How does one go about and update MAME?

[garnerb350]

Hey everyone...Hope everyone enjoyed the game last night...I'm dealing with the hangover....
Had several questions...

During the weekend I recieved Mame 129 complete and spent the weekend placing it on my hard drive...Opened it, tied it in to my front end....love it.

Ive been seeing this and quite frankly with me being a noob I am scared to touch it. But how and what exacytley do you do to update your MAME system...I went to the MAME site and I saw where they have the source updates...  129u1, 129u3, etc....Is it worth it to update everytime? When you update, do you have to download new sets or etc? I've seen where alot of people wait a while before they do update. But what are the steps as for "to update"?

I'm wanting to learn how to master MAME, because I now have friends who are wanting to jump on the bandwagon and have there own "personal arcade" and they are asking me what and how to do etc...

So say I go and download 129 u1-3 and take it home to my cab...What do you do exactly...that is what puzzles me.

[Dazz]

You will need to get the MAME source  for 129 and also the update files.  You will then need to compile the new version.  See this thread for assistance in doing that. 

[Hoopz]

I only update my set when something is added to Mame that warrants my attention.  Look at what's been added/changed and see if there are games there that you want to play.

If so, you need to download the newest version of Mame (not necessarily the .U releases though it's up to you).  You also need to update your roms to the new version.  You'll need to use Clrmamepro to do that.  Here's a link to a tutorial that can walk you through that program: 

http://www.cphsolutions.f2s.com/guides/cmprotutorial.htm

Recompiling Mame may not be necessary depending on your needs.  Simply updating your roms to match the version you are using is the minimum to do and is often the only step you'll have to do.

FYI that I ran version .94 for a few years before I felt compelled to update.  It's all about what you want. 

Good luck! 

[garnerb350]

Dazz, Hoopz....Thanks a bunch, the info helps a lot...I've seen that link before in the past...

This kinda reconfirms what I will probley do....Just wait a while until the updates have better stuff.
Orginally I had version 114...and I heard that Soul Caliber was working in ver 129. After getting 129...I figured that in the future it would be cheaper for me to learn how to update and compile instead of going out and buying full sets.  Hopefully when i get the time, I will try to make a backup and try it...Once again thanks...

[u_rebelscum]

You also need to update your roms to the new version.

Only some of the romsets.  The longer you wait, probably results in more of them.  And if you don't play a game that the romset changed, you don't need to update it.


I "update" mame almost every update, including the .u ones. on my desktop, but usually only update romsets as I find out it changed by playing.  I'm quoting update because I leave the old versions installed for years after I stop using them on this computer.  This is perfect for this computer as I like seeing the code changes, don't use a FE, and don't play too often.

My laptop mame is updated less often (6 to 12 months), and is a full update.  I replace the old version and update all the romsets I use at the same time.  I play more on this computer than the desktop, but at random places & times, so I might not have a fast connection to update a romset.

If I ever finish my cab, I'll probably update it once every couple years so once I decide on a FE and games to include, I can set-and-forget the FE and mame, and play anytime.

[garnerb350]

That was what I was thinking....probley just wait and update every 2 years....
I know I am setting myself up for a stress-out....New to this and I'm trying to run with the big dogs when it comes to Arcade emulation.