Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: Humanoid on December 21, 2005, 08:17:38 pm

Title: Windows or linux?
Post by: Humanoid on December 21, 2005, 08:17:38 pm

I have an old PIII 450 laptop and would like to run mame and possibly some console emulators.  Performancewise should I run a windows installation or a linux distro?  Which version (of windows or linux distribution)?  Also is it worthwhile to even try running SNES or Genesis emulators on such an anemic mahcine?  Thanks guys, I have limited experience with low power machines running emulators.

Title: Re: Windows or linux?
Post by: whammoed on December 22, 2005, 09:46:30 am

In my experience, comparing the same game on the same release of mame between linux and windows I get better performance from linux (gentoo flavor, not that it matters probably).  Some may suggest dos for that particular system though?

Title: Re: Windows or linux?
Post by: SirPoonga on December 22, 2005, 11:02:10 am

How much memeory does the system have?

450 is good enough to emulate snes and genesis.
Does it have a CD drive?  If so try AdvancedCD to see how linux will work
http://advancemame.sourceforge.net/doc-advcd.html

Title: Re: Windows or linux?
Post by: Humanoid on December 22, 2005, 11:13:05 am

It has 64MB of ram, however advanceCD will not boot for some reason....

Title: Re: Windows or linux?
Post by: SirPoonga on December 22, 2005, 11:19:54 am

cd set as 1st boot device in bios?

You can also try
http://sourceforge.net/projects/knoppixmame

Title: Re: Windows or linux?
Post by: Humanoid on December 22, 2005, 11:31:01 am

Actually this laptop can't boot from a CD (those were the days!)

Title: Re: Windows or linux?
Post by: Major Rock Hardy on December 22, 2005, 12:18:21 pm

you might see if there's a BIOS update - possibly might make cdroms bootable.  Shot in the dark, but what the heck, it's at least worth investigating.

Rock