RetroArch BIOS Verification: Check Location, Name and MD5 Hash

RetroArch's official documentation describes BIOS verification as a three-part check. A BIOS file must satisfy all of the following: correct location, correct name, and a matching file hash (MD5). If any one of these does not match what the documentation specifies for the core, the file is not verified as the right BIOS.

The three documented checks

• Location — place the BIOS file in the correct folder.
• Name — match the filename and extension shown in the core information or docs page.
• File Hash (MD5) — match the hash listed in the documentation.

Step 1: Confirm the BIOS location

According to the documentation, the BIOS file usually goes in the system folder. In RetroArch you can find that folder under Settings -> Directory -> System/BIOS; the current path appears in the right column. The specific core information page tells you exactly where the file belongs, and you may need to create a subfolder.

Step 2: Confirm the filename and extension

Check that the file has the same name and extension that appears on the core info or documentation page. A renamed file, or one with a different extension, does not satisfy this check.

Step 3: Compare the MD5 hash

The documentation describes the hash as probably the most important part of the check. The MD5 hash of your BIOS file should match the one listed in the docs. A matching name and location alone are not presented as sufficient verification.