Help Wanted : Recommendations for updating my XP based Mame Cabinet

[weisshaupt]

Hi All,

About a decade ago I built the Ghost in the Machine,  and after two moves and many life events the old Girl needed some TLC
I replaced her Florescent Lamps and EL wire with LEDs.
I upgraded the motor and the turning mechanism works better than it ever has.
I  added a relay to turn the lights off when no one was around because it was a complete power suck...

The main issue now is that  the Cade is built on Mame 110 and runs Windows XP and its time to get myself on a 64 bit modern processor -- or is it?
It runs off of an ancient version of I-PAC and Optipac,  has XP based drivers for light guns ( the type that look for IR LEDs in a camera)  and uses a Parallel port and custom software to do the Monitor turning and an old joystick port for the flight yoke.

It runs the 3D Arcade version 096 front end , but I am not sure that is the best choice in the modern era.. since that seems to still be the current version ( or is it just that good?)
Something with similar functionality is nice.. display artwork and CP and so forth... (since Ghost's CP is convertible seeing the CP layout when the game is selected  is sooo helpful) 

Can anyone provide opinions on what they feel the best architecture to go to  is ( and why)
I am happy to consider moving to an A-pac  or similar for the flight yoke and I know enough to get transport the Monitor turning software anywhere I need it to be (GPIO pins on a Pi for instance) 

But I do need   a front end capable of launching a sub program to turn the monitor when a game is selected (and turn it back if the FE won't rotate as well)

I am open to using a linux based distro as well.  If linux based am better off doing a full PC based system, or with a raspberri-pi ( or clone)
Or should I just call it windows 10 and be done with it ?

Opinions and thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

-Weisshaupt

[Phreakwars]

Socket 1155/1150 with Windows 7x64. I'll explain my reasoning later. At work ATM.

[Phreakwars]

OK, I'm home now. But anyways, the reason I like Socket 1155/1150 and not new hardware, is because new hardware IMHO is overkill. You don't need a Ryzen/Core i9, to run the most demanding games. Last generation hardware runs great and is still compatible with Windows 7. As for why I prefer Windows 7x64 over Windows 10, that has more to do with customizing start up and shut down screen then anything. Windows 10 is perfectly fine as well, but not as customizable. Another thing I like about 7 over 10, is you can turn off Windows update. This is important if you want your PC on your wired/wireless network for remote administration (I use TeamViewer to do my cabs remotely). Remote administration is nice because you can leave out admin buttons like "TAB" if you like and or are worried about others changing the configuration on you purposely or accidentally. It also enables you to sit back in your nice cozy office/gaming chair and use the keyboard/mouse much easier. The reason I say go with an x64 version of Windows 7 mainly has to do with architecture changes in mame over the years. I believe the only version they put out now is x64 based and if you want 32 bit you need to compile your own, or use an older version. Though I might be wrong about that, perhaps someone else can chime in there. Also, on a 32bit system, you are limited to only 4 gigs of ram. While this is probably enough, I like to go 8 gigs mainly because I'm a Hyperspin junky and it ensures smooth operation. Recommended hardware would be like a socket 1155 with at minimum a Core-i3 3220. That's a nice cool running 55 watt CPU that should be able to keep up with most whatever you toss at it in mame. Personally, I'd go Core-i5 3570, or even Core-i7 3770 if it's within budget. GPU I'd say go with a GT-1030. Myself personally, I use a passive cooled ASUS GT-1030 2gig. The nice thing about that GPU, is I never have to worry about the fan wearing down and it's dead silent. Cooling on the CPU, I prefer using a ARCTIC Alpine 12 CO https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HJ3DNX2 the CO stands for Continuous Operation. I've used them since my crypto mining days where I had machines going in the garage 24/7. For an arcade cab... pure awesome.

[formula409]

So basically everything Phreak said about OSs is wrong. It's easier to customize Windows 10 than 7.

Removing the start up/shutdown screens in Windows 7 is a nightmare, and it's just clicking a few checkboxes in Windows 10.

There is literally no reason to go Windows 7 today. You want to go Windows 10.

[Phreakwars]

Oh I'm wrong am I?

OK, tell me how to do THIS in Windows 10: https://youtu.be/ydHs02gRHEA?t=36 seeings how it's SO MUCH EASIER, must be a pretty simple solution. Have at it hoss. In case you are missing what is happening, notice the customized load screen. So how is THAT done? You said Windows 10 is easier to customize, explain. And YES it can be animated as well, I was just doing a quick demo for the vid. You aren't gonna get that with a simple BCDEDIT. Read again what I wrote

As for why I prefer Windows 7x64 over Windows 10, that has more to do with customizing start up and shut down screen then anything. Windows 10 is perfectly fine as well, but not as customizable.

