Extreme newbie help for MAME

[Davoo]

So someone else made a thread saying that they're a newb to this, and then proceeded to ask questions beyond anything I can understand. I really shouldn't even be trying to do this.

Anyway, I'm stuck at just getting the MAME.INI file created. I've gone to command prompt and typed,

-createconfig / -cc

As the doc tells me. But the response I get from prompt:

"
'-createconfig' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file'
"

This is where I'm stuck. I'm sure there's probably the solution to this written somewhere, I just don't know where to look for it.

 

[malloc4096]

ha that is complete newb, however its more of a basic unknowning of the command line, which is almost all the same for any app at the command line.. u know how to use the code tags tho when posting, thats beyond what some people would lol.

the '/' means 'or', '-creatconfig' or '-cc' will do exactly the same thing, that goes for any command listed in /mamefolder/docs/

you need to specify the 'application' then the 'commands' then any addictional arguments if applicable to the command.
you need to either include the path to the exacutable 'mame.exe' or change directories so your command prompt is alreading pointing to 'mame's root folder.

after you open command prompt... /start/run/'cmd' [Enter] (dont include quotes(')

example with fake directires, replace with your own

(Include Quotes (") in paths with spaces _)

"C:\program files\emulator\mameVERx\mame.exe" -cc

or would be the same as...

cd /D "C:\program files\emulator\mameVERx"
mame.exe -cc

Actually I just tested it... and usually that is the same, but what mame seems to do is... It creates the 'config' (mame.ini) in the directory that the command prompt is pointing to. So it won't be created in MAMEs root directory unless you 'cd' into MAMEs directory path first.. Nota big deal though, you can cut/past the ini whereever you want, I don't think mame can read it though unless its located in the same directory as (mame.exe)

to double check were your command prompt window is pointing just type

echo %CD%

a side note i also notice, you have to 'cd' into mame.exe root directory to launch a ROM, otherwise it can't read the rompath from the .ini after you input the proper path into the .ini ofcourse... just open .ini with a text editor.

alternatively this will launch games without the ini (note Don't use extention .zip when exacuting romname)

"C:\program files\emulator\mameVERx\mame.exe" -rompath "D:\your_path_to\roms_folder";"D:\any_other_path\like\bios_folder" ROMNAME

can combine commands, example

mame.exe -ka -nowaitvsync -tb -prescale 0 -video ddraw -r 640x480@60 -skip_gameinfo ROMNAME
mame.exe -rompath "D:\path" -verifyroms romname

IF you stick with normal mame without a aftermarket frontend, I'd also suggest taking a look at the documentation in mames folder under /docs/ it explains almost everything in /config and for /windows if your using microsoft windows.

the command prompt itself is another story, probably annoying for a newb, but once you understand the basics it kinda makes you feel stupid... like why didn't i know this before lol ?

 

[Davoo]

Wow thanks for the in-depth response! Tho I still got myself stuck immediately. Once again I don't know what I'm doing wrong...

 

[malloc4096]

sorry dude,

filter or no filter. I don't do links. For these few seconds I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt your maybe just naive and not a spammer. to prove me right, remove your mis-spelled link, and tell me what the problem is... There is very little that can go wrong in your task.

otherwise don't waist peoples time, more specificly don't waist MY time.

 

[Davoo]

Okay. So here's how it went. I type:

"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" -cc

Hit enter, and it seems to accept this. Basically, nothing happens visually, but I assume this is good. Then,

echo %CD%

And I get nothing.

So then I do,

-createconfig

And this is what it gives me:

'-createconfig' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

There's obviously something obvious I'm not noticing here. Thanks for helping me with this.

 

[malloc4096]

Iv been using command prompt with echo OFF for so long i forgot it shows you the default current directory behind the cursor. Well i havn't used the modern OS's like windows8, but I assume it does this in those as well, I could be wrong tho.

you are using a microsoft windows OS(operating system) i assume ?

the 'echo %CD%' may have worked but you may not have noticed IF it only mimic'ed what was already shown behind the cursor.

you can cut and past the 'mame.ini' from where ever the command prompt was pointing to by default, or do it like this...

cd /D "C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081"
mame.exe -cc

-createconfig is the same as -cc, it will only work with the 'mame.exe' infront of it. any command needs a specified application.

after you do that, if for any reason you have trouble browsing to the directory and opening the .ini with a text editor, this will open it the same. ignore the top command which is the same as befor IF your still using the exact same command prompt

cd /D "C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081"
notepad.exe mame.ini

IF you don't know where or how to find the 'mame.ini' which you have already created before you changed directories to point to mame's root folder. you can just re-open a blank command prompt and type

del mame.ini

side note, your using an outdated version of mame... which is fine, depending on what your trying to play.. I also use Old outdated versions of mame for older games, because they run better on them. v0103 i think is the oldest I'v needed, but if your tying to play a modern one like any CPS3 you'll need like v0136 or higher.

another side note, most windows commands or applications you can also type /? or -? for help display.

