New MAME arcade project, need it to be idiot and kid-proof...

[KingDiamond]

I have a recreation room in my house and sometimes during the summer I host big parties. I had an old MAME arcade machine that I made in 2002 and I haven't updated the software on it since then. It boots directly into DOS, loads up AdvanceMenu and AdvanceMame, uses a PC monitor and an I-Pac for controls. I'm building a new MAME machine and it is a much nicer and bigger cabinet. It has a Wells Gardner monitor and Jamma interface and it is a working arcade machine. I installed MameWah on it, along with an ArcadeVGA video card, a J-Pac, Windows XP, and the latest version of MAME32 and it works. The problem is that it takes long to load, much longer than the old MAME system I built. This is because of Windows XP needing to boot up. Also there is the issue of turning off the MAME machine with Windows installed. With the old MAME machine anyone could just shut it off with one switch and there would be no issues. If you do the same with a Windows system it can cause errors and run the scandisk and all that stuff.

So I'm looking for advice. What is the best solution for me to make it easy to turn the machine on and off (so an average joe can do it when I have guests over) and for a fast boot up. I looked at the current AdvanceMenu and AdvanceMame DOS and it looks good but according to UltiMarc's instructions there may be problems with AdvanceMAME because it bypasses the video card's refresh rate and resolution abilities or something like that.

If I have to stay with MameWah is there a way to make it shut off windows when you exit the program?

[TAG]

If I have to stay with MameWah is there a way to make it shut off windows when you exit the program?

I believe this can be done by editing the mamewah.ini file.  Just change "exit_action" from "choice" (or whatever it currently says on yours) to "shutdown."

[ahofle]

Modern PCs, when used with XP, will gracefully shut everything down when the power button is pressed.  One option is to extend the power switch in your PC and wire it to a pushbutton.  You can then power the computer on and off with that button (mount it somewhere where it won't accidentally be pressed).  A 'smart strip' can be used to automatically turn off your peripherals (monitor, speakers, marquee light, etc) when the computer shuts down.

Also, look into TinyXP which boots much quicker than a full blown XP install.

[youki]

You can manage to make boot your XP faster than your dos.  You just have to stop all services you don't need , and it will boot very fast.  Mine XP boot to Front End in 11s. On the same machine DOS boot in 15s.

To shutdown the PC, most of front end are able to shutdown it for you when you exit . I'm not sure for mamewah but i think there is an option somewhere.

[jasonbar]

You can manage to make boot your XP faster than your dos.  You just have to stop all services you don't need , and it will boot very fast.

Can you please elaborate on how to do this?

Thank you very much,
-Jason

[TelcoLou]

You can manage to make boot your XP faster than your dos.  You just have to stop all services you don't need , and it will boot very fast.

Can you please elaborate on how to do this?

http://www.blackviper.com/

.. scroll down to "windows services configuration", step-by step directions on how to disable all un-needed services

[Neverending Project]

Can you please elaborate on how to do this?

Also from our very own wiki:
http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Fast_Booting_Windows

[jasonbar]

Oh, *blush*, I already have that wiki page linked...doy!