FAQ:Setting Up - Revision history

Firehawke: No longer needed.

2016-06-02T02:50:52Z

No longer needed.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:50, 2 June 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~Return to the main [[Frequently Asked Questions]] page.~~
	~~==Where can I get MAME?==~~
	MAME is always available from the [http://mamedev.org/release.html Latest Release page] on the [http://mamedev.org official MAME developer site]. Many other sites have MAME online, too, but you will always find the latest version at the sites mentioned above.

	~~==What is a frontend? Do I need one? If so, which one should I use, and where can I get it?==~~
	A frontend is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the command-line versions of MAME. A frontend is generally responsible for discovering what games are installed on your system and presenting you with a nice user interface for choosing which one to run using MAME. Frontends often have many spiffy features like cool animations, pictures of cabinets and artwork, details about the games, and other useful tidbits.

	Most frontends are separate from MAME itself. One common exception is [http://mameui.info MAMEUI], which is a version of the standard Windows MAME build with the frontend built directly into the application.

	~~==Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?==~~
	~~There are several means of obtaining ROM images for use in MAME:~~

	* A small number of ROM images are now available with the copyright holders' permission at the [http://mamedev.org/roms/ mamedev.org ROMs page].
	* The HotRod Joystick control panel from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games, Inc.] came bundled with a CD that includes MAME and a selection of Capcom ROMs. Hanaho also sold the ArcadePC cabinet with a different selection of Capcom ROMs.
	* You can purchase your own arcade game PCBs (on [http://www.ebay.com eBay] for example), buy a ROM reader, and use it to copy the ROM chips' contents into files for your personal use.

	~~Always check if the particular arcade games' copyright owner is selling the ROMs legally (as with Capcom). That way you will support the companies that support emulation.~~

	~~==Once I get the game ROMs, where do I put them?==~~
	~~Put them in the "roms" subdirectory of your main MAME directory. You do not need to uncompress the ZIP files. For example:~~

	~~mame.exe~~
	~~roms\~~
	~~gridlee.zip~~

	~~==What are samples and why do I need them?==~~
	Samples are digitized sound files. Some games need them, in addition to the ROM files, to provide the complete range of sound effects. For example, the sound routines of Donkey Kong Jr. are not yet fully emulated. If you play the game without samples, you will miss the "jumping" and "climbing" sounds.

	~~It is the MAME team's goal to eventually do away with samples; however, at the moment many older games' audio circuitry is too complex to emulate accurately.~~

	~~==Where do I put samples? Will MAME know they are there?==~~
	~~Put sample files in the "samples" subdirectory of your main MAME directory. MAME will automatically load samples as long as they have the right names and are in the right place.~~

	~~mame.exe~~
	~~samples\~~
	~~gridlee.zip~~

	Note: the samples for a game's "parent" (base) version cover all the other versions of that game. So if you have samples for [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=dkongjr dkongjr] in your "samples" directory, [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=dkongjrb dkongjrb] (Donkey Kong Jr. Bootleg) and [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=dkongjrj dkongjrj] (Donkey Kong Jr. Japanese) will use these samples properly. You do ''not'' need three copies of the same samples.

	~~==Where do I place the .CHD (compressed hard disk image) files?==~~
	~~Put them into a subdirectory of your "roms" directory with the name of the game the CHD is for. In addition the CHD, you also need the corresponding ROMs for the game to work. To demonstrate:~~

	~~mame.exe~~
	~~roms\~~
	~~area51.zip~~
	~~area51\~~
	~~area51.chd~~

	Note that the CHD name does not always directly correspond to the game now. For example, the CHD for [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=bm1stmix Beatmania] is named 753jaa11.chd. It would go in a directory called "bm1stmix".

	~~==The ROMs and samples are in ZIP (compressed) format. Do I need to extract them?==~~
	You do ''not'' need to unzip these files. MAME automatically reads and extracts the data from zipped ROM and sample files, so you do not need to extract this data yourself. It also helps to keep all the ROM files for each game together in a single package.

	~~==Do I need to put my CHD files into a ZIP?==~~
	No. In fact, it is a '''VERY BAD IDEA'''. CHD files are already compressed in such a way that they can access the data quickly without the need for decompressing the whole CHD all at once. If you put a CHD file in a ZIP, MAME will try to extract the giant CHD file from the ZIP into your system's memory, and then will decompress bits and pieces of the extracted CHD out of memory. This is highly inefficient, and really defeats the purpose of the CHD files.

	~~==Why doesn't MAME support RAR/xxxx compression?==~~
	ZIP is extremely well-supported through a free, cross-platform library, and has been a standard for at well over a decade and is still the suggested and preferred method of storage for all things MAME deals with.