 

[Davoo]

Do not mind any of the stuff below the ~'s. I think I figured it all out now. The only problem I have now is that I think it's about to run, but then it gives me the whole, "This app can't run on your PC. To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher". And then the Prompt says, "Access Denied"

Edit seven million:
I realized I should try the 64 bit version, since that's what my computer is. Still mostly the same result.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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So anyway, I assume this is a more common problem, that I can simply look up the solution to? Once I figure it out, I'll edit this post (for the jillionth time lol) to reflect that.

Frick man, you've been getting me really close! Hopefully this last bit won't take too much of your time to explain! XF

Okay so I got the hang of the basic commands, showlist, ext. I still just can't figure out how to initiate a game. I assume my only problem is I don't know EXACTLY how to compose the command. Here's my attempts:

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" -720r1
error: unknown option -720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" mame 720r1
error: duplicate gamename: 720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" -mame 720r1
error: unknown option -mame
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" mame -720r1
error: unknown option -720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" MAME -720r1
error: unknown option -720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" MAME -720r1
error: unknown option -720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" -720r1
error: unknown option -720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" -mame 720r1
error: unknown option -mame
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" mame -720r1
error: unknown option -720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" MAME -720r1
error: unknown option -720r1
error while parsing cmdline

C:\Users\David>

EDIT
Welp, I finally figured out how to write it I think, but now I believe I'm encountering issues with the ROM files themselves. I assume I can figure this one out myself. Soooo thanks a ton for all the help!!!

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" 720r1
Unable to open the keyboard device. (error 32)
1126-7lm.047 NOT FOUND
1127-7mn.047 NOT FOUND
1128-6fh.047 NOT FOUND
1131-6mn.047 NOT FOUND
1129-6hj.047 NOT FOUND
1132-6p.047  NOT FOUND
1130-6k.047  NOT FOUND
1133-6r.047  NOT FOUND
1134-2a.047  NOT FOUND
1135-2b.047  NOT FOUND
1136-2cd.047 NOT FOUND
1121-6a.047  NOT FOUND
1122-6b.047  NOT FOUND
1123-7a.047  NOT FOUND
1124-7b.047  NOT FOUND
1117-6c.047  NOT FOUND
1118-6d.047  NOT FOUND
1119-7d.047  NOT FOUND
1120-7c.047  NOT FOUND
1109-6t.047  NOT FOUND
1110-6sr.047 NOT FOUND
1111-6p.047  NOT FOUND
1112-6n.047  NOT FOUND
1113-6m.047  NOT FOUND
1114-6l.047  NOT FOUND
1115-6kj.047 NOT FOUND
1116-6jh.047 NOT FOUND
1101-5t.047  NOT FOUND
1102-5sr.047 NOT FOUND
1103-5p.047  NOT FOUND
1104-5n.047  NOT FOUND
1105-5m.047  NOT FOUND
1106-5l.047  NOT FOUND
1107-5kj.047 NOT FOUND
1108-5jh.047 NOT FOUND
1125-4t.047  NOT FOUND
ERROR: required files are missing, the game cannot be run.
Unable to close the keyboard device. (error 6)

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" ccastles
Unable to open the keyboard device. (error 32)
022-403.bin  NOT FOUND
022-404.bin  NOT FOUND
022-405.bin  NOT FOUND
ccastles.102 NOT FOUND
ccastles.101 NOT FOUND
ccastles.107 NOT FOUND
ccastles.106 NOT FOUND
ERROR: required files are missing, the game cannot be run.
Unable to close the keyboard device. (error 6)

EDIT 2

Welp, I downloaded another rom: this one seems to get even closer to working. I am dropping it in the roms folder, and I've tried leaving the folders both zipped and unzipped. Here's what I've been getting:

C:\Users\David>"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\mame.exe" ccastles3

"ccastles3" approximately matches the following
supported games (best match first):

ccastles  Crystal Castles (version 4)
ccastle3  Crystal Castles (version 3)
ccastle2  Crystal Castles (version 2)
pc_cvnia  PlayChoice-10: Castlevania
ccasino   Chinese Casino [BET] (Japan)
cosmica   Cosmic Alien
cubybop   Cuby Bop (Location Test)
cchasm    Cosmic Chasm (set 1)
cchasm1   Cosmic Chasm (set 2)
cclimber  Crazy Climber (US)

C:\Users\David>

Edit 3
The rom I'm trying to run is "ccastles". I tried out "ccastles3" to see if that would be better. But I see from that "supported games" list, it's listed as 'ccastle3', instead of 'ccastles3'. So I went and found a rom that is listed as 'ccastle3', but it's the same 'NOT FOUND' problem as before.

