Mame computer, did I miss anything? UPDATED with a computer question

[boogieman]

The short story, I had an older p4 2 ghz I thought it had pciE slot and it didn't.  I can't use it since I cant use my arcadeVGA.  I decided to build my own computer.  I have never built a computer before, is there anything that I seemed to miss? 

I just ordered these components:
motherboard/processor/ram combo
1 Gig Ram
Cooler
case/power supply

I also already own a SATA DVD drive (to load stuff onto computer).  Also I have a PCI USB card with 5 usb ports.

I have a 20 GB hard drive with XP on it to use.  I will probably need a bigger drive, but they seem to be much cheaper elsewhere.

I have a pciE arcade VGA and a JPAC already.

Sooooo... what did I miss?

[lanman31337]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153073 mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103196 processor - you can always upgrade to an x2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 ram

For about the same price, you'll have 2 gigs dual channel ram, 64 bit setup, and you can always put in a faster processor.  the one you showed, that's the fastest processor that board can take.

[Turnarcades]

That's pretty much everything. You don't even need a disc drive if you have USB as you can do updates using a flash card or external HDD. You could also do without a case as long as your mobo doesn't depend on case fans or security switches etc.

[reko19]

don't you need AGP slot to use Arcade VGA?

[CheffoJeffo]

don't you need AGP slot to use Arcade VGA?

Not necessarily -- version 2 comes in both AGP and PCIe flavours (and OP has PCIe).

[boogieman]

O.k., it sounds like I am good then.   

I do have the pciE version of the arcadeVGA.  I do like the idea of using a flash drive/external HD to update, but since my software is on DVD I think it will be more convenient, plus I already have it.

Oh yeah, the main reason I bought that case, it was cheap and came with a power supply.  It had another $5 off for buying it with that mobo/processor/ram combo.

Oh man I can't wait!  It should be here in 2 more days!   

Thanks! 

I may have some questions once I get the stuff.

[Jdurg]

Once you've built a PC for yourself, you will NEVER buy a pre-built system ever again.  It is just much more fun to have a whole bunch of boxes, you open them up, install everything, then see it all come to life.  There's something gratifying about that which is a lot like the feeling we get when our cabinets get built and work.   

[boogieman]

It will also be nice not to have all the extra crap on it, stuff like demo's and the computer company products, etc. 

It says everything but the case should arrive today.  The case is supposed to be here tomorrow.  Oh man am I excited!

As a side note, I got my marquee and cpo's from mamemarquees yesterday, they are awesome quality!  It's all coming together finally!   

I GOT IT!!!  AWESOME!  Just unpacked it, put the CPU cooler fan on, put the ram in.  Now I gotta wait for the case to come tomorrow.  Ah man this waiting is hard lol!   

[Jdurg]

You did remember the thermal compound and everything else, right?     

[boogieman]

Yeah, the cpu cooler had the compound pre-gooped on there.  That was quite handy!

[boogieman]

I am having problems 

I got it all physically assembled just fine.  It will load the bios and such.

Here is the problem.

I bought a computer with xp already on it.  I took the hard drive out of it and wanted to put it into my new computer, since it had xp and I don't really want to buy the os again for a mame cabinet.

It says windows could not load and takes me to a screen allowing safe mode, sm with networking, sm with command line, something like last used, and start windows normally.  No matter which I choose, it crashes, and resets the whole computer.

Anyone have a clue what to do with this?  It is a legal copy of windows on the hard drive but I have no idea how to get it to work!    

[ddrtist]

When you install Windows XP, it registers a specific "hash" number (the long xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx) that is based on your major hardware, such as your motherboard.  When you simply move a hard drive to a new computer, it cannot find the hardware it was registered with and will not boot.

DO NOT take my advice until someone else will verify, because I don't want you to have to reinstall the OS completely.

What I would do is boot to the XP CD (assuming you have one), and run a repair install.  It will rewrite the OS, but leave all your data intact.  Once the repair is done, Windows should boot fine.  You will have to re-activate Windows XP and chances are you will need to speak to a nice Indian fellow from Microsoft.  Just tell the rep that you replaced the motherboard and they will give you a code to activate.