	MAME does now support internally 7-zip (7z) archives for holding data (alongside ZIP) as of MAME 0.145u1. It had matured to the point where it was thought to be a more of a potential plus to the project rather than a hinderance, in particular usage for large CD-Based titles (CHD's) used in MAME and MESS.

	RAR (.rar) is still a unique compression algorithm which, unfortunately, is proprietary. Given MAME's licensing and its source available status, for this reason, you will never see RAR support in MAME. At this moment the choices of .ZIP or .7z archives should cover everyone compression needs.

Stiletto at 04:43, 1 December 2014

2014-12-01T04:43:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:43, 1 December 2014
Line 6:		Line 6:
	A frontend is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the command-line versions of MAME. A frontend is generally responsible for discovering what games are installed on your system and presenting you with a nice user interface for choosing which one to run using MAME. Frontends often have many spiffy features like cool animations, pictures of cabinets and artwork, details about the games, and other useful tidbits.		A frontend is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the command-line versions of MAME. A frontend is generally responsible for discovering what games are installed on your system and presenting you with a nice user interface for choosing which one to run using MAME. Frontends often have many spiffy features like cool animations, pictures of cabinets and artwork, details about the games, and other useful tidbits.

	Most frontends are separate from MAME itself. One common exception is [http//mameui.info MAMEUI], which is a version of the standard Windows MAME build with the frontend built directly into the application.		Most frontends are separate from MAME itself. One common exception is [http://mameui.info MAMEUI], which is a version of the standard Windows MAME build with the frontend built directly into the application.

	==Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?==		==Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?==

Stiletto at 04:28, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T04:28:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:28, 25 November 2014
Line 36:		Line 36:
	gridlee.zip		gridlee.zip

	Note: the samples for a game's "parent" (base) version cover all the other versions of that game. So if you have samples for [http://~~mameworld~~.net/~~maws/set/~~dkongjr dkongjr] in your "samples" directory, [http://~~mameworld~~.net/~~maws/set/~~dkongjrb dkongjrb] (Donkey Kong Jr. Bootleg) and [http://~~mameworld~~.net/~~maws/set/~~dkongjrj dkongjrj] (Donkey Kong Jr. Japanese) will use these samples properly. You do ''not'' need three copies of the same samples.		Note: the samples for a game's "parent" (base) version cover all the other versions of that game. So if you have samples for [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=dkongjr dkongjr] in your "samples" directory, [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=dkongjrb dkongjrb] (Donkey Kong Jr. Bootleg) and [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=dkongjrj dkongjrj] (Donkey Kong Jr. Japanese) will use these samples properly. You do ''not'' need three copies of the same samples.

	==Where do I place the .CHD (compressed hard disk image) files?==		==Where do I place the .CHD (compressed hard disk image) files?==
Line 47:		Line 47:
	area51.chd		area51.chd

	Note that the CHD name does not always directly correspond to the game now. For example, the CHD for [http://~~mameworld~~.net/~~maws/set/~~bm1stmix Beatmania] is named 753jaa11.chd. It would go in a directory called "bm1stmix".		Note that the CHD name does not always directly correspond to the game now. For example, the CHD for [http://www.progettoemma.net/index.php?lang=en&gioco=bm1stmix Beatmania] is named 753jaa11.chd. It would go in a directory called "bm1stmix".

	==The ROMs and samples are in ZIP (compressed) format. Do I need to extract them?==		==The ROMs and samples are in ZIP (compressed) format. Do I need to extract them?==

Stiletto at 03:28, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T03:28:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:28, 25 November 2014
Line 12:		Line 12:

	* A small number of ROM images are now available with the copyright holders' permission at the [http://mamedev.org/roms/ mamedev.org ROMs page].		* A small number of ROM images are now available with the copyright holders' permission at the [http://mamedev.org/roms/ mamedev.org ROMs page].
	* The HotRod Joystick control panel from [~~https~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games, Inc.] came bundled with a CD that includes MAME and a selection of Capcom ROMs. Hanaho also sold the ArcadePC cabinet with a different selection of Capcom ROMs.		* The HotRod Joystick control panel from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games, Inc.] came bundled with a CD that includes MAME and a selection of Capcom ROMs. Hanaho also sold the ArcadePC cabinet with a different selection of Capcom ROMs.
	* You can purchase your own arcade game PCBs (on [http://www.ebay.com eBay] for example), buy a ROM reader, and use it to copy the ROM chips' contents into files for your personal use.		* You can purchase your own arcade game PCBs (on [http://www.ebay.com eBay] for example), buy a ROM reader, and use it to copy the ROM chips' contents into files for your personal use.

