MAME is notoriously strict. You cannot use modern ROMs with an older MAME core, nor can you use 0.78 ROMs with a modern MAME core. You will get a black screen or a missing files error. Ensure your source explicitly states or "MAME 2003 compatible" . Step 3: Don't Forget the BIOS Files
This is the literal port of the 0.78 source code. It is highly stable but entirely frozen. No new bugs are fixed. mame 0.78 romset
To understand the 0.78 set, you must understand the primary rule of MAME emulation: MAME is notoriously strict