FE Recommendation

[jrj8541]

Howdy,

I finally got everything up and running, so I its time to find some software.

I am looking for a FE that I can use without having to use Windows.  I have a blank Hard drive and don't want to buy an OS, so I was hoping someone could recommend a FE that:

1. Loads directly on startup (ie no windows screens, and no commands to get it started)
2. Is easy to setup and use
3. Has a GUI
4. Has an older look to it (the MAME cab will be running all the classics) and doesn't look like Windows

Any help would be much appreciated.

James

[miles2912]

I am looking for a FE that I can use without having to use Windows.  I have a blank Hard drive and don't want to buy an OS, so I was hoping someone could recommend a FE that:

1. Loads directly on start up (ie no windows screens, and no commands to get it started)
2. Is easy to setup and use
3. Has a GUI
4. Has an older look to it (the MAME cab will be running all the classics) and doesn't look like Windows

You are looking for the holly grail my friend.     The  FE's are not OS's.  They are apps that run on an OS.  You have 3 choices. 

1) Windows.  I would only use XP or 2k for the USB support.  98and ME can be tricky.  But you are looking at cost.  The good thing is that you can hide all the boot screens and go pretty much into a mame front end.  I use mamewah.

2)  DOS.  Talk about retro looks and cheap.  If you don't know DOS then be on the lookout for a learning curve.   You could make your own batch file front end and run all the games from a command line.  Down side is no gui.

3)  Linux.  Cheap + GUI and can look however you want.  Down side it that it is tough to learn for a linux newbie.  Support is scattered at best and then you have to find a loader that works with it.

Honestly for all around ease, Windows XP and auto load your front end.

Don

[youki]

I think you can use  AdvanceMenu  with FreeDos .

It works well.

[loadman]

DOS.  Talk about retro looks and cheap.  If you don't know DOS then be on the lookout for a learning curve.   You could make your own batch file front end and run all the games from a command line.  Down side is no gui.

...also you can find problems finding up to date drivers for your hardware and if you do they may not run well.

[Howard_Casto]

While you CAN use linux or dos, it simply isn't done. 


All your newer emulators only run in windows, not to mention pc games, console emulators ect.....

Also a new machine and dos is just asking for trouble.  Dos is too old and busted to handle newer hardware. 

Dos fe's are also ugly, so if by retro you mean ugly then yeah it's retro.  Gamelauncher is the only good looking one, but it isn't necessarialy retro looking.  Of course with the right font.......

Linux isn't even in the running because of the above and the fact that it actually performs worse than windows in some cases due to the fact that the hardware support isn't always there and even at best, it'll perform just as well as windows running on the same system, only your setup could potentially be 10 times as complicated.  Of course you still have that "ugly fe" problem in linux.  They do have a gamelauncher clone for linux now though, although I honeslty don't know why you'd bother as game launcher runs in windows or dos.


So long story short... quit being so cheap, go ahead and throw xp on there and be happy. 

[daywane]

for what you are looking for.
find a crapy PC
dont even need a hard drive
Joymonkey has a floppy (you can download it from his websight)
boots right to Vantage
you can get 8 ( I think) vantage roms on a floppy)

cool stuff, runs off dos from disk
I never got the sound going. ( I am not DOS smart)
I little work and I think you could get it going
I still plan on it with some of the older PC's I have just to play with and give away.