Stiletto at 02:28, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T02:28:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 25 November 2014
Line 12:		Line 12:

	* A small number of ROM images are now available with the copyright holders' permission at the [http://mamedev.org/roms/ mamedev.org ROMs page].		* A small number of ROM images are now available with the copyright holders' permission at the [http://mamedev.org/roms/ mamedev.org ROMs page].
	* The ~~[http://www.hanaho.com/Products/HotRodJoystick.php~~ HotRod Joystick control panel] from [~~http~~://~~www~~.~~hanaho~~.~~com~~ Hanaho Games, Inc.] ~~comes~~ bundled with a CD that includes MAME and a selection of Capcom ROMs. Hanaho also ~~sells~~ the ~~[http://www.hanaho.com/Products/ArcadePC.php~~ ArcadePC cabinet] with a different selection of Capcom ROMs.		* The HotRod Joystick control panel from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games, Inc.] came bundled with a CD that includes MAME and a selection of Capcom ROMs. Hanaho also sold the ArcadePC cabinet with a different selection of Capcom ROMs.
	* You can purchase your own arcade game PCBs (on [http://www.ebay.com eBay] for example), buy a ROM reader, and use it to copy the ROM chips' contents into files for your personal use.		* You can purchase your own arcade game PCBs (on [http://www.ebay.com eBay] for example), buy a ROM reader, and use it to copy the ROM chips' contents into files for your personal use.

Stiletto at 02:17, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T02:17:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:17, 25 November 2014
Line 6:		Line 6:
	A frontend is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the command-line versions of MAME. A frontend is generally responsible for discovering what games are installed on your system and presenting you with a nice user interface for choosing which one to run using MAME. Frontends often have many spiffy features like cool animations, pictures of cabinets and artwork, details about the games, and other useful tidbits.		A frontend is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the command-line versions of MAME. A frontend is generally responsible for discovering what games are installed on your system and presenting you with a nice user interface for choosing which one to run using MAME. Frontends often have many spiffy features like cool animations, pictures of cabinets and artwork, details about the games, and other useful tidbits.

	Most frontends are separate from MAME itself. One common exception is [http://mameui.~~classicgaming.gamespy.com/~~ MAMEUI], which is a version of the standard Windows MAME build with the frontend built directly into the application.		Most frontends are separate from MAME itself. One common exception is [http//mameui.info MAMEUI], which is a version of the standard Windows MAME build with the frontend built directly into the application.

	==Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?==		==Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?==

Tafoid: /* Do I need to put my CHD files into a ZIP? */

2012-04-03T21:41:28Z

Do I need to put my CHD files into a ZIP?

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:41, 3 April 2012
Line 53:		Line 53:

	==Do I need to put my CHD files into a ZIP?==		==Do I need to put my CHD files into a ZIP?==
	No. In fact, it is a ~~very bad idea~~. CHD files are already compressed in such a way that they can access the data quickly without the need for decompressing the whole CHD all at once. If you put a CHD file in a ZIP, MAME will try to extract the giant CHD file from the ZIP into your system's memory, and then will decompress bits and pieces of the extracted CHD out of memory. This is highly inefficient, and really defeats the purpose of the CHD files.		No. In fact, it is a '''VERY BAD IDEA'''. CHD files are already compressed in such a way that they can access the data quickly without the need for decompressing the whole CHD all at once. If you put a CHD file in a ZIP, MAME will try to extract the giant CHD file from the ZIP into your system's memory, and then will decompress bits and pieces of the extracted CHD out of memory. This is highly inefficient, and really defeats the purpose of the CHD files.

	==Why doesn't MAME support RAR/xxxx compression?==		==Why doesn't MAME support RAR/xxxx compression?==

Tafoid: /* Why doesn't MAME support RAR/7-Zip/xxxx compression? */

2012-04-03T21:40:45Z

Why doesn't MAME support RAR/7-Zip/xxxx compression?

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:40, 3 April 2012
Line 55:		Line 55:
	No. In fact, it is a very bad idea. CHD files are already compressed in such a way that they can access the data quickly without the need for decompressing the whole CHD all at once. If you put a CHD file in a ZIP, MAME will try to extract the giant CHD file from the ZIP into your system's memory, and then will decompress bits and pieces of the extracted CHD out of memory. This is highly inefficient, and really defeats the purpose of the CHD files.		No. In fact, it is a very bad idea. CHD files are already compressed in such a way that they can access the data quickly without the need for decompressing the whole CHD all at once. If you put a CHD file in a ZIP, MAME will try to extract the giant CHD file from the ZIP into your system's memory, and then will decompress bits and pieces of the extracted CHD out of memory. This is highly inefficient, and really defeats the purpose of the CHD files.

