I upgraded my computer and now have all kind of problems

[pinballfreak]

In order for me to install future updates/upgrades to my Mame cabinet, I replaced the 8 year old Dell with an Asus computer that was just retired from being my brother's gaming computer. My Dell was upgraded to its max, yet it was still slow and running an unregistered version of Windows 7 (32 bit). MAME was okay, but the newer games had major lag. This Asus has Vista Home Premium (64 bit) installed. Other than Operating Systems, I am running the exact same programs and settings. Here are my problems

1. The AimTrak lightgun is not working in Maximus Arcade. It works when I open the games from MAME only.

2. The Displays/DMD on PinMAME games in Virtual Pinball is loading behind the playfield instead of on top of the playfield when opened in Maximus Arcade only.

Granted the top two might be at fault due to Maximus Arcade, and I will be changing Front Ends soon but...

3. The ball in Virtual Pinball can be seen through the flippers, pop bumpers and other random objects. This happens no matter how I open up a table.

4. The plexiglass insert for Bally Electra is missing. Don't have many tables downloaded at this time, but that is one that did work on the Dell with no mods. This also happens no matter how I open a table.

I am at a loss for finding a solution to these problems. I can update the operating system to Windows 7 (64 bit) if need be. Any help to narrow the problem down is much appreciated.

Thanks,
David

[Drnick]

I would update, Vista was a pointless operating system. As for the graphical issues this will undoubtedly be video card related.  I would pop over to FP/VP forums and see what the recommended video card driver for your current card is.

[MD Draco]

+1 for Drnick... on all points, and to add: Vista was <and apparently on some systems is> a very sick creature of the damned! Upgrade (or downgrade)... Windows 8 with start8 would see you through for a long time to come, and start8 basically helps make it look like Windows 7 just to make navigation easier for an arcade for those times when you need to see the OS.

Reasons for my thoughts here:

1. Windows 8 will be supported for even longer than 7 will
2. cheaper than Win 7 for eqv versions
3. uses less resources

Obviously reasons against too, but that would be my personal choice

[Howard_Casto]

Honestly... I'd put xp 64bit on it.  It's a mame cab, not a desktop and all 7+ is going to do is eat up more resources. 

[pinballfreak]

Thanks for the replies. I held off on updating it to Windows 7 because I didn't have a valid registration number for it. Looks like I got to get one, as I plan to have internet access available to the machine for future updates. The old Dell was using its on board video card. I didn't have an HDMI to DVI adaptor laying around to use the Asus's on board video, so I found a graphics card to plug into the motherboard. I don't know what the spec's are on it. When I was installing the operating system and first installed Visual Pinball, I was using the HDMI from the motherboard to my HDTV. Visual pinball had the same results as I do now using the graphics card . This may be a problem with Vista also. As for going to XP, I've already downgraded operating systems once and I would rather upgrade. I don't have a copy of XP available to me to use and I never used XP.. I went from 98 to Vista.

[Howard_Casto]

So you went from one crap operating system to the the next, skipping over the good one huh?

95% of the people on here use XP on their cabs... there is a reason for that. 

[Dawgz Rule]

Agree with Howard on this one.  XP is pretty solid from a Mame perspective. 

[juggle50]

XP definitely.

[rpgposer]

I recently upgraded from xp32 bit to win8 64 bit (for $60!!) and have had no issues at all with any legacy applications or emulators.   It installs easily.  The only negative is it's ridiculous "front end" Metro UI, which is not that hard to work around.  What is lacking are the UI minimizing customizations that will eventually come around for cab use.