Best OS for MAME

[USSEnterprise]

I'm setting up a dedicated MAME system. I have to chose from Win98 or DOS 8.0. Which is better to use. Since the PC i will use is relatively slow, I was thinking DOS since it uses less CPU. any help?

[elvis]

What are the make/model of the board/cpu/video-card you'll be using?

Hardware support is the best dictator of choice of OS, followed closely by performance.  For instance: there's no point putting DOS on a modern Via or SiS chipset because the DMA/IDE support will be horrid.

[USSEnterprise]

CPU: 300MHz Pentium II
Board: Some type of Intel Chipset
RAM: 64MB
Video: Integrated AGP Cirrus Logic with 2MB VRAM
Sound: Soundblaster 16 ISA

I only intend to use it for things like Pac-man and other old games.

[JoyMonkey]

I'd definitely go with DOS for that PC. And an older version of Mame (nothing newer than 0.55).

[USSEnterprise]

thanks. It is rather slow. It was the first computer I ever bought, used in 2001, for $120. I cant believe I paid that much.

[youki]

Yes, same thing. DOS and an old  version of dmame or Advmame.  Did you plan to use it on an arcade monitor?

If yes,  check if ArcMon.sys driver works with your graphic card. (it should). And for a best resolution rendering AdvMame. (more difficult to configure, but very good result)

I'd suggest you use FreeDOS , if you don't own MS DOS license.

[USSEnterprise]

I was planning on using FreeDOS. I am using a 21" VGA monitor I had lying around, so no problem with an arcade monitor

[Havok]

Actually, considering the specs, Win 98 would be fine - I have my daughters pc I setup that is a PII 400 running Windows ME, and that takes more horsepower, but runs just fine. I would say that if you need USB support, go with Windows 98.

I have even setup Pentium 200 machines (not even a PII) with windows 98 and they're great for basic stuff. I would go with Windows, you will have way more options with hardware and front ends.

[USSEnterprise]

I had had the PC running XP Pro when it had more RAM, but I want more of my resources to MAME, so I'll try WIN98. I dont have a copy of Millenium, plus ME has the reputation of being one of the most unstable versions of windows ever.

[Havok]

I have used ME since it was released, and reliabilty is not a problem. I have worked with every MS O/S since DOS 3.31. (Showing my age there!) The one thing that is really nice about ME is that it has system restore, which is why I used it for my daughter. She has had the same build running on her system for three years - no crashes or reloads.

However, considering your specs, 98 is a good choice for speed. Just make sure to use an older version of Mame, and run Clrmame pro on the ROMS, if they don't match the version of Mame you load.

[Lilwolf]

ME has all the incompatibilities of NT4 and 2000 without any of the advantages.

Really its fine until its not.

[elvis]

CPU: 300MHz Pentium II
Board: Some type of Intel Chipset
RAM: 64MB
Video: Integrated AGP Cirrus Logic with 2MB VRAM
Sound: Soundblaster 16 ISA

I only intend to use it for things like Pac-man and other old games.

DOS will run fine on that.  Anything Intel-chipset based, and using a BX chipset or eariler (including the HX, VX, LX and FX chipets before it, as well as any 486 and eariler chipset) will have no dramas with pure DOS.  A PII-300 will be a Klamath or Deschutes core on either BX or LX hardware.

I'd be looking at an old ~0.53-ish version of MAME (before all the alpha-blending code was added) to keep it nice and fast.

Either that, or vantage:
http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/vantage.html

Although vantage supports fewer games, and purists tell me the emulation isn't as accurate in many games.

[elvis]

But  the real answer.

The BEST OS is a FREE OS.

Amen to that! 

FreeDOS:
http://freedos.sourceforge.net/

Debian GNU/Linux:
http://www.debian.org/

Both are truly free (free from cost, free from restriction, freely modifyable, and freely distributable).

FreeDOS is a great option for DOS users, as it adds FAT32 and UDMA support, meaning you can chuck a UDMA 40GB drive in that old DOS box and not be limited to 2GB like in the FAT16 days, as well as get full speed out of it.

[USSEnterprise]

I'll probably go with FreeDOS. I have some experience with Linux, but not enough to set it up on my MAME. I at least know the DOS commands. I know nothing in Unix

[USSEnterprise]

How do you download FreeDOS? It took me to a bunch of ftp sites that didn't let me do anything

[elvis]

Download this (10.9MB):
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/distributions/beta9sr1/fdbootcd.iso

Burn it to a CD using a program like Nero Burning ROM, Alcohol 120% or some other CD-Burning program.  Make sure you select "burn CD image" and don't just drag and drop the file onto a blank CD, otherwise the directory structure INSIDE the iso file won't be burned to the disk.

Once done, boot from the newly created CD and install the OS.  Simple as that.

[USSEnterprise]

I've decided that I'm gonna go with a GUI system, using Ubuntu Linux. I'll see how it works out. Just what is the name of the MAME software that can be used on this?

[D10]

Xmame

[USSEnterprise]

I'm having a problem with Ubuntu. Its telling me that it cannot start the GUI because there's something wrong with "x-server." I'm using Ubuntu 4.10, "Warty Warthog"