HOWTO: Build a Stepmania Machine

[TougaKiryuu]

I could host it later today, we're still testing some new stuff on it though

[vic_lmc]

I don't know if step mania run under dos with gamelauncher
and don't you think that this sound card is expensive ?
it works with nice with the integrated audio, and even he integrated video

Putting stepmania inside arade machine it's nice because you have another options to play

[jonphamta]

Originally Posted by vic_lmc

I don't know if step mania run under dos with gamelauncher

that wont work since SM is not dos based.

Im tring to find a way to directly launch SM using winXP.

[Akira]

Originally Posted by jonphamta

Im tring to find a way to directly launch SM using winXP.

The EASIEST way is to add this to the registry

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Run, add a string with your desired name. Then input this on the string:

C:\[your stepmania folder]\Program\Stepmania.exe

Stepmania will run by itself on the next time you start your computer.

The downside is you'll have to shut down the PC everytime or else it may develop problems if it is constantly turned on/off without shutting down.

Also, There are other processes running other than Stepmania like Explorer and the others that may slow down performance.

[jonphamta]

That way is a little obv, lol

but what i did was made a .bat file and put it in the startup to load SM as well as USB utility with SM so that the USBs on my hub are assigned by player (yea im Hardcore)

[Akira]

Right now, i'm still studying how to make it start on slax linux without anything else. Just the drivers and Stepmania.

[dieKatze88]

Originally Posted by Akira

Right now, i'm still studying how to make it start on slax linux without anything else. Just the drivers and Stepmania.

Have a mostly working env for this on 3.9 final using slackware.

Still working on it.

[jonphamta]

dont you need to tweak the 2.2 theme for it to work with linux?

[abb1033]

I seen a stepmania Machine, but its was a carp. didn't have any goood song.

[TougaKiryuu]

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

Have a mostly working env for this on 3.9 final using slackware.

Still working on it.

I got it working using a slackware live setup, you can configure a live cd with certain drivers that boots the binary after initializing hardware without needing a login, this is done when making memtest live disks

[Mooga]

Live CDs are just plain awesome...
Knoppix FTW!

[TougaKiryuu]

Here's a general hint to anyone that builds a SM machine:

close the computer case so the hard drive doesn't absorb static and EXPLODE

[Crackz0r]

lol! thanks for the heads up!

i am going to start the process of making a stepmania machine,

there are probably many different ways of going about it, i have yet to choose one, whats been working so far for everyone? I was thinking of using slax, but i have little experience with the linux/slaxware systems, perhaps i will inquire about these more before i get started

[mark]

I'm using Arch Linux for mine. It's a minimalist installation of Slackware, has a package manager for basic stuff, and etc. Runs extremely well on my 933 MHz, including 3D arrows and background videos. Never drops below 60 FPS except for Bloodrush 0.25x :P

EDIT: You really don't need a window manager of any sort if you're running on Linux and don't plan to use the machine for any GUI stuff aside from StepMania. Here's how I set it to boot.

First, edit /etc/rc.local. Under the last commented line from the first block, type in "xinit" (leave the "exit 0" at the end of the script untouched, or it could malfunction - I'm not sure exactly what it does)

Since rc.local is run before you're given the opportunity to log in as different users, this will run xinit as root. Accordingly, it will read what programs to boot from /root/.xinitrc OR .Xsession. If neither exist, then create a new text file called .xinitrc in the /root/ directory, enter the directory for the StepMania program you wish to run (for me, it's "/stepmania/bin/3.9/stepmania"). Leave off the ampersand; this prevents anything non-essential from loading. Now, chmod +x .xinitrc and it should be good to go.

If StepMania exits for any reason (crash, normal exit, etc.), then it will exit these scripts and boot as normal. If you want to prevent this, you can just cut+paste the path to the StepMania binary endlessly in /root/.xinitrc (I really don't know any less ugly ways offhand - suggestions appreciated).

I apologize for Block O' Text explanation - 2:45 AM. If you want me to explain it better, go into detail, simplify, etc., just ask me on here or PM me.

[cpubasic13]

Hmm... well, looking here, I have become interested in making a StepMania machine. All I need is a computer (EASY for me to get) then get Slackware/similar, build some custom mats, and then a cabinet, then follow these steps, I guess, and it'd work...

Of course, I was just simplifying the above. Heh. I'm not full 100% into doing this yet, of course, but with the lack of DDR around my area, StepMania will be a good replacement. I was thinking of making a machine for my school to support a club for DDR...

Actually, in all seriousness, how does one get a coin slot to work with this? I'm rather curious about that. Also, the instructions use a DDR cabinet. Couldn't I just build my own custom cabinet? Building a cabinet with a built-in computer and monitor would be easier for me... mainly because I don't have a huge budget to spend. :P On the plus side, it would also be very easy to fix if there were problems... and custom decorated as well.

And yet, I want to see a picture of a StepMania machine, just so I could just see how it looks in the end. I haven't seen a SM machine anywhere on the web, and searching isn't helping me either.

Yeah, dumb things to say, probably, but when you have no idea where to start, its best to ask when you need to ask...