I'm an idiot. Can I still build it?

[topalwaysdown]

Hi,

I'm a good carpenter.  I won't have any problems putting together the cabinet.  I'm also an electronics technician.  Connecting all the buttons, joysticks and keyboard interfaces won't be a problem.

The problem is the software. 

I just spent an hour trying to figure out how to download MAME and a front end, and I couldn't do it. 

I'm not computer illiterate.  I use a computer every day for work.  Granted, I rarely have to install programs at work, but when the directions told me to go to a command line prompt and enter C\program files\mame0101b  mame -      I understood what to do.



So, why can't I simply make this work? 

I downloaded a couple different MAME versions 101 and 67b for windows.  I also downloaded a front end from here:

http://www.mameworld.net/mameclassic/


When I tried to run the front end program, it gets to a menu where none of the file locations are found, even when I told it to use the defaults.

When I tried to run mame101 from the command line, it won't run without a ROM installed.  I tried to find a ROM for good old fashioned space invaders, but when I googled "ROM space invaders" I couldn't find what I was looking for.

Maybe I should find another hobby instead?  I'm 36 years old, it's possible that I just don't know enough about what I'm doing here. 

Frustratingly,

Steve

[Bones]

Maybe you should grab mame32 to get you going and as you become more familiar with how it all works the next steps will be easier.

[mccoy178]

Trust me brother, been there done that.   It will take hours to learn how to tie your shoes, but once you do, it all kinda falls into place.  In that, I mean it will still be tough to add things, but it builds on itself.  Learning how to use Mame and a frontend in conjunction(mamewah is my suggestion), will be the hardest part, the rest is just obsession.  But seriously, I could build a house if I had to, and this thing took the cake as far as time is concerned.  Just keep looking and paying attention, and the rest will start to fall into place.

[markrvp]

I agree with BB, get Mame32 to begin with.  It has a built-in front end that works very well.

Download Mame32 Zip.

Create a Mame32 Folder on your C: drive.

Unzip the Mame32.zip file into that folder.

Move your Rom files into the roms folder inside the Mame32 folder.

Go to the official Mame32 site and use the settings they have outlined there (with the note that if video looks weird de-select "Use Direct3D"

Double click the Mame32.exe and then double-click any game title you have a ROM for and have fun playing!

[Hippo]

I agree Mame32 from here http://www.classicgaming.com/mame32qa/ is the easiest way to get into mame. Take this from someone who has only just got into it!

Roms can be found from google, also ebay sales of rom dvds come up now and again, but Im not sure that entirely legal 

[Tiger-Heli]

What everyone else said, but your biggest problem right now, is that MAME will not do anything without the ROM files, which are (for the most part) copyrighted and not readily available.

Unfortunately, it's a no-no to ask for ROMs on this forum (to keep it out of trouble), but to start with, download the free and legal roms from: http://www.mame.net/downmisc.html

I seriously don't recommend iRoms (past actions of the provider) or Ebay people profiting for ignorance and quasi-illegal status of the item.

There are other sources, probably the best being newsgroups, rom burners, or www.starroms.com (which sells legally authorized versions of Atari roms).

MODS:  I think this post was okay as far as what can be said on the board, but let me know if I need to revise it.

[topalwaysdown]

Thanks to all! 

Admittedly, it was the end of a long week.  I wasn't in the best of moods as I tried to figure all that out. 

I just downloaded MAME32, and it seems to be working.   

I also went out and bought Saint's book. 

Thanks again.  Was a great feeling to see so many good answers to the post I put up last night. 

[dennis808]

I'm a good carpenter.  I won't have any problems putting together the cabinet.  I'm also an electronics technician.

If you start building your project, PLEASE take lot's of pictures of the process, a lot of people will learn from an expert at woodworking and electrics. And more people here know about computers than carpenting

[Mark70]

I also went out and bought Saint's book.

[RayB]

I seriously don't recommend iRoms (past actions of the provider) or Ebay people profiting for ignorance and quasi-illegal status of the item.

www.iroms.com  is not a "real" site.

Whatchoo talkin bout Willis? (yes I know of Foley's PLANS, but you speak of iRoms as if it exists. Does it? If so, where is the site?)

[Tiger-Heli]

Whatchoo talkin bout Willis? (yes I know of Foley's PLANS, but you speak of iRoms as if it exists. Does it? If so, where is the site?)

Not that I know of and I seriously hope not.  I think it was mentioned in a similar thread and I was just trying to not recommend it.