it worked! tested with dmame and vsmame 0.61 and advmenu 2.4.13. i couldn't test with AOS, i don't know how it extracts/reads the xml file.
i'm able to get into advmenu and play games. however, it still cannot distinguish the unplayable roms from the good ones and i have to press "enter" one more time than usual when the loading screen comes on. normally, when "enter" is pressed on a game, it shows the loading screen and proceeds to load the game, without any more keypresses.
here are the errors that remain:
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/2020bb'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/3countb'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/8ball'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/alpham2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/androdun'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/aodk'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/aof'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/aof2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/aof3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/bakatono'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/bangbead'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/bjourney'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/blazstar'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/breakers'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/bstars'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/bstars2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/burningf'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/castfant'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cbdash'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cbtime'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cburnrub'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cdiscon1'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cexplore'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cfghtice'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cgraplop'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/clapapa'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/clocknch'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cluckypo'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cmissnx'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cnightst'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/cosmos'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cppicf'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cprobowl'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cprogolf'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cprosocc'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cptennis'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/crsword'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cscrtry'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/csuperas'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/cterrani'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/ctisland'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ctomaday'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/ctornado'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/decocass' for game 'vsmame/ctsttape'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/cyberlip'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/darkwar'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/dazzler'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/doubledr'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/eightman'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/fatfursp'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/fatfury1'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/fatfury2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/fatfury3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/fbfrenzy'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/fightfev'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/flipshot'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/galaxyfg'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ganryu'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/garou'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/goalx3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/goldbug'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/gowcaizr'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/gpilots'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/gururin'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/heartatk'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/hero'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/hunchbak'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/huncholy'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/irrmaze'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/janshin'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/joyjoy'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kabukikl'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/karnovr'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kizuna'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kof2000'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kof94'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kof95'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kof96'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kof97'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kof98'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kof99'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kotm'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/kotm2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/pgm' for game 'vsmame/kov'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/lastblad'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/lastbld2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/lbowling'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/legendos'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/logger'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/lresort'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/magdrop2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/magdrop3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/maglord'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/mahretsu'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/marukodq'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/miexchng'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/minasan'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/mosyougi'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/mslug'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/mslug2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/mslug3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/mslugx'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/mutnat'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/nam1975'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ncombat'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ncommand'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/neobombe'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/neocup98'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/neodrift'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/neomrdo'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ninjamas'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/nitd'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/pgm' for game 'vsmame/orlegend'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/overtop'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/panicbom'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/pbobbl2n'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/pbobblen'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_1942'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_bball'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_bfght'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_bstar'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_cntra'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_cshwk'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_cvnia'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_dbldr'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_ddrgn'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_drmro'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_duckh'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_ebike'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_ftqst'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_gntlt'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_golf'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_goons'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_grdus'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_hgaly'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_kngfu'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_mario'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_miket'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_mman3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_moglf'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_mtoid'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_ngai2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_ngai3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_ngaid'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_pwbld'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_pwrst'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_radr2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_radrc'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_rcpam'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_rkats'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_rnatk'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_rrngr'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_rygar'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_sjetm'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_smb'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_smb2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_smb3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_suprc'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_tbowl'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_tenis'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_tkfld'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_tmnt'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_tmnt2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_trjan'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_vball'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_wcup'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_wgnmn'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/playch10' for game 'vsmame/pc_ynoid'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/pgoal'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/popbounc'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/preisle2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/pspikes2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/pulstar'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/puzzledp'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/quizdai2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/quizdais'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/quizkof'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/radarzon'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ragnagrd'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/rbff1'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/rbff2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/rbffspec'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ridhero'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/roboarmy'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/s1945p'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/samsho'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/samsho2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/samsho3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/samsho4'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/savagere'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/sdodgeb'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/sengoku'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/sengoku2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/shocktr2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/shocktro'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/socbrawl'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/sonicwi2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/sonicwi3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/spacefrt'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/spinmast'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ssideki'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ssideki2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ssideki3'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/ssideki4'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/stakwin'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/stakwin2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/strhoop'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/superbik'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/superspy'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/tophuntr'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/tpgolf'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/trally'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/turfmast'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/twinspri'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/tws96'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/viewpoin'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/wakuwak7'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/cvs' for game 'vsmame/wallst'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/wh1'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/wh2'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/wh2j'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/whp'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/wjammers'.
Missing definition of romof 'vsmame/neogeo' for game 'vsmame/zedblade'.
these were already present before but i though it was my setup that caused it. anyways, i only have a few neogeo games in my rom folder. the bios roms are in a separate folder. kof94, for example, is listed as an error above, but it is present in the gamelist and is playable with no problems.
thank you very much.