ColecoNoob Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Hi, as a quite new ColecoVision Fan I found it interesting to play Atari 2600 games via the CV. So I ordered an Expansion Module #1 and a bunch of Atari 2600 games. The console itsself works fine. I cleaned it and it looks fantastic and plays CV games as it should be. Now the problem with the XM1 is, that I put it in the port and nothing but a blank screen happens. I have to mention that the CV is a PAL Version made by CBS and has German describtion on it. The XM1 instead is all English so I don't know if it's PAL or NTSC (if that matters anyway). I also cleaned the XM1 but that didn't lead to any function. How can I measure wether the XM1 or the extension port on the CV is out of function? Are the any tricks and hints to get this combination to work? The guy I bought it from (of course) says "it worked before" :-/ Hope to find anyone who can help on this. Thank you guys in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 NTSC or PAL should not matter, but to verify, hopefully one of the European members can chime in. There's only 4 hardware items that plug into the front Expansion Interface (EM#1, Add-a-Halt, EM #3 Adam and Opcode SGM), so if you do not have one of the other three, there is no way to test unless you have the test equipment and know-how to test each contact of the expansion card edge connector. The EM #1 is just a clone of the Atari 2600, but without it's own power circuitry and RF video/audio circuitry, so when attached to a CV, it basically highjacks these two items from the CV to become a complete Atari 2600 clone system... you can't have it hooked up and then play CV games. My guess is that your EM #1 is bad and your CV is all good especially since you can play CV games currently. You will probably have to buy another EM #1 to know for sure... which will be your cheapest and quickest option to choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+5-11under Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Well, the good news is that the ColecoVision works (well, at least the ColecoVision side). That's usually the hard part. I'd try unplugging and plugging in the EM1 a few times, to see if there's an issue with the contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 BTW, you said you cleaned it, but what did you use. It's best to use De-Oxit and then 90%+ Isoprophyl Alcohol on all the contacts. After you clean it, I would inspect each and every contact on the EM#1's edge connector and then the CV's card edge connector. If you notice any damage, missing contacts or bent shielding that interferes with the alignment, that will be your problem. I'm still leaning towards the EM#1 being bad (probably fried due to an electrical surge or bad CV power supply) and you will need to buy a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Maybe try replacing all the electrolytic caps in the EM#1? I'd at least open it up and see if there is anything that doesn't look normal, like cracked solder joint somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iesposta Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 If you have a PAL TV and a PAL ColecoVision, you will need a PAL Expansion Module #1 and PAL Atari 2600 Cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColecoNoob Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 BTW, you said you cleaned it, but what did you use. It's best to use De-Oxit and then 90%+ Isoprophyl Alcohol on all the contacts. After you clean it, I would inspect each and every contact on the EM#1's edge connector and then the CV's card edge connector. If you notice any damage, missing contacts or bent shielding that interferes with the alignment, that will be your problem. I'm still leaning towards the EM#1 being bad (probably fried due to an electrical surge or bad CV power supply) and you will need to buy a new one. First I swept away the dust and dirt with a brush than used the mentioned isoprophyl and finally cleaned the necessary parts with a special contact cleaning spray. I checked the connector which seems to be ok and also checked on broken soldering points which also seems ok. Ich checked the isolators on sight. They seem to be ok too. Guess this thing is simply gone. By the way it doesn't metter, wether or not a cartridge is inserted to the xm1. It only shows a blank screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColecoNoob Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 If you have a PAL TV and a PAL ColecoVision, you will need a PAL Expansion Module #1 and PAL Atari 2600 Cartridges. AFAIK all pre Game Crash consoles are region free. So it doesn't matter wether you use PAL or NTSC Cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColecoNoob Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 What is the easiest way to find out wether the xm1 is a PAL or NTSC module? Text on it is in english. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 What is the easiest way to find out wether the xm1 is a PAL or NTSC module? Text on it is in english.Again I highly doubt there was any difference with the EM#1 sold in the US and sold in Europe with the exception of the label that was applied. If the labels are from CBS Electronics, then you have an EM#1 sold in the European market. Don't recall if the cartridges or cart slot is keyed, but the labels should face towards the CV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColecoNoob Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 The cartdridges can only be inserted in one direction Ok, if you're correct with the xm1 then it must be able to handle different voltage. My thought was that maybe this could be the problem ?-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValkerieSilk Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 As NIAD indicated, a good cleaning with that solution will likely do the trick ... If all else fails, you can buy a new one (that's been tested) off ebay for next to nothing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iesposta Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 PAL & NTSC are not for region locking, they are how the game console outputs to the display. Coleco did make PAL EM #1 according to Australia. Anyway you can play NTSC Atari games on a PAL Atari. They just run at a different speed 50hz vs 60hz with wrong colors or black and white. Games that are PAL are coded with PAL's color palate and designed for 50hz per frame and more vertical scan lines. France uses SECAM displays and there are SECAM Atari carts. South America uses PAL-M which is a 4th display standard. All those standards went away with HiDef digital displays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValkerieSilk Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 NTSC or PAL should not matter, but to verify, hopefully one of the European members can chime in. There's only 4 hardware items that plug into the front Expansion Interface (EM#1, Add-a-Halt, EM #3 Adam and Opcode SGM), so if you do not have one of the other three, there is no way to test unless you have the test equipment and know-how to test each contact of the expansion card edge connector. The EM #1 is just a clone of the Atari 2600, but without it's own power circuitry and RF video/audio circuitry, so when attached to a CV, it basically highjacks these two items from the CV to become a complete Atari 2600 clone system... you can't have it hooked up and then play CV games. My guess is that your EM #1 is bad and your CV is all good especially since you can play CV games currently. You will probably have to buy another EM #1 to know for sure... which will be your cheapest and quickest option to choose. Never knew Add-A-Halt existed ... Thx for that... http://atariage.com/forums/topic/121565-colecovision-add-a-halt-add-on/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iesposta Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Never knew Add-A-Halt existed ... Thx for that... http://atariage.com/forums/topic/121565-colecovision-add-a-halt-add-on/ I had one of those. If my original system is in the basement I have one. Most likely it was lost in a storage unit when I moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ten-four Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Now the problem with the XM1 is, that I put it in the port and nothing but a blank screen happens. I have to mention that the CV is a PAL Version made by CBS and has German describtion on it. The XM1 instead is all English so I don't know if it's PAL or NTSC (if that matters anyway). The guy I bought it from (of course) says "it worked before" :-/ Hope to find anyone who can help on this. Thank you guys in advance! Hi ColecoNoob. You can know your English EM # 1 version at its label. NTSC = ColecoVision, and PAL = CBS ColecoVision. But there is a difference when it comes to the French version. I have an old CBS ColecoVision PAL EM # 1, UK version, and this one do not work with my later French CBS ColecoVision. This have to be the French EM # 1 with the French text. There also exist a German EM # 1 with German text, this will be the same as the UK version. Just some info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColecoNoob Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 Well if it is realy as "simple" as that I have an US XM#1 because the labels are all english and no CBS logo but the Coleco Logo is on it. My ColecoVision is a German one as it states "CBS ColecoVision Videospiel-System". Thank you for your information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I had one of those. If my original system is in the basement I have one. Most likely it was lost in a storage unit when I moved. If you find it and want to sell... I'm interested! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValkerieSilk Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I had one of those. If my original system is in the basement I have one. Most likely it was lost in a storage unit when I moved. Hope you have two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Hope you have two Always riding my coat tails! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValkerieSilk Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Always riding my coat tails! I sold my coat to help fund this cv addiction... or was that my soul ... ?? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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