your project, it shouldn't be a hard one.

[Disturbed013]

Take a look at ultimarc's mini-pac too, combines several features of the i/j & opti-pac and may fit well in your application, not to mention the ease of just one interface instead of several.

[BobA]

The USBlinx is best replaced by a Jpac since your cab is JAMMA. You do not really need a AVGA card as your monitor is designed for PC output.  You are probably best to abandon the USBlinx as it will not be easily usable with a Jpac.  The optipac or optiwiz will give you trackball functionality with your current trackball without having to buy another USB trackball. 

[Ken Layton]

Ultracade is still around. They were bought out by Global VR (makers of PGA Golf) in June of last year.

http://service.globalvr.com/ultracade.asp


A few months ago Global changed the name of the Ultracade system to Global Arcade Classics.