Arcade Monitor Pro's/Con's

[Tycoonbrad]

I have an old Wizard of Wor cabinet that was converted to a trivia game.  I'd like to MAME it, but I have a few questions.

If I decide to use the Wells/Gardner monitor that came with the cabinet, what are my options using my old PC?  WHat are the Pro's and Cons?  I'll have monitor issues since the WG will be using CGA so that limits my OS and software selection to DOS right?!?  IF I have to use DOS, then how do I transfer the files from CD to the PC.  DOS doesn't recognize partitions after a certain size. let alone recognize sound cards and CDROMS. 

[wpcmame]

Windows: Easy configuration tons of front end (menu selection), but even with ArcadeVGA card, limited resolution outputs.

Powerstrip works in windows with all modern ATI and NVidia cards and there is no (practical) limit on resolutions.

[RayB]

Dude, when it comes to transferring files, just do it all BEFORE hooking up to the arcade monitor. For me that's my LAST step. I am getting everything 100% configured and working to my taste using a PC monitor. Then I will make the switch.

[stratjakt]

Install some sort of networking, and transfer/administrate remotely...

SSH in linux, or turn on Windows' telnet client, or just run PC Anywhere or something like that if all you know is mouse clickin'..

Share your roms folder and "push" them on to the cab from another PC.

That's how I'd do it.

Actually, I'd restore the Wizards of Wor cabinet and leave mame on a computer where it belongs, but that's just me.

[Tycoonbrad]

Some great suggestions as well as links.  I think I might order a cap kit and see if I can get the old monitor to work.  It's worth a shot.

[JabbaTheFart]

just use VNC and access it from your other computer.   TightVNC is a free remote control software package derived from the popular VNC software. With TightVNC, you can see the desktop of a remote machine and control it with your local mouse and keyboard, just like you would do it sitting in the front of that computer. TightVNC is:

http://www.tightvnc.com/

i have a usb wireless nic that i plug in when i do maintance, and access it from my other computer.

[stellarola]

This kind of thread has been beat to death, but I'll stil put in my 2 cents.

Using an arcade monitor is the best, nothing touches it! I have an HDTV with component video going to it, and the arcade monitor still looks better for mame games. BTW, it is worth spending the extra dough on an arcade monitor than using a TV. I'm not rich or anything...there are great deals on eBay as we speak, go check it out!