Me, The iPod & The IPAC

So last night was one of those nights I decided there was going to be no TV. I would clean,read,surf the net,whatever...just not watch TV. So once I got home I cleaned my dogs kennel,took her for a walk,then went online for a bit. When I was done I went downstairs and gazed at my control panel. I decided enough was enough, I didn't need to wait until my vacation to complete my MAME project. So I took the control panel up to the kitchen (so I could watch the dog) and fired up some tunes on the iPod and away I went. I first had to clean off some of the cherry switches, making sure I could see the hole and run the wire through it. In then installed the remaining cherry switches on the control panel. Slowly but surely I started to wire up all the components. As I did I was sure to label each wire, making sure my commons (ground), buttons, and all directions were clearly visible. I figured this would help speed things up when I was ready to connect the IPAC. I still have to complete player two,but I don't think it will take more then an hour on Sunday. Today (Saturday) there is just far to much other stuff to do. But I must say I'm glad I made some progress. As I mentioned prior I now have my XP computer set up to boot right into MAME. Ive made sure that MAME runs in full screen and the mouse cursor inst visible. Ill need to spend a little time online trying to figure out where my favorites folder vanished to. This is a real sticking point for me! It was so great to have all my favorites "streamlined" and displayed in one location. Ah well more on that as it develops. As always Ive included pictures with my post.

Where O' Where Did My Favorites Go ?

So my favorites folder has just vanished! I don't get it, I don't know why, its just gone. It had been awhile since I was on my XP PC, and awhile since I had used MAME. When I did use it the other day I had a couple of issues. MAME did not see any of my ROMS...in fact it saw nothing. It took me awhile to figure it out,but I did resolve the problem. Earlier in the day I had un-installed several programs from the PC, I also configured the PC so that it would boot up into MAME. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing by doing this I messed a few things up. I was able to re-point (not sure of the term) MAME to all the required folders. It now knew where to look for ROMS, marquees,saves,etc. However the folder I once created with about 200 titles I liked to call "my favorites" was missing. I was able to right click on games and send the to "my favorites" however I CANT FIND THE F**KING FOLDER ! If anyone has any ideas as to what I could do please email me : vibefx@gmail.com

A Small Victory

So I guess its fair to say that in the world of MAME not everything (or anything) goes my way. Some things still remain true to this day, time and dedication seem to escape me with ease. Its not that I'm happy about it, its just what happens.
I had set a personal goal to complete my project for December. But like many of us the holiday season is a busy one, and if time was hard to come by prior...its harder now. So with that realization kicking me in the ass I said I would be done this project for January. I have a nice chunk of time off in December and in many respects very little to do on the MAME project. It really is a shame to let it sit there doing nothing since around September. There are many days when I go home and say "I'm not watching TV today!." It doesn't seem like much,but not hitting the sofa means I get stuff done. All I need is a few days to say, "I'm not watching today today" and make my way downstairs to work on the MAME project.

So where does that leave me ? What has been done ? Whats left ?

Whats been done ?

- Taking some advice I got from the good people over a www.cgcc.ca I was able to get my PC to boot right up into MAME. It was rather simple, take the .exe file from the MAME folder itself and drop it into your start up. When your PC turns on MAME should start right away. To make sure its there type "msconfig" & look under "start up."
This worked like a charm for me! However the PC is a little slow in going into MAME, but not enough to bother me. What I will do is clean up my desktop as it is visible for a few seconds. Make sure no icons remain on the desktop, and perhaps prepare a custom background (desktop image).

- I was able to pick up a 25/27" RCA TV with a s-video input. This is great as it would better resemble what was originally in the cabinet. It also leaves me my 19" for a possible cocktail project in the future. Even a smaller classic style cabinet. The problem however is my computer doesn't have an s-video output. When I tried a "better" video card awhile ago I thought the results were in fact worse then prior.

- I'm now seeking out a new yet old/used PC to run a different build of MAME on. Again thanks to the guys over at www.cgcc.ca I got a few different versions of FASTMAME. From what I was told/read/hear it helps to speed up some games. I know I found most Midway games (Narc/NBA Jam/Mortal Kombat) ran slow using my build of MAME. This could indeed fix that problem! I don't really want to mess with what Ive done on my PC, I'm happy with the set up thus far. However I think having the second PC could be a good idea. If it works better I would simply use it vs. my other machine. I also plan on adding a "better" video card with s-video out to this PC. If it does work better and the video card does what it should I can use it in connection with the RCA TV.

Whats left ?

- Still need to install the last 4 microswitches to joystick number two. Once that's done I can being to wire up the IPAC.

- Once the controls are fully wired Ill need to begin some testing. Just want to make sure everything works how it should before making the move into the arcade cabinet.

- Add monitor supports to the interior of the cabinet. Ive decided I would add my monitor supports to the inside of the cabinet and have the bolts visible on the side. I'm not going to add the expense of side art, so the bolts wont do any harm.

- Once Ive added the monitor supports (and shelf) I can install the monitor and cut the bezel.

- Now I take everything and put it inside, cross my fingers and hope for the best !

Where does that leave me ?

- If I'm lucky it leaves me with a finished product I can begin to use and enjoy on a steady basis. It leaves me with a little know how to help my brother and friend with their MAME projects.

