diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/apexc.c b/src/mess/drivers/apexc.c
index a2b34a5baff..053e75a6b38 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/apexc.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/apexc.c
@@ -106,13 +106,13 @@ bool apexc_cylinder_image_device::call_load()
 	/* load RAM contents */
 	m_writable = !is_readonly();
 
-	fread( machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->base(), 0x1000);
+	fread( memregion("maincpu")->base(), 0x1000);
 #ifdef LSB_FIRST
 	{   /* fix endianness */
 		UINT32 *RAM;
 		int i;
 
-		RAM = (UINT32 *)(*machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu"));
+		RAM = (UINT32 *)(*memregion("maincpu"));
 
 		for (i=0; i < 0x0400; i++)
 			RAM[i] = BIG_ENDIANIZE_INT32(RAM[i]);
@@ -136,14 +136,14 @@ void apexc_cylinder_image_device::call_unload()
 			UINT32 *RAM;
 			int i;
 
-			RAM = (UINT32 *)(*machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu"));
+			RAM = (UINT32 *)(*memregion("maincpu"));
 
 			for (i=0; i < /*0x2000*/0x0400; i++)
 				RAM[i] = BIG_ENDIANIZE_INT32(RAM[i]);
 		}
 #endif
 		/* write */
-		fwrite(machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->base(), /*0x8000*/0x1000);
+		fwrite(memregion("maincpu")->base(), /*0x8000*/0x1000);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/c65.c b/src/mess/drivers/c65.c
index 16f7455c8ea..a94fb3662fc 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/c65.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/c65.c
@@ -205,39 +205,39 @@ int c65_state::c64_paddle_read( device_t *device, address_space &space, int whic
 {
 	int pot1 = 0xff, pot2 = 0xff, pot3 = 0xff, pot4 = 0xff, temp;
 	UINT8 cia0porta = mos6526_pa_r(machine().device("cia_0"), space, 0);
-	int controller1 = machine().root_device().ioport("CTRLSEL")->read() & 0x07;
-	int controller2 = machine().root_device().ioport("CTRLSEL")->read() & 0x70;
+	int controller1 = ioport("CTRLSEL")->read() & 0x07;
+	int controller2 = ioport("CTRLSEL")->read() & 0x70;
 	/* Notice that only a single input is defined for Mouse & Lightpen in both ports */
 	switch (controller1)
 	{
 		case 0x01:
 			if (which)
-				pot2 = machine().root_device().ioport("PADDLE2")->read();
+				pot2 = ioport("PADDLE2")->read();
 			else
-				pot1 = machine().root_device().ioport("PADDLE1")->read();
+				pot1 = ioport("PADDLE1")->read();
 			break;
 
 		case 0x02:
 			if (which)
-				pot2 = machine().root_device().ioport("TRACKY")->read();
+				pot2 = ioport("TRACKY")->read();
 			else
-				pot1 = machine().root_device().ioport("TRACKX")->read();
+				pot1 = ioport("TRACKX")->read();
 			break;
 
 		case 0x03:
-			if (which && (machine().root_device().ioport("JOY1_2B")->read() & 0x20))  /* Joy1 Button 2 */
+			if (which && (ioport("JOY1_2B")->read() & 0x20))  /* Joy1 Button 2 */
 				pot1 = 0x00;
 			break;
 
 		case 0x04:
 			if (which)
-				pot2 = machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTY")->read();
+				pot2 = ioport("LIGHTY")->read();
 			else
-				pot1 = machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTX")->read();
+				pot1 = ioport("LIGHTX")->read();
 			break;
 
 		case 0x06:
-			if (which && (machine().root_device().ioport("OTHER")->read() & 0x04))    /* Lightpen Signal */
+			if (which && (ioport("OTHER")->read() & 0x04))    /* Lightpen Signal */
 				pot2 = 0x00;
 			break;
 
