What is the best method to weed through my MAME collection?

[Soundwave]

I have a Mame .180 collection of around 55 gb's in size and some 65000 files. I was hoping to manually knit pick through, removing the 99% that I don't want. Apparently MAME doesn't let you select multiple files for removal and since I don't know what each .zip file goes to what game then I can't do it in File explorer either.
I tried to use Romlister and Lightspeed but either I don't know what I'm doing or it doesn't seperate the games I'm wanting to keep. Just seems to generate xml lists?

Whats the most efficient method for me to sort through games I want to keep? I just want something like a MAME interface where I can visually see the titles, snap shots and delete the ones I don't want.

[Titchgamer]

Clear mame pro allows you to delete source files (if i remember right) so you can sort out, delete all non working and then sift the rest manually.

[PL1]

I have a Mame .180 collection of around 55 gb's in size and some 65000 files. I was hoping to manually knit pick through, removing the 99% that I don't want.

Which is easier -- subtracting 99% or adding 1%?

Whats the most efficient method for me to sort through games I want to keep? I just want something like a MAME interface where I can visually see the titles, snap shots and delete the ones I don't want.

The approach I use is a GUI version of MAME (MAMEUIFX), a full set of artwork from ProgettoSnaps, .DAT files (history.dat, mameinfo.dat, etc.), and a full ROMset in a "..\MAMEUIFX\roms\Archive\" subdirectory.

The GUI allows you to search for titles, look at pics of the cab/control panel/flyer/screenshots, read the description, check current emulation status (working, non-working, working with issues), find related games, etc.

To add a game:
- Use Windows File Explorer to copy the ROM filename (listed in the MAMEUIFX layout) from the "Archive" directory to the "roms" directory
- Right-click to "audit" the ROM and check if there are any missing drivers, CHDs, etc. that also need to be copied from "Archive".
- If the game isn't a keeper, just delete the related ROM/CHD/driver files from the "roms" directory -- there's still a copy in "Archive" if you change your mind later.

Once you build your desired games list, you can copy the ROM/CHD/driver files (minus the "Archive" directory) from the "roms" diectory to the "roms" directory of whichever version of MAME (mainline, groovymame, etc.) you want to use for your cab.


Scott

[Soundwave]

NVM, I just happen by luck to come across a great app that let me do it quickly called mame content manager plus. Just cutting out all the crap alone was 50% of the size.

[BadMouth]

Also see the "No Filler" list linked in my signature.

[mahuti]

The no filler list was where I started. And then I occasionally add something as I remember it or hear about it.

[Viviuss]

Give Romlister another try, I've used it with great success, I went from 41k roms to 2,500! Their is a guide on what it does and how to use it, Google 'Romlister tutorial' and click on the link in PDF. 


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