CHD Types

Primary CHD File Association

.CHD

File Format:	.chd
Type:	MAME Hard Disk Image

CHD file extension may refer to an Arcade game disk image that is used by some MAME emulator games. MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. A compressed version including all the contents of an arcade machine's hard disk is stored in this CHD file. It is used to load the game in conjunction with a game ROM.

Developer:	Open Source
Kind:	Game Files
Folder:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.chd

Software Programs That Open The MAME Hard Disk Image:

MAME by Open Source

Windows

Mac

Linux

ExtraMAME by WinTools Software Engineering

Windows

MacMAME by Open Source

Mac

MAME OS X by Open Source

Mac

Mac OS X

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CHD File Complications

Troubles Opening CHD Files

Missing MAME

If you attempt to load your CHD file, you experience a message such as "Can't Open CHD Files". Customarily, this means that MAME is not installed on %%os%%. The typical path of opening your CHD with a double-click won't work because %%os%% cannot make the program connection.

Tip: If you know of another program that can open your CHD file, you can try opening it by selecting the application from the programs listed.

Outdated MAME

Sometimes your installed version of MAME won't support your MAME Hard Disk Image file. Installing the latest version of MAME from Open Source is recommended. Most of the time your MAME Hard Disk Image file was created by a newer MAME than what you have installed.

Tip: Sometimes you can get a clue about the version of CHD file you have by right clicking on the file, then clicking on "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac OSX).

Summary: In either case, the majority of problems opening CHD files are related to not having the correct software application installed on your computer.

Additional CHD Opening Issues

Although you might already have MAME or another CHD-associated software installed on your computer, you can still encounter problems opening MAME Hard Disk Image files. There can be other issues - unrelated to software - preventing you from opening CHD files. Additional factors include:

• Invalid CHD file references in the Windows Registry (the "phonebook" of the Windows Operating System)
• Corruption of the CHD file description inside the Registry
• Defective install of a CHD program, such as MAME
• The CHD itself is corrupted
• CHD file integrity has been compromised by malware
• Device drivers of the hardware associated with your CHD file are corrupt or out-of-date
• Too many applications are open on your PC to load your MAME Hard Disk Image file successfully