Is it normal for ROMS to almost never work!?

[Mikezilla]

I know the forum rules state clearly about acquiring ROMS and such, but I have a question. Whenever I try to get a ROM 9 times out of 10 it never works when I try to play it. Why is that? Does it have something to do with the version of MAME I am using, or am I just getting crappy ROMS? Or am I just doint something wrong? I got a few to work, but I mean, FEW. I have maybe 15 games that actually work out of 50 that I DL'ed. Hopefully this can get answered, and that this thread doesnt go to post hell 

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

I believe that 'working' or 'not working' is not the either or situation it seems to be; there is a REASON they do not work, and discovery that is the way to fix the problem.

Is the file named incorrectly? Are there ancillary ROM files (such as a bios) that is missing? Is the zip itself corrupt?

These need to be addressed first.

[Donkbaca]

It could be a lot of things, missing CHD files, mismatched ROM to MAME version.  Broken ROM that just doesn't run well in MAME, etc.  Best thing to do is get a romset that matches your MAME version, and if you have errors that pop up regarding missing files, you can usually find those files using the google-izer on your fancy interweb machine

[Mikezilla]

I believe that 'working' or 'not working' is not the either or situation it seems to be; there is a REASON they do not work, and discovery that is the way to fix the problem.

Is the file named incorrectly? Are there ancillary ROM files (such as a bios) that is missing? Is the zip itself corrupt?

These need to be addressed first.

Yes, the file matches MAME, but that is as much as I know. It says when I audit the ROM that there are files missing, but I wouldnt know if it was corrupt or not.

It could be a lot of things, missing CHD files, mismatched ROM to MAME version.  Broken ROM that just doesn't run well in MAME, etc.  Best thing to do is get a romset that matches your MAME version, and if you have errors that pop up regarding missing files, you can usually find those files using the google-izer on your fancy interweb machine

So you can just acquire a whole ROM set? or do you mean one zip file containing all the files needed for the ROM to work? Sorry for my lack of knowledge in this, as you can tell Im new lol. I have just been getting the ROMS one by one... Is there a quicker way?

[upprc04]

Are you leaving the roms zipped?  Make sure you are not unzipping the rom files (need to stay in .zip format).  If the audit says there are files missing you will have to include those.

[Mikezilla]

Are you leaving the roms zipped?  Make sure you are not unzipping the rom files (need to stay in .zip format).  If the audit says there are files missing you will have to include those.

Yeah Im leaving them zipped, like I said, I could get a few to work, but I got a bunch last night and maybe 3 worked out of 25-30 of em. 

[Mikezilla]

I guess I will just have to hunt down the files that is says its missing. What do I do with the files when I do find them? Some of them were missing quite a few files... 

[WhereEaglesDare]

Did you download the BIOS files too, there are separate files for BIOS.  Also try to download them again, I have found that sometimes they just download bad and if I try the file again and it works fine.

[Rick]

Did you download the BIOS files too, there are separate files for BIOS.  Also try to download them again, I have found that sometimes they just download bad and if I try the file again and it works fine.

Hmm.  I've read about ROMs and CHDs, but never BIOS files.  I'll watch this thread intently, as I have a similar issue as Mikezilla.

[Bootay]

If it says that files are missing, then the .zip is either corrupt, the rom you downloaded is not for the version of MAME you are using or the particular rom requires other roms to run properly. For example, all Neo-Geo roms need the Neo-Geo bios. Also, some roms need their parent roms to run properly. For example, Pac-Man has several different rom versions, but all versions need the main pacman.zip rom in order to run. If you are using MameUI (which it sounds like you are) you can right click the game you are trying to run and click Properties. In the Properties window it will display what file is the parent rom. This is the rom you will need. The files listed as missing you probably will not find as they belong to a rom archive. Hopefully this makes sense to you.

