> I think I will go arcadeVGA just to keep it simple.. Im plannin gon using a Pentium > P4 2800mhz with 1 gig RAM but I need to check if it has a PCIe slot..
Most of the time, P4 based computers do not have PCI Express slots. Also, with an 2.8GHz P4, you'll want to run a quite old version of MAME, probably 0.106 or earlier due to the increased CPU requirements in newer versions.
> Also someone has offered to provide me there entire mame collection running on Mala > with video frontend all very polished looking. Can you see any issues running this > with my setup? If Im using Mala will I have to use arcadeVGA?
I've never used Mala. I cannot provide any guidance.
> Also regards the power, if I remove the AC output I presume the lighting in the cab > wont work also?
You only want to remove the AC power to the DC power supply that powers the original JAMMA video game board (the two wires under the red X on the diagram I posted). You need to retain AC power to the rest of the cabinet for the monitor and the marquee lighting. Coin slot lighting is normally powered using DC through the JAMMA harness, so you'll need to come up with an alternative method of powering the coin door lights. Many people install 5v, or 12v LED lights and power them from a molex drive connector in their PC.