Its easier to start by saying this is my mame.ini:
### mame.ini ###
### Frontend Related### 
### Windows path and directory options ### 
rompath roms 
samplepath samples 
# inipath <NULL> (not set) 
cfg_directory cfg 
nvram_directory nvram 
memcard_directory memcard 
input_directory inp 
hiscore_directory hi 
state_directory sta 
artwork_directory artwork 
snapshot_directory snap 
diff_directory diff 
ctrlr_directory ctrlr 
cheat_file cheat.dat 
### Windows video options ### 
autoframeskip 1 
frameskip 0 
waitvsync 0 
triplebuffer 0 
window 0 
ddraw 1 
direct3d 1 
hwstretch 0 
# screen <NULL> (not set) 
cleanstretch auto 
resolution 352x256 
refresh 0 
scanlines 0 
switchres 1 
switchbpp 1 
maximize 1 
keepaspect 1 
matchrefresh 0 
syncrefresh 0 
throttle 1 
full_screen_brightness 0.000000 
frames_to_run 0 
effect sharp 
screen_aspect 4:3 
### Windows Direct3D 2D video options ### 
zoom 2 
d3dtexmanage 1 
d3dfilter 1 
d3dfeedback 0 
d3dscan 100 
d3deffectrotate 1 
d3dprescale auto 
d3deffect none 
# d3dcustom <NULL> (not set) 
# d3dexpert <NULL> (not set) 
### Windows misc options ### 
sleep 1 
rdtsc 0 
high_priority 0 
### Windows sound options ### 
audio_latency 2 
# wavwrite <NULL> (not set) 
### Input device options ### 
mouse 0 
joystick 1 
lightgun 0 
dual_lightgun 0 
offscreen_reload 0 
steadykey 0 
keyboard_leds 1 
led_mode ps/2 
a2d_deadzone 0.300000 
# ctrlr <NULL> (not set) 
paddle_device keyboard 
adstick_device keyboard 
pedal_device keyboard 
dial_device keyboard 
trackball_device keyboard 
lightgun_device keyboard 
digital none 
### Mame CORE video options ### 
norotate 0 
ror 0 
rol 0 
autoror 0 
autorol 0 
flipx 0 
flipy 0 
gamma 1.000000 
brightness 1.000000 
pause_brightness 0.650000 
### Mame CORE vector game options ### 
antialias 1 
translucency 1 
beam 1.000000 
flicker 0.000000 
intensity 1.500000 
### Mame CORE sound options ### 
samplerate 22050 
samples 1 
sound 1 
volume 0 
### Mame CORE misc options ### 
artwork 1 
use_backdrops 1 
use_overlays 1 
use_bezels 1 
artwork_crop 0 
artwork_resolution 0 
cheat 1 
debug 0 
# playback <NULL> (not set) 
# record <NULL> (not set) 
log 0 
oslog 0 
skip_gameinfo 1 
bios default 
# state <NULL> (not set) 
autosave 0 
### Configuration options ### 
readconfig 1 
verbose 0 
Now when i change the resolution to any thing higher i.e 640x480 or even auto and i try to run a game, i'm using mamewah frontend by the way, it does the game loading, opens then shuts back to mamewah. Now if i turn off direct3d this doesn't happen BUT my games run really really slow 

 Also when i do have the games running fine the sound is really choppy and crackly on most games ? Hopefully someone can help out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/myers112/myscreen.jpgHere is a link to a snap of my screen playing SF Alpha 3, let me know if you think it looks pixilated on my screen ? I have a 17" monitor by the way. If not then the only problem i really have is the sound one. If so how do i get it looking fine ?