Ask the forum: Technical Questions & Help

[craptest]

Thought it might be handy to have a thread for all technical questions. Problems relating to retro console hardware, peripherals and importing compatibility.


I'll start the discussion off with my current problem....

--------------------------------


Problem: My new Super Famicom wont work!! :(
Question: WTF could it be?
Details: Bought a Super Famicom (HK version) off ebay. The unit itself is in fabulous condition. Looks great. Unit powers up but shows no picture and there's no sound. I get a black screen. Obviously there's a signal coming thru as i'd be getting a blue screen of nothing on my TV otherwise.

Im using a step down convertor. I have another SFC and it works perfectly (also a HK version SFC). Ive tried 3 different AV cables (one s-video) and 3 different AC adaptors with the unit. No luck.

My only idea is to get an RF connection and see if I get picture and sound. That way Id know if its the AV port.

I was rather surprised when it didnt instantly work as the unit is in fantastic physical condition. Even better than the working SFC I already own.

Please - any suggestions?

[driftout625]

The best case scenario is dirt on the slot pins of your console. Get a Q tip and apply a decent amount of isopropyl alcohol (any CD cleaner) to the contacts of a Snes game and then while it's still wet quickly insert into the console and remove as many times as possible over 20 seconds (obviously with the console disconnected). Allow 5 minutes to dry then power up and test. Repeat as many times as you want.

The other possibilities are a damaged AV port or circuit board damage. You can try connecting via RF but keep in mind that many multi-systemTVs don't display a 60Htz Ntsc signal when connected via RF . You can use a Megadrive 1 power supply unit directly on your Super Famicom (10V/1.2A/neg tip). There is no need for a step down transformer.

If you have no luck from from following the above, get hold of the Nintendo bit to open your console and check for any signs of damage to the circuit board ...water damage , burnt capacitors/diodes, broken tracers , broken solder .

Also give your console a shake before opening to make sure nothing is rattling inside just in case the package was dropped in transit.

[Ezri]

You can try connecting via RF but keep in mind that many multi-systemTVs don't display a 60Htz Ntsc signal when connected via RF.I don't have that problem with my TV, but more so, you'd have to track down the native RF switch for the console as a PAL equivalent just won't through-put the signal.

You can use a Megadrive 1 power supply unit directly on your Super Famicom (10V/1.2A/neg tip). There is no need for a step down transformer.
*Ezri pokes craptest*

Huh? Huh? Huh? :-P

[craptest]

*Ezri pokes craptest*

Huh? Huh? Huh? :-P Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

I couldnt get the Super Famicom to work so Im returning it to the seller for a refund. Super bummer! :(

[Ezri]

Probably a dud unit - perhaps why it was in such mint condition.

[craptest]

Probably a dud unit - perhaps why it was in such mint condition. LOL. Well yes. That would explain why it looked so new & unused.

So where are all these people with their technical difficulties?


Question: Does the PS1 multitap work issue free with the PS2?

[Ezri]

From what I understand, you can use it to play PS1 games, and PS1 memory cards, and any Sony controller - but it won't work with PS2 memory cards, and possibly some PS2 games.

[dazza826]

follow up from my 64...............I bought a new one with expansion pack and works 1st time..........so now I have 2 controllers 2 working expansion packs( 1 from my dead 64)1 controller pack and 1 working pokemon 64 and 1 non working green emerald unit plus games

[craptest]

Question: Does the Super Famicom Jr. differ from the standard Super Famicom in any significant way? Does it use the same gamepads, have the same video outputs etc (did they drop the RFU out?).

I read somewhere that the gamepads were redesigned for the SFC Jr. JUst want to make sure the gamepad ports on both systems are the same. ie that I can use my SFC Hori pads with the SFC Jr.

[/backslash]

Question: Does the Super Famicom Jr. differ from the standard Super Famicom in any significant way? Does it use the same gamepads, have the same video outputs etc (did they drop the RFU out?).

I read somewhere that the gamepads were redesigned for the SFC Jr. JUst want to make sure the gamepad ports on both systems are the same. ie that I can use my SFC Hori pads with the SFC Jr.
I'll refer you to
this link (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1r-49-en-70-32x.html)

And the Super Famicon Jr doesn't come with a power supply

Box contents -
• Super Famicom Jr.
• Control Pad
• AV Cable
• Manual (Japanese)

Old controllers are compatible. There are also reports of the new design actually being worse due to the buttons being too sensitive

[Ezri]

Of course the Super Famicom Jr. comes with a power supply (or at least it's meant to). Play-Asia either forgot to list it (because it's obvious that it comes with one) or less likely, their units (which are no longer in stock anyway) don't ship with one.

As for the console's difference, apparently - apart from being prettier on the eye, they lack an RF output. They have only the multi-out port, and if you want RF output, you'll have to use the N64's RF modulator.

Apparently the SNES 'II' doesn't support S-Video either. Oh, and the controllers are the same.

Much better link than the Play-Asia one: http://www.vidgame.net/NINTENDO/SNES2.htm

[craptest]

Ezri Im pretty sure /backslash is right and that neither versions of the SFC (normal & Jr) in Japan came with an AC adaptor included. One of those weird nintendo decisions I believe.

[Ezri]

I'd like some proof on that.

I'm not trying to be defensive, I just want some documentation to substantiate it - as it seems TOO weird a move for Nintendo to make. :-?

[craptest]

I'd like some proof on that.

I'm not trying to be defensive, I just want some documentation to substantiate it - as it seems TOO weird a move for Nintendo to make. :-?
You mean like removing the headphone jack from the GBA-SP? :razz:

Ive heard it from a number of sources, none official though. Lots of ebay auctions where the seller explains that the SFC AC was not sold with the system originally (so a 3rd party one has been included). This is from numerous sellers from all over the world. Sure, about as reliable as a film review in Cleo - but the consistency in which it is remarked on leads me to believe its probably true. And its no THAT unbelievable (refer to opening comment).

So Ezri - are you saying the SFC Jr doesnt support S-video? Or is teh SFC II something different? Me confused (easily)

[Ezri]

You mean like removing the headphone jack from the GBA-SP? :razz:
Fair point, although it's not like you can't use a GBA-SP without headphones. Where as a SFC is rather useless without a power supply.

I've heard it from a number of sources, none official though. Lots of ebay auctions where the seller explains that the SFC AC was not sold with the system originally (so a 3rd party one has been included). This is from numerous sellers from all over the world. Sure, about as reliable as a film review in Cleo - but the consistency in which it is remarked on leads me to believe its probably true. And its no THAT unbelievable (refer to opening comment).
Well fair enough.

So Ezri - are you saying the SFC Jr doesnt support S-video? Or is teh SFC II something different? Me confused (easily)
No no, the SFCII isn't something different (although I did call it the SNESII). The SNESII is the US version of the SFC Jr..

Only cosmetic difference is the logo and the purple buttons (and controller and cart slot shape obviously).

It's this update that isn't s-video compatible (or is it RGB, I can't remember).

[driftout625]

The Super Famicom in Japan officially only came packaged with 2 controllers...no AC adapter , no AV cable. The Super Famicom Jr in Japan only came packaged with 1 controller...no AC adapter , no cables. I know this for a fact.

[driftout625]

Also , the Super Famicom Jr doesn't output S-video or RGB .

[driftout625]

Question: Does the PS1 multitap work issue free with the PS2?[/QUOTE]

No, it won't work with PS2 software.

The old style Ps2 multi tap SCPH 10090 is compatible with older series Ps2 models (up to series 50000) and as far as I know won't work with Ps1 software . The newer Ps2 multi tap SCPH 70120 is compatible with the slim line Ps2 model only (and will work with Ps1 software).

Ps1 multi taps will only work for Ps1 software on older model Ps2 consoles .

[craptest]

Also , the Super Famicom Jr doesn't output S-video or RGB . What ***tards!!! Why do they do that?

Thanks for the info drifty. Positive rep+

[dcking1981]

I pulled my Dreamcast out of my cupboard last night to give it a whirl as i have been occupied with N64 for the past couple of months.Anyway i had no problems with the unit but tried to play Rez and i am getting the no disc readable screen(the one with 4 options on it).Last time i used it it worked perfect so i cleaned it and am still having no luck the disc surface is perfect, i dont see how a game can just stop working.Any disc fixing suggestions.

