Metamorph!

[METALHEAD]

That was the best word I could find on dictionary.com.  I wanted to use the word morphadite but.. I couldn't find it haha.

-I want to build a home made arcade game.  I have access to a full blown wood shop so making the cab isn't a problem.  Everything else could be haha.

-I have an old computer that I was going to use for the "brain" of the system. 

That is about as far as I have gotten.  Some questions for those that are more experienced in this.  I am going to be able to get my hands on a high quality monitor that is 21".  It is a crt not flat screen.  I also could have access to a 36" tv that may just need repairs.  Which do you folks think I should use?

This is going to be a project I am hoping to have completed by next January so no big rush but I do want to get a better idea of what I should keep my eyes out for

-I want to be able to play alot of different games on it.  ESP Dragons Lair haha.  I plan on buying controls so that I can use multiple games (asteroids, joust, battlezone, ya know the classics  

-operating system, should it be ms dos or should I have a full version of windows on it?  Linux?  Unix?

-I have also been thinking of setting up the game to where multiple sets of controls can be "changed" out when playing diff games.  I will explain more on that after I get a better idea of what I need. 

-anyway please feel free to post what you want, I won't take any offense but please do give suggestions
Thanks
METAL

[polaris]

36 inches is too big for a cab, you could make a showcase cab with it, the smaller crt would do better.
have you looked at the byoac site and forum, lots of info  and examles there.

[DarthNuno]

-I want to be able to play alot of different games on it.  ESP Dragons Lair haha. 
-operating system, should it be ms dos or should I have a full version of windows on it?  Linux?  Unix?

Mhhh, I've never tried Dragon's Lair on Mame... Not sure if the laser disc games -under mame dos- work?!
I'm using Daphne emulator (under Windows XP) for playing Space Ace inside my cabinet and... It rocks 

First thing to do : just list the emulators you want to use, and see if they are all compatible under a same OS.

[italiandoh]

Mhhh, I've never tried Dragon's Lair on Mame... Not sure if the laser disc games -under mame dos- work?!

These are the LD games currently working in Mame and Dragon's lair is not one of these:

http://www.mameitalia.net/index.php?showtopic=11337&mode=threaded&pid=135624

[METALHEAD]

Wonder if I can partition a drive and find a way to do a quick switch between drives...hmm...more to think about   But I would like some other links to "how too's" on setting up systems.

[polaris]

im pretty sure you can use a front end to run mame and daphne in one system. have a read up on MALA im sure it can do what you want if im reading correctly

[Etienne MacGyver]

Wonder if I can partition a drive and find a way to do a quick switch between drives...hmm...more to think about  But I would like some other links to "how too's" on setting up systems.

you need a boot manager, that way you can select the operating system / partition in the startup
you can even hide the other partitions to eachother

myself i have very good experiences with the freeware bootmanager XOSL

maybe this helps you.

[METALHEAD]

I really appreciate the help here folks.  Like I said I am just starting to look into it.  I just need to get my Ducks in a row so it goes smoothly.  I think I will set the computer up before I build the cab though.  Does anybody else have links to what I should research?  Again thanks   

Metal

[polaris]

I really appreciate the help here folks.  Like I said I am just starting to look into it.  I just need to get my Ducks in a row so it goes smoothly.  I think I will set the computer up before I build the cab though.  Does anybody else have links to what I should research?  Again thanks   

Metal

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm


start there
then have a look at their forums

[METALHEAD]

Thanks Polaris!