RomCenter 3.00 alpha 5 released

[RomCenter]

Version 3.00 alpha 5 released

This is a test only version and should not be used on real files, nor be widely distributed.
Backup your files before using it.

This release fixes a lot of bugs, and add new features.
The database structure changed and you can't use the previously created database files.
You must create new database from this version.

Bugs fixed:
- status bugs
- count in status bar
- '"' in descriptions are correct now

Added:
- Database version updated
- CHD support (sha-1) (through arcade.dll plugin)
- CHD fix (not fully tested)
- Vista compatible (fonts, folders, aero)
- Some new vista taskdialog for testing
- Vista open and save files dialogs
- Fastest path loading in drag & drop
- Update of an existing database with a new datafile
- Icons in listview
- Clean up interface
- Change database extension from bin to .rdt (romcenter dat)
- Some operations in threads

Download:
- RomCenter 3.00a5 (3.9 MB)

Reports bugs and comments in the dev forum.

How to install it:
- unzip in a directory
- run romcenter.exe
- select files/new...
- follow the wizard to create the database
- wait for creation
- Add rom path
- check, fix etc...

Enjoy

[RomCenter]

I won't have access to internet during july, so, no chat, sorry.
I will be back in july to see how it goes with this (last ?) alpha.

Thank you for helping

[davy]

The Alpha5 package is missing the file gds32.dll.

Symptoms: executing Alpha5 romcenter.exe results in quick popup but not the start of the application.

Workaround: download Alpha4 and copy it manually to your installation folder.

[RomCenter]

You're right

When I tested, it works. A copy of the dll was probably available somewhere in my system...

You must rename the provided file fbembed.dll to gds32.dll to use the last version of the file.

[davy]

Hi,

why isn't it currently possible to select different DAT's anymore ?
Is it just not completed or will it be removed completely in 3.x ?

Thx,
Davy

[RomCenter]

The way dat are handle is a little bit different. Games infos are stored in a database. Once the dats is transfered to the db, it is no more needed.
The difference with rc2 is that dat is replaced by databases.

You must use the standart files/open to select a database. This is more easy for all users, as it is the default in windows. And you can store your databases where you want.

[cbreaker]

Although looking around the forum I've found that you've said that this error has been fixed, I'm still getting it on the newest version of RomCenter:

'arithmetic exception, numeric overflow or string truncation'

It happens thousands of times; perhaps one for each ROM zip file it finds.

I've never used RomCenter and this is the first install I ever did. (Although I had to grab that DLL from the Alpha 4 release to make it work.)

It seems to scan the ROMS and it says it found 6300 files but when I click around some ROMS it says they're all missing, so it mustn't have scanned it correctly.

I'm trying alpha 4 to see if it works ant better for me.

----

Update: Same thing happens in Alpha 4.

Oh well, maybe next time..

[RomCenter]

What is your OS ?
What is your windows language ?
Does anybody have the same problem ?

[cbreaker]

Sorry, I should have mentioned.

It's Windows Vista Ultimate/English US running on an Opteron CPU with 2GB RAM.

Maybe it's noteworthy to mention that I have a nearly complete .117 MAME (the only emulator I'm trying to get working at the moment) set, minus about 150 CHD's.

Let me know if you'd like to know anything else.

[wuemura]

Hello!

I've just register to post this bug, i use the old 2.71 romcenter in my computer (listed in my signature) but i can't start this Romcenter Alpha 5, i can see the splash screen and nothing more, the program dies with no error.

And since is Alpha, i would like to give some sugestions:

1) To make the program to use threads multi-core processors if available for better performance.

2) romcenter only works fine with compressed rom files, if the rom is not compressed and the name is wrong it fixes the file name but do not compress the file, even if i use "compress file" in shell operations it does nothing (v2.71)

3) I have a folder with a complete set of mame roms, since are too much files in it, romcenter crashes and get very slow when i try to update the set with new files. (v2.71)

Thanks.

[koss]

Is goodmerge supported? If not when will it be?

Koss

[RomCenter]

Hello!

I've just register to post this bug, i use the old 2.71 romcenter in my computer (listed in my signature) but i can't start this Romcenter Alpha 5, i can see the splash screen and nothing more, the program dies with no error.

And since is Alpha, i would like to give some sugestions:

1) To make the program to use threads multi-core processors if available for better performance.

Doing it is not that easy... I have several ideas to improve performance, but for now, let's test the engine core.

2) romcenter only works fine with compressed rom files, if the rom is not compressed and the name is wrong it fixes the file name but do not compress the file, even if i use "compress file" in shell operations it does nothing (v2.71)

Yes, this is a requested feature and it could appear later.

3) I have a folder with a complete set of mame roms, since are too much files in it, romcenter crashes and get very slow when i try to update the set with new files. (v2.71)

Give a try with the alpha 6.
Anyway, I don't recommend putting several giga in one folder. Try to split your rom. For example, neogeo, cps2, cps3 etc...

[RomCenter]

Is goodmerge supported? If not when will it be?

Koss

Yes, some years ago.
But Cowering locked his datafiles to prevent the support.

[koss]

Is goodmerge supported? If not when will it be?

Koss

Yes, some years ago.
But Cowering locked his datafiles to prevent the support.

Why!? this would be such a great and amazing function! what a jerk

[RomCenter]

Ask Cowering