Gunstar

There is trouble that ST and PC parallel port differ a lot. The ST port works with both directions whlie PC has 4 additional signals which are used for 4 bit communication from device to computer. Newer PC has printer ports which alow 8 bit communication. I do not know if there is some packet which allow to use CD-ROM for PC parallel port on ST. I wouldn't exactly call my laptop PC "newer" it's old enough that it's only a pentium 1 running at 200mhz, with HD and a 3.5" floppy, which is why I need the external cd-rom, so do you think the parallel port on such an old PC would still be all that different from the ST's? I do know the backpack cd-rom will work on it however, because I bought it used, and it already had the backpack driver built into it; whenever I boot up, windows/msdos looks for the backpack and comes back with a "backpack not found" and asks me to make sure it's plugged in and turned on, or to press [esc] to continue without it. I left it set up this way just in case I came across one of these MicroSolutions "backpack" cdroms, which I have! I guess my question is, were there ever any cdrom solutions released for the ST that make use of the parallel port. since the ST's are capable of using harddrives, floppies and cdroms from PC's, I'd probably only need a standard parallel port cdrom driver to use the backpack...

I just picked up this Backpack cd-rom cheap for my laptop PC, it's an external cdrom that plugs in through the parallel port. I still need to get a proper powerpack for it, and a cable, so I haven't used it yet, but I was wondering if this thing would work on an ST too? Does anyone know of any cd-rom drivers for the ST that are made for cdroms that plug in through the parallel printer port? It sure would be cool to be able to have a cd-rom for my ST too...

I'm not going to drop it when you keep replying with these LAME replies. I've been playing&collecting video games for about as long, but what the H*LL has that got to do with what is or isn't on a forum?!? What FACTS?!? I didn't here any bell...what class? Were you trying to teach me something?!? LOL! oh...and just for you...WHINE, WHINE, WHINE, WHINE, WHINE...is that enough whining for you?

I always thought this game was way too easy. I finished the first time I ever played it! It was alright, but no challenge for me...

This is true, there are a couple of 8-bit protector games, 1&2 I believe, that were indeed Defender clones just like this one, but they were not done by the same companies/people at all, the name is just a coincidence as far as I can tell; I mean, how many variations of the name can you have to get the same point across? Defender:defending little dudes from aliens...Protector: Protecting little dudes from aliens, same meaning...I suppose another name like Guardian could be used too, or a word of the same meaning as any of these in a different language, but as you can see, it's easy to have a coincidence of names since there are only a lomited number to choose from that mean the same thing or similiar.

There may not be anything of this sort going on there CURRENTLY, that can be seen on the first page or two, but they are there! I, however don't feel like searching pages to find these arguements. Feel free to check yourself. I know what I've read in the past and your saying it doesn't exist doesn't make it so. I can deny the the earth is round until I'm blue in the face, but it doesn't change the facts.

You'll notice some of the differences right away when you get P:SE just because it still comes in the original box with an "SE" sticker slapped on, so the screen shots are of the original. Mostly just different graphics in the background and such, like a few different power-ups and minor play mechanic changes (from what I've heard, I don't have the original either). Not sure if there is really a need for both, unless your a collector, and even then, maybe not; I'm a collector and at this point have no intension of getting the original version. I have Hyperforce, Skyhammer and PhaseZero from Songbird too, all very cool. Soccerkid is the only one I don't have, I picked up the 3DO version for $5, so just haven't wanted to pay the $50+ for Sonbird's version yet...but I may for the collection someday...

I'm curious to know how this is accomplished too, as I don't see how an inferior sound chip can emulate a superior one...unless it's through digitization which is how most good music on the ST is done, I guess the YM is good at digitizing.

There's an improved version of D2K out? When did that happen? Who did it? Was it Minter? Or, is this one of his ports to another platform? I love D2K and don't see how it could be improved at all. The only thing I'd do is make the ships smaller. What's been done to it? I think BizDude is implying that in his opinion Protector is like D2K with improvements and better overall. T-bird knows that, what you have encountered is "classic" (LOL) T-bird sarcasm.

Give me a break! You're so FULL of it! Yeah, go back...I go to the 5200 and 7800 forums all the time, even if I don't post there as much, and the SAME EXACT WHINING goes on there too! It's just between 5200 vs. Colecovision and 7800 vs. NES/SMS! Even the 2600 forum gets the 2600 vs. Intellivision and Odyssey2! People come here and claim things that aren't true, so those of us who have all the systems and all the good games and really KNOW what's what, tell them so! Plain and simple.

Well, I have Jag, 3DO and 32X (as well as the Saturn, PSX, and others) and from my personal experience with a broad range of games, the Jag and 3DO are about equal, both have superiorities and defincaincies to each other in different areas, but overall, the same power. The 32X, while it is a decent hack job, with some decent games on it I like, it CAN NOT hold a candle to the Jaguar in any way, shape, or form. Yes, there are a few 32X games, the good ones, that are better than some Jag games, the bad ones, but the 32X can't compete with you take good games from both systems and compare them side-by-side, e.g.-32xDoom vs. JagDoom, StarWars arcade&Shadow Squadron vs. Battlesphere&Battlemorph, Rayman vs. Knuckles, T-mek vs. I-war or even HoverStrike:UL, Metal Head vs. Iron Soldier 1 or 2, the Jag blows away the 32X on every count! Now, you could look at 32X motorcross, which is all right, and compare it to Jag Supercross, which sucks terribly, and the 32X outshine in overall performance, but Supercross should never have been released, it's an incomplete piece of crap.

I have both Protector:SE and Defender 2000 and I like Protector, but I feel D2K blows it away! It may be too intense for some, but if you get good enough to last a for a bit, you get lots of cool power-ups that make it easier to stay alive. It has better graphics (both plus and 2k modes) and the music is MILES better than Protector's, done by the guys who did T2K, Imagitec! The musice in Protector was done by Carl, who thankfully, is keeping his day job! I turn it off, get's annoying in about 2 seconds...sorry Carl, you're good at a lot of things as far as the Jag&Lynx are concerned, but music isn't one of them...so, I don't believe any "improvement" has been done in Protector over D2K! It's a good second choice (actually, third-there is Defender Plus!). But, I bought it(Protector:SE) for the BJL, bypass, etc. the game was a bonus.

Yes, I agree, I picked up one myself a bit ago, even for my very limited PC game play, it does beat cursor keys and a mouse (for the PC games-Red Baron!). I'm used to controllers from being an avid console gamer and from 8-bits and most ST games, so the mouse keyboard combination may be prefered by some, but not I. I'll put up with it if I have too, and with a few ST games, but I'll take a joypad first anyday! Congrats! If your refering to those big analog flight sticks, I have one I never use, don't like them, even with flight sims, they are too cumbersome to deal with, a analog thumb pad like on modern consoles may be acceptable though.

hmm...thanks for the heads up, and you are probably right, but I think I'm going to give it a shot anyway, if funky stuff happens, then I'll just have to put up with the regular mod, or install the second ANTIC on a seperate board and work out an enable/disable myself with some added circuitry. I just want to take this mod to the next level and I live by the moto that "nothing is impossible, it just hasn't been figured out yet." I've seen too man so called "impossibilities" have solutions found for them suddenly in my experience to believe otherwise.

