Making Win98 more Arcade-ish...

[jfunk]

OK, I'm adding a lot of detail to this post to portray what I've done/what I'm after, but there ARE some questions at the bottom, I promise 

I'm setting up a computer for my little brother to put into a cabinet we're going to be starting, soon.  The computer is a p2 400Mhz with 320MB ram and 13GB HD space running Win98 and MAMEWAH 1.52...

I'm TRYING to set it up so that you'd have to be paying very close attention to tell it's a PC running Win98 rather than dedicated arcade hardware..  I've got it ALMOST exactly the way I want it, thus far..  There are just a few small annoyances..  Here's the bootup process:

1) I overrode the default Intel MoBo's bios boot screen with an Atari logo.  Does a good job hiding the memory initialization/IDE discovery
2) Black screen with annoying blinking cursor 
3) MAME Win98 boot screen
4) Black Win98 background
5) Clear arrow, background, and busy cursors
6) MAMEWAH as shell 

So, there's really not much pointing out that it's a pc (although the MAME boot screen is pretty obvious).

I've got MAMEWAH set to shut down on exit, so it displays the MAME Win98 shutdown screen, then the annoying black screen with cursor, and powers down the pc...

MAMEWAH is running great with MAME .37b16, .55, and .65, SNES, NES, and Atari 2600 emulators.  (The attract videos still aren't working, but everything else is fine...)

Switching between MAME and Win98 is easy.  I've created 2 batch files:

1) Hit F8 to get to command line mode and run Windows.BAT which:
  - Copies a system.ini file with Explorer as the shell over the default system.ini
  - Copies the correct cursors over the arrow, background, and busy cursors
Just reboot and voila!  Win98!

2) From Win98, just double click on MAME.BAT which:
  - Copies a system.ini file with MAMEWAH as the shell over the default file
  - Copies a clear cursor over the arrow, background, and busy cursors
Just reboot and voila!  MAMEWAH!

(The clear cursors were in MinWAH's MAMEWAH beta files    I could write a program which just changes the shell line in the system.ini file, but that file shouldn't change much, anyways, and i'm just lazy 

Anyways, as you can see, ALMOST perfect..  So, my questions are:

1) I'm not a big fan of the Atari logo for the bios boot screen.. Would love to find the Neo Geo boot screen..?  Anybody know how to get a screenshot of it?

2) The MAME Win98 boot screens just SCREAM Win98 to me..  Any suggestions for improvements?  Would love to have one that looks like a screen initialization or something..  Maybe a rom check..  Any thoughts/links?

3) Same with the shutdown screen..  Can I just make a black bitmap into a logos.sys file?  Maybe just put some white text that says "Powering Down.." or something?

4) Screensaver..  I really don't like the 'snapshot' type of screen saver.  Currently, i've got the system running the "arcade84.mpg" movie which i REALLY like, but was looking for alternatives.  My preference would be to run through a bunch of attract modes..  But the preview videos aren't good enough quality..  Is there a way to make MAMEWAH start up a random game?  Or maybe start up a game from a list of games so it shows some cool attract modes?

Anyways, those are my questions.  Just wanting to get it as "perfect" as I can 

THANX!

[Tiger-Heli]

Most of this is more advanced than I am, but anyway .  . .

>1) I'm not a big fan of the Atari logo for the bios boot screen.. Would love to find >the Neo Geo boot screen..?  Anybody know how to get a screenshot of it?

Errmm, can't you just start a Neo-Geo game in MAME and either hit F12, or PrintScreen and then paste into Irfanview?  And/or maybe this and convert it to the format you need.

>2) The MAME Win98 boot screens just SCREAM Win98 to me..  Any suggestions >for improvements?  Would love to have one that looks like a screen initialization >or something..  Maybe a rom check..  Any thoughts/links?

What is a MAME Win98 boot screen???  Mame itself doesn't boot in Win98??? Lost!

>3) Same with the shutdown screen..  Can I just make a black bitmap into a >logos.sys file?

I think so. . .
 
>4) Screensaver..  I really don't like the 'snapshot' type of screen saver.  >Currently, i've got the system running the "arcade84.mpg" movie which i REALLY >like, but was looking for alternatives.  My preference would be to run through a >bunch of attract modes..  But the preview videos aren't good enough quality..  >Is there a way to make MAMEWAH start up a random game?  Or maybe start up >a game from a list of games so it shows some cool attract modes?

