docs: name emulator errors in troubleshooting

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Abdessamad Derraz committed 2026-10-23 18:48:02 +02:00
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@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
---
level: start
order: 40
terms: bios not found, bios missing, firmware missing, bios error
---
# When a game does not start
@@ -11,7 +12,13 @@ Most often a BIOS file is missing or wrong.
<span id="game-wont-start-black-screen"></span><span id="my-setup-says-untested"></span>
Run the command with `--check`. It changes nothing.
<!-- Words as emulators print them: snes9x bsx.cpp:1232 "BS: BIOS not found!"
(1bcc369e), puNES src/core/fds.c:312 "bios not found" (b1758ec2), Gearcoleco
platforms/libretro/libretro.cpp:866 "OS-7 BIOS missing" (23d0ec28), RetroArch
intl/msg_hash_us.h:32805 "One or more firmware files are missing" (5333a7c5). -->
Your emulator says **BIOS not found**, **BIOS missing** or **firmware
missing**? Run the command with `--check`. It changes nothing.
<!-- os-tabs -->
```sh
@@ -37,13 +44,17 @@ Run it without `--check`. It adds missing files and replaces wrong ones.
- **Right folder?** [Get your files](../which-pack.md) names it.
- **Exact name?** `scph5501.bin` and `SCPH-5501.BIN` differ. On Linux,
capitals count too.
capitals count too. The command adds names that differ by capitals.
- **A `bios` folder inside your BIOS folder?** Move its files up one level.
- **Unzipped by hand on Linux?** The command adds names that differ by
capitals.
- **BIOS setting on a subfolder, like `system/dc`?** Point it at the BIOS
folder itself. Some emulators add their own, like `dc/` for Flycast, and
the command puts the files there.
- **A ZIP in parts, like `Pack.part1of2.zip`?** Unzip every part into one
folder.
<!-- Flycast's libretro port appends "dc/" to the system directory:
shell/libretro/libretro.cpp:2252-2253, emulators/flycast.yml. -->
## An arcade game does not start
It needs its BIOS set, like `neogeo.zip`, and a game set for the same emulator
@@ -51,7 +62,7 @@ version.
- Keep `neogeo.zip` zipped.
- A game set for another MAME version often fails.
Details: [the version of each emulator](../emulators/index.md).
Details: [the version of each emulator](technical-faq.md#which-mame-version-do-the-arcade-bios-sets-match).
- Run the command once. It installs the BIOS sets your emulators read.
## The BIOS is fine, the game still fails
@@ -59,7 +70,12 @@ version.
- **Another emulator?** Each reads its own files, listed on its page.
- **A BIOS setting?** Some emulators can skip the BIOS. In PCSX ReARMed, set
**BIOS Selection** to **Auto**.
- **A disc in several files?** Open its `.cue` or `.m3u`, not a `.bin`.
- **The screen says "Please insert PlayStation CD-ROM"?** The BIOS works.
The game did not load: open its `.cue` or `.m3u` file, not a `.bin`. A
disc from another region shows it too.
<!-- The message comes from the console's CD-ROM region check:
libretro/swanstation README.md:36 (cc94ebcd). -->
## If the command fails { #installation-script-fails }