Xbox mame

xxxeagle · Post by **xxxeagle** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:35 pm

Ok you guys know how i was talking about building a mame befroe well i was wondering if icould build it out of an xbox. Theyre only $150 and they can run linux and i know theres a linux based mame. But do you think it would be easier than using a computer or just a pain in the arse to do.

Post by **gannon** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:39 pm

Well, the xbox only has a 10 gig hdd if I remember right, and it's gonna cost you around $50 for a modchip to install linux onto it. I'd recommend just finding a cheap pc. Around 500mhz should be good.

s3ptic · Post by **s3ptic** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:41 pm

I don't know anything about the linux possibilities, but if you get a modchip installed - as you probally would have to get linux - you can just get the mame emulator for the Xbox. This is really easy, and there are many tutorials. Plus that way you could still play Xbox Games.

xxxeagle · Post by **xxxeagle** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:42 pm

yeah i but i saw gc mame on that gc linux website and gc doesent have a hd so i theought maybe i could but its probably more trouble than its worth so i guess ill just get a cheap pc. The hard thing is finding a case.

xxxeagle · Post by **xxxeagle** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:46 pm

well it would be nice to still play xbox games but im going for the cheapest way possible so im still thining whether or not i should use the computer im geting for christmas(myparents old computer) or the xbox i dont own an xbox but i was gonn a get one if it could run mame and it was cheaper than using a pc

Post by **Sparkfist** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:46 pm

gannon wrote:Well, the xbox only has a 10 gig hdd if I remember right, and it's gonna cost you around $50 for a modchip to install linux onto it. I'd recommend just finding a cheap pc. Around 500mhz should be good.

You dont have to buy a mod chip to have linux on your Xbox, you can do the software install. The deal with linux and mod chips is that linux is the only legal bios for Xbox. You can install a different bios (EvoX) that aloues you to install a wide range of programs, includeing emulators.

xxxeagle · Post by **xxxeagle** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:48 pm

so what do you think is sould go with xbox or a pc im not sure.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:52 pm

Well it up to you. Do you want to buy a $100 console, $50 for mod chip, $XXX for new bigger hard drive and try and find Evox on the inernet? I have an older verison of Evox, and the only places you can find it are news groups and things like Kazaa or E-mule.

xxxeagle · Post by **xxxeagle** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:57 pm

I think ill go with a pc becuase it costs way less to do and less people did it on the xbox so ther ewill be less tutorials

s3ptic · Post by **s3ptic** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 9:06 pm

Yeah if price is your main consern a PC is the best option. Plus it will most likely be easier and quicker, so you can focus on creating a great cabinet.

yalborap · Post by **yalborap** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:11 am

WWW.XBOX-SCENE.COM

WWW.HOW2XBOX.COM

GO THERE. THEY TELL YOU HOW TO GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT. 20 DOLLARS IS ALL IT TAKES TO GET THE XBOX MODDED(free if you already have a memory card.). A LITTLE MORE AND YOU HAVE A HARD DRIVE. THE XBOX IS CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE. IT IS FOOLISH TO GO PC. GO XBOX. GO XBOX. YOU CAN MAKE SHOTGUNS FIRE WRAITH SHOTS IN HALO. GO XBOX.

diggerdanh · Post by **diggerdanh** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:50 am

IT IS FOOLISH TO GO PC.

It is foolish to make such a generalization.

Choosing between using a PC or an X-Box for a MAME platform should be done on a case-by-case basis. For you the choice would apparently be X-Box. For me, the choice would definitely be a PC, though.

Why PC for me: I have 3 unused PCs sitting around here right now that are left-overs from various upgrades that are anything from P2 400 through Athlon 1.2 GHZ. Any of those will run most MAME games well.

Additionally, I don't have an X-box so purchasing one for MAME would require a $150 + tax + modchip investment that I don't have to make if I use a PC that I have already available.

Finally, besides just the platform itself, you need to consider how you are going to interface controls like trackballs, spinners, etc. if you decide you want to go all out with your MAME cabinet. While I'm sure it can be done with the X-Box, there has already been a lot done with PCs over the past few years so you wouldn't have to be a trail-blazer. There are tons of resources and documentation online for PC-based MAME machines and about any question you could ask has been asked before and any problem you run into has been solved.

In fact, I would say that your best bet is to go PC, especially if it is your first time building a MAME cabinet. There are enough how-tos and even books available to lead you step-by-step. After you have built one and know what you are doing then you may consider alternate platforms like X-Box.

BTW, if you are interested in building a MAME cabinet I highly suggest the book: Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine. I recently purchased it and read it cover to cover in less than a week. Excellent. Also, its the same publisher and series as Ben's book.

yalborap · Post by **yalborap** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:21 am

I get your point. But first, MOD CHIP NOT NECESARRY. The second site I linked to has pieloads of info on softmodding an xbox.

Also, if you want the basics, they make plenty of EXCELENT and cheap arcade controllers for xbox.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:58 am

yalborap wrote:I get your point. But first, MOD CHIP NOT NECESARRY. The second site I linked to has copulate of info on softmodding an xbox.

Also, if you want the basics, they make plenty of EXCELENT and cheap arcade controllers for xbox.

If no mod chip then your really just running mame in linux, word to the wise becarful around the update Xbox button. Secondly the Xbox is a wonderful choice but much more work and had some sort comings that a PC doesnt have.

I'd agree that if its your first MAME go with a PC.

scherzo · Post by **scherzo** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:02 am

I, myself, have a modded XBOX with a larger hard drive and many emulators installed, including MAMEoX. But it definitely wasn't a fast, easy, or inexpensive process. If your only intention is to build a MAME cabinet, I'd say go with a PC. The issue of specialty inputs like arcade controls and trackballs is a major reason to go with a PC anyways. There are good USB devices that support real arcade controls. Plus, in the end, you'll spend less.