EmuLoader can do this, but I'm sure it's to windowsy for you.  I think Ciro (EmuLoader) was thinking of releasing this as a standalone screensaver, you might ask on the forum, or maybe Minwah can "borrow" Ciro's code for doing this?

[jfunk]

Heh.  Sorry for being too non-specific..  I downloaded the Unofficial MAME Desktop Theme v3.5 from

http://members.aol.com/adamica/arcade_emulation.html

And used the logo.sys, logos.sys, and logow.sys files.  That's what I meant by the "MAME Win98 boot screen"..  But, like I said, it just screams Win98 to me..  I really like it, but it's not 'exactly' what I'm wanting    I'm not good with computer graphics, so was hoping someone else had done a little of the leg work on this one 

As for the Neo Geo start up screen..  I hadn't thought about doing a screen capture, but would that even work?  It opens everything at a different resolution in basically a 'dos-type' window, right?  I'll give it a shot.  I was hoping there was some key I didn't know about in MAME to save screen caps...

I'll check into EmuLoader.  thnx!

[Tiger-Heli]

As for the Neo Geo start up screen..  I hadn't thought about doing a screen capture, but would that even work?  It opens everything at a different resolution in basically a 'dos-type' window, right?  I'll give it a shot.  I was hoping there was some key I didn't know about in MAME to save screen caps...

Not real familiar with this, but I assume you just replaced the motherboard logo with an Atari logo image.  As I said, you could either use the linked image, F12 a screenshot, or press PrintScreen and paste into Irfanview.  Then you could use IrfanView to scale the image, if required.

[jfunk]

Yup.  I just opened it up in a 'windowed' view of mame, print-screened it, and resized it with Paint Shop Pro...  Unfortunately, when converted to a .usr file, the image size can only be 4k..  So I might really have to scale it down..  But at least now I have something working 

And I apologize, but I TOTALLY missed the link in your first post.. *Sigh*  That might work as well.    Options, options 

Now if I can just get those logo.sys files where I want 'em 

THANX!

[Tiger-Heli]

And I apologize, but I TOTALLY missed the link in your first post.. *Sigh*  That might work as well.    Options, options 

And I went to all the trouble to put it in RED!!!   

[jfunk]

SORRY!   

[Chris]

You can use the logo.sys and logow.sys I created when I used Win98 at http://webpages.charter.net/celamantia/mamecab/logo.sys and  http://webpages.charter.net/celamantia/mamecab/logow.sys.  I've attached what they look like.

--Chris

[jfunk]

They look great!  Definitely going to give them a try!  I especially like the shutdown screen..  HOWEVER, it (shutdown) seems to be a dead link?  (404 Not Found...)

Thanx!

[Chris]

HOWEVER, it (shutdown) seems to be a dead link?

[jfunk]

Great!  Can't wait to try it out tonight!!

THANX!

[jfunk]

Well, I'm really liking the startup screen, Chris.  I'll probably keep it..  The shutdown screen isn't working for some reason, though..  I just get a blank screen (which is better than it was, but I was looking forward to 'Game Over...)  Any thoughts?  If not, it's ok as is 

I can't get my neo geo bios boot screen to work, either.  Just loads a blank screen.  The atari one works great.  Wonder if it has to be a certain color pallet?  I'll have to look into it further..

Anyways, thanx for all the help!  Always looking for more ideas to un-Window-ify my cab 

Thanx!

[Howard_Casto]

Depending upon your hardware setup, you may never see the shutdown screen in 98 (or any version of windows for that matter).  It is just there in case you might.  The game over screen replaces the "it is now ok to shutdown your computer" screen, which is usually bypassed if your computer shuts down automatically.

[Rocky]

I don't remember where I got these, but here are several Win98 screens to choose from.


http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeo9kbu/logosys.zip

[Minwah]

4) Screensaver..

[jfunk]

Rocky, those bmps are EXACTLY the kind of things I was looking for!  THANX!

Minwah, thanx for the link.  Playing with the screen saver, it seems pretty darn good 

THANX, ALL!

One other question, is there a way to make MAMEWAH ignore the escape key in the frontend?  Since it's my shell, escaping can cause issues..  I'm about to look through the ini docs, but just thought I'd ask, too 

THANX!

[DrewKaree]

How did you override the default BIOS screen?

MANY people have asked this question.  If you can answer it here, we can always point them to your solution or try to work it out for others using your theories.

