is there a way to detect if a MAME ROM is a clone?

[meleu]

I know we have dat files available, and several lists on the web where one can get the ROM lists and see what ones are clones. But I would like to know if in the ROM .zip file itself is there a flag where I can detect if it's a clone.

[meleu]

Well, as far as I searched the answer is "no".

[Lyle_JP]

You need clrmamepro and a proper .dat file for your romset. That will definitively tell you what's a clone and what's not (and will also check the integrity of the rom files you have).

[flop]

Lightspeed program it´s easy to use and got a lot of features (check clones too I thought):

http://forums.launchbox-app.com/topic/30530-lightspeed-ultra-fast-mame-importer-tool/

I used it to clear my mame roms and it´s the salvation.

[meleu]

@Lyle_JP @flop
I would like to know if in the ROM .zip file itself is there a flag where I can detect if it's a clone. Thanks anyway! ;-)

[flop]

I think yes, but I dont know how or wich file is it, that info should be in internet, maybe in "lightspeed" forum (cause one guy made that program)

[suprjami]

No, there is no metadata stored in the actual ROM zip, it's just a compressed file containing one or more files of binary ROM data.

That binary data might be a valid parent ROM, a valid split child ROM, a valid non-merged child, a picture of your cat, or random garbage.

The only way to check the contents of the zip against known ROM contents is to checksum the contents and compare them to known checksums. Those checksums are what a DAT file contains.