Running different versions of MAME at same time?

[garnerb350]

I have heard of different people doing this, and I'm unsure myself. Can somebody lead me into the right direction on this?  I've noticed that certain roms work with MAME version A, and other roms work with version B.... I have version 114  and I am running Maximus Arcade for my front end. Is there a way that i be able to run multiple versions of MAME ( say ver.128)  on MArcade? In a nutshell, Can i run two versions of MAME on my front end.

OR does anyone know what version of MAME works the best ( run all  roms correctly? )

[Todd H]

Check out multimame...

http://multimame.wikidot.com/

[Visitor Q]

Compiled Version of Mame is the Best!

You can run multiple versions but one is really all you should need IMO.

[Hoopz]

Compiled Version of Mame is the Best!

You can run multiple versions but one is really all you should need IMO.

As the OP said, some games/roms run better are older versions of Mame.  Using Maws, you can see the last time a rom was updated and a lot of times, it's best to use that version of Mame for that particular rom.  I think a lot of people use an older PC for their cabinets and some times the newer versions of Mame push the envelope as far as performance. 

You can go back and look at some of the changes that Mamedev did to the source and how it affected older PCs.  The sound changes, the bezel/overlay changes, etc have affected people's machines and is a reason that they use multiple versions. 

To the OP, yes you can run multiple versions through a front end.  I don't use MA so I can't say exactly how to do it there.  Here's a link that I found that may help:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=81059.0

And Multimame, as Todd H mentioned, is great at this.

[Visitor Q]

To me multiple versions is like splitting hairs.

I have a new PC, I upgrade Mame to the newest version every time one comes out and I have never had an issue even on my older PC.

Results may vary; I can only speak from my own experience.

I mean I can see using stuff like Zinc but that as far as my multi Mame goes if you even want to count that.

[garnerb350]

Reason why I'm asking is that I have 6000 roms and I am sorting through them to see which ones work and dont. Ok, on version 114. For example, Donkey Kong doesnt have the sound that mario makes as he advances toward DK. ( waka, waka, waka). On ver.128, everything is complete. Also on 114, I cant play Revolution X ( the areosmith shooter game), but on 128, I can play it. That is what i can think off the top of my head for right now....( here at work)...

I'm learning more and more about MAME, ( since July 08 ) and there are still things that I am unsure of...I'm scared to use the tools, like CLRMAME ( is that right?) and others for fear of screwing up my roms/and or losing them. I wish that I could find good tutorials for these tools... 

[Visitor Q]

You need to run clrmame bro..

Backup your roms and let er rip!

[garnerb350]

I downloaded CLRMAMEPRO....but I cant seem to bring up the tuturiol from the site...Does anyone know this program? What do I do?

[Visitor Q]

I know it real well, I use it to build my mame rom set.

Did you try youtube?

[garnerb350]

Wellllllll, Work computer has blocking filter ( cant go to youtube)...infact my MAME computer is a stand alone. ( dont have internet at home) yeap I am in the stone ages...

[TheShanMan]

Check out multimame...

http://multimame.wikidot.com/

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