[craptest]

I pulled my Dreamcast out of my cupboard last night to give it a whirl as i have been occupied with N64 for the past couple of months.Anyway i had no problems with the unit but tried to play Rez and i am getting the no disc readable screen(the one with 4 options on it).Last time i used it it worked perfect so i cleaned it and am still having no luck the disc surface is perfect, i dont see how a game can just stop working.Any disc fixing suggestions. Disc fixing? Dont you mean DC laser fixing? How can it be REZ's fault?

Are dreamcast games on a multi layered DVD format? If not it wouldnt be disc rot - as thats from chemical reaction between the layers.

[dcking1981]

Every other game works fine like it did 2 months ago sorry i should of specified that.

[craptest]

Maybe post it to Ezri to test on his machine. Im pretty sure its not the game though. As you said - it wouldnt make sense.

[driftout625]

I pulled my Dreamcast out of my cupboard last night to give it a whirl as i have been occupied with N64 for the past couple of months.Anyway i had no problems with the unit but tried to play Rez and i am getting the no disc readable screen(the one with 4 options on it).Last time i used it it worked perfect so i cleaned it and am still having no luck the disc surface is perfect, i dont see how a game can just stop working.Any disc fixing suggestions.

That's usually the sign of early laser mal-alignment (assuming your Rez is an original Pal version and is being played on an unmodified Pal Dreamcast). The laser must hit the disc exactly perpendicular to it to be reflected and read. Try turning your console upside down then powering up as sometimes this will allow the laser to align at the correct angle . Always have plenty of back up Dreamcasts as they can be unreliable.

[Ezri]

Yeah, I find DC's can be quite tempermental like this. I have a perfect copy of Sega Rally 2, which works just fine in my old DC, but it occasionally messes up with my newer DC. There's seems to be great variation in the quality control of DC consoles.

In your case however, yes, it's the laser - and with this game working previously, I'd say it's more than likely.

[Lazlow]

I had a problem with my mint Shenmue being temperamental but my scuffed Sonic Adventures worked fine. I found some maintainence tutes on the net, basically all i did was wipe the laser with a damp cue tip (held it over steam), and fiddled with the lid switch, removing any dust and crap. Seems to work fine now.

My question; can someone find me a list of games compatible with Namco's JogCon?

All i have so far is Ridge Racer Type 4, Ridge Racer V, Breakout, and a Test Drive game (i think)

[Cranky]

I thought I'd fire up my 32X the other day for a little Virtua Racing lovin' but to my dismay found the screen to be displaying all sorts of strange things. Instead of cars zooming around I was greeted with the blue sky and green grass and not a lot else. The sound was fine though. :veryconf:
So I thought I'd try it with Doom. Same result. It had the start screen where you chose the difficulty but nothing else. When I started a game the sounds were again ok but the screen was black except for health, ammo,etc display. Same results were had with Star Wars. :sad:
Any help would be greatly appreciated. :D

[Kloppy]

Ah ah! I know this one! The 32X works in strange ways, as some of the video output is actually supplied by the MD itself, and some by the 32X.

So, it's probably a weak or broken connection between the two with one of the cables that connects the two machines.

I hope that makes sense.

[Cranky]

Thanks for the reply. The megadrive games all seem to work alright through the 32X.

Mabey I need some new cables. Not easy with the 32X. ;)

[Zip]

Hey, I got a Sega Megadrive off a mate of mine. I hooked it up, and nothing. No picture, no sound. All I get is the static changed to a different shade of grey when it's powered on.

I've spend hours trying to tune it in correctly.

Any ideas on how I can get it working?

[Ezri]

Which model Mega Drive is it? The MDII runs on the UHF freqeuncies, where as the eariler models work on the lower VLF/VHF freqeuncies.

Although what's likely is that RF switch is stuffed - Sega RF's are shit quality and quite often die.

[dazza826]

Ive got a question!

I have a snes/n64 and with some games I have to wiggle the cart or bang the cart in to get it to work...........is this a cause for concern and should I be cleaning the carts and the contacts?

[Ezri]

Clean the carts and the system contacts.

A cotton bud dabbed in Windex would work.

[Cranky]

I don't know if any fellow Hyperian owns an Action Replay 4M plus for the Saturn (actually I'm sure people here do own em), but my saturn no longer seems to re cognise it anymore. The cart is in perfect condition and only about three months old.
I tried it on my other saturn (it does need a good clean though) but got the same response.
I tried to clean the system contacts with a cotton bud but (budbut?) you can't get into the saturn with a bud.
Any help?? :pray:

[Ezri]

Chances are either the cartridge is dead, or the Saturn's cartridge port is dead - perhaps because the Action Replay killed it.

Prior to getting my action replay, I came across some info that said: "DO NOT INSERT/REMOVE DEVICES FROM THE SATURN'S CARTRIDGE SLOT EVER."

I put my AR in once, and that was it. Apparently the slot short circuits VERY easily and can destroy itself, or anything inserted into it, if they are inserted removed too much.

And even then, they are unreliable - do you have model 1 or model 2 Saturns?

[Cranky]

How do you tell?

[Gemerald]

First major post at the retro forum so hello everyone :)

Okay I'm going to post a few pieces up here for discussion.

1// With the Wii soon to be released (not so soon for us and not soon enough for some) my lovely GameCube (GameCubes rather) will be rendered obsolete. Unfortunately I can't say I've played all my games, let alone 1/4 of them. I'm worried because I've heard of people having Disc Read Errors. Infact this is a constant probably for a friend of mine. I was wondering if anyone from here is also suffering this problem which I strongly believe is also down to the alignment of the laser.

1.a// Does anyone know Nintendo's availability to repair something after it's rendered obsolete. I remember Nintendo did once repair a SNES or something. By saying obsolete here I am not dis-respecting the SNES (A system I hold very dear to me, gave me a lot of happy memories).

1.b// Disc Rot? Okay I've read a little explaination but should I be worried?

1.c// The GameCube has a calendar inside it that it must run some sort of power to keep the calendar running. I'm worried that because of this the GameCube if unplugged may run out of power for the calendar thus screwing the time.

1.d// Does anyone have any troubles at all with their GameCube, I've bought doubles of accessories and my GameCube just in case.

2// Similar to the GameCube calendar thing, should I be worried about GameBoy Advance games that use a battery to save or have a clock function. I'm worried if I don't return to a game within say 5 years that the save action may just corrupt over. It's been known to happy. I really should check my Golden Sun, Advance Wars and Pokemon titles. Will I have to keep loading these titles up every now and then to somehow charge the battery for the save function or will they be fine?

3// I like to keep my GameCube looking absolutely gorgeous, just like how a Porsche owner likes to keep their paintwork looking lovely. Does anyone have tips for cleaning a console. I use a slightly moist cloth with a special cleaner. I might Mr Sheen for that extra credit. Call me crazy but I love my consoles.

[craptest]

First major post at the retro forum so hello everyone :)

Okay I'm going to post a few pieces up here for discussion.

1// With the Wii soon to be released (not so soon for us and not soon enough for some) my lovely GameCube (GameCubes rather) will be rendered obsolete. Ummm...? You do realise this is a retro forum right? :what?:

Does anyone know Nintendo's availability to repair something after it's rendered obsolete. I know they provide retro accessories like N64 controllers etc. NOt sure if they still fix oldschool consoles.

Disc Rot? Okay I've read a little explaination but should I be worried? LOL. With poorly made dvd movies maybe. I think your GCN discs will be fine.

...should I be worried about GameBoy Advance games that use a battery to save or have a clock function. If in the distant future the batteries die you can get new ones.

Again Gamerald. RETRO FORUM. ie Dreamcast or earlier.

[Ezri]

1// With the Wii soon to be released (not so soon for us and not soon enough for some) my lovely GameCube (GameCubes rather) will be rendered obsolete. Unfortunately I can't say I've played all my games, let alone 1/4 of them. I'm worried because I've heard of people having Disc Read Errors. Infact this is a constant probably for a friend of mine. I was wondering if anyone from here is also suffering this problem which I strongly believe is also down to the alignment of the laser.
Take it to the Nintendo forum.

