I am updating from v81 to V103 and have questions

[unclet]

I have not performed an update in a long time, so here are my questions:

1) Are the CHD files I alrady have from v81 the same as those in v103 or must I convert and/or redownload them?

2) I went to Mame32 site to get the screenshot file (ie: snaps) and it seems I can no longer get the "scr_82.zip -> scr_95.zip" files.   I understand there is not a "link" to these files, but that is not my problem .... since I can simply change the web address to point to the files I need.  My problem is that I get an error stating "the file no longer exists" ..... so how can I get these missing screenshot files?

3) Where is the latest gamelist of all games supported in Mame v103.

4) Is there a complete list of CHD games out there so I know what I am missing?  If so, where?

5) I have a 2Ghz processor and was wondering which of the "CHD" type games would be possible to play.

6) On the Mame32 site I noticed there is a 44Meg file called "cabinets.zip" and there are also four "cabinets_##.zip" files.  Do I need all of these, or if I simply get the 44Meg file, will that be complete?

7) Where do we get "marquee", "ctrlpanel", "titlepacks" and "flyer"  files now?

8 ) I have a set of "model" files from v81, but really have no idea what these are .... since I never used them.   What are they and where can I get the new versions of the model files (if I want them)?

9) Is the format for the CHD files still the same as in v81 (ie: are they stored in their own directory which has the name of the actual Rom file)?

[unclet]

Also ....

10)  Do any of the DDR games (ie: CHD files) work in v103 ?

[krick]

I'm not going to address each of your questions but here's some general thoughts...

If you only have a 2GHz processor, be forewarned that some games in MAME have greatly increased CPU requirements over earlier versions of MAME.  This is because the emulation has been made more accurate in those games.  Also, some of the MAME core rewrites, namely the sound rewrite in MAME 93 increase the CPU requirements across the board.

I hope you have a lot of hard drive space.  A full set of MAME 0.102 ROMs with CHDs and all required samples is about 40GB.

A couple of the CHD files have changed several times since 81.  The only way to know which ones you'll need is to run CLRMAMEPRO on your set and see what it says.  Some of the CHDs can be converted to the new format with patches, others are completely different.  This page has some tools to convert them up to version 88u6...   http://www.mametitles.com/chd.html   Other tools are available on bittorrent or eMule, just search for them.

You'll probably need to get updated samples too for games that use them.  Don't forget.  Also, in addition to the "official" samples from the MAME site, there's "unofficial samples" available too.  Get 'em if you like...  http://www.mameworld.net/samples/Unofficial%20Samples.htm

I don't know what flavor of mame and/or front end you're using but you probably don't need all those extra files.  I run the command line windows version of mame with MameWah as my front end and all I need are the snapshots.  The MAME32 snapshot packs have changed completely a few versions back so you'll have to scrap what you have and re-download all of them again.  Note that the strange file name ordering on the MAME32 site is actually correct.  There are no missing packs.

I think the model files have something to do with a 3D frontend that lets you walk through a virtual arcade.

[pointdablame]

you will be MUCH happier if you just install 103 with the newer games you want to play and keep your 81 install intact.  You will get slower performance on a number of games, and it just isnt worth it IMO.

Also, there aren't a great number of CHD games you're going to be able to play with a 2ghz machine anyway, so you should really check out what you're going to be gaining with the upgrade.

[AtomSmasher]

How about this question.

[pointdablame]

How about this question.  I'm currently running a newer version of mame (v. 99 I believe), but my machine is only 800mhz and cannot run several of the games.  Can I use the same version of the roms I have with an older version of mame in order to increase the number of playable games? or do I need earlier versions of the roms?

Go download something in the MAME .55 range and then use ClrMamePro to downgrade your roms to that version.

Instructions can be found at :  http://www.mameworld.net/easyemu/clrmameguide.htm

[AtomSmasher]

How about this question.

[pointdablame]

How about this question.  I'm currently running a newer version of mame (v. 99 I believe), but my machine is only 800mhz and cannot run several of the games.  Can I use the same version of the roms I have with an older version of mame in order to increase the number of playable games? or do I need earlier versions of the roms?

Go download something in the MAME .55 range and then use ClrMamePro to downgrade your roms to that version.

Instructions can be found at :  http://www.mameworld.net/easyemu/clrmameguide.htm

Thanks for the info, I'll go check that out.

No problem.  My bartop is a 950mhz athlon, and .55 is perfect for it IMHO.  Everything runs great on it except for the handful of games that have trouble on almost all systems.

[unclet]

Where can I determine which games have been added from v81 to v103 ..... where is the main gamelist stuff now?

Also, can the "Beatmania" CHD games be played on a 2Ghz computer?

[GGKoul]

Where can I determine which games have been added from v81 to v103 ..... where is the main gamelist stuff now?

Also, can the "Beatmania" CHD games be played on a 2Ghz computer?

www.mameworld.net/maws 

Do a " new & changed" search

[unclet]

Darn ... I thought BeatMania was a DDR game .... although it does not look like one.  Oh well.   Not sure if I should upgrade or not now ......

Does anyone know whether DDR games are available on Mame .... I guess I am not sure what names they go by ...... or maybe they do not exist.... yet.

[RayB]

Where can I determine which games have been added from v81 to v103 ..... where is the main gamelist stuff now?

Also, can the "Beatmania" CHD games be played on a 2Ghz computer?

I use MAME32 and click on the category for each version. It lists what games were added.