Jimz Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 New member here. Grew up with the original 2600. Just got my new 2600+ and love it. I know you are able to “hot swap” cartridges. I’ve done it a few times, but I just don’t feel comfortable doing it. Is this safe to do with this system? Like if one were to do it all the time? I can tolerate the load times fine, but if it doesn’t ruin anything, why isn’t it mentioned more that this can and maybe should be done? Just curious on what others do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysticSword Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 (edited) It's been talked about in another thread: I did try it several times. Personally, I now prefer to NOT hot-swap as I found that sometimes it didn't work and would seem to hang the system, so I'd need to power-off anyways. And then I feel there could be a small chance that hot-swapping could damage something or even 'brick' my 2600+. Also, to me hot-swapping just doesn't quite feel right with this type of gaming console. But when it comes down to it, it's a personal choice. Edited December 12, 2023 by MysticSword Fixed typo 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_from_the_80s Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 It's a feature, and I rarely have any problem at all with it. Actually the few problems really have nothing to do with hot swapping and more to do with problem carts (ahem, Activision) that are finicky to load anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 Totally safe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean_1970 Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 I prefer not to do it. Yes it takes more time, but to me that’s part of the retro experience! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82-T/A Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 I never finished my electrical engineering degree, and went for a CompSCI instead, so I apologize if what I ask is dumb... but is there not a concern for power spikes or improperly distributed power resulting from a cart that's being pulled out or inserted with the power on? No chance it can damage the IC in the cart? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eCockpit89 Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 I've been HotSwappin' my 2600 carts on my 2600+, no issues so far unless the game itself is dirty. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben from Plaion Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 6 hours ago, 82-T/A said: I never finished my electrical engineering degree, and went for a CompSCI instead, so I apologize if what I ask is dumb... but is there not a concern for power spikes or improperly distributed power resulting from a cart that's being pulled out or inserted with the power on? No chance it can damage the IC in the cart? Well, I estimate that with my test machine with 2 visits to the archive to physically check 300 carts a time I must be nearing 1000 hotswaps! Next time I talk to an engineer at the factory I'll ask though 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Stamos Mullet Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 6 minutes ago, Ben from Plaion said: Well, I estimate that with my test machine with 2 visits to the archive to physically check 300 carts a time I must be nearing 1000 hotswaps! Next time I talk to an engineer at the factory I'll ask though Ben's avatar should be changed to an upside down pineapple after all that swapping. and if you get that joke, my condolences. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben from Plaion Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 5 minutes ago, John Stamos Mullet said: Ben's avatar should be changed to an upside down pineapple after all that swapping. and if you get that joke, my condolences. Pampas grass in the front garden 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEANJIMMY Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 21 hours ago, Brad_from_the_80s said: It's a feature, and I rarely have any problem at all with it. Actually the few problems really have nothing to do with hot swapping and more to do with problem carts (ahem, Activision) that are finicky to load anyway. Right and because of those problem carts I started hot swapping. If certain Activision carts like Enduro won't start I lift it a bit and it loads 😀 If I switch working Enduro off and on, it often fails to load and I have to reseat it via hot swap again. Hot swapping saved me a day or two which is really something if you are 50+ 😉 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suspicious_milk Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 I hot swap so frequent, I'm thinking the power switch is really for purists. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scifidude79 Posted December 13, 2023 Share Posted December 13, 2023 I hot swap too. Heck, I used to do that on the SNES back in the 90s. Eject a cartridge while the game is still loaded, pop in a new one and then hit reset to save having to power it off and back on. The software on the 2600+ just makes it even more streamlined by eliminating the need to hit reset. 😎 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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