Adventures in MAME land

Post by **gannon** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:53 pm

Doesn't look bad, and I am tiring from linux quickly

The general outline of getting a nice single purpose box up and running in linux isn't too bad though.
A summary of my general config at the moment:

Code: Select all

/etc/inittab
1:2345:respawn:/sbin/mingetty --autologin mame tty1
or 
1:2345:respawn:/sbin/getty /usr/bin/autologin tty1

/usr/bin/autologin
#!/bin/sh
/bin/login -f mame

~/.bashrc
exec startx

~/.xinitrc
exec gxmame

/etc/rc*.d/
remove links as wanted

arfink · Post by **arfink** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:17 pm

Well, if you are interested in using Linux i could give you some pointers. I have been using Linux for quite a while now, and it sounds like you're making things unnecessarily hard for yourself by booting into the command prompt, especially if this is your first time using Linux. I would recomend using Ubuntu or something like that, and then after everything is all set up (packages, etc.) you could change your GRUB loader into command prompt and make things a heck of a lot easier.

Post by **gannon** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:20 pm

ROFL
No, I've been using linux for around 7 years now

arfink · Post by **arfink** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:28 pm

oops, my bad. One thing I did a few years ago was to use DOS (installed off a win 98 se disk, there are lots of tutorials out there) and Dos MAME and a fronted called Arcade OS. It's a little dated, but you can run it without a mouse or keyboard. All you need is the arcade controls, PERIOD. It also "wraps" all your keyboard inputs so that it can manipulate other emulators or DOS programs that don't normally let you re-assign keys.

Post by **gannon** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:07 pm

Well, was finally able to get a circular saw, albeit not a very good one. It's a bit of a step up from the jigsaw. Contemplated starting over from scratch, but decided to just redo the worst sides and had fun filing/sanding the rest

Here's the top almost fully assembled. So far I'm up in the air what to do next. I can either build a base for this unit, or spend the next few days taking a go at another cab top unit (doubt I could get anyone to buy the crappier of the 2 off me though

), or even just screw the bottom fully and finish with the top (not a very good plan since I have a full mdf board and some scrap left over though

)

Found this at a relatives house yesterday (they were planning on tossing it), not a horrible little backlit picture frame, think it might go good in the room with my MAME and pinball machine

Post by **gannon** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:24 pm

Spent most of today so far doing software again (this time in windows).
Thinking I may use a circuit like this to let me have everything turn on just by pressing the pc power button. I could just tie the green ATX wire to ground and use the powerstrip switch for everything, but then when I shutdown the PC it would (or should) restart.

(whoops, seems I forgot to add the base resistor to the transistor in the schematic

)

Edit:
Powerstrip all built now...kinda wondering how dangerous it might be

Seems the extra line on the ATX was forcing the psu to always be on, so I moved over to just using a 4 pin power jack (easier, not sure why I didn't think of it before, could get away without the switching transistor even if I wanted

)

Post by **gannon** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:25 pm

Cut a bit more wood and attached one of the pieces. Countersunk all the screws and patched up some gaps in the wood (brought it inside to help dry). Also attached the marquee light and 2 of the 5 speakers that will be in it

Negative_Creep · Post by **Negative_Creep** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:12 am

jeroen wrote:Stil amazes me how handsome you are for a geek. (in a non gay way, no offense gay people)! Cool project. But how about buying a nintendo vs board for 30 bucks (I know places that sell them for that cheap) and have a "real" arcade machine?

Lol yea, we managed to actually get a few chicks here, then amazingly we get handsome guys (like me lololololololo), but in all seriousness, there is such thing as a handsome geek (omg)

as for on-topic, your arcade machine looks swell. I wish I had one

Post by **gannon** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:51 pm

Mounted the monitor, speakers, computer, and wires today. The powerstrip I made is nice, the second I turn the PC on everything else turns on.

Things to do still:
Build circuit to send pulse to the speaker system on startup
Sand exterior
Paint
Attach marquee
Buy/paint/attach monitor bezel
Build bottom? (not sure if I will yet, might just keep it on a desk until my next break)

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:00 am

That monitor seems awfully small...

And as for hot geeks, it's quite simple really. Geeks don't choose to be geeks, just like gays don't choose to be gays. Simple really, some gays are hot, some are ugly. Same goes for just about any group of people.

khaag · Post by **khaag** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:48 am

That thing is looking sweet gannon. You know what else is sweet? Your currnt post count.

Post by **gannon** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:57 pm

Kurt_ wrote:That monitor seems awfully small...

It's a 17" CRT. It's not bad, especially when right up there playing. A bit dwarfed by the cabinet size though

I might be able to fit up to a 20" CRT, but don't have one and it'd be tight. I'd definitely love to invest in a 28" arcade monitor if I ever decide to build a bigger cabinet though.

Post by **gannon** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:07 pm

Alas, I am now sick (well, was for the past few days, just getting worse), so work has slowed down a bit. Should still have it all done before I bring it back to college, just won't have as much time for other things I was hoping to do.
Tested out the surround sound system today, sounds great and the bass adds some fun to the games.
Decided to build the base today. Not sure if I'll use it in my room or not yet, but I have enough wood left for it and more (maybe some shelves in it or something)

And just about done. Gonna pick up some hinges and (maybe) a magnetic latch for making a front door. Also gonna add a base and maybe some shelves.

Costs so far:
Wood:
3/4"x4'x8' MDF board x2 : $50
1/8"x4'x8' Peg board x1 : $6.50
3"x2"x8' Lumber x5 : $9.50

Cabinet Hardware/Misc:
Wood Filler x1 : $2
3/4"x25' T-Molding x1 : $10
10' Marquee Retainer x1 : $13.50
3" Screws x1 : $6
L Bracket x4 : $3.50
Cabinet Grips x2 : $5.50 (for lifting)

Marquee:
18" Florescent Light x1 : $7
Marquee x1 : $15
20"x8" Lexan x2 : $10

Misc:
5.1 Speaker System x1 : $40
X-Arcade controller x1 : $100 (refurbished)
12A 120V Relay x1 : $4

Safety Gear:
Goggles x1 : $2

Looking at it all I can say ouch (buying most of it separately just gave lots of small bills

)

Post by **gannon** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:32 pm

Well, went out to the store finally to pick up some more parts.
Mounted a door on the base, attached bolts to the base for mounting the top on it, and um...sanded a bit

Alas, it seems since I built the base and top separately, they don't line up perfectly. Did my best to get a good average though, and think it'll look fine (especially if I attach the T striping)

johnbjuice · Post by **johnbjuice** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:15 am

Hm. He looked so familiar...

- Juice