Set up FE or IPAC first?

[DarkSoul1]

I've got my cab, pc is set up to run MAME using Emuloader as the FE.  I'm going to change that to a FE with vertical support for the pc monitor.  Probably GameLauncher after the advice from here (only usinga 4 meg pci vid card, not an ATI or other card with rotation support).

I have my IPAC and am about to build my control panels etc.

When everything is ready to go, should I load and set up the FE first, then attach controls/IPAC and configure it

OR

IPAC/controls first then the FE?

Is it a case of the chicken and the egg or is there a specific order that will keep problems to a minimum?



Once I'm done I'll put up web pages with my machine.
 

[rockhopper]

I don't think the order matters much, the ipac just simulates a keypress, so it shouldn't interfere with the FE at all. You don't need to install any software to get the IPAC actually running (software to re-program etc.) so once it's plugged in, the computer doesn't have any idea that it's there at all. It just thinks its a keyboard.

anyone else think different??

[AlanS17]

I would set the frontend up on the PC and get it all working before dropping the sucker into your arcade machine. You're going to want to do more with the FE to set it up than your joys and buttons can accomodate. So for this it's better to get the FE set up before hooking it all together.

Then wiring the ipac up would just finish it off.

[DarkSoul1]

Cheers.  I'll keep tinkering with Gamelauncher then.  Almost done but still having a few probs rotating mame itself.

 


Problem fixed.  When all else fails, read the bloody instructions!!!