Posted by EmuMannen on 30, 2001 at 4:29 AM:
In Reply to: Anyone tried suspending using APM? posted by Dave Dribin on 30, 2001 at 2:01 AM:
: : Any other prefered embedded DOS version for DOS MAME?
: DR-DOS is supposedly romable, too.
Yes I know, but is it compatible enough?
: : Required hardware to boot DOS from ROM, prefered motherboard, configuration etc?
: I have no clue, but I imagine you would need a special motherboard, or at least a customized BIOS. I don't see how you can get around the BIOS given DOS' heavy reliance on it.
There are solutions, but maybe a bit radical (I don't know the price). Take a look at Embedded BIOS and Embedded DOS-ROM at this site (also check pre-installed development platforms):
http://www.gensw.com/
Another solution could be a FlashROM Disk with IDE interface (yes they do exist) but I don't know the price and I would still have to live with the BIOS screens...
: Maybe there is a BIOS that allows you to customize the boot screen so you don't see all that BIOS crap as it boots up. My IBM Thinkpad laptop does that, so maybe there are custom BIOS's that allow you to set any image.
Several new motherboards has BIOS options that allow uploading of an full screen logo or splash screen (not EPA logo) to be shown at bootup (like newer IBM, Compaq, DELL etc.). I will try to get this option on my next motherboard (anyone got more info on this subject?).
: : Any other ideas on how to make a MAME cabinet boot faster and to minimize the PC look and feel (only pure DOS based systems)?
: I have always wanted to try suspending using APM. This way, your system only boots up once, but from then on is just suspended (or even hibernated). I have no idea how well APM works under DOS. I recall seeing some programs to control this under DOS, but do not know how well they work, if at all.
Interesting thought but I switch of power to my cabinet (don't want to risk a fire) when I am not playing...
: BTW, you are using BLACKOUT.EXE and BANNER.COM, right? These allows you to set an image while DOS is booting like the Windows boot screens. If I could only get ride of the BIOS crap, no one would ever know there is a PC inside.
No I use my own programs BOOTMUTE and BOOTLOGO. I had to write those because BLACKOUT didn't support DOS 7.x and BANNER is not hiding config.sys output. My programs hide everything, on all DOS versions and they load a PCX logo...
: -Dave