EDIT: While you are at it, tell me about having your windows 10 PC connected to the network for remote administration without having to keep disarming auto updates. Would love to learn.

[nexusmtz]

EDIT: While you are at it, tell me about having your windows 10 PC connected to the network for remote administration without having to keep disarming auto updates. Would love to learn.

The first thing I'd do is not assign them a default gateway. They can't get updates if they can't talk to the internet, but they can still talk to their subnet. (assuming you don't mean remote administration from someone else's house) Of course, no internet at all might be more restrictive than you'd like.

[Phreakwars]

I'm talking remote admin from anywhere in the world. I can edit a MAME.INI from my phone while on the toilet at work.

[weisshaupt]

Thanks for the advice,  but I didn't mean to start a fight.

If I have a few flash screens while it boots.. that is fine. I don't need to hide the OS as much as get something that is fairly bullet proof, capable of  running the modern Mame set  of games well,  and which runs a front end  that is capable of doing what I need ( running a program to rotate the monitor)

Any suggestions about what the front end should be?  - That may dictate the best thing to do here.

Any Linux/Pi opinions?

[DrewKaree]

I'm talking remote admin from anywhere in the world. I can edit a MAME.INI from my phone while on the toilet at work.

If I were you, I'd be worried about other paperwork while you're in the crapper. 

[Phreakwars]

HEHE, so yeah, that was a silly example, but the point was, there is better control on Windows 7. Yes shelling 10 is pretty easy, but for a custom look, Windows 7 (with a little work) is the way to go, plus you can do it all remotely without those pesky MS updates breaking your work with an update. Personally, I wish someone would come up with a method for customizing 10 like you can 7. I'd honestly prefer to use 10 if it came down to it. I say use whichever is easiest for you and if you are happy with just a blank boot screen, then use 10, nobody will really care except you anyways. As to the front end question, you'll get all kinds of opinions. Hyperspin is my choice though for some it's a bit complex. Attract Mode would be my second choice. Super easy to setup and runs on anything.. even Windows XP.



Abit AI7 motherboard, Windows XP SP3, Pentium 4 2.8Ghz, 512 megs of ram, Nvidia Geforce FX5200

[Robbbert]

Re the comment about Windows 7 updates, it is no longer a problem as the only updates still being pushed out are for MSE. So you may as well get all the updates that exist while they are still available, then shut off the updates.

And, if you really want 32-bit versions of MAME, you can still get them due to the efforts of volunteers.
Here's one place: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eiNztWEpk0C7CiiZXz0SMDM_eJOmb0FO?usp=sharing (Win7 is the minimum OS supported).

Or, on Emu France someone made an arcade-only build that runs on XP and Vista. http://www.emu-france.com/?wpfb_dl=623

However, since there's that pesky memory limit, you're probably still better off with a 64-bit build.

[Zebidee]

I'm talking remote admin from anywhere in the world. I can edit a MAME.INI from my phone while on the toilet at work.

THIS is why I never touch other people's phones. People usually wash their hands after going to the toilet, but how many wash their phones?

[Phreakwars]

Re the comment about Windows 7 updates, it is no longer a problem as the only updates still being pushed out are for MSE. So you may as well get all the updates that exist while they are still available, then shut off the updates.

And, if you really want 32-bit versions of MAME, you can still get them due to the efforts of volunteers.
Here's one place: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eiNztWEpk0C7CiiZXz0SMDM_eJOmb0FO?usp=sharing (Win7 is the minimum OS supported).

Or, on Emu France someone made an arcade-only build that runs on XP and Vista. http://www.emu-france.com/?wpfb_dl=623

However, since there's that pesky memory limit, you're probably still better off with a 64-bit build.

True. What I'll typically do, is first do ALL the 7 updates and get them out of the way, then turn off auto updates, install Team Viewer and start modding system files for the customized startup and shutdown screens remotely. I'll bookmark that google drive link and check it out later, thanks. I have actually tried the file from  Emu France on XP, it didn't work for me, I got a language error and mame wouldn't load, don't know if there are other support files that needed installed, but I didn't dwell on it too much as I mainly did the XP video kind of as a joke and kind of partly to show that even though it's an old OS on an old PC, that the performance way surpasses what a Pi is capable of. I 100% agree on using 64 bit over 32 which is why my first response to the OP was use Windows 7x64, which of course will at minimum require an x64 CPU which the Pentium 4 is not.

THIS is why I never touch other people's phones. People usually wash their hands after going to the toilet, but how many wash their phones?

Gross things to think about.. lovely.