Update:
"I'm NOW ready to do the last bit of configuring before I go into enjoying it."

The most popular emulator front end is EmulationStation Desktop Edition (aka ES-DE)... The devs are very responsive on Reddit (they answered some questions I had in the past). It will require RetroArch in the backend for actual emulators though.

*** Edit ***
I used Maximus Arcade in the past on Windows XP. It works, but there is A LOT of manual setup involved:
https://maximus-arcade.com/

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-08, 15:48:

Hello

I recently setup a WinXP (32-bit) build that outputs to CRT.

When you say CRT, is it a VGA CRT (31kHz+) or a 15kHz CRT?

I used the Attract-Mode frontend on WinXP before and liked it ( https://attractmode.org/ ). It's open source and highly configurable, but does require spending time learning it and setting it up.

Looking at their github page, it seems like the last release for WinXP was 2.6.1:

https://github.com/mickelson/attract/releases/tag/v2.6.1

Regarding polling rate, I believe the XBOX 360 controller has a hardlocked rate of 125 Hz, which is quite common for many controllers. Might be on the low end for some people in some games, but I'd only worry about it if it bothers you. In that case, your best bet is probably getting a controller with a higher polling rate, as I don't think you can change it (but perhaps there's a way to...?).

I think you're far more likely to experience software-based input lag when running older emulators on WinXP, and that input lag might be 100+ ms and very noticeable. Don't confuse that with the USB polling rate, as they are distinct problems. Never versions of RetroArch have some clever ways of reducing that input lag (mainly run-ahead). I'm not sure how compatible that would be with the WinXP version of RetroArch, and it's also very CPU-intensive, so that might be out of the question.

Hi! For me, the best frontend is MALA. It's not hard to make themes for it, and it runs on GDI so it doesn’t mess with any emulator

Long time ago, i made a MALA layout and look great a 240p

this is a example of what you can do

About the USB polling rate, here’s a way to tweak it — just keep in mind that if you set it too high, it can use quite a bit of CPU. If you have a Pentium 3 or older, it’s better to leave it at the default setting
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/73418-how-impro … y-changing.html

Hyperspin also works on XP

orcish75 wrote on 2025-09-10, 15:59:

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-08, 15:48:

Hello

I recently setup a WinXP (32-bit) build that outputs to CRT.

When you say CRT, is it a VGA CRT (31kHz+) or a 15kHz CRT?

Sony Trinitron Consumer TV (short answer, 15kHz). The 4870 (for some reason) doesn't output Component correctly (It seems to be more designed for HDTV or HD CRT TVs), so I'm using S-Video out (It isn't bad, which I'm ok with).
I also have an nVidia GTX 275 that DOES output Component in full color but it's easier at the moment for me to deal with ATI for this setup.

theelf wrote on 2025-09-11, 08:06:

Hi! For me, the best frontend is MALA. It's not hard to make themes for it, and it runs on GDI so it doesn’t mess with any emula […]
Show full quote

Hi! For me, the best frontend is MALA. It's not hard to make themes for it, and it runs on GDI so it doesn’t mess with any emulator

Long time ago, i made a MALA layout and look great a 240p

The attachment 000.jpg is no longer available

The attachment 001.jpg is no longer available

The attachment 002.jpg is no longer available

this is a example of what you can do

About the USB polling rate, here’s a way to tweak it — just keep in mind that if you set it too high, it can use quite a bit of CPU. If you have a Pentium 3 or older, it’s better to leave it at the default setting
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/73418-how-impro … y-changing.html

I'll have to think about MALA as I tend to spend too much time configuring things and would like to, for once, spend more time playing then configuring (I rebuilt this machine at least 10 times trying to figure out if whether WinXP, Windows Media Center 2005, Vista or 7 would accomplish everything I needed).

Thanks for the info regarding USB Polling, I'll have to read through it.

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-11, 14:27:

orcish75 wrote on 2025-09-10, 15:59:

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-08, 15:48:

Hello

I recently setup a WinXP (32-bit) build that outputs to CRT.

When you say CRT, is it a VGA CRT (31kHz+) or a 15kHz CRT?

Sony Trinitron Consumer TV (short answer, 15kHz). The 4870 (for some reason) doesn't output Component correctly (It seems to be more designed for HDTV or HD CRT TVs), so I'm using S-Video out (It isn't bad, which I'm ok with).
I also have an nVidia GTX 275 that DOES output Component in full color but it's easier at the moment for me to deal with ATI for this setup.

svideo 480i ? this is terrible....

theelf wrote on 2025-09-11, 16:18:

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-11, 14:27:

orcish75 wrote on 2025-09-10, 15:59:

When you say CRT, is it a VGA CRT (31kHz+) or a 15kHz CRT?

Sony Trinitron Consumer TV (short answer, 15kHz). The 4870 (for some reason) doesn't output Component correctly (It seems to be more designed for HDTV or HD CRT TVs), so I'm using S-Video out (It isn't bad, which I'm ok with).
I also have an nVidia GTX 275 that DOES output Component in full color but it's easier at the moment for me to deal with ATI for this setup.

svideo 480i ? this is terrible....

On paper it is, but not in real life. IF you use MiSTer on a CRT TV, it's really not that far in quality. The desktop itself isn't great quality but when playing games, it's actually pretty good. I was playing 3rd Strike the other day and it's almost identical to playing it on Dreamcast (s-Video) or PS2 (Component) if not better. My expectations isn't 4K quality, so it does it's intended job.

