Front End Questions from a newbie

[mamefreak2]

I am in the middle of building my first arcade cabinet and things seem to be going okay so far (thanks to the people on this board).

However, I've never used a frontend before. I've only used Mame32. Can I get some help on:

1. Which frontend works best for Mame v.84 and Windows 98?

2. How hard are they to install?

3. What is the advantage of using a front end like 3d arcade over the basic Mame32 interface?

4. Do I need to be running a DOS version of Mame to run a front end?

5. Do frontends come with bootscreens as well? And can they load Mame when I first turn on my computer?

I'm trying to research this myself, but I figured I'd ask here since I've always gotten great feedback. Thanks.

[GameDork]

1. MameWah

2. Not bad. MameWah has a great Setup Program

3. Go with MameWah

4. No, don't think so....(can't remember what I got)

5. Nope :  You can set it up that way, yes

[mamefreak2]

I visited Mamewah and on their page they say:

"MAMEWAH is an ArcadeOS inspired frontend for DOS / Windows commandline M.A.M.E. (NOT MAME32) and other commandline emulators under Windows 98/ME/2000/XP."

Doesn't this mean that I would have to get a DOS version of Mame and that I wouldn't be able to use the current Mame32 version 84 that I currently have?

[SpamMe]

With all the windows front ends, you'll want to use windows command line mame (which is different than dos mame).

[lokki]

I visited Mamewah and on their page they say:

"MAMEWAH is an ArcadeOS inspired frontend for DOS / Windows commandline M.A.M.E. (NOT MAME32) and other commandline emulators under Windows 98/ME/2000/XP."

Doesn't this mean that I would have to get a DOS version of Mame and that I wouldn't be able to use the current Mame32 version 84 that I currently have?

The site says "Windows Commandline version of MAME"
Not sure if the MAME32 is still applicable I think MAME32 can also be used from the commandline on newer versions (older versions you could not)

[Howard_Casto]

Mame32 is NOT applicable because it can't generate gamelists and can't accept option flags in the command line string.

windows command line mame is the only way to go.

GameDork:  

While I appreciate the fact that mamewah is your favorite fe, it is by no means the end all and be all of all front ends.  I always suggest that newbies try the "Big 4"  and decide which one's they like on their own.  The big 4, consists of Dragon King, Kymera, 3dArcade, and Mamewah.  These 4 are the eldest, most cabinet oriented, best featured, and most stable out of the dozens of windows fes out there.  Any one would make a fine choice.

[mamefreak2]

So what are the advantages of ANY of these frontends over Mame32?

Also, I've never used the commandline version of Mame. Is it a DOS version? How difficult is it to set up with one of these front ends?

[)p(]

While I appreciate the fact that mamewah is your favorite fe, it is by no means the end all and be all of all front ends.  I always suggest that newbies try the "Big 4"  and decide which one's they like on their own.  The big 4, consists of Dragon King, Kymera, 3dArcade, and Mamewah.  These 4 are the eldest, most cabinet oriented, best featured, and most stable out of the dozens of windows fes out there.  Any one would make a fine choice.

i think its time to add a 5th one to your list...ultrastyle...very well made with one of the best configuration setups out there.

peter

[Howard_Casto]

Agreed..... I just don't include it yet becuase it's so new.  Arcadefx was another great fe with unlimited potential.  Unfortunately, the author decided to kind of drop off of the face of the earth just as it was getting popular.  There have been a couple of other "potentials" out there this year that have done the same.  I just like to make sure the author sticks around for a while.  

mamefreak2:

If you can't tell the obvious visual difference between crappy old "windowsy" mame32 and a fully skinned, windows-hiding fe then by all means stick to mame32.  Also mame32 just runs mame, the one's we have mentioned can potentially run anything.  

Windows command line mame is just that, a windows, command-line based application.  On the surface it looks like a dos app, but has all the functionality that comes with running in a windows environment.  

The difficulty in setting up mame has absolutely nothing to do with the choice of front end.  Back in the dos days front ends let you set mame settings from within, which was a good idea as it's hard to edit text files in dos.  In windows fes (for the most part) this isn't the case.  You are expected to setup mame yourself via ini files and all the fe does is launch the game and sometimes automatically sends pre-defined options to mame, based on how you set it up.  


Download the latest version of mame (windows command line mame has been the "official" mame version for some time now)  and form the command prompt type mame.exe
-cc.  Get used to and understand the settings inside the newly created mame.ini file.  If you'll notice they are identical to the settings found in mame32's various settings boxes.  That's because they are the same.  Setup your mame.ini as you would normaly setup the default options in mame32 and you are good to go with any front-end you choose.

[mamefreak2]

Ok,

I've downloaded the command version of mame and as I feared, I have no idea what I'm doing. I went to the FAQ page and it said:

"To launch the MAME in Windows, open up a command prompt. You can find it either from under Start Menu - Programs, or you can simply select Run and type command.com (Windows 95 / 98 / ME) or cmd.exe (Windows NT / 2000 / XP) into the dialog box. Go to your MAME directory (for example C:\MAME) by typing cd \mame and type a command with this syntax:
mame <gamename> <parameters> "

Ok, only there's no such directory as Mame on my computer. I downloaded the pentium pro version of this, could that have something to do with it? I just can't get Mame to launch.

I've also downloaded 3d arcade as it looked kind of cool. Could I just skip trying to launch the command version of mame or can I just use 3d arcade to start with?

[)p(]

I've also downloaded 3d arcade as it looked kind of cool. Could I just skip trying to launch the command version of mame or can I just use 3d arcade to start with?

just doubleclick in the 3darcade folder on the "new user please readme!" link...it will take you to the quick setup guide in the docs...and will guide you to set it up for use with mame.

peter

[cdbrown]

If you like the simplicity of mame32, just try out that new ArcadEPIC - there are threads in this software forum.  It is very simple to setup and use.  I am using it for the time being as it does everything I need.

[Minwah]

Ok,

I've downloaded the command version of mame and as I feared, I have no idea what I'm doing. I went to the FAQ page and it said:

"To launch the MAME in Windows, open up a command prompt. You can find it either from under Start Menu - Programs, or you can simply select Run and type command.com (Windows 95 / 98 / ME) or cmd.exe (Windows NT / 2000 / XP) into the dialog box. Go to your MAME directory (for example C:\MAME) by typing cd \mame and type a command with this syntax:
mame <gamename> <parameters> "

Ok, only there's no such directory as Mame on my computer. I downloaded the pentium pro version of this, could that have something to do with it? I just can't get Mame to launch.

I've also downloaded 3d arcade as it looked kind of cool. Could I just skip trying to launch the command version of mame or can I just use 3d arcade to start with?

www.mameworld.net/easyemu

[ultrastyle]

Peter, thanks for the nod, that means a lot coming from you.

Chris