[Mikezilla]

If it says that files are missing, then the .zip is either corrupt, the rom you downloaded is not for the version of MAME you are using or the particular rom requires other roms to run properly. For example, all Neo-Geo roms need the Neo-Geo bios. Also, some roms need their parent roms to run properly. For example, Pac-Man has several different rom versions, but all versions need the main pacman.zip rom in order to run. If you are using MameUI (which it sounds like you are) you can right click the game you are trying to run and click Properties. In the Properties window it will display what file is the parent rom. This is the rom you will need. The files listed as missing you probably will not find as they belong to a rom archive. Hopefully this makes sense to you.

Holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- thanks Bootay.  I didnt know they worked like that. Yes, Im using the MAME32/MAMEUI cause it came on the disc that accompanied saints book, so I thought it would be easier. Hm. Is this a common occurence, roms being corrupt, or needing parent roms in order to work? Take gouls and ghosts for example. I could only find one version so I figured that would work considering there werent any alternatives, but I suppose the file could be corrupt and I would have to get it from somewhere else since it didnt work... Its weird, some work, and some dont.

[Mikezilla]

Did you download the BIOS files too, there are separate files for BIOS.  Also try to download them again, I have found that sometimes they just download bad and if I try the file again and it works fine.

I suppose Ill have to DL them one by one, try them, and then delete/DL them again if they dont work. Damn, thats time consuming...

[BadMouth]

Take gouls and ghosts for example. I could only find one version so I figured that would work considering there werent any alternatives, but I suppose the file could be corrupt and I would have to get it from somewhere else since it didnt work... Its weird, some work, and some dont.

Gouls and Ghosts requires the cps1.c driver
http://maws.mameworld.info/maws/

Missing drivers are probably your problem.

The next issue you'll probably have is that rom versions won't match the older version of MAME32 you are using.
This will only be an issue for roms that have changed.

I use MAMEPlus+ when not running them through my front-end.
Not sure how new of a version of MAME32 is available.

[Donkbaca]

go to mameui.info get the latest version of MAME UI.  MAME32 became MAME UI.  That is probably a big part of the problem, you are running an old version of MAME, and the ROMS are probably newer.

[Rick]

Ok, let me put this 'out there'.

Is there a simple, understandable reference on how to determine a) if you have a complete game for the specific MAME version you're running or b) what *exactly* is missing?  For example, if I have "Game X" that when run, MAME says, "This is incomplete", how do I determine what is wrong?  I've read that ROM files can have incorrect filenames (for what reason, I have no idea) and ones that are missing CHD's, and now, BIOS files.  I've read up on a program called "ROM Lister" or something similar, and tried it, but I couldn't successfully navigate it - if it was even what I needed to fix my issues.

Another thing I wonder about is using different versions of MAME.  For example, I have 0.139 (I believe) and I understand that 0.140 was just released.  Is there a benefit to upgrade?  Is there the possibility that it could render all (or some) of my presently functional ROM's inoperable?

Is there a 'be all and end all' wiki, or website, post, or information portal *somewhere* that could shed some light on what the layman would need to do to make their ROM(s) run?  I'm seriously confused.

 

Edit:  Wow.  I might be a moron.  I just Google'd "CHD ROM missing" and was brought to the MAMEWorld site.  Specifically, this page.  I think I'll start doing some reading.  If I suddenly 'see the light', I'll make a post.  FYI, I'm going to start here, at the "MAME GUIDE INDEX".

[Hoopz]

Find a better site.   You'll know the right place when you see it.

[Hoopz]

If I suddenly 'see the light', I'll make a post. 

If you suddenly see the light, I would advise against walking towards it. 

[Rick]

If you suddenly see the light, I would advise against walking towards it. 

What light?  There's a light?

* Rick acts all nonchalant...

[Mikezilla]

go to mameui.info get the latest version of MAME UI.  MAME32 became MAME UI.  That is probably a big part of the problem, you are running an old version of MAME, and the ROMS are probably newer.

I guess Ill have to do that. Im using hyperspin as my FE, so I guess I could just update to 1.40, but like I said, the UI one is pretty easy, considering I dont know ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- about programming etc.