@@ -254,32 +254,32 @@ int c65_state::c64_paddle_read( device_t *device, address_space &space, int whic
 	{
 		case 0x10:
 			if (which)
-				pot4 = machine().root_device().ioport("PADDLE4")->read();
+				pot4 = ioport("PADDLE4")->read();
 			else
-				pot3 = machine().root_device().ioport("PADDLE3")->read();
+				pot3 = ioport("PADDLE3")->read();
 			break;
 
 		case 0x20:
 			if (which)
-				pot4 = machine().root_device().ioport("TRACKY")->read();
+				pot4 = ioport("TRACKY")->read();
 			else
-				pot3 = machine().root_device().ioport("TRACKX")->read();
+				pot3 = ioport("TRACKX")->read();
 			break;
 
 		case 0x30:
-			if (which && (machine().root_device().ioport("JOY2_2B")->read() & 0x20))  /* Joy2 Button 2 */
+			if (which && (ioport("JOY2_2B")->read() & 0x20))  /* Joy2 Button 2 */
 				pot4 = 0x00;
 			break;
 
 		case 0x40:
 			if (which)
-				pot4 = machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTY")->read();
+				pot4 = ioport("LIGHTY")->read();
 			else
-				pot3 = machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTX")->read();
+				pot3 = ioport("LIGHTX")->read();
 			break;
 
 		case 0x60:
-			if (which && (machine().root_device().ioport("OTHER")->read() & 0x04))    /* Lightpen Signal */
+			if (which && (ioport("OTHER")->read() & 0x04))    /* Lightpen Signal */
 				pot4 = 0x00;
 			break;
 
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ int c65_state::c64_paddle_read( device_t *device, address_space &space, int whic
 			break;
 	}
 
-	if (machine().root_device().ioport("CTRLSEL")->read() & 0x80)     /* Swap */
+	if (ioport("CTRLSEL")->read() & 0x80)     /* Swap */
 	{
 		temp = pot1; pot1 = pot3; pot3 = temp;
 		temp = pot2; pot2 = pot4; pot4 = temp;
@@ -345,17 +345,17 @@ UINT32 c65_state::screen_update_c65(screen_device &screen, bitmap_ind16 &bitmap,
 
 READ8_MEMBER(c65_state::c65_lightpen_x_cb)
 {
-	return machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTX")->read() & ~0x01;
+	return ioport("LIGHTX")->read() & ~0x01;
 }
 
 READ8_MEMBER(c65_state::c65_lightpen_y_cb)
 {
-	return machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTY")->read() & ~0x01;
+	return ioport("LIGHTY")->read() & ~0x01;
 }
 
 READ8_MEMBER(c65_state::c65_lightpen_button_cb)
 {
-	return machine().root_device().ioport("OTHER")->read() & 0x04;
+	return ioport("OTHER")->read() & 0x04;
 }
 
 READ8_MEMBER(c65_state::c65_c64_mem_r)
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/fm7.c b/src/mess/drivers/fm7.c
index ce7dc7b4011..7c07652dd1b 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/fm7.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/fm7.c
@@ -1233,12 +1233,12 @@ void fm7_state::fm7_keyboard_poll_scan()
 	int bit = 0;
 	int x,y;
 	UINT32 keys;
-	UINT32 modifiers = machine().root_device().ioport("key_modifiers")->read();
+	UINT32 modifiers = ioport("key_modifiers")->read();
 	static const UINT16 modscancodes[6] = { 0x52, 0x53, 0x54, 0x55, 0x56, 0x5a };
 
 	for(x=0;x<3;x++)
 	{
-		keys = machine().root_device().ioport(portnames[x])->read();
+		keys = ioport(portnames[x])->read();
 
 		for(y=0;y<32;y++)  // loop through each bit in the port
 		{
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/nc.c b/src/mess/drivers/nc.c
index 1f5bfa220ca..e195929e1b5 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/nc.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/nc.c
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ void nc_state::nc_refresh_memory_bank_config(int bank)
 				membank(bank1)->set_base(addr);
 
