Hello guys !!
After having asked for help in this forum here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55285.msg542070#msg542070) and here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63485.msg633018#msg633018) (and finding my answers, thanks), it's time for me to modestly pay back this community and this great forum.
My MAME cabinet has been finalized a long time ago, but never had time to documented it. This is now done, so I can present it to you:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/2490206115_725022777c_m.jpg)
I didn't built it from scratch, this is a conversion. It is running FreeDOS, MAME and Game Launcher as the frontend. Keyboard hack, ArcadeVGA, Coin op. I didn't care how pretty it would look: I focused on the internals even if I ordered a new marquee and CPO.
My specifications (aka how I wanted my MAME cab to be):
- I wanted the outside look in a way that no one could tell if it's a regular Arcade Cabinet or a MAME Cabinet.
- keep the original display monitor (a WG25k7191 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55285.msg542070#msg542070)), keep the originals pushbuttons and joysticks
- coin operated
- hardware being as much as integrated as possible (no BS like inside keyboard, mouse, computer case, no floppy or DVD drive, etc.)
- robust, low tech and low cost software
- turn on the machine, boot up, select a game, play the game, turn off the machine
This conversion was mainly done in four steps:
- ATX power supply power up (one swicth power on and off the monitor and the motherboard)
- VGA to the arcade monitor hookup
- Control interfacing
- Software set up
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2491022588_06d59a4770_m.jpg)
The prototype of my keyboard hack can be seen here: here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=59359.msg633435#msg633435) or here (http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/08/diy_mame_arcade_controller.html)
The computer I used is what I had handy at the time: a recycled AMD Athlon 600Mhz, 64Mb SDRAM, 10Gb hard disk, Creative SB PCI128 sound card and Ultimarc ArcadeVGA AGP video card. Old but enough to run most games.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2491831907_74e2ae56d0_m.jpg)
I know the NEO GEO CPO w/ 12 buttons may make the purists scream.
Anyway, you can find pictures inside / outside with comments and notes of most pictures here. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisdigo/sets/72157603670377020/)
Also my small MAME webpage here (http://adproject.free.fr/mame/) where you can play (http://adproject.free.fr/mame/) and / or download (http://adproject.free.fr/mame/mame_cabinet_4steps.avi) my video where I explain my process (video and text (http://adproject.free.fr/mame/mame_cabinet_4steps.pdf)). This video was part of another project that is still WIP. I'll probably post it on YouTube later on, but still need to work on my talking, so please don't poke on my [horrible] accent :P
Of course, any remarks (positive or negative), advise, etc. on my cabinet and my video are welcome ! ;)