That said, my GCN occassionally gives me a Disc Read Error and makes funny noises. Probably 1/20 times I play it. But that's because it's a launch model and it also fell off the top of my TV once....and slide down behind the cupboard, got wedged against the wall.....then fell and hit the solid tiled floor. Vote 1 here for GCN durability.

1.a// Does anyone know Nintendo's availability to repair something after it's rendered obsolete. I remember Nintendo did once repair a SNES or something. By saying obsolete here I am not dis-respecting the SNES (A system I hold very dear to me, gave me a lot of happy memories).
Ring up Nintendo, see what they say. That said, finding a replacement SNES is easy.

1.b// Disc Rot? Okay I've read a little explaination but should I be worried?
Unless all your discs are $1 pirates from Bali or China, I really wouldn't be worried.

1.c// The GameCube has a calendar inside it that it must run some sort of power to keep the calendar running. I'm worried that because of this the GameCube if unplugged may run out of power for the calendar thus screwing the time.
No.

The GCN has an internal battery which saves the time (much like the battery backup in game cartridges). This is what stores the time time/date settings when you switch the GCN power off. Even if you keep it plugged in and turned on at the wall, the GCN is NOT being supplied power. The battery is doing the time saving. And will this battery run out? At some point - but they usually last anywhere up to 20 years. For example, the battery backup in my NES Legend of Zelda Cartridge is still working (a 1986 game).

1.d// Does anyone have any troubles at all with their GameCube, I've bought doubles of accessories and my GameCube just in case.
Wow, gg paranoia.

2// Similar to the GameCube calendar thing, should I be worried about GameBoy Advance games that use a battery to save or have a clock function. I'm worried if I don't return to a game within say 5 years that the save action may just corrupt over. It's been known to happy. I really should check my Golden Sun, Advance Wars and Pokemon titles. Will I have to keep loading these titles up every now and then to somehow charge the battery for the save function or will they be fine?
See GCN answer. If you're THAT worried, then do what I do. Power it up for 10 mins or so once a year.

3// I like to keep my GameCube looking absolutely gorgeous, just like how a Porsche owner likes to keep their paintwork looking lovely. Does anyone have tips for cleaning a console. I use a slightly moist cloth with a special cleaner. I might Mr Sheen for that extra credit. Call me crazy but I love my consoles.
Your level of care is fine.

In future, put GCN/GBA questions in the Nintendo forum thanks.

[Dr Skinnybones]

Prior to getting my action replay, I came across some info that said: "DO NOT INSERT/REMOVE DEVICES FROM THE SATURN'S CARTRIDGE SLOT EVER."
Woah woah, wait a second. Are you saying that using any peripheral that uses the cartridge slot will short it out?

So does that mean the only viable option for import gaming is to import a NTSC machine (I was really hoping to just use the AR)?

What about official products, like the memory back up?

I have a model 2 Saturn.

[Ezri]

How do you tell?
Model 1 (oval power/reset buttons):
http://www.silicium.org/images/catalog/consoles/sega/saturn.jpg

Model 2 (round power/reset buttons):
http://www.cyberiapc.com/vgg/pics/sega_saturn1.jpg

Woah woah, wait a second. Are you saying that using any peripheral that uses the cartridge slot will short it out?
No, I wasn't saying it WILL, but that it is very likely to occur at some point. I'm not saying NOT to use memory or AR cartridges, just don't insert or remove them more than you absolutely have to. In my opinion, put the cartridge in ONCE and just leave it. The chances of it shorting out will be minimal.

[Dr Skinnybones]

No, I wasn't saying it WILL, but that it is very likely to occur at some point. I'm not saying NOT to use memory or AR cartridges, just don't insert or remove them more than you absolutely have to. In my opinion, put the cartridge in ONCE and just leave it. The chances of it shorting out will be minimal.
I see. Well the frequency I setup/pack away my consoles it would be a regular occurence. I was happy to pay $40 for an AR but I might consider a NTSC Saturn instead.
Why does it do this? Poor construction quality? The presence of a battery power source in the console?

Also how easy is it to repair a Virtua Gun? I think it's just the trigger that's faulty but I wouldn't know how to check. Or even open the thing up for that matter.

[Ezri]

I see. Well the frequency I setup/pack away my consoles it would be a regular occurence. I was happy to pay $40 for an AR but I might consider a NTSC Saturn instead.
Why does it do this? Poor construction quality? The presence of a battery power source in the console?
Not exactly sure.

Also how easy is it to repair a Virtua Gun? I think it's just the trigger that's faulty but I wouldn't know how to check. Or even open the thing up for that matter.
Haha, welcome to the club. Basically it's the button that the trigger internally presses on that gets worn. I pretty much just doused it in Windex until it started working again, but it's not really perfect. Every 10 or so shots, it doesn't register a click. :doh:

[Dr Skinnybones]

Every 10 or so shots would be a huge improvement over the current no shots registered. This is why I hate buying peripherals second hand.

So a heap of windex you say? The trigger still "clicks" just doesn't register. I'm pretty tempted open it up but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to put it back together.

[Ezri]

Opening the gun is easy, but the little trigger mechanism is VERY tiny and you can't really pull it apart without breaking it.

[Cranky]

Model 1 (oval power/reset buttons):
http://www.silicium.org/images/catalog/consoles/sega/saturn.jpg

Model 2 (round power/reset buttons):
http://www.cyberiapc.com/vgg/pics/sega_saturn1.jpg


I have both of those models but it doesn't matter anymore as I gave the cartridge slot a quick clean and the cart works great now :dance: . Much to my relief.

Thanks for your help though. :thumbsup:

[Old Stoney]

I thought I'd fire up my 32X the other day for a little Virtua Racing lovin' but to my dismay found the screen to be displaying all sorts of strange things. Instead of cars zooming around I was greeted with the blue sky and green grass and not a lot else. The sound was fine though. :veryconf:
So I thought I'd try it with Doom. Same result. It had the start screen where you chose the difficulty but nothing else. When I started a game the sounds were again ok but the screen was black except for health, ammo,etc display. Same results were had with Star Wars. :sad:
Any help would be greatly appreciated. :D

This might help http://www.sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/ (warning: some mild swearing)

Now that I've answered a question, does anyone know of a way to repair a dreamcast with a GD Drive that has trouble spinning discs. The laser is fine, the disc just stops spinning or won't even start spinning at all and makes a horrible clicking noise. Is it fixable, or is it time to buy a replacement.

[Ezri]

This might help http://www.sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/ (warning: some mild swearing)
Cranky's problem is that he's missing the MD-32X connector cable. The 2D graphics are fed from the Mega Drive, whilst the 3D graphics are fed from the 32X. The connector cable is what mixes the graphics together to give you a display. The 32X is useless without that cable.

Now that I've answered a question, does anyone know of a way to repair a dreamcast with a GD Drive that has trouble spinning discs. The laser is fine, the disc just stops spinning or won't even start spinning at all and makes a horrible clicking noise. Is it fixable, or is it time to buy a replacement.
Given the amount of money, time and effort you could potentially expend on repairing or replacing the disc drive, getting a whole replacement system would be cheaper and easier.

[Louis]

I bought a NES Zapper from Caash Converters, and I can't get it to work. The only Light Gun game I have is Chiller *shudder*. I put it in the 2nd controller port, and tried changing the brightness settings on the TV, but I just can't get it to work. The NES just doesn't notice it at all.

Help? :(

[Ezri]

What type of TV is it? Is it an LCD/plasma? Light guns will only work with normal CRT televisions.

Is there any dirt in the connector plug?

Does the second controller port at all? (test with a controller).

[Louis]

It's just a normal TV. It seems pretty clean, but maybe there's dirt on the inside. Last time I checked the controller port was fine.

[Ezri]

I dunno, maybe try getting a copy of DuckHunt, a game designed to work with the Zapper.

You may have a dead light gun on your hands though.

[Dr Skinnybones]

Not for a retro console, I know, but how easy/hard is it to open up the Controller S and put it back together? I'm worried that the sticks and the triggers would be hard to put back in.

Anyone done it successfully?

