Making an arcade machine...

[haha49]

ok i have the computer the controllers the tv and all the parts need all set up already the only problem i have is i dont want to have to add a mouse and keyboard and want to play my snes games off the bat i have already setup the controlls and it does work but i would really like to get this thing to boot the emulator and roms and be able to use the controlls to get it to work ie the buttons and the joystick

[DaveW]

So you want it to boot straight up into the emulator without a keyboard or mouse? Tricky.

I can't think of anything but i'm sure a few guys around here can help you out.

-Dave

[Drum Thumper]

Are you going to build a cabinet as well? If so, the easiest way would be to build a stealthed or hidden compartment for the dreaded keyboard and mouse.

If this is going to be an Windows machine, putting your emulator in the startup directory would be the easiest way to get it to boot the emulator on startup as well.

And if I'm understanding the rules correctly, don't talk about where you're getting your emulator or ROMs from--very thin ice in that direction.

Probably not the answer you're looking for, but as I said, it's the easy way to do it.

[DaveW]

And if I'm understanding the rules correctly, don't talk about where you're getting your emulator or ROMs from--very thin ice in that direction.

Ok, this is the loophole that allows us to talk about such mods. Listen closely.

The emulators are not illegal. An emulator is a piece of software which is technically a virtual machine. It simulates memory and processing options of a device. Things like MAME can emulate multiple devices.

However, these software products run on something that the community tends to call ROM's (rather mistakenly) which is basically a software rip from the actual ROM itself. Although it's considered legal to move the software from a real machine to a virtual one, you must own the original ROM for this to be legal.

To anyone who didn't get that: an analogy.

It's ok to talk about building a computer. We assume you didn't steal the parts.
It's ok to talk about installing linux on said computer, because it's open software.

However, if you start talking about installing say, illegal adobe products on it, you get your ass banned. In this case, it's fairly unlikely you own the original ROM's so if you do we want to explicitly hear that to ensure that everything is above board.

Sorry the rules are so sticky on this point, but Paul's running a business here and the last thing he wants is potential clients to look at his site and see events of dubious legality.

-Dave

[.Maleficus.]

ok i have the computer the controllers the tv and all the parts need all set up already the only problem i have is i dont want to have to add a mouse and keyboard and want to play my snes games off the bat i have already setup the controlls and it does work but i would really like to get this thing to boot the emulator and roms and be able to use the controlls to get it to work ie the buttons and the joystick
Holy run-on sentence Batman!

What I got from that: You have a computer, controllers, and tv. You have everything set up (I take it this means it's running Windows, you have you emulator working how you want, etc). You don't want to use a keyboard and mouse to start the emulator? I don't know what this "bat" thing is. You want it to boot them emulator and ROMs and be able to start them with the buttons and joystick?

So this will be a SNES emulator only PC? And you don't want anything else, which is why you want something like an emulator OS, that detects your ROMs and everything? I don't think such a thing exists. You could probably find a way to get your controller to work as a mouse if you really wanted, but I think you would still need a keyboard for some things.

[HackSore]

It can be done, i have been looking into it myself, as when i have the money and space, i would like to undertake the project of making an arcade.

There is a way to get the computer to boot straight into the emulator, and to use the arcade controls to select the game to play, therefor not needing to have a keyboard and mouse connected at all, and hiding the windows os completely.

Im not sure exactly how to do it, as i have only been lightly investigating the subject, but i believe you can use a frontend program called MAMEWAH, which can be operated with the arcade controls.

other then that, search google, as there is a wealth of information on the subject.

Let us know how the project goes, i for one would be very interested in some tips ect on it.

Good luck!

[haha49]

Ok, this is the loophole that allows us to talk about such mods. Listen closely.

The emulators are not illegal. An emulator is a piece of software which is technically a virtual machine. It simulates memory and processing options of a device. Things like MAME can emulate multiple devices.

However, these software products run on something that the community tends to call ROM's (rather mistakenly) which is basically a software rip from the actual ROM itself. Although it's considered legal to move the software from a real machine to a virtual one, you must own the original ROM for this to be legal.

To anyone who didn't get that: an analogy.

It's ok to talk about building a computer. We assume you didn't steal the parts.
It's ok to talk about installing linux on said computer, because it's open software.

However, if you start talking about installing say, illegal adobe products on it, you get your ass banned. In this case, it's fairly unlikely you own the original ROM's so if you do we want to explicitly hear that to ensure that everything is above board.

Sorry the rules are so sticky on this point, but Paul's running a business here and the last thing he wants is potential clients to look at his site and see events of dubious legality.

-Dave


O but i do own a but load of snes and nes games... lets see 1200 all together :banana: 69 gamecube games 592 pc games 8 wii games about 100 atair games all the orginal systems the only problem is my snes power addapter broke off and it was to much of a hassle to fix so i desided to make an arcade system box and all you i just walk up turn it on and play away... :up:

o and all my games are legit... so HA!

dam i spend to much money :neutral: on games that is the irony is i still havent played them all and some i play then get board then stop and forget about them so many games ... i think i should stop buying them:D

[nil8]

Rule of thumb: Don't talk about the games. Simple to understand.
I didn't know that about emulation. Good to know.

Set up an autologin. Windows help can show you how. If you want to do it the hard way, I have the reghack handy.

From your autologin, put your emulator in startup, like mentioned before.
Make sure your controller can be used to navigate your emulator. If you can do these 3 things, you will get your desired effect.

[haha49]

Rule of thumb: Don't talk about the games. Simple to understand.
I didn't know that about emulation. Good to know.

Set up an autologin. Windows help can show you how. If you want to do it the hard way, I have the reghack handy.

From your autologin, put your emulator in startup, like mentioned before.
Make sure your controller can be used to navigate your emulator. If you can do these 3 things, you will get your desired effect.

i also added an extra key to do esc so i can go in the menu and just use the joystic and buttons to change the roms and stuff

[xmastree]

Why use a computer at all? Buy a console, buy an old TV, buy some industrial strength joysticks and buttons, wire them to the PCBs inside the original controllers and put the whole lot in a cabinet.

For the final touch, get a coin-operated timer linked to provide power to the controllers.

I used to have a few like that in the Philippines. Stick them in a shop somewhere, make a deal with the owner for a 60/40 split, then go and empty it periodically.

Easy money.

[Nagoshi]

Put a shortcut to the emulator in the Startup folder. Assuming you're running Windows.

Can you navigate in the emulator with your joystick, or you need help over there? I found a nasty program the other day, which let you turn your game controller buttons into specific windows key strokes. So you could use that software and use the arrows (or the stick) to act like arrows to navigate in the menus, and use a button for the enter.

http://www.redcl0ud.com/controlmk/index.html
"ControlMK - Allows using a game controller for Mouse/Keyboard emulation "

[haha49]

now all im waiting on is this baby

http://www.x-arcade.com/two-player.shtml


once i get that the construction can begin :banana: