JagDiesel Posted June 12, 2001 Share Posted June 12, 2001 Hey, I found a shrinkwrapped Decathalon the other day. on it was a sticker (well I think it was a sticker anyways), the sticker read "not for use on the Atari 7800" Anyone know about this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted June 12, 2001 Share Posted June 12, 2001 I heard that as well. Apparently those who have tried the superchargers in non compatible 7800s ended up with dead superchargers. So there is a short or stray current leaking in on the contacts somewhere. That would have to be a hardware trace design flaw...feature...whatever. Crack the case open on either of your 7800s...then remove both the top and bottom RF shield plates...then look here.. 84 model 7800 back board scan... hold the board as you see here and look in the lower right hand corner. You will see a 4 digit number, that is week and year of manufacture (IE 2584 in this pic is July 84). Then also notice the REV A and the -001 on the end of the board assembly number. Finally look for the Atari INC (Not Corp...) and again a year will be listed. If you got one made in 84...your 100% compatible...if you have an 86 model...then it is about 98% compatible (supercharger may may not work...some games roll or lock up..) if is later than 86...then the compatibility is still being found..as some work...with some games...and some won't...and none of the later version 7800s will work with the supercharger...and are the ones reported as frying them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagDiesel Posted June 12, 2001 Author Share Posted June 12, 2001 Both of my 7800s work with the Supercharger...so I guess I'm in luck. See, I have 2 2600s but they both need work and I do all my 2600 gaming on my 7800s. Whats so cool about having the 2 7800s is that the shop I bought them from swore that neither worked their loss I guess thanks for the info... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted June 13, 2001 Share Posted June 13, 2001 Yeah, afew games won't work with the later model 7800's due to hardware conflicts. Decathlon uses an odd bankswitching scheme that the 7800 can't handle. Time Pilot, The Supercharger, Robot Tank, and Space Shuttle also will not work. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagDiesel Posted June 13, 2001 Author Share Posted June 13, 2001 Ok.. thanks for the info... Also... I have 2 of the 7800s with the expansion port on them, I have heard there are more issues with these than the other 7800s as far as compatability with 2600 carts and hardware. Any truth to that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted June 13, 2001 Share Posted June 13, 2001 Bogus... The 84 models are the ones with the expansion ports...these same models are the only ones which truly sport a 100% compatibility with all the 2600 games including Robot Tank, shuttle, Decathalon, and the Supercharger. The 84 models are the ultimate 7800s to get just for the compatibility factor. In fact...there are more issues with the later revision units made in the 86-89 era than with the two models you have. Worship them...hold them up proudly...baby them. hehe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted June 13, 2001 Share Posted June 13, 2001 Well, yes and no. Only the very first run of 7800's that were built in 84 (and possibly the first run in 86) are 100% compatible with all 2600 games. These 7800's all have the expansion port, but not all the 7800's that have expansion ports are these 100% compatable versions. Make any sense? Seeing the expansion port is a good sign, but not a definitve answer. The best way to see if your 7800 is 100% compatable is to try the Supercharger in it, if that works then your in luck. The Supercharger is usally the definitive answer because some 7800's will work with certain games (such as Space Shuttle and Robot Tank) and not with others (Like Decathlon and Time Pilot). Be careful though, I've been told that if it's not a compatable 7800 it may harm you Supercharger (I'm not sure if that's true though). Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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