[Ezri]

I have done it, and it was a piece of cake - needed a clean. Very nicely designed interally, and as long you apply the usual care when you're disassembling something, nothing should break on you and it'll all go back together easily.

One screw is located under the serial barcode sticker, but you should be able to peel the sticker off successfully without damaging it. Re-apply it if you wish.

[Not Matt]

Anyone know if you can just use a run of the mill cable from like Tandy or Dick Smiths for the Game Gear AV In?

Or does it need to be the specific, ala here http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mnmol/ggaccess.htm

[Dr Skinnybones]

I have done it, and it was a piece of cake - needed a clean. Very nicely designed interally, and as long you apply the usual care when you're disassembling something, nothing should break on you and it'll all go back together easily.

One screw is located under the serial barcode sticker, but you should be able to peel the sticker off successfully without damaging it. Re-apply it if you wish.
Ah excellent. I'd found some picture tutorials but none had mentioned how fragile the internals were. It's a friends controller so I wanted to be sure I wasn'rt going to mangle it horribly.

[Ezri]

EB's throwing out genuine Xbox Controllers for $25. If you screw up, a replacement won't be difficult or expensive to acquire.

[craptest]

Hey.

Apart from the casing differences are US SNES games 100% compatible with the Super Famicom console?

Im thinking of buying a US version game, removing it from its casing and putting it in a japanese cart casing. Will this work? Are the internals of us carts and jap carts the same? ie - will the US circuit board fit in the jap cart casing?

Thanks

[Ezri]

I don't know about the US circuit boards fitting inside the Japanese ones, but they are compatible. There's no security locking between SFC and US SNES games. Just the physical size difference.

I use a Honeybee adapter to play my US games on my SFC, and vice versa - works a treat.

However, if you got a US SNES, you could just remove the little tabs stopping SFC games from fitting inside (similar procedure to removing the cart tabs on the N64) and you can play your SFC/SNES games withou having to disassemble them.

The only proviso is that you'd have to deal with looking at that ever so ugly US SNES. ;-)

[Queenie]

My gameboy advance has a serious problem.
You know the control pad? Well, eventually, after a few hefty sessions of Golden Sun, its Sequel the lost age and pokemon(all 3 very good rpg's), I started to develop a callous on my thumb, at the joint. Now, this is not the problem. The problem is, after I lost the callous after A detox on my game boy, my Gameboy's control pad is severely depressed and It is not without great difficulty that i am able to press it in far enough to get it to respond. Should I get a new gameboy advance?(not the sp, i don't like the sp, original gameboy advance all the way!) Or should I purchase a Gameboy player for my cube? Or do I get it repaired. Some help, thanks.

[craptest]

My gameboy advance has a serious problem.
You know the control pad? Well, eventually, after a few hefty sessions of Golden Sun, its Sequel the lost age and pokemon(all 3 very good rpg's), I started to develop a callous on my thumb, at the joint. Now, this is not the problem. The problem is, after I lost the callous after A detox on my game boy, my Gameboy's control pad is severely depressed and It is not without great difficulty that i am able to press it in far enough to get it to respond. Should I get a new gameboy advance?(not the sp, i don't like the sp, original gameboy advance all the way!) Or should I purchase a Gameboy player for my cube? Or do I get it repaired. Some help, thanks.

1. Get another callous

2. I wouldnt recommend chasing down a GB Player unless you can get some Hori Gameboy Player gamepads. No idea if play-asia still has them in stock. And the GB Player wont be cheap.

3. Toys R Us seems to still have the original GBA in stock. Well Moore Park in Sydney does. $99 I believe.

4. Im assuming you dont like the Micro.

[Queenie]

Moore park in sydney it is!

as for solutions.

1. I can't. I'm an ass for picking scabs, so imagine what happened to my first callous. hmm.
2. I'll get one eventually in the long term.
3. We have a solution!
4. Micro doesn't play original game boy games.

[leagues11]

Okay, so I have a J-NTSC dreamcast, and I can run PAL games on it fine with my Utopia V 1.1 boot cd. So, I managed to track down a US NTSC copy of Shenmue in Australia. I thought it would work fine with my boot cd, and it almost did. You see, it recognised the cd fine (the shenmue symbol appears) but once the cd gets about 95% loaded (acording to the utopia percentage thing), it just freezes. The weird thing is that it still recognises the cd just like normal. Any ideas on what to do?

[Ezri]

The Utopia boot CD sucks (I've never been able to get it to boot any of my imports).

I use the Gameshark Pro CDX Demo CD. Do a search on google and you'll find a source for it eventually.

[leagues11]

The Utopia boot CD sucks (I've never been able to get it to boot any of my imports).

I use the Gameshark Pro CDX Demo CD. Do a search on google and you'll find a source for it eventually.
Right on, thanks Ezri.

Although, I just did a quick search and I haven't found much yet. It will be okay to burn straight onto a cd right? Or will I have to use discjuggler or something? Do you have an idea of a place to download the actual boot cd?

[Ezri]

I could only ever find the image (and the site I got it off has long since disappeared).

I burned the image using Nero.

[leagues11]

I'm hell of confused at the moment. What exactly is the "image"? And what's nero? Can you link me? I found something in some sort of mp3 application.

[Ezri]

An image is a file that contains all the file information organised in a specific way so that the burning programme (in this case, Nero or Discjuggler) knows how to stream it onto the disc so that it will work. If you just try and burn the image file as is, it won't work, so you need a burning programme of some description that will read the file.

[SOX]

I just tried that Utopia boot disc on my DC and it loaded my NTSC PSOv2 first try! Awesome :)

[leagues11]

Yeah - it's worked fine for the most part for me. It's just that damned shenmue disc.

[Ezri]

Could be a dead disc.

[SOX]

Ok, when I bought my DC it didn't come with that dreamkey cd or whatever in the box so I can surf the web (even though doing that to begin with is pretty dumb, considering I have two PC's.. but STILL). Is there an alternative or disc image I can get somewhere?

[Ezri]

Why would you want to browse the net on the DC? Besides, afaik, you can't get the net working on the DC with the 56k modem nowadays.

[SOX]

Why would you want to browse the net on the DC? Besides, afaik, you can't get the net working on the DC with the 56k modem nowadays.
Well there is no real point to doing it aside from shits and giggles. Why wouldn't the modem work now?

[Ezri]

In Australia, you could only take the DC online if you had a Telstra Dial-Up account.

Also, I forgot the modem we got was 33.6k, not 56k.

You could take the DC online still if you could get your hands on a copy of the later version US Dreamcast Browser, which allows you to choose your own service provider.

[SOX]

In Australia, you could only take the DC online if you had a Telstra Dial-Up account.

Also, I forgot the modem we got was 33.6k, not 56k.

You could take the DC online still if you could get your hands on a copy of the later version US Dreamcast Browser, which allows you to choose your own service provider.
Bummer :?

[ChaotiX]

Any version of the US browser disk (called Planetweb) will enable you to browse with a dial-up account. Planetweb 2.6 should be easy to find as a download and boots fine for me with utopia.

That said, browsing on a DC was pretty painful stuff back in 2001 and Id imagine its much worse now with all the new browser tech that it wont support >_>

[Ezri]

Any version of the US browser disk (called Planetweb) will enable you to browse with a dial-up account. Planetweb 2.6 should be easy to find as a download and boots fine for me with utopia.
I was under the impression that the version 1.0 North American DC browser disk was an AOL disc.

But if that's not the case - so be it.

[ChaotiX]

Oops, I was thinking more along the lines of V2.0 and 2.6 (i thought you werer referring to 3.0 as 'later'). Ive got no idea whats on 1.0 >_>

[Ezri]

The Web Browser 1.0 Disc (http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=2712) was the one that came with the first-run USA Dreamcasts at launch.


And it was AT&T not AOL sorry.

[craptest]

I believe I asked this here before. However I dont recall getting a definative answer. So...

Question: Would a U.S SNES game have the same insides as a jap cart? So if I was to take the U.S circuit board out the tabs 'n shit (grooves on the circuit board) would fit into the jap casing?

