Converting an old coin-op to run MAME

doxy

I'd love to have a go at buliding a MAME arcade machine, but while I'm semi-useful with computer hardware and software, I'm completely useless with woodworking, electronics etc. I'm wondering if converting an old arcade machine would be a simpler task for me than building from scratch? Can anyone give me some pointers for what would be involved. Also, can anyone give me any tips on where I could pick up an old arcade machine for a reasonable price (preferably in the Cork area)?

Myrddin

Coverting is obviously easier, though there is no more converting as such. Pick yourself up a JPAC & simply plug your pc into the cabs existing jamma connector

doxy

That sounds almost idiot-prood. Do all cabs have a jamma connector, or are they specific to certain cabs?

Myrddin

doxy wrote: »

That sounds almost idiot-prood. Do all cabs have a jamma connector, or are they specific to certain cabs?

Its never that simple, but in theory any jamma cab cab be mame'ified simply with a pc & a jpac. Obviously the type of screen etc will change things somewhat, but on paper its very easily done. The time-consuming bit is choosing the OS, frontend, setting up themes etc

Optimus Prime

I was the same as you, hadnt a clue about woodwork or electronics, just worked with computers. I built my own one, took me a year to do it, but its finished now.

doxy

keithgeo wrote: »

I was the same as you, hadnt a clue about woodwork or electronics, just worked with computers. I built my own one, took me a year to do it, but its finished now.

I had a quick glimpse at your thread, I'm very impressed with your machine, looks great I would love to take on a project like that someday, but for the moment I think the easier the better for me.

Does anybody know any places to pick up 2nd hand arcade machines for a reasonable price? There used to be a couple of machines in every pub and chipper in the country a few years ago, there must loads laying around somewhere?

kevin2me

Hey Doxy

I have done exactly what your trying to do before.
I think I even started same post you did here on Boards.ie few years ago and thanks to
all great lads on this forums I finally got going and now restored few Cabs.

See build log at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75851797

Like you I was going to build from scratch, but building skills wouldnt be that great and I didnt have place to build one.
Thats what I really wanted to do, but I dont think id come close to thing of beauty that keith made
But decided for me be lot easier to restore an older cab, found Cab at good price as everyone thought it only had 25Htzs monitor, But it actually had 15Htzs after dozens hours on google managed to change Jumpers around to 15htz,
its all finished now and as its a restore its got that nice authentic feel to it, its even still got its Irish Arcade License Disk on it

I Started with an XArcade CP, was great for learning about Mamae and hooked up direct to my Laptop, later I then went out bought an MiniPac from GremlinSolutions and full buttons kit etc.
Jamma would be great be great as can hook PC straight into it,
But Cab I bought was a Sega Model 2 board and at time didnt know easy way to mod it, so removed Sega Model 2 and fitted PC inside instead, Kept Monitor plus box for Deguassing etc..., Power supply, Marquee and even original Speakers.

All I had to do then was hook up PC to Monitor Via ArcadeVga Card, VideoAmp and built a new Control Panel from scratch. And I absolutely love the thing and its great being able to see you restored it yourself.
And with Hyperspin finally working on it now too, it looks the part.
Thats all being said it took a whole year but well worth it

Im in Cork too, so PM away if you need some starter pointers
I might even have a Cab
Thanks, Kev

doxy

Thanks for the very informative post Kev Sending PM.