December

DECEMBER ! That is the goal that I have set for myself. My MAME project will be done & playable for the month of December. Its been in the basement collection dust for about 45 days now. I cant say I'm happy about it,but that is the reality. I think part of the problem is that Ive let little things slow me down. Thanks to B1 I got the required cherry switches that I needed. But with that came the issue that I was lacking quick connects, it was suggested that from a repair stand point they would be ideal. The Source (Radio Shack) sells them,but they are slightly costly. Plus they come in mixed packaging, %50 of the contents I have no use for. Now I just figure I will attach the wire as I planned and for safety reasons use some
electrical tape to cover the connections. What good is this project if I'm not using it ? I guess sometimes despite our best efforts we are creatures of habit. And be it time with the wife,the dog,family,friends,etc etc there isn't always time for projects. I'm sure most of the guys over @ CGCC find that to be the case ! For me the "better haplh" doesn't always feel its the best use of my time. Then there are the nights where I'm tired,etc. The point being.....sometimes despite our best efforts things don't always pan out the way we plan them.

With that being said I decided to give myself a deadline. I thought to myself if I set a firm date it would give me something to strive towards. That onto itself could be the motivation I need. I have most of the elements ready to go, I know (mostly) how I want to finish off the cabinet. Really to date the sticking point has been adding on the remaining cherry switches and wiring the joysticks/buttons to the IPAC.

I think once the buttons/joysticks are wired up the testing wont take more then a day or so. Just a few bugs I need to work out and perhaps a couple of adjustments to MAME itself. The monitor itself could be a bit of a challenge. I have some wood to mount supports and will need to cut a bezel out of cardboard. I think to get the monitor at a good height could be an issue. I'm thinking simply to make a shelf, then from there I can tilt the monitor,etc.

I wont get into detail now as I will details the steps on my blog as I have been doing. I guess I really just wanted to point out the December is D-Day ! Ive got to be done for Dec.

Inspired

Forgive me as this post might be a lil......well.....um.......all over the place.
Time isn't in abundance as of late, people these days seem to live busier lifestyles. For myself that couldn't be more true. A lady at work pointed something out to me that your days will naturally follow a path. For example, if I go to work for my shift which is 7am til 3:30pm I will get a ton of stuff done on any given day. When my shift is over I'm full of energy and I have plenty of hours before bed. If I go to work for the shift my lazy ass likes, 10am - 6:30 pm I do nothing. If on a Saturday or Sunday I decided I'm going to hit the couch........lets just say its hard to break the cycle.

On Saturday night I was watching TLC's Trading Spaces and one of the projects the designer did was a coupon book for the owner of the other house. It had coupons pertaining to a relationship she was trying to spark.

I have decided I need a coupon book like this to make use of my toys! Its not everyday the wifey will rock out a set with me on Rock Band. Even getting in a game of Bust-A-Move (her favorite) inst easy! With the help of this trusted little companion it might help me to play with some of my stuff. You know a coupon for a game or two of Foosball,etc.

My brother now has the bug for coin-op collecting,but I don't know how often he would swing by to play a few games,etc. Sadly many of my friends don't share the in the interest at all. Some of the ones that do don't drive (I know lame for 25+) or simply don't have time. In part I'm hoping when my basement is complete these "investments" will see some major use.

I will point out that even with minor use I am still happy with my purchases. Even over and above the fact that, "yes, they look cool." I have realized its not about the quantity of play that matters so much as it is the quality. I don't need to use something everyday for it to be valuable. Something I preach to the people at work who think I'm stupid for having an extensive and expensive sneaker collection. They are dumbfounded that I wear less then %50 of the collection.

Anyway rant aside, today was a me day. The wife and I played a set of Rock Band, I went downstairs fired up the Neo-Geo and played a few games of Bust-A-Move and some King of Fighters. I felt inspired to really move forward (again) with my MAME project.

I'm still hunting for a larger monitor,but until I find one am sticking with my 19".I have the wood I need to install the monitor supports. When the wiring is complete that will be the next project. I've asked my brothers (both electricians) if they can get me the quick disconnects, but I will still source out a electronics supply store on my own. Once in my possession I feel I can wire up the IPAC quickly and resume/complete my testing.

Again thanks to the guys at CGCC I was told one way to possibly get my machine to boot right up into MAME. Ive put it off for the simple reason that the computer is still in use for other reasons as of now. However rest assured when the testing is complete that will be the 1st thing I try.

As always I will post my pictures, progress, and whatever else I do for anyone to check out. I'm really enjoying the project and think my brother will end up doing something similar with his Showcase cabinet.

Off Pause

The idea is to get this MAME project back on track this weekend. Its stalled for long enough but now the cold weather is here! At a minimum id like to get the cherry switches installed, which in reality is no more then 20 minutes. If time is available id like to wire up the IPAC,but ill be happy to simply install the switches.

You've Got Mail !

Cherry switches are in! Thank gosh! I'm so excited!
(I know that sounds lame.)

B1 one of the good folks @ www.cgcc.ca has sent me along the cherry switches I needed to complete my arcade controls. The long weekend that just passed left me rather busy, but Id like to think this week I will get working on them. I don't expect it to take much time. Once the controls are wired to the IPAC I can begin to test them with MAME.

A little more computer configuration is needed, it would be ideal if I could get the machine to boot up right into MAME. Id like to hide the windows environment as best I can.