There's this ONE Japanese SFC game I want thats near impossible to find for less than the price of your average mortgage. So Id like to buy the US SNES cart and switch it with a SFC cart casing. This assumes that the inside circuit boards are a standard size and shape across all regions.

So if you have a Japanese SFC game, a US SNES game AND the tool to open the carts up - Id appreciate a photo and / or definative answer on the subject. Cheers

(BTW- Ive considered something like a honeybee convertor - but they prove to be rather hard to locate these days)

[Ezri]

Yes, I've already answered this, and YES you can interchange Japanese and US Super Famicom/Super NES games. There is no security lockout, just a physical difference between cartridge casings.

Same as Jap and US N64 cartridges.

EDIT: As to whether JAP and US games have the same shape circuit board, that I am uncertain about.

Also Honeybee converters aren't difficult to find.

[craptest]

There is no security lockout, just a physical difference between cartridges. I realise that. But you get what Im asking though right? Not a question whether a US game would work (Im aware that the Cart shape is the only hindrance to region free gaming). I want to make sure the curcuit board of a US SNES game will fit snuggly and perfectly into a SFC cart casing. Cause thats how I'd liek to get around teh 'it dont fit in my slot' issue :P

So youre sure the US circuit board and Jap circuit board are an identical shape and size?

[Ezri]

No, I'm not sure - if I had a gamebit I'd probably try and have a look for myself.

Just buy a USA Super NES.

[craptest]

That's not a bad idea actually.

Will SFC gamepads work with US SNES systems or are the plugs different??

My god. The US SNES woudl have to be one of the most horrid re-designs of any console. Yuko!!

[Ezri]

Controllers for the JAP SFC, PAL and US SNES are all interchangeable. The US SNES has it's own individual power supply, so if you buy one, make sure the original power supply is included.

Yes, the US SNES is hideous - one of the ugliest consoles in existence.

[driftout625]

US Snes controllers won't work with Pal Snes consoles...I know this from experience. I later saw it confirmed in an online tech article. However , Pal Snes controllers will work with US Snes consoles. Super Famicom controllers work with US Snes consoles and vice versa .

Years ago I imported a TeeVee golf club which was released for the US Snes and when I plugged it in to my Pal Snes it wasn't recognised by the console. I tried it with my US Snes and it was fine. Then I read an article which confirmed that US Snes controllers weren't compatible with Pal Snes consoles.

[Ezri]

I have used my US SNES controller on my PAL SNES.

[flamecondor]

While we are on the topic of US SNES games I have a question.

I got Street Fighter Alpha 2 (NTSC) for my SNES in the mail yesterday but I can not seem to get it to work. On closer inspection of the cart it seems there are two extra small connectors underneath the cart on either side of the main connector. Also on closer inspection underneath these 1 of these tabs is another metal tab that you are able to push down. Now while doing some research on the issue I found this over at Wikipedia.

The working chip lockout system had the hardware in the console act as a lock while the chip inside the game pak was a key. Disconnecting pin 4 of the console's lockout chip caused a situation where there were two keys and no locks. This meant that the lockout chips would not operate and could not halt the console. Games towards the end of the console's lifecycle, such as Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_RPG:_Legend_of_the_Seven_Stars), could detect this deadlock situation and refuse to run, so it later became common to install a switch that disconnected and connected the lockout chip as required.
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_nintendo#Regional_lockout

So my thinkin would be that this little metal tab is the deadlock thing that is stopping Street Fighter from working on my PAL SNES as none of my other NTSC games have this problem working on my PAL SNES via my converter. So with the exception of buying an American SNES how can I go about fixing this, am I able to open up the cart and remove the problem or am I gonna need another kind of converter?

[Ezri]

Either get a better converter, which is unlikely or get US Super NES. Since I got my Super Famicom and US SNES I've had no need to use converters which are often unreliable and can sometimes damage your Super NES's cartridge connector.

Plus after you've played SNES in 60Hz, there's no going back. ;-)

[flamecondor]

I dunno buying a New console just for one game, when there may be other ways to get said game working, just seems abit overkill IMO.

OK update on the situation, somehow I got the game working, kinda...

I'm not sure if it was working before or not maybe I was just turning it off right away due to the fact all I saw on the screen where the lines, well I was trying it again, but I left it on a little longer, I noticed the screen faded to black, then the lines came back and then I heard the capcom tune (you know the little sound that used to play at the start of all their games) still lots of lines and everything. Now I was able to get the game to character select and to the actual fight, in fact I could still play the game (couldn't see much but I won the round so yay me). However this is how the game looked during the fight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/flamecondor/Video%20Game%20Pics/SFA2Screen.jpg

The thing on the left side, I think is Ryu during the Hurricane kick just in case anyone is wondering.

So all the sounds where working fine, and I can still technically play the game, its just it looks damn retarded. So I tried cleaning the cart, game still looked the same, so I dunno what the hell is wrong, if I could only find the remote and try to get the TV to display in 60hz, hopefully that might work, but does anyone else know what the hell could be the problem?

[driftout625]

I imported that game years ago and tried just about every available converter on my Pal Snes and modded Pal Snes and just like Mario RPG it would not work. What you see is scrambled graphics due to the lockout technology. A couple of mods have been described on the net to enable and disable the lockout via a switch but I think they are unreliable. The only alternative is to get a US Snes. If you do , make sure it comes with a power supply (preferably an Australian one...the Megadrive 1 power supply is compatible , but you need a special bridging adapter to make it fit as Nintendo used an unusual plug for the US Snes). Alternatively you can use a stepdown transformer with the original US power supply , but you won't find an appropriate one at places like Dick Smith or Tandy (as the ones they sell output insufficient current for games consoles).

[flamecondor]

Mmmm I'm game I guess for these mods, what are they to, my SNES or the Game Cart, I'm game for messing around with the cart as if I lost it I could always just get a PAL one off ebay. Still even if it is mucking around with my SNES, I can always pick one up for 20 bucks I guess. So yeah you wouldn't be able to link me to any of these sites about the modding you speak off, if your not meant to post this stuff on the forum would you be able to PM me?

[Ezri]

I'm game for messing around with the cart as if I lost it I could always just get a PAL one off ebay.
PAL SFA2 for SNES on eBay? Hah - you must have deep pockets. ;-)

[flamecondor]

PAL SFA2 for SNES on eBay? Hah - you must have deep pockets. ;-)
Well the NTSC one cost me $40 and I've seen ones around for the same price, I guess if I can't get this one sorted I can always just resell the NTSC one once I bought the PAL one.

[Ezri]

Also, consider that the Saturn and PSX versions of SFA2 are superior. Not to mention the arcade perfect port of SFA2 on the Street Fighter Alpha Anthology for PS2.

[StorminNorman]

This is completely irrelevant, but the SNES SFA games use a really strange graphics compression technique that allows them to store a heap of data on their 48Mbit cartridges.

Star Ocean uses similar technology.

[Ezri]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-DD1_chip <-- This is the chip used in SFA2 and Star Ocean, the S-DD1 compression chip designed for sprite compression/decompression.

The more we know!

The main Super NES (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_nes) article on Wikipedia features a listing of all the additional processing chips made for SNES Game Paks (DSP1-4, SFX etc.)

[Lex]

Ok, I decided to pull my ol' NES out today, and the of course, what else but the blinking grey screen? The thing is though, about a year ago I got a new set of pins and nearly all my games worked perfectly on it. I cleaned all my games and still no luck. I tried the pin trick (pulling them all up), and... nothing. Sometimes if i push down on the cart and turn it on, some games will boot up, but the minute i take the pressure off it resets.

Any ideas?

[Ezri]

Weird - I guess you could check every connection on the console, check for dirt/foreign material.

Which is all really obvious I guess. A new connector should've solved all your problems and most certainly wouldn't have died just by sitting in a cupboard.

Get another NES maybe? :?

[craptest]

This is completely irrelevant, but the SNES SFA games use a really strange graphics compression technique that allows them to store a heap of data on their 48Mbit cartridges.
LOL. Gotta love carts with loading times.

[Spazzallo]

Not sure if this belongs here but I'm buying a SNES off ebay, but it is without an av plug. Will my Gamecube or N64 av plug work with it or do I have to buy one?

[Dr Skinnybones]

I used my GC AV cable on my mates SNES without any hassles.