 				/* write enabled? */
-				if (machine().root_device().ioport("EXTRA")->read() & 0x02)
+				if (ioport("EXTRA")->read() & 0x02)
 				{
 					/* yes */
 					membank(bank5)->set_base(addr);
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ void nc_state::nc_common_init_machine()
 	m_memory_config[2] = 0;
 	m_memory_config[3] = 0;
 
-	m_previous_inputport_10_state = machine().root_device().ioport("EXTRA")->read();
+	m_previous_inputport_10_state = ioport("EXTRA")->read();
 
 	/* setup reset state ints are masked */
 	m_irq_mask = 0;
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/palm.c b/src/mess/drivers/palm.c
index 9b252a6a6a9..d2235d6f2af 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/palm.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/palm.c
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ void palm_state::machine_start()
 void palm_state::machine_reset()
 {
 	// Copy boot ROM
-	UINT8* bios = machine().root_device().memregion("bios")->base();
+	UINT8* bios = memregion("bios")->base();
 	memset(m_ram->pointer(), 0, m_ram->size());
 	memcpy(m_ram->pointer(), bios, 0x20000);
 
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/pcw.c b/src/mess/drivers/pcw.c
index 67fd0d9d283..5d8e8b43c08 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/pcw.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/pcw.c
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ void pcw_state::pcw_update_mem(int block, int data)
     {
         unsigned char *FakeROM;
 
-        FakeROM = &machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->base()[0x010000];
+        FakeROM = &memregion("maincpu")->base()[0x010000];
 
         membank("bank1")->set_base(FakeROM);
     }*/
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ int pcw_state::pcw_get_sys_status()
 	return
 		m_interrupt_counter
 		| (m_screen->vblank() ? 0x40 : 0x00)
-		| (machine().root_device().ioport("EXTRA")->read() & 0x010)
+		| (ioport("EXTRA")->read() & 0x010)
 		| (m_system_status & 0x20);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/pdp1.c b/src/mess/drivers/pdp1.c
index d6b588392f0..9a0ba8d5bee 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/pdp1.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/pdp1.c
@@ -1705,7 +1705,7 @@ void pdp1_state::pdp1_keyboard()
 
 	for (i=0; i<4; i++)
 	{
-		typewriter_keys[i] = machine().root_device().ioport(twrnames[i])->read();
+		typewriter_keys[i] = ioport(twrnames[i])->read();
 	}
 
 	for (i=0; i<4; i++)
@@ -1735,9 +1735,9 @@ void pdp1_state::pdp1_lightpen()
 	int x_delta, y_delta;
 	int current_state;
 
-	m_lightpen.active = (machine().root_device().ioport("CFG")->read() >> pdp1_config_lightpen_bit) & pdp1_config_lightpen_mask;
+	m_lightpen.active = (ioport("CFG")->read() >> pdp1_config_lightpen_bit) & pdp1_config_lightpen_mask;
 
-	current_state = machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTPEN")->read();
+	current_state = ioport("LIGHTPEN")->read();
 
 	/* update pen down state */
 	m_lightpen.down = m_lightpen.active && (current_state & pdp1_lightpen_down);
@@ -1759,8 +1759,8 @@ void pdp1_state::pdp1_lightpen()
 	m_old_lightpen = current_state;
 
 	/* update pen position */
-	x_delta = machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTX")->read();
-	y_delta = machine().root_device().ioport("LIGHTY")->read();
+	x_delta = ioport("LIGHTX")->read();
+	y_delta = ioport("LIGHTY")->read();
 
 	if (x_delta >= 0x80)
 		x_delta -= 0x100;
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/ssystem3.c b/src/mess/drivers/ssystem3.c
index 984de853d93..86c6ce6cd0d 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/ssystem3.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/ssystem3.c
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ void ssystem3_state::ssystem3_playfield_reset()
 {
 	memset(&m_playfield, 0, sizeof(m_playfield));
 	m_playfield.signal=FALSE;
-	//  m_playfield.on=TRUE; //machine().root_device().ioport("Configuration")->read()&1;
+	//  m_playfield.on=TRUE; //ioport("Configuration")->read()&1;
 }
 
