How do you run an emulator?

Question

I just got the latest version of MAME 0,111 and a rom of a game. The problem is that I have no idea how to run the program. I placed the rom into thr "rom" folder and clicked the "mame" application file. Instead, it says that I should launch the program from a command promp like MAME [options]. Where do I type this?

Please forgive me for my basic and probably stupid question but I am new to the world of emulators. I really have no idea how to run this.

Answer 1

RedStar, IF you are using windows on your computer I would say Download MAMEplus from http://mameplus.emu-france.com/ . All you need to do is click this link and it will download the file >>>http://mameplus.emu-france.com/download/mameplus_bin_gcc-0.111-20061212.7z .You will need the 7z zip program to unzip it and place it over your existing MAME folder and files. 7Z program websight http://www.7-zip.org/ program http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/sevenzip/7z442.exe?download
http://www.geocities.com/mamehelp/

The rom(s) you downloaded and placed in your rom folder will still be there after you install mameplus over the one you have.

You may also want to download bios files and chd files. Many games require bios files to run like NeoGeo games require the NeoGeo bios file to run any game emuladed from NEOGEO in MAME.
CHD files are harder to come by for they are large files anf you need emule or bit torrent to find and download them unless you would like to use a burning service.
chd file information:
http://www.mameworld.net/easyemu/mameguide/mamechd.htm
Emule:
http://www.emule-project.net/home/perl/general.cgi?l=1
Bit Torrent:
http://www.bittorrent.com/download.html
Burnning Service:
http://www.mamedvds.com/

For More roms and Bios files I reccomend the follong sights in order to get what your looking for:
http://www.dy1980.com/web/emu-mame5.htm
http://www.efmovie.com/mame.htm
http://www.romnation.net/srv/roms/mame.html
http://www.rom-world.com/

Back to running mameplus after you download it and unzip it it will have a file names mame32 v.111 and an icon of an arcade game, click it to run mameplus. This will open the program and then you will be able to adjust it to how you want it to work for you. but follow these steps first after the program opens:
1) Hold down the Ctrl button and then press the f button
(filters for all games box will open)
2) Check the boxes "NON-WORKING" AND "UNAVALABE"
(This will only show what games you have avalable to play)
3) Click the OK button on the filter box.
4) Now press the F5 button
(an audit of roms that provide a list of games avaliable to play)
5) Click on a game you'd like to play
6) The game should start and come to a screen asking you read and type ok (you can press the left then the right arrow keys insted of ok "helpfull if your using a control pannel")
7) you may need to press the enter button on some games to get them to boot up.
8) once the game loads you can press the 5 button for credits and the 1 button to start the game.
9) the left controle button and alt button are the first two buttons a game will use and the space bar will be the third. All controles are programiable by pressing the TAB button. you can also set the game to free play...
10) Enjoy

Note there is a lot to learn but well worth it!!
Here are some sight to look at and places to get more information:
http://www.mame.net/
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm
http://www.mameroom.com/home.asp
http://store.videogamecentral.com/armamuarfusi.html
http://www.mamedatabase.com/
http://mame32qa.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
http://groups.msn.com/mame32qa/messageboard.msnw?pgmarket=en-us
http://mamedev.org/legalfaq.html
http://www.mametesters.org/
http://www.retroblast.com/files.html
http://www.mameworld.net/mrdo/mame_artwork.html
http://www.doughcade.com/doughcade/index.asp
http://www.dave-gallagher.net/arcade/porn/page17.htm
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/10/mame_cabinet_build_photos.html
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/arcade/
http://www.driko.org/80sarcade.html
http://www.marcianitos.org/turecreativa/angelmanrecre.htm
http://unmamed.mame.net/
http://www.arcade-history.com/index.php?page=news
http://cheat.retrogames.com/
http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&search=arcade&N=0&Ntt=arcade&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search
http://www.mameworld.net/icons/pages/mameicons.html
http://www.arcadeflyers.net/
http://www.mamechannel.it/

I've tried to give you a lot to work with I know your just starting out and I think you might get the MAME bug and want to build your own gameing system Good luck to you and others that may find this information helpful.

Answer 2

Check for a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for MAME or read "README" or information. In Windows 2000, XP, or 2003: Start, Run, CMD will open a command prompt window to run it from without the GUI.