MAME Idea?

[xads308]

I've decided to turn my arcade machine into a MAME, and I think I've got the right plan for it; however, being a COMPLETE beginner at this, I figured it would be a good idea to submit my idea here. Anyway, I plan replace the monitor with an LCD and add a trackball; following are the steps, I would be VERY appreciative if you would help me along the way.

1. Order the parts. My machine is JAMMA; I plan on buying a J-PAC for all the miscellaneous buttons on the arcade machine (I do NOT, however, plan on using the J-PAC for the monitor...is that possible to only use it for controls?), and I plan on buying a PS/2 trackball as well that I can just connect to the computer. I'm also looking at some 19" arcade LCDs, can anyone recommend to me good, inexpensive brands?

2. Take the monitor/chassis out and replace with the LCD. This I am a bit apprehensive about; is it possible for me to just unhook everything and take the monitor/chassis out in one fell swoop?

3. Connect all the buttons/joysticks/coin mech to the J-PAC, connect the J-PAC to the JAMMA harness, and connect the J-PAC to the computer. Somewhere in here I'm either going to attempt to make a hole in the control panel or extend the control panel out (it'll be ugly, but it'll get the job done), any suggestions on how to do this? Also, will the J-PAC/computer be enough to power the controls?

4. Connect the LCD to the computer via VGA and of course, plug the computer/monitor in to a wall socket.

5. Fire everything up and play!

It seems like that's all there is to it...besides, of COURSE, sound and the marquee. EVERYTHING on my machine works (besides the monitor), how would I go about at least getting the speakers to run into a standard PC? I'm not very big into electronics, mind you, so please have pity. Is it just a simple matter of somehow connecting the speakers to the computer, and then actually turning on the machine (not the computer) to get them (and the marquee) to work? Or is it more than that?

Now, there are 2 issues. Sound: The cabinet I have was originally a Centipede (it has since been converted to a JAMMA Street Fighter 2 CE), how would I go about connecting the speakers to the computer? Would it be a better idea just to buy a 2.1?

Also, the marquee. How in the hell am I gonna wire that thing up!? Would it just be a better idea to leave it alone and control it separately with the machine's on/off switch?

Any and ALL help will be very much appreciated!

Ryan

[matsadona]

There are plenty of cheap simple 12V amplifiers that can be used. Then you can power it from the computer PSU.
The same goes for the marque light, if you replace it and put in a 12V LED strip.

Regarding the monitor, do you know for sure it is broken?
Keeping the CRT will give you a much more satisfying experience (IMHO).