Looking for Mame Version Advice Based on My Hardware and Gamelist

[hsr]

Hello,

Hoping someone will recommend a Mame version to run on the hardware that I have available.

I’ve used the search function, read the sticky’s here and FAQ at Mame.net.  My questions are a little more specific than the posts I found.

Recently, I acquired a used PC lot from a business that was upgrading.  The systems have the following specifications (have multiples of each):

P3 1G/133
128MB/133
20GB

P3 866/133
128MB/133
15GB

P3 733/133
128MB/100
10GB

They all have on board video and sound.  There are only PCI slots available.

Because of the PCI only slots, I’m suspecting Window’s (most likely stripped 98) will be the OS as DOS likes ISA for sound.

I currently have two mini (70%) cabinets.  One is a Multi-William’s that is setup right now with the PC version of William’s Arcade Classics on a P1 166.  The games run fine on there, but Robotron (which is my favorite and gets the most play time) gets too fast becasue it also has the pre-Mame 0.96 speed up issues.  Plan for that machine would be to load the questioned/suggested version of Mame (0.96+) with the fixed Robotron and only the other typical William’s Multi games Defender, Stargate, Joust, Sinistar and Bubble’s.

Question 1.  Are any of the P3’s listed above capable of running the specified game list at full speed in 0.96+ on a W98 operating system and a compatible front end without any issues?

Question 2.  What version of Mame (0.96, 0.110 or somewhere in between)?

Other cabinet is a 70% Galaga.  Hardware is P1 233MMX running Vantage 1.12, but I’ve never been able to solve the issues I have with some of the games.  So, a change was planned.  I have a full rom set for Mame 0.55.  The new load on this cabinet would be anything available in 0.55 that is vertical and will work with the single 8-way joystick and 2 buttons available its control panel.  I never played any post 1990 arcade game and didn’t want to require hardware just in case.

Question 3.  Are any of P3’s listed above capable of running Mame 0.55 at full speed on a W98 operating system and a compatible front end without any issues?

Question 4.  Should I be using a different OS instead?  If yes, what/why?

Thanks in advance,

[Tiger-Heli]

Recently, I acquired a used PC lot from a business that was upgrading.  The systems have the following specifications (have multiples of each):

Not following your nomenclature.  I'm ASSuMEing

P3 1G/133
128MB/133
20GB

Means 1G CPU speed, 133 FSB, 128M Ram, 133 Memory Bus, 20GB HD.  If so, would it be possible to steal RAM from the other systems to get say 384M of RAM on there.

>Question 1.  Are any of the P3’s listed above capable of running the specified game list at full speed in 0.96+ on a >W98 operating system and a compatible front end without any issues?

I think any of them would.  The 1G will obviously be better as that seems to be the only difference.

>Question 2.  What version of Mame (0.96, 0.110 or somewhere in between)?

If you want to use the artwork, whichever one first added the new artwork (bezel code).  If you don't want to, whenever they got the Robotron code fixed.  MAWS should be able to tell you that.

>Question 3.  Are any of P3’s listed above capable of running Mame 0.55 at full speed on a W98 operating system >and a compatible front end without any issues?

If you are still talking pre-1990, than again, I would think any of them would.  I don't play fighters though, so can't really speak to them.

>Question 4.  Should I be using a different OS instead?  If yes, what/why?

I prefer XP with services disabled, but . . . I wouldn't recommend it with less than 256M of RAM, and Win98 is stable enough for a MAME cab.

[loadman]

and Win98 is stable enough for a MAME cab

Use win98se (second (not special) edition) if you can get it.

Steer clear of Win ME (super Yuck)

[hsr]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Tiger,

Yes, that is what I meant in terms to the system specifications.  I have enough of these systems to pull the ram from others.  I think you mean to get up to 384mb for XP.  I read the Nlite XP thread.  Spystyle has 98 running in less than 15mb.

Just looked at MAWS for the first time.  That's pretty cool.  Quick search shows 0.23 for Robotron and 0.30 for Yellow label.  I'll need to look further.

Loadman,

I do have a full Win98SE disc.

Thanks again gents,

[Tiger-Heli]

Win98SE is Windows 98 Second Edition, not Special Edition, although all M$oft OS's are somewhat in the Special Category, if you ask me.

>I think you mean to get up to 384mb for XP.  I read the Nlite XP thread.  Spystyle has 98 running in less than >15mb.

Correct, 98 will be okay with 128M, WinXP (generally) will be okay with 256 but more is better.

[Tiger-Heli]

Also, see http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.html