 void ssystem3_state::ssystem3_playfield_write(int reset, int signal)
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ void ssystem3_state::ssystem3_playfield_write(int reset, int signal)
 
 void ssystem3_state::ssystem3_playfield_read(int *on, int *ready)
 {
-	*on=!(machine().root_device().ioport("Configuration")->read()&1);
+	*on=!(ioport("Configuration")->read()&1);
 	//  *on=!m_playfield.on;
 	*ready=FALSE;
 }
diff --git a/src/mess/drivers/tx0.c b/src/mess/drivers/tx0.c
index e69078bbc64..a72fbc44385 100644
--- a/src/mess/drivers/tx0.c
+++ b/src/mess/drivers/tx0.c
@@ -1465,7 +1465,7 @@ void tx0_state::tx0_keyboard()
 
 	for (i=0; i<4; i++)
 	{
-		typewriter_keys[i] = machine().root_device().ioport(twrnames[i])->read();
+		typewriter_keys[i] = ioport(twrnames[i])->read();
 	}
 
 	for (i=0; i<4; i++)
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/apple2gs.c b/src/mess/machine/apple2gs.c
index 98ac15695cc..aa9a6a26eea 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/apple2gs.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/apple2gs.c
@@ -1565,7 +1565,7 @@ UINT8 *apple2gs_state::apple2gs_getslotmem(offs_t address)
 	assert(address <= 0xCFFF);
 
 	rom = m_rom;
-	rom += 0x030000 % machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->bytes();
+	rom += 0x030000 % memregion("maincpu")->bytes();
 	return &rom[address];
 }
 
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/apple3.c b/src/mess/machine/apple3.c
index a8097fb9e2b..2cd46dbf98a 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/apple3.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/apple3.c
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ void apple3_state::apple3_update_memory()
 	else
 		space.install_write_bank(0xF000, 0xFFFF, "bank7");
 	if (m_via_0_a & 0x01)
-		membank("bank7")->set_base(machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->base());
+		membank("bank7")->set_base(memregion("maincpu")->base());
 	else
 		apple3_setbank("bank7", ~0, 0x7000);
 
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/bbc.c b/src/mess/machine/bbc.c
index 3e1842e7722..03044f24483 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/bbc.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/bbc.c
@@ -1140,7 +1140,7 @@ void bbc_state::bbc_TMSint(int status)
 {
 	TMSint=(!status)&1;
 	TMSrdy=(!tms5220_readyq_r())&1;
-	via_0_portb_w(0,(0xf | machine().root_device().ioport("IN0")->read()|(TMSint<<6)|(TMSrdy<<7)));
+	via_0_portb_w(0,(0xf | ioport("IN0")->read()|(TMSint<<6)|(TMSrdy<<7)));
 }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/c65.c b/src/mess/machine/c65.c
index b4925810c3e..83290e8f842 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/c65.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/c65.c
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ void c65_state::c65_nmi(  )
 	device_t *cia_1 = machine().device("cia_1");
 	int cia1irq = mos6526_irq_r(cia_1);
 
-	if (m_nmilevel != (machine().root_device().ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x80) || cia1irq)   /* KEY_RESTORE */
+	if (m_nmilevel != (ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x80) || cia1irq)   /* KEY_RESTORE */
 	{
-		m_maincpu->set_input_line(INPUT_LINE_NMI, (machine().root_device().ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x80) || cia1irq);
+		m_maincpu->set_input_line(INPUT_LINE_NMI, (ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x80) || cia1irq);
 
