Jump to content
IGNORED

A call for testing (Harmony Cart required)


SpiceWare

Recommended Posts

Looking at the results, roughly 7% of the systems tested did not work (5 of 73). Doesn't sound like a big number, but it means that potentially 7 out of every 100 "BUS-enhanced" cartridges would fail and need to be returned and refunded (including return shipping). If only Jr. systems are affected, I could certainly warn people that there's a roughly one-third chance that such games won't work (4 of 11 Jr. systems failed). Even if the person buying the game has a system that runs BUS-enhanced titles, games are often traded and resold, and I'd be introducing games into that market that have known compatibility issues with a small (but significant) number of systems.

 

I have a large number of systems I can test, but most of them are in storage, so it's not terribly convenient to do so at the moment. I don't have many Jr. systems, though, as I'm not particularly fond of them. Lots of 2600 4-switch, a few 6-switch, and maybe ten 7800 systems.

 

I really hate to see development halted in this area, as it is very promising.

 

..Al

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can use mine. It doesn't not work as bad as some of them do though (I think that made sense). Would you want one that didn't work typically, or the worst case?

 

Thanks Nathan - it doesn't need to be the worst case. I'd like to buy it from you though, as I'd need to do nasty things to the insides of the console!

 

Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Thanks Nathan - it doesn't need to be the worst case. I'd like to buy it from you though, as I'd need to do nasty things to the insides of the console!

 

Actually, it was donated to me for mod testing. But since I never got around to doing that, this seems like a good use to put it to. If I ever get around to testing video mods again, I can pick up another Jr. someplace.

 

"Nasty things", huh? :ponder: Well, be sure to take pictures. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

We've found that some of the failures can be corrected in software by stuffing in 1's instead of 0's. Would you please try this new test program on any systems that the first test program failed on?

A couple of tests:

 

NTSC Jr. (underside of board says Rev. F):

 

attachicon.gifIMG_5453.JPG

 

NTSC six-switch:

 

attachicon.gifIMG_5454.JPG

 

Will try to run some more tests - trying to get my other sixer working, and am in the process of re-capping my two four-switchers.

 

 

NTSC Light Sixer - passed

NTSC Sears Video Arcade II - passed

NTSC Atari 7800 - passed

 

 

NTSC Jr - failed

Looks exactly like Nathan Strum's with the bar through the 7's. I do not know the board revision - too tired to check tonight.

 

 

Here is the test rom running on my PAL 7800:

attachicon.gifIMG_0073.JPG

 

I will try on other consoles and report back, but those all run the bus stuffing demos without issues so I expect them to pass the test.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

I have had jr's that fail with run of the mill cartridges... I should think this isn't so much a compatibility issue but rather a jr defect issue, perhaps someone will compare them and find out why,.. and after it annoyed me from time to time I learned my lesson... ask me how many juniors I own now? ZERO!

Of course as I read it looks like updating the carts to 1.05 helped some people with all systems...

maybe that should be part of the test?

 

If it really turns out to be the junior then simply put not for use with junior on the cartridge label if junior is defective then the junior needs a fix...

Edited by _The Doctor__
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have had jr's that fail with run of the mill cartridges... I should think this isn't so much a compatibility issue but rather a jr defect issue, perhaps someone will compare them and find out why,.. and after it annoyed me from time to time I learned my lesson... ask me how many juniors I own now? ZERO!

Of course as I read it looks like updating the carts to 1.05 helped some people with all systems...

maybe that should be part of the test?

 

If it really turns out to be the junior then simply put not for use with junior on the cartridge label if junior is defective then the junior needs a fix...

What games have you had issues with? I have a junior and havent noticed anything.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...