G R O O V Y M A M E : I N S T A L L A T I O N A N D Q U I C K C O N F I G U R A T I O N
( W I N 7 - S U P E R R E S O L U T I O N S - C R T )
A ) F i r s t s t e p s
1. Download the latest version of Groovy MAME [ > ] attending to your OS (Windows XP/Windows 7 or higher/Linux). Notice the 64-bit versions of Windows are required (though there use to be unofficial 32-bit builds posted in the BYOA forums if you happen to need them) and that this guide will only cover W7 since it's still the most reliable (and user-friendly OS) for GM usage.
You'll also need the game, system BIOS and devices romsets for the corresponding MAME version, which should be placed in a permanent directory in the target computer. Game romsets of home systems under MAME's software list methodology need predetermined directories; check this link [ > ] in order to learn about software lists and software storage if you're interested in emulation of home systems with Groovy MAME.
2. Create a directory for MAME in the target computer, say, C:\GROOVYMAME, and extract into it the content of Groovy MAME's compressed file. A file with the name mame64.exe should be there. Right-click it, go to Properties, Compatibility and give it Admin. privileges.
3. Make sure the following folders are there: C:\GROOVYMAME\ini and C:\GROOVYMAME\ini\source. The former will be the folder to place per-game (per-machine, in the case of home systems) INI configuration files, while the latter will host per-driver INI configuration files. These INI files will only be needed when we want specific MAME settings for a game or group of games, since they'll get priority over Groovy MAME's main configuration file mame.ini. Remember this.
4. If it's not present after the extraction, create mame.ini: Right-click mame64.exe and click Send to, Desktop (create shortcut). Place this desktop shortcut into GM's directory (paste in C:\GROOVYMAME). Right-click it, go to Properties, Direct access label, and, in the target field add " -cc" -- that is, if it has:
C:\GROOVYMAME\mame64.exe
...it must have:
C:\GROOVYMAME\mame64.exe -cc
Now make it accept the change and double-click this direct access.
5. Make sure a mame.ini file is now in your Groovy MAME directory and delete the direct access you pasted there in the previous step.
6. For launching the games/machines, you have now the option to pick a MAME-compatible frontend or just resort to command-line operation and/or MAME's own GUI (which just requires double-clicking mame64.exe once the configuration process has been finished). In the former case, check the internet to see what's better suited for your tastes keeping in mind the minimum screen resolution required by the frontend to operate and also remember to configure it as you make sure it does not overwrite the existing mame.ini file nor create brand-new ones for the games/drivers. The Display options in MAMEUI (the frontend officially included in MAME since 0.171) will do, so don't touch them!
B ) C R T E m u d r i v e r a n d C R T T o o l s
1. Create a directory in your target system for CRT Emudriver 2.0, VMM and Arcade OSD [ > ] and download the suite.
Be aware that CRT Emudriver 2.0 beta 11 and higher will totally remove the anti-flicker filter present in interlaced display modes. If, for some reason, you prefer this filter, you must install CRT Emudriver 2.0 beta 10 and use it with the latest version of CRT Tools, since they'll be perfectly compatible.
Extract them into your folder.
2. Follow Calamity's own installation guides you'll find in the previous link up to the end -- you'll get your system ready for 15-kHz modes and video mode customization as well as Groovy MAME ready for super resolutions, just remember to set the directory of your Groovy MAME's executable file (mame64.exe) and check Export monitor settings to Groovy MAME in VMM's MAME tab.