-		m_nmilevel = (machine().root_device().ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x80) || cia1irq;
+		m_nmilevel = (ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x80) || cia1irq;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ int c65_state::c65_6511_port_r( int offset )
 
 	if (offset == 7)
 	{
-		if (machine().root_device().ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x20)
+		if (ioport("SPECIAL")->read() & 0x20)
 			data &= ~1;
 	}
 	DBG_LOG(machine(), 2, "r6511 read", ("%.2x\n", offset));
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/cgenie.c b/src/mess/machine/cgenie.c
index 9e6a5853fd7..8c64cc327de 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/cgenie.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/cgenie.c
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ READ8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_status_r )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, return 0 */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return 0;
 	return wd17xx_status_r(fdc, space, offset);
 }
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ READ8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_track_r )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, return 0xff */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return 0xff;
 	return wd17xx_track_r(fdc, space, offset);
 }
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ READ8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_sector_r )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, return 0xff */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return 0xff;
 	return wd17xx_sector_r(fdc, space, offset);
 }
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ READ8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_data_r )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, return 0xff */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return 0xff;
 	return wd17xx_data_r(fdc, space, offset);
 }
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ WRITE8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_command_w )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, return immediately */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return;
 	wd17xx_command_w(fdc, space, offset, data);
 }
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ WRITE8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_track_w )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, ignore the write */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return;
 	wd17xx_track_w(fdc, space, offset, data);
 }
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ WRITE8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_sector_w )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, ignore the write */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return;
 	wd17xx_sector_w(fdc, space, offset, data);
 }
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ WRITE8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_data_w )
 {
 	device_t *fdc = machine().device("wd179x");
 	/* If the floppy isn't emulated, ignore the write */
-	if( (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
+	if( (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x80) == 0 )
 		return;
 	wd17xx_data_w(fdc, space, offset, data);
 }
@@ -472,33 +472,33 @@ WRITE8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_motor_w )
 /*************************************
  *      Keyboard                     *
  *************************************/
-	READ8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_keyboard_r )
+READ8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_keyboard_r )
 {
 	int result = 0;
 
 	if( offset & 0x01 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW0")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW0")->read();
 
 	if( offset & 0x02 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW1")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW1")->read();
 
 	if( offset & 0x04 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW2")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW2")->read();
 
 	if( offset & 0x08 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW3")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW3")->read();
 
 	if( offset & 0x10 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW4")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW4")->read();
 
 	if( offset & 0x20 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW5")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW5")->read();
 
 	if( offset & 0x40 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW6")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW6")->read();
 
 	if( offset & 0x80 )
-		result |= machine().root_device().ioport("ROW7")->read();
+		result |= ioport("ROW7")->read();
 
 	return result;
 }
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ WRITE8_MEMBER( cgenie_state::cgenie_fontram_w )
 
 INTERRUPT_GEN_MEMBER(cgenie_state::cgenie_frame_interrupt)
 {
-	if( m_tv_mode != (machine().root_device().ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x10) )
+	if( m_tv_mode != (ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x10) )
 	{
 		m_tv_mode = ioport("DSW0")->read() & 0x10;
 		/* force setting of background color */
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/concept.c b/src/mess/machine/concept.c
index 21ed0f413c6..ca4414c7bdc 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/concept.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/concept.c
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ void concept_state::poll_keyboard()
 
 	for(i = 0; (i < /*4*/3) && (m_KeyQueueLen <= (KeyQueueSize-MaxKeyMessageLen)); i++)
 	{
-		keystate = machine().root_device().ioport(keynames[2*i])->read() | (machine().root_device().ioport(keynames[2*i + 1])->read() << 16);
+		keystate = ioport(keynames[2*i])->read() | (ioport(keynames[2*i + 1])->read() << 16);
 		key_transitions = keystate ^ m_KeyStateSave[i];
 		if(key_transitions)
 		{
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/dgn_beta.c b/src/mess/machine/dgn_beta.c
index e5fa66e9236..5210908b21f 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/dgn_beta.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/dgn_beta.c
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ void dgn_beta_state::ScanInKeyboard(void)
 	for(Idx=0; Idx<NoKeyrows; Idx++)
 	{
 		if (Idx < 10)
-			Row = machine().root_device().ioport(keynames[Idx])->read();
+			Row = ioport(keynames[Idx])->read();
 
 		else
 			Row = 0x7f;
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/hp48.c b/src/mess/machine/hp48.c
index ab5e85e2180..caa0593e3bc 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/hp48.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/hp48.c
@@ -250,18 +250,18 @@ int hp48_state::hp48_get_in(  )
 	int in = 0;
 