Should I try updating my MAME? I was trying to make sure to have the most recent version possible, I'm just not entirely sure where to find it.

 

[malloc4096]

ok dude, this is whats going on..

You need to start over.
you need to download mame from the offical site i liked bellow. IF your on a Windows OS?? IF you don't know what operating system your trying to run this on, well you have to figure that out first. I quoted the development forks list from the mame faq bellow reguarding the operating system in question, so theres no confusion.

If you won't to do this right
you need to look at the links bellow.
and take a look at the files included with MAME, which i can point out exactly at..
"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\docs\config.txt"
"C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081\docs\windows.txt"

http://www.mamedev.org/#
http://www.mamedev.org/oldrel.html
http://wiki.mamedev.org/index.php/Frequently_Asked_Questions
http://wiki.mamedev.org/index.php/FAQ:About

also it looks like you overlooked, the part of my post where I mentioned, mame will not beable to launch your game from the command prompt, unless you Change the Command Prompt Directory to mame first "C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081".... Otherwise the only other way is to use the -rompath command that i specified before, better to just change to mames root folder so it can read all the settings you specifiy in the .INI

For old games I would actually recommend mame version 0103 or lower.. I linked above to the old releases page, IF your on WINDOWS, you just need to 'Binary' link, not the 'source'. After you figure out what Operating System your using and at least the basics from the links and docs, will sort out a lot for you. Ask away if theres any more confusion

you can verify a rom like so..
assuming you have the ROMs in MAMEs Default Roms folder in its root directory, Or you specified the proper rom directory in the mame.ini... alternatively you can use the -rompath switch as specified before. This is all listed in the config.txt so take a look

cd /D "C:\Users\David\Games\Arcade\MAMEv081"
mame.exe -verifyroms 720r1

What platforms does MAME run on?

The official build of MAME is targeted for Windows platforms.

Other popular up-to-date MAME ports include:

MAMEUI is a Windows based version of MAME that includes a graphical user interface, maintained by Chris Kirmse, Mike Haaland, Ren? Single, and John L. Hardy IV.

SDLMAME is an SDL-targeted port of MAME maintained by R. Belmont. SDL is a platform-independent library, and so SDLMAME can be configured to run on Linux, Windows, MacOS X, and many other platforms. See SDL Supported Platforms for a list of platforms on which SDLMAME can be found.

MAME OS X is a native MacOS X port of MAME maintained by Dave Dribin.

A number of additional MAME ports are available, but not updated as frequently. These include:

MacMAME, a MacOS X port of MAME maintained by Brad Oliver.

XMAME (archived), an X11 port of MAME maintained by Laurent Desnogues.

AdvanceMAME, a DOS/Linux port of MAME optimized for arcade monitors that was maintained by Andrea Mazzoleni. Note the 'was'. This port is no longer maintained. The last official release was on 25-06-2006, AdvanceMAME v0.106.0 (R.I.P).

In addition, people have ported MAME to various cameras, PDAs, game consoles, and other platforms. Search the web to find more details on these more obscure ports.

 

[Davoo]

Well man, I finally pulled through and am able to play it! Thanks!

Now I'm just gonna figure out how to turn off the bilinear filter, and I can start recording
And plz don't sweat it trying to help me with that one, unless you readily know how to do it.

 

[malloc4096]

I do, but I'm not that familiar with recording. So not sure if you actually need to disable it if you play around with video mode, but i can tell you were to look.

In the /docs/windows.txt closer to the bottom the video mode commands are listed. I believe it runs in D3D by default depending on your mame version. I run in -video ddraw mode, simply because its faster, dunno if that usess bilinear or not tho. the D3D option specific options are lower in the list which, looks like -nofilter disables D3Dspecific filtering, but has no effect with other modes... /docs/sdl.txt lists the openGL settings.


EDIT: just fyi, my earlier comment about not waisting peoples time, was under the premise that you maybe an actual spammer, as In completely lying... asking questions IMO isn't waisting peoples time, tho some people are extremely lazy, If that is the case and its directed at me, don't worry I would also point that out LoL. Not being familiar with an app is understandable, I was in the same position at some point. The thing is, a lot of apps sometimes don't make some info obvious or convienyent for those not familiar with command line and stuff. patience is another story

 

[Davoo]

I just want the picture to be nice 'n crisp. Thanks yet again for giving me a direction to look. I think I ought make a new thread for this.

 

[Robert]

To turn off that filter, edit mame.ini with notepad, look for the line that starts with filter, and change the number from 1 to 0. That will give you sharp crisp pixels.