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This section will introduce you to the basics of what MESS is, and where to get it.

Contents 1 Before using MESS 2 Getting MESS 3 Using MESS 4 Configuring MESS

[edit] Before using MESS

Just a few things to note:

• You need BIOS files in order to run many of the more advanced systems MESS emulates (e.g. the PlayStation). Many of these BIOS files are still under copyright, so this guide will not help you find them.
• MESS is an emulator. Games running through it may not perform quite the way the genuine hardware would, and emulating at full speed requires a much more powerful computer than the original hardware's equivalent specifications.
• Many of MESS's drives are in a preliminary state, and some don't work at all; for some systems or some games you may find other emulators will perform better.
• MESS aims for accuracy over performance. Other emulators incorporate various "hacks" to make certain games work, or to increase the speed of emulation; you may find that the sound and visuals presented are noticeably different compared to other emulators, but this does not mean that MESS is the one that is emulating them incorrectly.

[edit] Getting MESS

Download the latest stable build from the official site. MESS comes compressed in a zip file; if you have Windows ME, XP, or Vista zip file support is included with the operating system, otherwise you will need a program such as 7-Zip. Extract the files to a location of your own choosing. Because there is no installer, you will have to create shortcuts yourself.

Once extracted, you will have a variety of icons as well as two folders (artwork and hash). One folder you will want to create is software, where you place the games to be emulated (you can store them elsewhere if you wish). If you want to emulate systems that require BIOS files you will need to acquire these files and place them in a new folder called roms.

[edit] Using MESS

Like MAME, MESS includes a command line program (mess.exe), but it also includes messgui.exe, a visual interface much like MAME32. The visual interface makes configuration very easy, and you can then use these configuration files with the command line program.

[edit] Configuring MESS

Before you start playing some games, you will want to check up on the configuration. The GUI makes it really easy, so run messgui.exe. Next, choose Options>Default System Options... to open the System Properties window.