Kudos to Nintendo for that one.

[Ezri]

The SNES, N64 and GCN use the exact same AV cable.

[Spazzallo]

Cheers. Can't wait to get my new SNES next Monday! :D

[craptest]

The SNES, N64 and GCN use the exact same AV cable.
He speaks the truth!!!

Interestingly (or rather strangely) the AV cable my NTSC SNES came with doesnt do a very good job with my PAL N64. Picture quality takes a dive. Weird.

And 2 of my PAL N64 support S-VIDEO while one doesnt. Did later (coloured) model PAL systems have s- video removed???? (similar to how the digital out disappeared from teh back of the GCN?)

btw- SNES ROCKS

[Ezri]

Yes, later model coloured N64's don't support S-Video. I've also noticed a difference in picture quality between my original black N64 and my purple one, with the coloured console offering slightly sharper picture quality when running through composite.

[mehi]

Hey I got a question, I know the chances of anyone being able to help me with the information I desire are miniscule at best but here goes anyway.....

Does anyone know anyone who still does modchips (preferably in Victoria) for the Saturn?

[Ezri]

Hey I got a question, I know the chances of anyone being able to help me with the information I desire are miniscule at best but here goes anyway.....

Does anyone know anyone who still does modchips (preferably in Victoria) for the Saturn?
Why bother? Action Replay cartridges will play imported Saturn games much more reliably and without any tampering with your console.

[mehi]

Hmmm I'm thinking I might be better off just selling my current pal saturn and try to track a modded one down.

I already have a Action Replay Plus, I want a modded Saturn more as a "have my cake and eat it too" type of senario, where I can can keep those rare games scratch free and just play a backup.

[Ezri]

If you're going to scratch rare/valuable games regularly enough then you don't deserve to own them :-P

[StorminNorman]

Modding a Saturn to play CD-Rs is nontrivial and definitely not recommended. The process involves installing a chip between the crazy-backwards CD-ROM drive and the motherboard itself.

On the Nintendo AV cables thing, I noticed that the quality of the cables did get better over time-- the GC appear to have better shielding than the original SNES ones.

I was disappointed to note that they changed their AV connector conspiracy on the Wii.

[rapier]

A quick question regarding an old PC game called Pushover http://www.the-underdogs.info/game.php?id=857

It runs ok from Windows, speed is ok once you fiddle with the settings, but I can't get the sound to work. If I run it in a DOS emulator/environment it just gets really fast. Any ideas?

Btw, it's a fantastic game, I recommend it to any puzzle fans. Some of the later levels are just so satisfyingly devious!

[rapier]

GAH! Sorry for the double post, but I have more 'technical difficulties'.

My problem is this: I've recently started playing Worms World Party again, and a couple of mates have picked up copies too, and now they want to play online. Only problem is, none of us can host a game because we are all behind routers.

First issue: install the patch from: http://wwp.team17.com/main.html?page=comm&area=_down_patc That worked all fine, game still ran.

Second issue: because I'm using a router, I apparently need to forward port TCP 17012 or use a dynamic dns service (http://forum.team17.com/showthread.php?threadid=4656) I have looked into port forwarding before, but I got lost in it all and I have no idea how to set it up. Also wtf is dynamic dns, and will it work for me?

Third issue: if I manage to do either of these successfully, I then am supposed to do the rest of this stuff - http://forum.team17.com/showthread.php?threadid=7171#7.4 which shouldn't be too hard, I am pretty sure I can do this.

If anyone has managed to do this before, can work it out, or can just guide me through what to do, I'd really appreciate it. WWP is a freakin' awesome game, and I want to thoroughly own my mates at it. Please help...?

[StorminNorman]

Dynamic DNS. (http://www.dyndns.org)

[Zeph101]

I was wondering if someone could answer this question for me?

I know how MarioRPG and FF6 only work partially on the FireFX europe converter for Snes (having MRPG freeze about ten minuets in every time) but I was wondering how Chrono Trigger fares on converters. Anyone ever completed it on a converter and still have a save file? :happycry:

[Kloppy]

Modding a Saturn to play CD-Rs is nontrivial and definitely not recommended. The process involves installing a chip between the crazy-backwards CD-ROM drive and the motherboard itself.
This was an old post, but I think it needs a little correcting. The CD-ROM is by no means backward. I don't know where you got this from.

Proof for this (an an alternative to chipping) is to do a swap trick, where you allow the drive to read the copy protection track of a legitimate disk, and then swap in a CDR. It's tricky, and a little more involved than that, but swap tricks do work on the Saturn.

Modding a version 2 Saturn is very easy, modding a version 1 saturn is very difficult, but the swap trick is easier.

[craptest]

QUESTION: How do you open FAMICOM (japanese NES) carts?

Preferably without breaking them. Looks to be no screws (unless there's one hidden underneath the cart label) so Im guessing a series of plastic tabs. My concern is snapping them off. Old cart = aging plastic = less flex.

Just want to get in there and clean. I hate dirty carts

[Hotaru_oz]

my brother recently got me a SNK Neo Geo for Xmas for roughly $50 all the way from Japan, unfortunatley even though the seller on ebay said it came with cables and such all I got was the console.
I need to buy an AC cable for the damn thing but I'm confused. The item description says that it's a PAL console but it was shipped from Japan?
I've asked the seller about the cables and have had no reply ><
If I post the consoles serial number and voltage details, could you guys steer ne in the right direction?

[Kotche]

my brother recently got me a SNK Neo Geo for Xmas for roughly $50 all the way from Japan, unfortunatley even though the seller on ebay said it came with cables and such all I got was the console.
I need to buy an AC cable for the damn thing but I'm confused. The item description says that it's a PAL console but it was shipped from Japan?
I've asked the seller about the cables and have had no reply ><
If I post the consoles serial number and voltage details, could you guys steer ne in the right direction?

Does the Neo Geo have it's own internal power supply and do you just need a power cord for it? Or do you need to purchase a AC adaptor? Post whatever Power information you have for it and i'll try help you out!

Edit: Just looked at wiki!
[edit] Power
Source: separate DC 5 V(older systems) and DC 9 V adapter (newer systems).
Consumption: 8 W older Systems, 5 W newer Systems

Are you looking for an original power supply?

[Hotaru_oz]

Ah cool well don't know if it'll help but here's some photos

Console
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/Hotaru_oz/DSCF0775.jpg

The back
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/Hotaru_oz/DSCF0778.jpg

This is the model information on the back
SNK
MODEL NO: NEOGEO-CD
ITEM NO: CD-T01
RATING: 29W
USE CD-POW AC ADAPTER ONLY
SERIAL JA 0212923

I hope that helps

I don't think I'll need to buy AV cables though since I have a heap of them lying around.

[schnappy]

Looks like you'll need to get an AC adaptor (major benefit of internal PSU's - no special plug packs). A proper Neo Geo one will be hard to get, head to DSE and get a multi voltage plug pack and get the right shape plug and you should be right. I did that with my Game Gear :)

[Dizrythmia]

Neo geo adapters do show up on Ebay, so it is possible to get one. I bought an AES with no power cable or video cable so it's basically untested, so I was looking for one for a while as well. I eventually decided to get an MVS 4 slot arcade machine. Games are cheaper...

Come to think of it, I dunno if the CD system & AES use the same power adapter... Might want to check out the Neo Geo forums & see what the guys there have to say.

[Nintendork]

Hi I'm new to these forums but am a long time retro gaming enthusiast and my problem relates to the arcade stick the "Super Advantage" for the Super Nintendo. I never had one during the Super Nintendo's initial life span and recently purchased one and found that the buttons will stick down unless hit directly in the middle. Now my question is, were these controllers always like this (perhaps due to some design flaw), or has mine simply developed this problem over time (due to excessive use)?

[madmangohan]

May as well add some more questions to the mix

1. I'm looking at doing a massive clean up of all my retro consoles/cartridges/controllers/etc. so I was wondering whats the best way to go about this and whats the best stuff to use for it. Would CO Contact Cleaner be something decent to spray the contacts with or not, or should I just stick to what everyone else does?

