double check to make sure that they aren't getting changed further on down in your config file. That's a problem that I had when i first migrated to .8
I'm not sure what you mean. I was making the changes in the tab menu from within the Roms. When I restarted the ROM, none of the dip switch changes had saved.
I can't remember exactly where the .advance folder is (/home/pi/.advance or /home/pi/pimame/.advance) but open that up and edit the advmame.rc file. There should be dip switch settings in there. If they are listed in more than one place, they can override each other.
I just double checked. it's /home/pi/.advance if you are using filezilla, you need to click "server" (it's in the top menu bar), then click "force showing hidden files"
I found a misc. free play setting that was set to yes and was apparently overriding individual game settings. Now some of my games aren't working though. I may have touched something I shouldn't have. I'll have to take another look at it later.