Could I set something like this up?

[blueoakleyz]

My plans for a mame machine someday are to have it startup as if it were some kind of cool-compilation arcade machine and not some super computer that it really is. I would want the computer to startup and go straight to a frontend like ArcadeOS.... and I want it to be like if it were in a real arcade, some stranger could walk up and just pick a game from a list, start the game, play it, and HAVE to insert coins to play (but NOT be able go to the arcadeOS and switch it to freeplay, I want to be the only one who can do that by accessing the mame controls with a keyboard underneath the cabinet) but then also be able to press a button to exit out of the game and into the gamelist/frontend again. Anotherwards, I want it to be able to startup, give the user a list of games that he can enter/exit but not be able to manually change settings. At the very least I just want it so a player would have to insert coins. Pretend it was in a real public place, which it never will be, I just want the authenticness of some super-compilation arcade machine.

[Tiger-Heli]

I would want the computer to startup and go straight to a frontend like ArcadeOS....

Easiest way is to have a shortcut to ArcadeOS in your startup folder (or autoexec.bat), not sure if it's DOS or Windows.  This means you briefly see the desktop.  That can be avoided as well, but I'm not sure how, been discussed before, probably on the software forum.

Other comment is that if the machine is already set up and running, then you accomplish what you want and no-one sees how it starts up.

At the very least I just want it so a player would have to insert coins. Pretend it was in a real public place, which it never will be, I just want the authenticness of some super-compilation arcade machine.

BIG problems with the MAME license if you are charging people to play, possibly with local laws as well (commercial enterprise in a residential area, etc.).

However, you could set the machine up to accept tokens and GIVE your guests so many tokens to use when they wanted to.  No need to mess with keyboards or free play either, when you were playing, just leave the coin door unlocked and you can manually trip the switches.

[Dexter]

You can do this through Arcadeos. From its config file you can 'lock' the menu for parties and the like so only game selection is available. You can then hook a button up to a spare input to get you back to the menu from a game, or press player 1 + 2 start together.

Just one thing. AFAIK you cannot lock the exit button unitl a game is over so a player can exit a game they have inserted coins for before it ends.

Also, bear in mind legal issues about having a profit making machine  

[blueoakleyz]

"BIG problems with the MAME license if you are charging people to play, possibly with local laws as well (commercial enterprise in a residential area, etc.)."

Since it's only gonna be in my house the only people that'd play it are me, my family and friends.
It's just the idea that it'd look authentic

[blueoakleyz]

"Also, bear in mind legal issues about having a profit making machine  "

No no I know it sounded like I was gonna put it in a public place or something but I'm not, I just want the authenticness of as if I were

[KHAN]

My plans for a mame machine someday are to have it startup as if it were some kind of cool-compilation arcade machine and not some super computer that it really is. I would want the computer to startup and go straight to a frontend like ArcadeOS.... and I want it to be like if it were in a real arcade, some stranger could walk up and just pick a game from a list, start the game, play it, and HAVE to insert coins to play (but NOT be able go to the arcadeOS and switch it to freeplay, I want to be the only one who can do that by accessing the mame controls with a keyboard underneath the cabinet) but then also be able to press a button to exit out of the game and into the gamelist/frontend again. Anotherwards, I want it to be able to startup, give the user a list of games that he can enter/exit but not be able to manually change settings. At the very least I just want it so a player would have to insert coins. Pretend it was in a real public place, which it never will be, I just want the authenticness of some super-compilation arcade machine.

Don't go at the dark side

If you are making an arcade Machine so welcome.
Legel issues must be kept in mind.

you want to make DMAME with ArcadeOS. ok..
1)You can also lock every button ...
2)you can set some key combination for exit game eg(1+2)
player 1 and 2 start button.
3)All these things are possible which you mentioned .

I know what you are talking about...


 

[mahuti]

You can use a frontend like Mamewah (for windows) or arcadeos for dos. Both have a lock command for the administration.

While you are in MAME, make sure that no one has access to the "tab" key, so that they won't be able to configure the credit input.

It's quite easy to set it up this way.

[blueoakleyz]

"Easiest way is to have a shortcut to ArcadeOS in your startup folder (or autoexec.bat), not sure if it's DOS or Windows.  This means you briefly see the desktop.  That can be avoided as well, but I'm not sure how, been discussed before, probably on the software forum."

I know nothing about dos, please explain

[paigeoliver]

Explain DOS? That is an entire operating system, probably can't be "explained" very easily.

Try this link.

http://www.google.com/search?q=msdos

[blueoakleyz]

Right but how do you go about setting it so arcadeos is the first thing that comes up
is there anywhere that explains arcadeos well? I want to know how to be able to use it using only arcade buttons/joysticks, no mouse or tab button

[blueoakleyz]

actually I might use mamewah instead, is that better?
Could I set my computer up so it goes straight to mamewah upon bootup?