 	/* regular keys */
-	if ( (m_out >> 0) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE0" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 1) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE1" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 2) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE2" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 3) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE3" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 4) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE4" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 5) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE5" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 6) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE6" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 7) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE7" )->read();
-	if ( (m_out >> 8) & 1 ) in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "LINE8" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 0) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE0" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 1) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE1" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 2) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE2" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 3) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE3" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 4) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE4" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 5) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE5" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 6) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE6" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 7) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE7" )->read();
+	if ( (m_out >> 8) & 1 ) in |= ioport( "LINE8" )->read();
 
 	/* on key */
-	in |= machine().root_device().ioport( "ON" )->read();
+	in |= ioport( "ON" )->read();
 
 	return in;
 }
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/mac.c b/src/mess/machine/mac.c
index ff10ec82ce8..3daea6a39a9 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/mac.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/mac.c
@@ -2037,7 +2037,7 @@ void mac_state::mac_driver_init(model_t model)
 
 		/* set up ROM at 0x400000-0x43ffff (-0x5fffff for mac 128k/512k/512ke) */
 		mac_install_memory(0x400000, (model >= MODEL_MAC_PLUS) ? 0x43ffff : 0x5fffff,
-			machine().root_device().memregion("bootrom")->bytes(), machine().root_device().memregion("bootrom")->base(), TRUE, "bank3");
+			memregion("bootrom")->bytes(), memregion("bootrom")->base(), TRUE, "bank3");
 	}
 
 	m_overlay = -1;
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/mbc55x.c b/src/mess/machine/mbc55x.c
index df26867358b..5905d21e39b 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/mbc55x.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/mbc55x.c
@@ -258,11 +258,11 @@ void mbc55x_state::scan_keyboard()
 
 	// First read shift, control and graph
 
-	m_keyboard.key_special = machine().root_device().ioport(KEY_SPECIAL_TAG)->read();
+	m_keyboard.key_special = ioport(KEY_SPECIAL_TAG)->read();
 
 	for(row=0; row<MBC55X_KEYROWS; row++)
 	{
-		keyrow = machine().root_device().ioport(keynames[row])->read();
+		keyrow = ioport(keynames[row])->read();
 
 		for(mask=0x80, bitno=7;mask>0;mask=mask>>1, bitno-=1)
 		{
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/microtan.c b/src/mess/machine/microtan.c
index c1f7948ea25..dc653c148ef 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/microtan.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/microtan.c
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ UINT8 microtan_state::read_dsw()
 	{
 		case MACHINE_PHASE_RESET:
 		case MACHINE_PHASE_RUNNING:
-			result = machine().root_device().ioport("DSW")->read();
+			result = ioport("DSW")->read();
 			break;
 
 		default:
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/primo.c b/src/mess/machine/primo.c
index 4590aa3ae03..b3c9eaf25ef 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/primo.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/primo.c
@@ -50,15 +50,15 @@ void primo_state::primo_update_memory()
 	{
 		case 0x00:  /* Original ROM */
 			space.unmap_write(0x0000, 0x3fff);
-			membank("bank1")->set_base(machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->base()+0x10000);
+			membank("bank1")->set_base(memregion("maincpu")->base()+0x10000);
 			break;
 		case 0x01:  /* EPROM extension 1 */
 			space.unmap_write(0x0000, 0x3fff);
-			membank("bank1")->set_base(machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->base()+0x14000);
+			membank("bank1")->set_base(memregion("maincpu")->base()+0x14000);
 			break;
 		case 0x02:  /* RAM */
 			space.install_write_bank(0x0000, 0x3fff, "bank1");
-			membank("bank1")->set_base(machine().root_device().memregion("maincpu")->base());
+			membank("bank1")->set_base(memregion("maincpu")->base());
 			break;
 		case 0x03:  /* EPROM extension 2 */
 			space.unmap_write(0x0000, 0x3fff);
@@ -235,10 +235,10 @@ DRIVER_INIT_MEMBER(primo_state,primo64)
 
