How do I convert current mame Roms for use with MAMED?

[spiffyshoes]

MAMED for DreamCast is based on mame37b15b but I have a much more recent rom set.  I'm just wanting to convert a few roms PacMan, Galaga, and Donkey Kong.  I've heard of a program called ClrMame but It just seems way too complicated.  Is there a simpler method for converting newer rom sets to older ones or could some one walk me through how to use ClrMame?

[Tiger-Heli]

First, have you tried the roms in MAMED.

Generally, as MAME evolves they find new chips to add to the rom sets, so newer ROMS have additional files which are ignored by older MAME games, but older ROMS don't have the missing files and won't work with newer MAME's.

So you may be worrying about nothing.

Of course, MAMEdev also routinely rename drivers and games and rename internal files in the ROM folders, so the above may not work.

If it doesn't, ClrMAME really is your best bet.

See http://www.mameworld.net/easyemu/clrmameguide.htm

[spiffyshoes]

I've tried useing them with MAMED and they didn't work.  I also tried downloading mame37b from mame.net to see if they would work on my PC and they didn't work with that either.  They work fine though with the latest version of mame.

I've seen that ClrMAME guide.  Maybe I'm missing something though becuase it seems to me it just talks about how to clean up and organize your current set of roms and doesn't mention how to convert back to old rom sets.

[Tiger-Heli]

It's the same thing - Basically, you just let it build a rom info list for the old version of MAME and then let it clean your ROMS for that set.

NOTE: YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR CURRENT ROMS BACKED UP OFF THE COMPUTER SOMEWHERE BECAUSE IT MIGHT MESS UP THE CURRENT SET, LEAVING YOU WITH ROMS THAT DON'T WORK IN EITHER VERSION AND YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO START OVER.

[Minwah]

Yeah, ClrMAME is the daddy at this.  I converted a load of newish roms to a 0.36final set.  Ended up with a bunch it couldn't sort out but the vast majority were perfect.