Now if I load a ROM, at least the dozen or so I tried, and make a save state I can then load that save state with no problems all the time I don't quit zsnes. However if I quit zsnes and then restart it, load that same ROM and then try loading the save state then zsnes closes silently with no error messages.
At first I thought it was because the game I was using was patched, so I tried a clean unpatched ROM, Actraiser (CRC32 EAC3358D) which zsnes tells me is good, and zsnes again crashed silently after trying to load the save state.
I just had a thought and tried making a save state then reload the rom without restarting zsnes and that also causes zsnes to crash with no error shown.
I'm using Debian unstable (amd64) with zsnes compiled and running from a 32bit chroot. I compiled it using gcc 4.1.1. Now before saying this is why it isn't working I have to mention that I did have it working fine the last time I used zsnes, can't remember the revision though sorry.
I would try running zsnes in a debugger but I'm not sure how to get that working properly what with the chroot and all, if you can explain how then I'll be happy to try

Thanks for your time.