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Frequently asked questions, and
the frequently given answers.
Over the years, I've gotten over 500
emails regarding this project. Many are simply praise, some are valid
questions that have lead to the addition of further writeups to the
site. Most are questions that are either already answered on this
site, or are questions that should be addressed to the maker of products I
have used in my cabinet.
In many cases, common sense or a quick Google search would
have turned up an answer, but humans are inherently lazy. These
questions are a quick way to get on my bad side. I've posted them here
to save you the embarrassment.
Is your cabinet
for sale? Would you be able to make
a custom cabinet for me?
Where
are the plans for your cabinet?
Can you please
send me <software, driver, ROM, or artwork>?
I'm
new to MAME. Where can I get the stuff I need to get started?
I really want
to try your Dual Strike hack. Will <old analog arcade
control> work with it?
I know you've
never discussed <insert name of controller or monitor etc> on
your site, but I thought I'd ask you some questions about it anyway.
Do you have an
itemized list of what it cost to build your cabinet?
I can't find
the <control or hardware> that you used on your cabinet.
Do you have the part number?
Where did you
get X, Y, or Z?
I am just
basically too busy or lazy, and don't feel like doing any research
myself. Can you give me explicit instructions on how to do X, Y, or
Z? Better yet, can I pay you to just design/hack/build it for me?
A: Sorry, it's not for sale, and I don't have the time to make a cabinet for you.
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A: Sorry, I'm not interested in selling plans. I have a full-time job that keeps me quite busy.
All information and any
images regarding the design of my cabinet are copyrighted, and distribution
of such information outside of this website is forbidden.
I do not
take special requests to email plans to individuals. I have no
intentions on selling the plans.
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A: Uhmmm...NO!
The purpose of this site is to give tips on constructing your own arcade
cabinet, not distributing wAreZ. Don't be surprised to get angry
responses when you ask people for their ROMs -- you are asking them to do
something illegal.
I have actually received mail of the
"i just found out about mame pleez hand over a burned cd with all teh
kewl romz thanx" variety. That is a very good way to make enemies
in the home gaming community. StarRoms
has many legal Atari ROMs for a reasonable fee.
Everything I have the
rights to distribute is available on the Downloads
page. All the artwork and software I use in my machine is available from the sites on my Links
page. If you need drivers, go to driverguide.com.
If you don't see something on this site, try Google!
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A: Well, you might
try THE OFFICIAL MAME.NET WEBSITE!
The number of times I've gotten this question is a tribute to just how lazy
some people can be. Type "mame" into any search engine, and
it's the first link that comes up. It also appears on my Links
page.
I've made it so easy for you!
By the way, Mame.net has
their own FAQ, and several
different forums.
Instead of posting your MAME questions to me, try the guys who actually
write the software.
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A: Theoretically,
the Dual Strike will work with any analog controller with pots in the 5k
range, which is standard for most arcade controls. The exact connections
for controls other than the ones I've covered will take some
experimentation, usually just swapping the first and third wire on each pot.
All the info I have
on the hack is HERE. If you
can't follow the simple diagram, or are afraid to experiment, consider
finding a safer hobby. And don't ask me to send drivers to you -- try driverguide.com
instead!
The Dual Strike is no longer produced by
Microsoft, so if you want to try another analog gamepad to do the hack, it
will probably work. Try it!
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A: How would I know anything about a product I don't own and have never used?
If you don't see pictures of an Act-Labs lightgun on this site, please don't
ask me to give you a review on it!
If you need specific info on a certain arcade related item, try the
manufacturers website. If you want reviews or opinions, start by
searching on the BYOAC
forums. After you've made an honest effort to search for the info
yourself, try posting your question in the appropriate section of the
forums. You'll probably find someone who knows the answer. BYOAC
is a fountain of home arcade knowledge!
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A: Sorry. It would take all
day for me to find all the receipts (if they even exist) and total
everything up. Let's just say it's not cheap, especially if you don't already have all of the tools or
materials required. If you don't have an old PC or TV to put in,
expect to pay even more.
This project was pieced together over a large time
span, and I obtained many of the parts for free or trade, which means I'd
have to look up their value. You can find just about everything you
need at Oscar Controls,
Ultimarc, Happ Controls,
HomeDepot.com
or RadioShack.com.
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A: Probably not. I never
kept a record of part numbers, and I don't feel like searching for old
packages (if they even exist) in my mountain of junk to find them. If you look hard enough, you'll probably find a
suitable substitute.
A: Check the LINKS
page. I've even included links to manufacturers for you! I'm
sooo nice!
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A: If you think
you're too busy for this hobby, you should try answering all these questions
many times over, maintaining 4 websites, re-designing a complex cabinet,
researching all the ins and outs of commercial production and starting a
small business (and all the taxes and licenses that go along with it),
entertaining several different hobbies, trying to catch up on editing 3
different vacation videos, and finding time to take my wife to a movie once
in a while, all while holding down a 50 hour/week day-job!
If you're
really interested in home arcade as a hobby, you're going to have to spend a
few hours on Google first. The sites on my Links
page are a good start. I've practically done all the work for you!
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FAQ