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-11, 17:08:

theelf wrote on 2025-09-11, 16:18:

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-11, 14:27:

Sony Trinitron Consumer TV (short answer, 15kHz). The 4870 (for some reason) doesn't output Component correctly (It seems to be more designed for HDTV or HD CRT TVs), so I'm using S-Video out (It isn't bad, which I'm ok with).
I also have an nVidia GTX 275 that DOES output Component in full color but it's easier at the moment for me to deal with ATI for this setup.

svideo 480i ? this is terrible....

On paper it is, but not in real life. IF you use MiSTer on a CRT TV, it's really not that far in quality. The desktop itself isn't great quality but when playing games, it's actually pretty good. I was playing 3rd Strike the other day and it's almost identical to playing it on Dreamcast (s-Video) or PS2 (Component) if not better. My expectations isn't 4K quality, so it does it's intended job.

Hold the L button and start when the Capcom logo pops up on DC

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-11, 14:27:

Sony Trinitron Consumer TV (short answer, 15kHz). The 4870 (for some reason) doesn't output Component correctly (It seems to be more designed for HDTV or HD CRT TVs), so I'm using S-Video out (It isn't bad, which I'm ok with).
I also have an nVidia GTX 275 that DOES output Component in full color but it's easier at the moment for me to deal with ATI for this setup.

Excellent! That's the answer I was hoping for! GroovyMAME http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,52.0.html is your ticket, it was built specifically to run on 15kHz CRTs and to minimise lag. It's the closest you can get to real arcade machines through emulation using Groovymame and an ATi card with CRTEmu driver. Mister is better, but I can't tell the difference with the vast majority of games on my Groovymame setup and real arcade boards. I think 0.224 was the last version that works on XP. Also I haven't tried Groovymame with S-video (I'll do some research) , I've always used the RGB out on the ATi card into an RGB modded Trinitron. RGB modding your Trinitron will give you the best results, but if your Trinitron has component inputs, you can get an RGB to component converter.

I second @jh80 suggestion of Attractmode, pretty easy to setup and get going, but there are others worth trying.

You can also get GroovyArcade http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/top … c,160023.0.html An ArchLinux based live CD (with option to install on a hard drive) which makes it really easy to setup and configure a workig 15kHz system. Fine tuning may be a bit more difficult if you're not familiar with Linux.

orcish75 wrote on Yesterday, 18:22:

Excellent! That's the answer I was hoping for! GroovyMAME http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,52.0.html is your tic […]
Show full quote

iiamsiincere wrote on 2025-09-11, 14:27:

Sony Trinitron Consumer TV (short answer, 15kHz). The 4870 (for some reason) doesn't output Component correctly (It seems to be more designed for HDTV or HD CRT TVs), so I'm using S-Video out (It isn't bad, which I'm ok with).
I also have an nVidia GTX 275 that DOES output Component in full color but it's easier at the moment for me to deal with ATI for this setup.

Excellent! That's the answer I was hoping for! GroovyMAME http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,52.0.html is your ticket, it was built specifically to run on 15kHz CRTs and to minimise lag. It's the closest you can get to real arcade machines through emulation using Groovymame and an ATi card with CRTEmu driver. Mister is better, but I can't tell the difference with the vast majority of games on my Groovymame setup and real arcade boards. I think 0.224 was the last version that works on XP. Also I haven't tried Groovymame with S-video (I'll do some research) , I've always used the RGB out on the ATi card into an RGB modded Trinitron. RGB modding your Trinitron will give you the best results, but if your Trinitron has component inputs, you can get an RGB to component converter.

I second @jh80 suggestion of Attractmode, pretty easy to setup and get going, but there are others worth trying.

You can also get GroovyArcade http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/top … c,160023.0.html An ArchLinux based live CD (with option to install on a hard drive) which makes it really easy to setup and configure a workig 15kHz system. Fine tuning may be a bit more difficult if you're not familiar with Linux.

1. When I used normal Mame (pre-0.217) on Windows XP outputting S-Video, the timing seems to be pretty on point (I don't have a way to measure it) and I tested this with 3rd Strike (I've played the arcade version, xbox, xbox360, ps2 and dreamcast version for years). I used an Xbox 360 controller but I do have an arcade stick that I modded with Brook-Zero Pi if that's a better testing tool.
2. I've tried using GroovyMame but honestly, I need a better set of instructions as somewhere I tend to hit some roadblock. Either it's related how the instructions say you should set up the files or Windows XP issues that I'm not experienced enough to resolve, so I haven't gotten this properly setup yet on my setup.
3. Funny enough, I setup GroovyArcade last night without knowing you would leave this comment. It got setup with zero issues but some of the instructions skip so many random steps that are pretty important (I looked through several guides for what the SSH credentials were and I still don't know where you're supposed to place BIOS files as if I leave it in the roms folder, the games just don't start for me). Right now, I'm stuck where If I try to play a game, the screen just remains black and I can press ESC to get back to the main menu.
4. I have to find a good guide for Attractmode setup on Windows XP.
5. With a GPU that has TVOut/S-Video output, you can connect it directly to a consumer TV as long as it's S-Video/Component, but if you want to use VGA or Analog DVI, you need something between the GPU and TV (like a transcoder). I have basically trying to cut out the middle man to get as close to a console experience as possible.

Do you or anyone here know where I might be able to get drivers for thw WMC remotes, Logitech Harmony remotes or the Logitech RF extender?
I'm trying to also add this to setup to try and remove the need for a keyboard/mouse and make it living room capable.

Yeah, it is a mission to set it up initially. CRTEmu driver has to be set up before Groovymame will work. I'll give it bash tonight on XP and an X1300 ATi card that has S-Video out. I have a feeling that it doesn't work over S-Video, only RGB.