	==Why doesn't MAME support RAR~~/7-Zip~~/xxxx compression?==		==Why doesn't MAME support RAR/xxxx compression?==
	ZIP is extremely well-supported through a free, cross-platform library, and has been a standard for at ~~least~~ a decade~~. Yes, there are many new up-~~and-coming compression algorithms that squeeze an extra few percent out of things, but they are generally (a) strictly coded for a particular platform, like 7-Zip (though this is apparently changing), or (b) proprietary, like RAR.		ZIP is extremely well-supported through a free, cross-platform library, and has been a standard for at well over a decade and is still the suggested and preferred method of storage for all things MAME deals with.
	~~Furthermore, what most people really fail to realize is that there~~ is ~~absolutely no incentive for~~ the ~~MAME developers to add support~~ for ~~another compression format. For one thing, it only makes the~~ MAME ~~core more complicated, dependent on more external libraries, and prone to bugs~~.

	~~But even beyond that, what is the real benefit~~ of getting those extra few percentage points of compression? While we realize there are plenty of people out there who feel that life is not worthwhile unless they have an absolutely perfect, audited collection of ROMs on their machines, we honestly don't see why MAME ~~should bend over backwards~~ to ~~ensure that they can accomplish this in~~ a ~~few less MB. If you're really so cheap that you have to pirate all your software, you can at least cough up~~ a ~~few extra dollars~~ to ~~buy~~ a ~~bigger hard disk~~.		MAME does now support internally 7-zip (7z) archives for holding data (alongside ZIP) as of MAME 0.145u1. It had matured to the point where it was thought to be a more of a potential plus to the project rather than a hinderance, in particular usage for large CD-Based titles (CHD's) used in MAME and MESS.

	~~In short~~, ~~ZIP~~ is ~~good enough~~, ~~and has a ton of benefits to it. Adding support~~ for ~~anything else merely says~~, ~~"Hey, we're~~ in ~~it for~~ the ~~ROMz~~.~~" And quite frankly, we don't think that benefits MAME in any way~~.		RAR (.rar) is still a unique compression algorithm which, unfortunately, is proprietary. Given MAME's licensing and its source available status, for this reason, you will never see RAR support in MAME. At this moment the choices of .ZIP or .7z archives should cover everyone compression needs.

Aaron: Fixed MAME32 reference

2009-06-04T05:04:42Z

Fixed MAME32 reference

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:04, 4 June 2009
Line 6:		Line 6:
	A frontend is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the command-line versions of MAME. A frontend is generally responsible for discovering what games are installed on your system and presenting you with a nice user interface for choosing which one to run using MAME. Frontends often have many spiffy features like cool animations, pictures of cabinets and artwork, details about the games, and other useful tidbits.		A frontend is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the command-line versions of MAME. A frontend is generally responsible for discovering what games are installed on your system and presenting you with a nice user interface for choosing which one to run using MAME. Frontends often have many spiffy features like cool animations, pictures of cabinets and artwork, details about the games, and other useful tidbits.

	Most frontends are separate from MAME itself. One common exception is [http://~~www~~.classicgaming.com/~~mame32qa/ MAME32~~], which is a version of the standard Windows MAME build with the frontend built directly into the application.		Most frontends are separate from MAME itself. One common exception is [http://mameui.classicgaming.gamespy.com/ MAMEUI], which is a version of the standard Windows MAME build with the frontend built directly into the application.

	==Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?==		==Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?==

Aaron: /* Where can I get MAME? */

2008-10-28T04:52:49Z

Where can I get MAME?

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:52, 28 October 2008
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Return to the main [[Frequently Asked Questions]] page.		Return to the main [[Frequently Asked Questions]] page.
	==Where can I get MAME?==		==Where can I get MAME?==
	MAME is always available from the [http://mamedev.org/release.html Latest Release page] on the [http://mamedev.org official MAME developer site~~] or from other mirrors like [http://mame.net mame.net~~]. Many other sites have MAME online, too, but you will always find the latest version at the sites mentioned above.		MAME is always available from the [http://mamedev.org/release.html Latest Release page] on the [http://mamedev.org official MAME developer site]. Many other sites have MAME online, too, but you will always find the latest version at the sites mentioned above.

	==What is a frontend? Do I need one? If so, which one should I use, and where can I get it?==		==What is a frontend? Do I need one? If so, which one should I use, and where can I get it?==