2. Whats the best way to fix stuck/not registering button contacts. I noticed my GBC wont register the down button, the brick GB has a slightly further to push in start button and one of my PS1 controllers has a stuck X button.

3. Went to turn on my old Gameboys recently, and apart from dirty contacts (and some buttons not registering), my Gameboy Color outputs a very low and garbled sound from the speaker. I was reading up that it has something to do with the sound chip, but I figured i'd ask here. Let alone to see if it is repairable.

4. The AV Cables I got with my Pal N64 were not official, and when connected to my tv, makes for a very bright image. I went out and bought another set from GT's to only have the same issue. My GCN's set also does the same thing. Eventually I was forced to settle with RF, but recently was reading up that N64's were outputing an extra voltage or something that was countered in Pal n64's by their AV cables having a 47k resistor in them across the video line. I've been trying to pry open one of the dodgy AV sets I have to give this a go, but has anyone done it before or know of the issue?

[Dizrythmia]

Hi I'm new to these forums but am a long time retro gaming enthusiast and my problem relates to the arcade stick the "Super Advantage" for the Super Nintendo. I never had one during the Super Nintendo's initial life span and recently purchased one and found that the buttons will stick down unless hit directly in the middle. Now my question is, were these controllers always like this (perhaps due to some design flaw), or has mine simply developed this problem over time (due to excessive use)?

Mine does the same thing, so if a 3rd person comes in & says the same thing I'd put it down to a design flaw.

[Nintendork]

Mine does the same thing, so if a 3rd person comes in & says the same thing I'd put it down to a design flaw.

It's a shame coz other then that it's actually a really good stick, but that's a pretty big flaw to overlook.

[Hotaru_oz]

Neo geo adapters do show up on Ebay, so it is possible to get one. I bought an AES with no power cable or video cable so it's basically untested, so I was looking for one for a while as well. I eventually decided to get an MVS 4 slot arcade machine. Games are cheaper...

Come to think of it, I dunno if the CD system & AES use the same power adapter... Might want to check out the Neo Geo forums & see what the guys there have to say.

yeah I might just do that, I've seen cable sets on ebay for roughly $30 each,I might grab some and hope for the best.

[Gemerald]

When I clean game boxes I use a light solution similar to eucalyptus oil or windex that has been diluted with water to remove the stickers. I then use something similar to Mr Sheen to keep the box clean if the game is unsealed. I spray on to a neutral surface, wipe with a cloth then wipe the game box. I use a special type of alcohol thing to clean the disc, which does the job really well and doesn't harm the disc. But I rarely need to clean discs anyways.

[Nintendork]

I was just wondering how you guys store your cartridge games that aren't boxed. I personally don't worry about buying cartridge games in the box unless it's only slightly more expensive to do so, with the strange exception being Master System games...I don't know why but I won't buy a Master System game unboxed. Currently the only cartridges which aren't just stacked one on top of the other, on book shelves, are my N64 games which are kept in one of those N64 storage towers which i have labeled on the side so that i don't have to pull out 19 other games before I find the one I want to play. So yeh anyone got any storage solutions for my Atari, NES, SNES, Mega Drive etc. games

[Zeph101]

^ Plastic draws are good. Ones that stack on top of each other.

[schnappy]

When I clean game boxes I use a light solution similar to eucalyptus oil or windex that has been diluted with water to remove the stickers. I then use something similar to Mr Sheen to keep the box clean if the game is unsealed. I spray on to a neutral surface, wipe with a cloth then wipe the game box. I use a special type of alcohol thing to clean the disc, which does the job really well and doesn't harm the disc. But I rarely need to clean discs anyways.

I use a bit of eucalyptus oil and cotton wool (maybe cotton buds for in grooves etc) to clean up consoles, never cleaned game boxes though. Works well :)

[Nintendork]

As my pre-dc Sega collection is pretty lacking atm I was considering getting into the phantasy star series, but I have no idea of their rarity so I was wondering what would be a good price for number 1, 2, 3, 4 boxed with manuals in great condition, I would be buying them individually as I haven't seen them any where being sold as a collection. Also would it be better to get number 1 on SMS or SMD?

[Old Stoney]

As my pre-dc Sega collection is pretty lacking atm I was considering getting into the phantasy star series, but I have no idea of their rarity so I was wondering what would be a good price for number 1, 2, 3, 4 boxed with manuals in great condition, I would be buying them individually as I haven't seen them any where being sold as a collection. Also would it be better to get number 1 on SMS or SMD?

They can be pretty pricey, especially III and IV and especially the PAL versions. The first was only released on MD in Japan and I think it was a straight port - no graphical inhancements. So unless you can read japanese or really want the nicer box art, I'd stick with the Master System. Alternatively, you could get the Saturn compilation.

[Nintendork]

They can be pretty pricey, especially III and IV and especially the PAL versions. The first was only released on MD in Japan and I think it was a straight port - no graphical inhancements. So unless you can read japanese or really want the nicer box art, I'd stick with the Master System. Alternatively, you could get the Saturn compilation.

I saw number 4 in a shop near my house in the box with manual, all in really good condition and it was going for $40, is that a good price?

Edit:It was the PAL version btw

[Dr Skinnybones]

yeah, I've seen it hit $90ish on ebay.

BTW I have the Saturn compilation if anyone wanted to buy it.

[Ezri]

You could also buy the Sega Mega Drive Collection for PS2 or PSP for like, $25 (most places) and save yourself a great deal of money.

Unless spending lots of money on rare things is important to you.

[Nintendork]

You could also buy the Sega Mega Drive Collection for PS2 or PSP for like, $25 (most places) and save yourself a great deal of money.

Unless spending lots of money on rare things is important to you.

For me it's not really about the rarity, I don't collect games for their rarity or value, I just collect them because I like playing them. But to be honest I've never bought a compilation or collection game in my life. I don't know why, I think it's some weird organisational issue I have, like it just seems right to have number 1,2,3,4 etc. stacked on my shelf rather then all four on one disc then the rest separate.

[Manny M]

Hey guys,

I've got a purple cube, 4 pads (2 wavebirds), roughly 20-30 games, and 2 konga drums. Would it be worth my while trying to sell them these days?

I usually just palm off all my old consoles to friends, but i've received it all back and don't want it just collecting dust.

Cheers

[Gemerald]

Hey guys,

I've got a purple cube, 4 pads (2 wavebirds), roughly 20-30 games, and 2 konga drums. Would it be worth my while trying to sell them these days?

I usually just palm off all my old consoles to friends, but i've received it all back and don't want it just collecting dust.

Cheers

Give me a heads up. I'm doing a cull of titles I don't need at the moment hence the sale.

[madmangohan]

The console not so much, but there's certainly a handful of us here who'd no doubt want a piece of those gcn titles.

[Starscream]

Hey guys,

I've got a purple cube, 4 pads (2 wavebirds), roughly 20-30 games, and 2 konga drums. Would it be worth my while trying to sell them these days?

I usually just palm off all my old consoles to friends, but i've received it all back and don't want it just collecting dust.

Cheers

I call dibs on:

Both wavebirds (on the provision they are still in good nick, complete and still working).
Killer 7 (if he has it)
Donkey Konga 2 PAL (if he has it)
Freedom Fighters PAL (if he has it)
Ikaruga PAL (if he has it)
LOZ: windwaker & Bonus disc and/or special Zelda v2 bonus disc (if he has it)
F-Zero GX (if he has it)
Mega-man collections (if he has it)

[Starscream]

Dibs on Pikmin 1 & Rocky (if he has it)

[Gemerald]

I call dibs on:

Both wavebirds (on the provision they are still in good nick, complete and still working).
Killer 7 (if he has it)
Donkey Konga 2 PAL (if he has it)
Freedom Fighters PAL (if he has it)
Ikaruga PAL (if he has it)
LOZ: windwaker & Bonus disc and/or special Zelda v2 bonus disc (if he has it)
F-Zero GX (if he has it)
Mega-man collections (if he has it)

I am only offer DK2, which is near impossible to find with bongos as it was UK only :(

[Starscream]

You snooze, you lose.

[Kotche]

Put it on HAH and it should go fairly quickly

[schnappy]

If the cube is boxed, I'm interested. I don't have a cube... but I can't afford any games :(

[Flaps]

You snooze, you lose.