Glenn, I'm not trying to argue with what your saying or anything of that sort, but why would he sell a keyboard that goes with a system? That just sounds downright stupid to me! If he doesn't have them in stock as extra overstock or initially stocked to be replacements, then he's stupid for offering them this way and that would be his own fault. Or, he's decided to take so many, and make them strictly parts computers, in which case what you said would in fact not be the case at all, he wouldn't be left with a computer he can't sell, he'd be left with most of a computer he has chosen to piece-meal out and needs to sell the rest of the parts. I always assumed that these parts he sells were bought from where ever as parts, if he's seperating them, that's his decision and I feel no sympathy if he can't sell a "partial system", well, duh, then he should have kept it a complete system for sale, if the intention isn't to sell it all as parts. So, my point is, that he shouldn't be left with something he couldn't sell, one way or the other, and $100 for a keyboard IS to much. He would also be making a LOT more money selling them piece by piece for these prices than if it was sold as a system. So I should feel sympathy for him making bank on the computers this way? I don't think so...I appreciate that he's had to store them for years, and am glad he is around to buy stuff from, but he wouldn't have to store it for so long if the prices were lowered even just a bit and sales increased in light of this. No matter his reasoning, many of us just can't afford to be spending $100 on a keyboard, so either he sells for a more reasonable price, or we, his would-be customers, look elsewhere. If it comes down to the fact that he's just not selling enough because of a small customer base for these classic Atari machines, well, that's his own decision too, and he has to live with the consequences; he could be selling the latest PC's and parts, and the latest consoles like GC, PS2 and Xbox or even selling carpeting out of his wharehouse too for all I care, he would broaden his customer base, and make a larger profit selling other items. It's all up to him. If I were in his shoes and barely making ends meat, I would sure expand my business while still supporting the Atari community. So either he's doing fine, and overcharging, or he's made a bad business choice and it's his fault, either way, he IS overcharging.

T-bird, I accept your explanation of the logistics being the reason why you released things the way you did. Hopefully I may have the money when BSG is finally released again. But I won't hold my breath anymore.

Obviously, midwest, you did not comprehend a single thing I said, but I'm not going to bother argueing with you. Whatever. Nice of you to edit my name into your previous post.

Who are you refering to, T-bird or myself? Besides, this seems to me to have been a pretty civil discussion so far...who's doing back-seat driving? Not sure what you mean by that...we are just both getting our points across. What does the content of the cart have to do with anything? None of that make a whole lot of sense, would you please try again and use proper english so we can understand what you mean. Please?

What does, "come with everything" mean? Controllers? expansion pack? any games? I'd be interested in it if it comes with any of the above, definately need a controller and really would like the expansion pack too, plus a game comes in handy, so I don't have to go straight out and spend more money just to play the thing...

Personally, I use all three: Bravo, Best and B&C. I just look at them all to see who has the best price on the item I'm looking for (or who has it at all), then order from them. But if your looking for computers&drives, the Bravo seems to have far superior prices and the free shipping thing going, so Ben is the best choice for that...and not just 8-bit stuff, 16-bit/32-bit stuff too! His Jaguar prices, on the other hand, look similiar to Telegames, so I don't buy Jaguar merchandise from him, but I will add that he is a great guy and is very helpful, as are Bruce at B&C and the guys at BEST. B&C can sometimes have the slower service though (in my experience) and Best&Bravo seem to get it to you much quicker, but this might just reflect how busy B&C is...I have had trouble with B&C in the distant past, and didn't order anything from him for years because of it, but recent dealings have been decent (although too long, my last order took over 5 weeks!).

Thanks Callipygous, guess I better do this Bob Wooley 1200XL 1meg simm upgrade then, and forget the Rambo, I intend to use it for programs, not ramdisks...I have SIO2PC/APE for all the "ramdisks" and virtual drives I need! plus, I just happen to have 1 and 4meg 30pin simms laying around for a future ST upgrade I'm going to do (have more than I need), so I may just do even the full 4meg upgrade on the 1200XL! (WOW! then my XL will have as much memory as I intend to upgrade my STf too!) On the other hand, I have decided to do the initial Antic PAL-NTSC upgrade to my 130XE, modified a bit to MY liking(piggy back the ANTICS and OS chips for 50hz, 60hz choice, depending on the NTSC or PAL program I'm running), and then do it again to the 1200XL in the future. I love these pre-made mods for me to use, so I don't have to start from scratch, but often I have my own ideas to add to the mix!

I found the pin out diagram and data sheet I was looking for, for the Anitc chip, if anyone else is interested, it can be found here: http://www.howell1964.freeserve.co.uk/Atar...Atari_ANTIC.htm

for the internal HD, you might need a seperate power supply, guess you'll have to look at the mod instructions and they will let you know. As for the other mods, no, the current power supply is sufficient.

I have Crystal mines and I don't care for it either, so if chips challenge is just as good, I already know I won't care for it. I enjoyed Boulder Dash back in the day, but grew tired of it and these clones of it don't impress me.