DRAIGNET

Overview

ROMForge is a Windows tool that automates the process of formatting and copying ROM collections to SD cards for retro handheld systems. It safely detects removable drives, formats them using PowerShell, and performs high-speed file transfers with progress tracking, error recovery, and resume support.

System Requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
• .NET 8.0 Runtime or higher
• Administrator privileges for formatting
• USB SD card reader or internal SD slot

Getting Started

1. Insert your SD card — ROMForge automatically detects removable drives and lists them in the Select SD Card dropdown.
2. Optional: Format the card — Enter a label and click Format Card. The tool uses PowerShell to create a clean exFAT partition.
3. Select your ROM source — Click Browse and choose your folder containing console/platform directories (e.g. E:\SD Images\ArkOS 64GB).
4. Choose platforms — ROMForge automatically lists detected platforms (e.g. gba, psx, nes); tick those you want to copy.
5. Start copying — Press Copy to begin transferring. Progress bars and transfer speeds update live.
6. Pause or stop safely — Clicking Stop pauses after finishing the current file; press again to resume.

Preparing Your ROMs Folder

Before using ROMForge, make sure your ROMs are organised in the same structure that your emulator’s operating system expects. Inside your main source directory, each console or platform should have its own folder — and inside those are your ROM files.

For example, your source directory might look like this:

E:\SD IMAGES\ArkOS 64gb\
├── gba\
│   ├── Advance Wars (USA).zip
│   ├── Metroid Fusion (USA).zip
│   └── Zelda - Minish Cap (USA).zip
├── psx\
│   ├── Final Fantasy VII (Disc 1).bin
│   ├── Metal Gear Solid (Disc 2).bin
│   └── Tekken 3 (USA).bin
├── nes\
│   ├── Contra (USA).nes
│   └── Super Mario Bros 3 (USA).nes
└── snes\
    ├── Chrono Trigger (USA).smc
    └── Donkey Kong Country 2 (USA).smc
                

The folder names and structure depend entirely on the retro operating system or image you’re using (e.g. ArkOS, JELOS, 351ELEC, RetroOZ, etc.). ROMForge simply mirrors this structure when copying, so keeping your folders consistent ensures that games appear correctly on your handheld after copying.

Pause, Resume & Recovery

ROMForge finishes copying the current file before pausing, ensuring no partial or corrupted data. If the app or system crashes, the next copy session will automatically detect and overwrite incomplete files to guarantee data integrity.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Cause	Solution
SD card not detected	Not recognised as removable	Reinsert the card or click Refresh
“Access denied” error	Insufficient permissions	Run ROMForge as Administrator
Copy speed is slow	Using USB 2.0 or network path	Use a USB 3.0 port and local source folder
Format failed	Write-protected SD card	Disable the card’s physical write lock
App crashes mid-copy	Drive disconnect or system issue	Restart ROMForge; it will re-copy any incomplete files

Tips & Best Practices

• Use high-quality SD cards and readers for best performance.
• Keep your ROMs in the exact folder structure your emulator expects.
• Avoid network paths during large transfers.
• Verify the log window for any red [ERROR] entries before removing the SD card.
• For multi-card setups, format and copy one card at a time.

Support

ROMForge is developed by DraigNET Applications. For help or feedback, contact:

support@draignet.uk