ZVG Configuration on DOS

awarner

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While I know that many people are trying to get the ZVG to run in various other configurations, the DOS method is the one that comes with the card. Having worked in IT for over 25 years now (gulp), I thought that this would be one of the cooler projects to take on since it's retro on both a game and computer level. The challenge of running an older OS like DOS on newer (but not new) equipment seemed interesting as well. So I got it working. It was at least difficult considering that I really haven't played with pure DOS in at least 15 years or more. It was suggested in another thread that someone do this, so I'm starting it here. If it's duplicated, let me know before my next post and I'll just jump on another thread.

My next post will cover DOS and the modern PC and I expect to do a supporting YouTube video to go with it.

If anyone wants to jump into this thread - it's all good - Please Contribute!

Al Warner
 
Next Up - ZVG card and VectorMAME Config

My next video will cover configuring the VectorMAME software and menu software and setting up the ZVG board for your monitor. Either this weekend or early next week.
 
Part 3 or Part 3 and 4?

I can put another video together this weekend showing where I am or I can wait until I get the machine finished. What do you guys want - two 7 minute videos or one 15 minute video in 2 more weeks?
 
I can put another video together this weekend showing where I am or I can wait until I get the machine finished. What do you guys want - two 7 minute videos or one 15 minute video in 2 more weeks?
Whatever works best/easiest for you, imho. I'm just appreciative that you're making the effort for the general good and helping all us visual learners. Plus I'm not in any hurry.

Big thanks!
 
I can put another video together this weekend showing where I am or I can wait until I get the machine finished. What do you guys want - two 7 minute videos or one 15 minute video in 2 more weeks?

Whatever you want to do. These are very "confidence building" and helpful Al.
Thanks.
 
Status Report

Sorry I've been a little quiet on this lately. I have had to change direction a bit on how to do the sound. I found a little amplifier kit and I've got it working in the cabinet. I also worked out the AC power for the game. I'm going to tap the PC's power supply to power the coin door lights so that will be a clip unto itself. I'm also going to set it up to make it turn on when power is applied to it. The goal is that the power switch on the game will turn everything on and it'll just work like a regular game.

I think that with the power supply mods (later this week), I'll have enough for video 3. Video 4 will be iPac, Joystick, and spinner related and I haven't even ordered them yet.
 
Al... thanks again. I am waiting until you are done and then I will start mine. I am not a trailblazer or a creative problem solver - but I really admire and appreciate those who are.
 
I think projects like this require a certain level of Adaptation. I was planning on amplifying the Sound Blaster's output with the ARII. I was even designing a circuit with an engineer so it would provide the ARII with what it needed. Then I remembered that all of the cabinet's power comes through the same connector as where the monitor gets it's power. The option was now, do I build a power harness to get the ARII back into the mix or just use a standard amp? The Amp cost $26 (shipped) and really simplified things so I decided to go that route.

The only other thing that needs to be addressed is the coin door lights and of course the control panel.

But if it was me, I'd get the basics of the PC loading DOS and basic sound and emulation to work. That's going to be the hardest part I think and you have a full video manual to do it.


Al... thanks again. I am waiting until you are done and then I will start mine. I am not a trailblazer or a creative problem solver - but I really admire and appreciate those who are.
 
Al,

I was thinking along the same lines as you. I am debating if I want to adapt the cable Zektor provides to just hook into the monitor instead of connecting to the power block. If lineout from the sb card has to be modified to feed the ARII sound amp anyway, it is probably easier to go the route of an alternate amp.
 
Regarding coin door lights and ARII boards:

I left the majority of the cabinet power harness intact. Unpin the 3 or 4 wires that are used to power the monitor and tie your Zektor ZVG harness into the original connector at the brick. No need for a new connector there.

I made a simple cable that was mini-jack to AR-II 4 pin molex to amplify the sound from the PC. Hell you can even use it to turn any classic Atari cab into an amplified speaker for your iPod :)

This way the coin lights work, and you can use the original amp and speakers of the cabinet. Simple.
 
You couldn't shoot a little YouTube video of this could you? I would have loved to go this route but I'm past the point of no return. PM me and I'll be glad to edit it for for you. I'd love to show people a better way if we can. It bugged me to remove as much of the harness and stuff as I have. It's all pretty reversable, but the time to do that is getting longer and longer as I repurpose stuff and come up with other ways. I'd really like people to have an alternative to my method.

I've been a purist collector as well and doing this doesn't really sit well with me since the doaner game is in such nice original shape. I hope to get a usable CP from a friend so this one can stay intact.

-Al-

Regarding coin door lights and ARII boards:

I left the majority of the cabinet power harness intact. Unpin the 3 or 4 wires that are used to power the monitor and tie your Zektor ZVG harness into the original connector at the brick. No need for a new connector there.

I made a simple cable that was mini-jack to AR-II 4 pin molex to amplify the sound from the PC. Hell you can even use it to turn any classic Atari cab into an amplified speaker for your iPod :)

This way the coin lights work, and you can use the original amp and speakers of the cabinet. Simple.
 
It is all put together and done, but I can try and take a good enough video to at least show the cable mods.

Its not as pretty as another one I have seen, I didnt decase the PC. I just removed the coin bucket from the back of the door, and I have the PC sitting where it used to be. Fits nice.
 
I moved the power brick to the right side of the cabinet (from the back) and that gave me enough room for the computer to sit in the back. This has been a lot more work than I thought it might have been. I'm not complaining since I'm enjoying it, but wow, it's a ton of work. My joysticks and spinner are on the way so there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Video part 3 later this week (and there will be a part 4).

-Al-
 
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