You can't call dibs on so much. What a sham. There should be rules on how much you can call dibs on.

I'm also thinking of selling my Wii and AoZ:TP. How much do you think I'd get for them? Excellent condition.

[Ezri]

You can't call dibs on so much. What a sham. There should be rules on how much you can call dibs on.

No, there shouldn't be.

Offer a better price if you're desperate.

[Starscream]

The deal already has been brokered. ;)

Just a few loose ends to tie up.

[Kotche]

Dibs should only count in the selling thread of the HAH section.
Failing that..

I call dibs on:
Evolution Worlds
Chibi Robo
Beyond Good & Evil
Timesplitters Future Perfect
Mario Dance Dance Revolution
Odama
Billy Hatcher

Edit: Serious? Starscream? Wheres the HAH thread :(

[Starscream]

^ You can have all those titles if Manny has them.

[TimChuma]

DID YOU KNOW?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy1TVnpNVQ8

Only being able to remember some of this was driving me nuts!

[Ezri]

Not really appropriate to this thread. Learn to forum.

[drzaius]

so i'm going to assume this is a general retro question/help section...

i want to pick up typing of the dead, what's the best way to go about it?
if i buy a jap dreamcast version, will the words/game be in japanese?

[Twisted Conspiracy]

Just adding to that question, was there ever a PC version?

[drzaius]

yeah there was.

[SOX]

And it's abandonware as far as I know.
Home of the Underdog used to have the download but it seems to be missing.

Have a look (http://homeoftheunderdogs.net/game.php?id=4973)

[fearofthesky]

OK I just got a Saturn for dirt cheap at a market, 20 bucks, because the reset button was solidly stuck! Can anyone reccomend a way to get it out? I'm happy to open the console, but am a bit hesitant to do so until I got a few pointers.

Thanks a bunch!

[Kloppy]

I saw a similar machine on eBay and almost bought it $1 and 20 postage >_<.
I've got a model 2/3 Saturn, but it's easier to do swap tricks with the model 1*.

If you open the machine, the reset button should be easily accessible. That would be the easiest way, and I think you'd be LESS likely to cause damage than trying to leaver it from the outside. It's quite safe to open (provided the power is unplugged!).

You won't need to pull apart anything else inside, (e.g. taking the shielding off), but if you're in there already, you might want to consider a 60hz mod if you're handy with a soldering iron.

*If you've opened the case, put some sticky tape on the door sensor to do the swap trick.

[Kasplatza Red]

Bought a PAL Copy of Secret of Evermore on eBay, and it ain't working with my PAL Snes. It isn't the battery, it's displaying a plain, dark green screen (wheras my copy of mariokart, which is well and truly dead, displayed a plain black one).

Has anyone got any ideas? I'm hoping it wasn't damaged (my postman decided to leave it in my metal mailbox in 35+ degree heat, where I found it a few hours later).

[Serenity]

Nice choice of game. Sorry, I don't have any suggestions. :( I just wanted to compliment you on your choice taste.

[Lazlow]

I'm guessing the cartridge itself isn't showing any signs of warping or deformation?

Only idea I've really got is cleaning the contacts with rubbing alcohol/metho.

[Kasplatza Red]

Nice choice of game. Sorry, I don't have any suggestions. :( I just wanted to compliment you on your choice taste.
Why yes! I can't decide which game I like more out of SoE, SoM, Terranigma, or Illusion of Time, four of my all-time favourite games ever.

I'm guessing the cartridge itself isn't showing any signs of warping or deformation?

Only idea I've really got is cleaning the contacts with rubbing alcohol/metho.
The cart is unharmed (although it looks like the label has been a bit sunbleached). I've had SNES games last entire summers in my parents' attic and still been perfectly playable. The one thing that's sort of freaking me out is that the SoE cartridge smells of BURNING.
I contacted the seller, and he assures me that he tested it before he shipped it out, and suggested I 'attack' my SNES with a paintbrush and some metho. I can't do it now though, I packed away my SNES last night, it's at my parents' house now.

[Serenity]

Why yes! I can't decide which game I like more out of SoE, SoM, Terranigma, or Illusion of Time, four of my all-time favourite games ever.

I have all but Terranigma. I love them all. Isn't Secret of Evermore quite uncommon nowadays?

[RunningMild]

Christ, Nero has done it again!

When I go to add files, it lists AAC as a compatible music format. However, when I open a folder that has AAC files in it, it says no items match the search! Why is this?

EDIT: And when I try to download a free trial of the latest Nero, it gives me a compulsory download/install for some Microsoft add-on to make it compatible with XP! I'M USING VISTA YOU ****ING IDIOT!!!

[Fenrir]

Kas: out of curiosity, what colour is the mailbox?

I doubt I can come up with anything helpful, really, but a few searches turned up a video on cleaning and replacing the battery in SNES cartridges (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqkBPgMg0TI), and, bizarrely enough, a 65c816 assembly programming tutorial explaining how to initialize the SNES and set the background colour to dark green (here (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Super_NES_Programming/Initialization_Tutorial)). Guess you could take from that, that the cart is getting through a few dozen instructions before...who the hell knows? >_>

Actually I guess the next step would be to try to get a ROM dump from the cart and compare it to that of a working copy, but that's probably overkill.

Christ, Nero has done it again!

When I go to add files, it lists AAC as a compatible music format. However, when I open a folder that has AAC files in it, it says no items match the search! Why is this?
I think you have the wrong thread*, but as far as I understand it, there's standard AAC and there's Apple AAC. post-DRM, they may or may not be compatible.

*I see I'm not the only using the New Posts search as a forum hub.

[RunningMild]

*I see I'm not the only using the New Posts search as a forum hub.

Nah, I did a standard search for Nero because I thought we had a thread for it. This one seemed like a better match anyway.

[Ryan Hayward]

I noticed that Gametap has a lot of legal retro roms from snk, sega, taito etc etc.
Are there other services similar to gametap that allows you to legally play console roms on your pc, such as a pay per month model?

[dinopoke]

Are they actually roms or are they ports?

[Ryan Hayward]

Perhaps both. The emulation is pretty much perfect if they are. Haven't noticed any flaws in any of the street fighter, taito, capcom, snk or namco games.

[dinopoke]

How much do SNES' usually go for? I saw one the other day at CD Revolution for $50. Should I get it?

[Nintendork]

I'd pay $30, max. unless it was coming with games.

[Ryan Hayward]

Get it if its in mint condition, otherwise pass.

[Australian Ninja]

Bought a PAL Copy of Secret of Evermore on eBay, and it ain't working with my PAL Snes. It isn't the battery, it's displaying a plain, dark green screen (wheras my copy of mariokart, which is well and truly dead, displayed a plain black one).

Has anyone got any ideas? I'm hoping it wasn't damaged (my postman decided to leave it in my metal mailbox in 35+ degree heat, where I found it a few hours later).

Try giving a damn good clean to the contactas with a soft non-flakey cloth and ispropyl alcohol
(clear liquid, some cd cleaners come with it). If it's still not working try getting a star screw driver thingo and open that sucker up, clean it out and see if there is any visible damage. If the pins are good they usually work.

After it's cleaned, be sure to put it in, power on, if no good power off, TAKE IT OUT, put it back in, power on. Turning it off and on while it's still in is useless if the cart if giving you shit. You may wanna clean the SNES internal cartridge contacts/slot as well, to improve you chances of success.

If that don't work then you're f***ed. SNES cartridges are pretty robust, so good luck to you.

[Ryan Hayward]

When I bought my N64 at the start of the year, I had to blow hard into almost all the 12 cartridges I bought for it and wiped some gently with a soft cloth.

[Australian Ninja]

When I bought my N64 at the start of the year, I had to blow hard into almost all the 12 cartridges I bought for it and wiped some gently with a soft cloth.

It's a waste of time without a non-abrasive liquid to actually help dissolve the dirt off the contacts. They stop workng again pretty quick unless you give them a decent clean now and then. Once a year usually is enough for carts, as long as you keep them in the cupboard or whatever when not in use.

[Cubby]

Does anyone heve have the original Imperium Galactica, and know how I'd go about getting it to run.