[Mikezilla]

Take gouls and ghosts for example. I could only find one version so I figured that would work considering there werent any alternatives, but I suppose the file could be corrupt and I would have to get it from somewhere else since it didnt work... Its weird, some work, and some dont.

Gouls and Ghosts requires the cps1.c driver
http://maws.mameworld.info/maws/

Missing drivers are probably your problem.

The next issue you'll probably have is that rom versions won't match the older version of MAME32 you are using.
This will only be an issue for roms that have changed.

I use MAMEPlus+ when not running them through my front-end.
Not sure how new of a version of MAME32 is available.

Thanks BM, Ill be sure to get those drivers.

[Hoopz]

Take gouls and ghosts for example. I could only find one version so I figured that would work considering there werent any alternatives, but I suppose the file could be corrupt and I would have to get it from somewhere else since it didnt work... Its weird, some work, and some dont.

Gouls and Ghosts requires the cps1.c driver
http://maws.mameworld.info/maws/

Missing drivers are probably your problem.

The next issue you'll probably have is that rom versions won't match the older version of MAME32 you are using.
This will only be an issue for roms that have changed.

I use MAMEPlus+ when not running them through my front-end.
Not sure how new of a version of MAME32 is available.

Thanks BM, Ill be sure to get those drivers.

Download a full set of roms to avoid piecemeal problems like this.

[Gray_Area]

Edit:  Wow.  I might be a moron.  I just Google'd "CHD ROM missing" and was brought to the MAMEWorld site.  Specifically, this page.  I think I'll start doing some reading.  If I suddenly 'see the light', I'll make a post.  FYI, I'm going to start here, at the "MAME GUIDE INDEX".

Outstanding.

[Mikezilla]

Take gouls and ghosts for example. I could only find one version so I figured that would work considering there werent any alternatives, but I suppose the file could be corrupt and I would have to get it from somewhere else since it didnt work... Its weird, some work, and some dont.

Gouls and Ghosts requires the cps1.c driver
http://maws.mameworld.info/maws/

Missing drivers are probably your problem.

The next issue you'll probably have is that rom versions won't match the older version of MAME32 you are using.
This will only be an issue for roms that have changed.

I use MAMEPlus+ when not running them through my front-end.
Not sure how new of a version of MAME32 is available.

Thanks BM, Ill be sure to get those drivers.

Download a full set of roms to avoid piecemeal problems like this.

I will get right on that good sir.

[BurgerKingDiamond]

forgive me if I'm saying stuff that's already been said, but I just skimmed through the thread quickly. some games, in particular NEOGEO will not work without a bios. You have to download this bios and leave it, unzipped in the same folder as the rest of your roms. Also, sometimes you might download a different region ROM (clone). I'm not sure exactly how it works, but I think that these ROMS have just some of the required files needed to run the game and require the Master (I don't remember if this is correct term, it might be Parent) to run properly.  The best thing to do is to find a Torrent of the most recent romset, and run the most current build of MAME. This will solve your problems.

Unfortunately if you do this you will end up with a LOT of useless CRAP, like 200 Mahjong games..... And I mean A LOT. I think my rom folder is like 20 GB. Of which I play easily less than 1GB. But this way you don't have to deal with ROM files that are incompatible.

[Mikezilla]

Youre right BKD, I didnt know about the BIOS thing, or the parent issue. Got some things figured out, most people will probably laugh, but I had some...complications...using a torrent program/site. Never used that before. It was kind of confusing at first.

Yeah, I saw all those damn Mahjong games, and there are SOOOO many games I have never heard of. Kinda cool though, try out a new game I never even knew existed! 

[BurgerKingDiamond]

Youre right BKD, I didnt know about the BIOS thing, or the parent issue. Got some things figured out, most people will probably laugh, but I had some...complications...using a torrent program/site. Never used that before. It was kind of confusing at first.

Yeah, I saw all those damn Mahjong games, and there are SOOOO many games I have never heard of. Kinda cool though, try out a new game I never even knew existed! 

yeah, I have found out about a LOT of games that I never knew anything about just by randomly loading up stuff with cool names.