 void primo_state::primo_common_machine_init ()
 {
-	if (machine().root_device().ioport("MEMORY_EXPANSION")->read())
+	if (ioport("MEMORY_EXPANSION")->read())
 		m_port_FD = 0x00;
 	primo_update_memory();
-	machine().device("maincpu")->set_clock_scale(machine().root_device().ioport("CPU_CLOCK")->read() ? 1.5 : 1.0);
+	machine().device("maincpu")->set_clock_scale(ioport("CPU_CLOCK")->read() ? 1.5 : 1.0);
 }
 
 void primo_state::machine_reset()
diff --git a/src/mess/machine/samcoupe.c b/src/mess/machine/samcoupe.c
index b8f9eff327f..8ee96a7b0e2 100644
--- a/src/mess/machine/samcoupe.c
+++ b/src/mess/machine/samcoupe.c
@@ -259,8 +259,8 @@ UINT8 samcoupe_state::samcoupe_mouse_r()
 	if (m_mouse_index == 2)
 	{
 		/* update values */
-		int mouse_x = machine().root_device().ioport("mouse_x")->read();
-		int mouse_y = machine().root_device().ioport("mouse_y")->read();
+		int mouse_x = ioport("mouse_x")->read();
+		int mouse_y = ioport("mouse_y")->read();
 
 		int mouse_dx = m_mouse_x - mouse_x;
 		int mouse_dy = m_mouse_y - mouse_y;
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ UINT8 samcoupe_state::samcoupe_mouse_r()
 		m_mouse_y = mouse_y;
 
 		/* button state */
-		m_mouse_data[2] = machine().root_device().ioport("mouse_buttons")->read();
+		m_mouse_data[2] = ioport("mouse_buttons")->read();
 
 		/* y-axis */
 		m_mouse_data[3] = (mouse_dy & 0xf00) >> 8;
diff --git a/src/mess/video/apple2.c b/src/mess/video/apple2.c
index c8b543dad2c..864825fe0f7 100644
--- a/src/mess/video/apple2.c
+++ b/src/mess/video/apple2.c
@@ -366,12 +366,12 @@ void apple2_state::apple2_video_start(const UINT8 *vram, const UINT8 *aux_vram,
 	m_fgcolor = 15;
 	m_bgcolor = 0;
 	m_flash = 0;
-	apple2_font = machine().root_device().memregion("gfx1")->base();
-	m_alt_charset_value = machine().root_device().memregion("gfx1")->bytes() / 16;
+	apple2_font = memregion("gfx1")->base();
+	m_alt_charset_value = memregion("gfx1")->bytes() / 16;
 	m_a2_videoram = vram;
 	m_a2_videoaux = aux_vram;
 
-	m_textgfx_data = machine().root_device().memregion("gfx1")->base();
+	m_textgfx_data = memregion("gfx1")->base();
 	m_textgfx_datalen = memregion("gfx1")->bytes();
 
 	/* 2^3 dependent pixels * 2 color sets * 2 offsets */
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ void apple2_state::apple2_video_start(const UINT8 *vram, const UINT8 *aux_vram,
 
 	/* Fix for Ivel Ultra */
 	if (!strcmp(machine().system().name, "ivelultr")) {
-		int len = machine().root_device().memregion("gfx1")->bytes();
+		int len = memregion("gfx1")->bytes();
 		for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
 		{
 			apple2_font[i] = BITSWAP8(apple2_font[i],  7, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1);
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ void apple2_state::apple2_video_start(const UINT8 *vram, const UINT8 *aux_vram,
 		|| !strcmp(machine().system().name, "ace100")
 		|| !strcmp(machine().system().name, "apple2jp"))
 	{
-		int len = machine().root_device().memregion("gfx1")->bytes();
+		int len = memregion("gfx1")->bytes();
 		for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
 		{
 			apple2_font[i] = BITSWAP8(apple2_font[i], 7, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6);