ClrMamePro vs JRomManager

ClrMamePro scans and rebuilds MAME machine sets, checking ROM, sample, and CHD files for missing, unnecessary, or incorrectly named files. Its Rebuilder matches input files against a database using hashes and size, then writes correctly named machine files to an output folder. The package includes a graphical interface and a command-line executable with Scanner, Rebuilder, and Dir2Dat functions. The tools can use a MAME executable's listxml or listsoftware export as a data source. They use 7z.dll for 7z archive support and can produce zip, 7z, or decompressed output. A suitable DatFile allows use with systems beyond MAME. There is no install wizard; users unpack the archive into a folder. Current builds run on Windows 7 and higher, while older documentation describes Linux use under WINE or similar. The software is freeware, and the copyright notice identifies Roman Scherzer as its author; he says he started clrmame(pro) in 1997. Incorrect settings or removal operations can cause data loss, so the author recommends backups.

JRomManager is a free Java ROM manager for organizing and checking ROM collections. It works with MAME and Logiqx DAT files and can also import data from the MAME executable. Its tools scan, fix, and rebuild split, non-merged, or merged sets. It supports ZIP and 7z archives, TorrentZip, RAR4 and RAR5 decompression, and multi-volume RAR and 7z decompression. Checks include full or on-demand SHA1 scans, MD5 for older DAT files, CHD, and Software Lists. One important CHD limit: verification reads the header for MD5 or SHA1 but does not hash the CHD data. With MAME linked to a profile, its viewer can launch games or software marked available. Batch tools include a directory updater, torrent checker, and archive compressor. Desktop packages are listed for Windows x64, macOS x64 and ARM, and Linux x64; it can also run on an OS with Java 21. Server mode serves a web interface. Simple Server lacks encryption, access control, and DDoS protection; Full Server offers accounts, access rights, and TLS 1.3, but is experimental.