Having problems getting Galaga, Gauntlet to work

[Singapura]

I've tried MAME .127, MameUI and AdvanceMame (with GameEx as FE). Even though I downloaded the newest versions Gauntlet and Galaga from the usual sources, I can't get them to work properly. AdvanceMame does let Galaga run but in a very strange resolution making it apear stretched and thin. They don't even appear in the GameEx menu. When I try to play them in mameUI they just stop working without any error message.  I have audited and fixed all my roms with CrlMamePro and they appear okay.

Should I try to use an older/alternative version of Mame? If so which one? Any other suggestions?

[NOP]

>AdvanceMame does let Galaga run but in a very strange resolution making it apear stretched and thin.

something to try:
Digdug (among others) use the exact same resolution and frequency-try it and see if it does the same thing.  If not, then you've likely got a wonky setting in galaga.ini.  If it does, then you may have a wonky setting in mame.ini, or you may need to override your settings by creating specific galaga.ini files.

>They don't even appear in the GameEx menu

that sounds like a front end issue, nothing to do with mame or anything else.  We probably can't help you there.

>When I try to play them in mameUI they just stop working without any error message

what does that mean?  it doesn't load?  it freezes?  it starts up but exits? do you see anything on the screen? 

You should also try backing up to mame .126.  the roms likely have not changed between the two, so it'll be 1 more variable to eliminate in solving the problem.

[Singapura]

I've searched for it but can't find it; is there a timeline with the changes in Mame? I know that at one point in time the radically changed the way roms are handled. I'd hate to have to read through all the change logs...

Never mind, found it