[jfunk]

First off, thanx everybody!!!  The screens Rocky provided are PERFECT!  Think I'm gonna go with more of a Taito theme..    The Taito logo will replace the Atari logo for the BIOS boot screen, and the "Don't Do Drugs" warning will replace the Win98 logo.sys    (It'll be a big brother "reminder" to my little bro and his college roommates..  He'll probably find it annoying, but _I_ think it's hilarious 

Also figured out how disable the escape key, so whoohoo!

Drew, the bios boot screen on my computer was pretty easy to replace..  I've got an Intel SE440BX-2 MoBo.  I figured it would work since it had the "Intel Motherboard" logo over the bootup stuff by default..  From there, it was just a matter of web research    I found a utility to convert 16 color bmps to .usr files.  The file can only be 4k after conversion    (I have the utility if anyone is interested.  Seem to have lost the link    )  Then I grabbed the latest bios update for the motherboard which contained the iflash program that flashes bios updates and user areas.  Finding the files was the most difficult part.  I figure most mobos should have the option, though, since they let 3rd parties add their logos (dell, etc)...  Anyways, that's what I did.  Hope it helps somebody..

Thanx!

[_) (V) (-)]

I know this is an ancient thread I am resurection but....

Is there any chance Jfunk (or anybody else) still has any of this stuff?

Most of the links are now dead 
 (I was hoping to peek at Rockys collection of windows boot screens and Minwahs screen saver)

Also, I am using that exact same mobo, would like to edit that ugly ass Intel logo out of it if possiable.  Have googled the net a couple times and most info I could find claims Award bios's are not editable.



Anyone else have any luck with it?

[jfunk]

Wow.  Brings back memories.  The start of this thread was one of my very first posts! 

Anyways, SURPRISINGLY, I still have all of the files I used to overwrite the Intel boot logo.  Not surprisingly, I didn't document the process, so...   Meh.  And most unfortunately, I don't even have that computer any more.  It's in my little brother's arcade cabinet.  4 hours away.  *sigh*

Anyways, Cyko, I'll pm you where you can dl the files.  I believe you'll want to use the splash07.exe to create the splash screen and then the iflash.exe to load it to your bios.  HOWEVER, I'm not sure on that.  There are some readme's and such in there that may help.  I may also have another link that may help, if I can find it.  Let me know if you can't figure this out.  It's not trivial, but it's not impossible, either.

DISCLAIMER:  I didn't write this software.  Just because _I_ used it successfully doesn't mean everyone will.  Messing with your BIOS _can_ be a big deal.  Be careful.

As far as the other stuff, since I don't use Win98 anymore (my cab is XP), I haven't had to find any logo screens or anything    I made my little brother's the "say no to drugs" splash screen from the arcades    Heh 

Anyways, expect a PM shortly 

[gonzo90017]

I'd be interested too, if it's not too much trouble.

[jfunk]

PM sent 

You guys be sure to let me know if this stuff works for you!

[Encryptor]

I too am very interested in this!

[jfunk]

I too am very interested in this!

Sent.

[david656]

im intrested toooo im on win 98 se does that make matters worse or better?

[Tiger-Heli]

im intrested toooo im on win 98 se does that make matters worse or better?

Better  (Probably doesn't matter for this, but overall . . . )

[david656]

umm im intrested could i please get a nice email telling what to do to get a nice shut down screen and where to get these nice screens?

[jfunk]

umm im intrested could i please get a nice email telling what to do to get a nice shut down screen and where to get these nice screens?

There are lots of threads about setting up win98 and even a wiki entry, I believe.  I'm doubting you'll get someone to email you nice step-by-step instructions.  Typically, you'll find that the forum members are more likely to help those that help themselves a bit.

Also, this thread has actually veered more towards overwriting the BIOS boot screen on a particular subset of Intel motherboards..  If you have the Intel mobo listed above, I'll be happy to provide the files.  Unfortunately, I no longer have that computer and do not have any step-by-step instructions.  However, I've been notified that the software DOES work for others besides myself 

Thanx!

[_) (V) (-)]

Many Thanks to Jfunk as these programs did work OK for me!
Also props for your good 're-memory'

Here is all I can add about this proceedure...
The bootscreen image I made displays a lot smaller (about 1/4 of the total screen area) than the OEM image, and I was limited to only 16 colors.
It's still better than the ugly intel PII logo.

Might just be the smug satisfaction of 'stickin it to tha man!' but I'll take it.