I have been in the field for almost 10 years, so I am very well versed PC hardware and software.  I just don't want you to get to a point where you are forced with a clean install.  Hope this helps 

[Jdurg]

Whenever you build a new computer, you should ALWAYS do a clean OS Install.  Otherwise you'll get potential conflicts with drivers, verification issues with software (such as Windows XP or most MS Software), hardware coflicts with installed software, etc. etc.  Just putting a fully functional and loaded HDD into a brand new build is just asking for trouble.

[boogieman]

The problem is I don't have a disk.  It really annoys me that they do this type of stuff.  Most new computers don't come with any OS related disks.  So does this mean I am out of luck?   

I am SOOOOOOOO close to getting my cabinet up and running.  I just can't see spending any more money on an OS I already have and have like 4 machines running it.  It's just seems really dumb. 

I suppose I could look into using linux if I cant get this hdd working.  I really hate to since I don't really have the patience to learn a new OS, plus have no idea if the computer will even run it (drivers and such)...

[protokatie]

I just can't see spending any more money on an OS I already have and have like 4 machines running it.  It's just seems really dumb.

Download TinyXP Ultimate. It is practically the best OS for a MAME machine, as it will run faster than a standard XP install and boots in a mere 10 or fewer seconds...


Edit: Just did a google on TinyXP ultimate and it appears that my post on the "Are Apple computers any good" thread is #5.    wow.... (Meh, Im only suprised because it was even in the listing, but #5! huh!?)

[Dekieon]

Whenever you build a new computer, you should ALWAYS do a clean OS Install.  Otherwise you'll get potential conflicts with drivers, verification issues with software (such as Windows XP or most MS Software), hardware coflicts with installed software, etc. etc.  Just putting a fully functional and loaded HDD into a brand new build is just asking for trouble.

Jdurg is corrent, you should ALWAYS do a fresh OS install when ever you build a new computer (or change Motherboards).

I am a bit confused, you stated that you have 4 machines running windows, but you don't have a disk?

protokatie has the right idea, get tiny XP. If this new computer is only for MAME, then tiny XP is the best choice to make.

[testicle187]

I am having problems 

I got it all physically assembled just fine.  It will load the bios and such.

Here is the problem.

I bought a computer with xp already on it.  I took the hard drive out of it and wanted to put it into my new computer, since it had xp and I don't really want to buy the os again for a mame cabinet.

It says windows could not load and takes me to a screen allowing safe mode, sm with networking, sm with command line, something like last used, and start windows normally.  No matter which I choose, it crashes, and resets the whole computer.

Anyone have a clue what to do with this?  It is a legal copy of windows on the hard drive but I have no idea how to get it to work!    

If you can get your hands on a plain Windows XP cd you can run a REAPIR install, which will install the necessary drivers and make this setup work.  This is useful if you already have MAME set up on the hard drive and don't want to reconfigure.  If it isn't set up and all that is on the hard drive is Windows, do what other have mentioned and get Tiny XP.

[boogieman]

They were all computer that came with it on them, example 2 dells that came with no disks.

Well... it is just for mame, I will try tinyxp.

[Jdurg]

They were all computer that came with it on them, example 2 dells that came with no disks.

Well... it is just for mame, I will try tinyxp.

Dell computers are NOTORIOUS for having proprietary whatnots in there so that you absolutely, positively, completely can not take software pre-installed on your Dell computer and put it on another computer.  Similar issue with hardware.  This is so they can force you to go through them with upgrades and not much cheaper and better competitors.

I would just forget about trying to get anything from those Dell installation CDs or DVDs.  Those are typically just ghost images of the initial build and not actual installations.

[boogieman]

 
Awesome!  Thanks for the heads up on tinyxp!!!

I downloaded it (beast version) since it was smallest and it worked great.  I installed it, then my drivers.  Anyway it worked great.  I got my arcadevga in and jpac, hooked it all up and it worked!

Man is it great!

As always you guys are awesome!  Thanks!