TunnelRunner

quote: Originally posted by Mitch: From the 5200 FAQ: Mitch http://atari7800.atari.org I've found the voltage varies from 10 to 15 VDC regardless of which model. Trust in the VRs, even though they get warmer with higher voltage supplies.

quote: Originally posted by NE146: It's funny because I have a 5200 Mr. Do's Castle box, cart, and instructions totally like new. Out of all the games I got as a kid that's one of the few boxes I have left.. why? Because when I got it, the cartridge was broken and wouldn't work (I could hear a loose piece inside when I shook it.) Being only a kid and after having waited for months to actually get the cart, I didn't think we could get a replacement so I just kept it in its box, hiding it from my mom To this day I still have never really played Mr. Do's Castle... arcade, 5200, or otherwise. I have a spare here, wanna trade?

quote: Originally posted by Dutchman2000: I had the opportunity to talk with the original programmer of Tempest, Keithen Hayenga. ... Well if you ever find an updated version, let me know. By the way, I created a beautiful repro box for my Tempest (which is great if you need a really high score to cheer you up!). If I do the manual and overlays I'd like your input (great interview with Mr. Hayenga, BTW!). geo P.S. How's Airworld coming along?

quote: Originally posted by PECOS BILL: Has anyone ever heard of a "Tempest" cart for the Atari 5200? Pecos, I have a good friend who goes by Voltman3 who burned a Tempest EPROM, put it in a cart, and sent me one. I've played it on my 5200 console, it's beautiful. He could probably do it again. By the way, I did killer artwork for a Tempest box and label, looks like the authentic item. TunnelRunner [ 02-20-2002: Message edited by: TunnelRunner ]

Where'd they come from...a landfill in Alamagordo? But they don't look shrinkwrapped from the shot here. Still not bad.

Put me down for beta testing! Good luck, keep up the good work!

Tempest, You forgot Millipede, even better that Centipede. Too bad that missed being released. And the two Lucas games, Ballblazer and Fractalus (best use of sound on the 5200, IMHO). Worst game? CONGO BONGO, hands down.

While you have the paddle apart (to clean the pot with tuner cleaner) be sure the lock nut securing the pot is tight. I've never seen a CX30 pot fail, but it could also be the connectors in the cable end (I have a couple NOS spares).

"I have found that the gold traced REV 7 boards to be the most unreliable. The silver REV 9 is of course the best in the long run. I feel the carbon traced rev 9 boards, (when working) perform the best." Charlie I've rebuilt a mountain of CX52 controllers as well, and have found three variations in the Rev 9 circuit alone, one of them a white and clear with carbon traces. That was in a single controller found at a flea market, and it actually worked 100%! I always replace the flex circuits, though, and calibrate the pots using the diagnostic cart. And these folks who cry about the CX52, are they babies or what? Child's play to maintain them (but they do need regular maintenance). Nice to meet another CX52 fixer, though. Best also has the knob puller tool, by the way. [ 11-14-2001: Message edited by: TunnelRunner ]

5200 River Raid is the best version. If anyone needs a MIB copy I have some here, maybe too pretty to open! And I recommend the Wico joystick, best possible control!

I watched Cloak and Dagger not long ago, there is a Tempest box prominently displayed in one scene, but I did not see Battlezone for the 5200. And if you watch carefully you can see that the Cloak and Dagger box was just a Football box with the new title pasted over it (henry Thomas opens the box and you get a glimpse of the instructions).

True, sorry. Pitfall won't run on the two ports (I was curious about the multicart, thanks for that). Mountain King will not run on the two port, either. You get the opening screen, that's it. Best 5200 console is the universal four port which plays ALL 5200 games and will use the VCS adapter. These boards are kinda rare, but there's a factory mod kit you can apply to original four ports. I have a few I got in trade, if anyone wants to trade for one.

Marble Madness...that ate a lot of my quarters!

The VCS adapter is essentially a 2600 board, so the only adjustment is the color pot. I have a VCS field service manual, I can look it up for you, unless you wanna trade for it?

Bravo, Pitfall! Very articulate (besides the fact that I agree with you on the condition appraisal issue - let's not go there!). Unfortunately, folks are looking everywhere for items to buy up to appreciate in value as a means of investment. Our video games are among those articles, but I won't be robbed of the joy of playing them. Okay, off my soap box. Back to life. End of message.

Hey, everyone knows about O'Shea Ltd. The pictures are amazing though!

quote: Originally posted by Gunstar: I've got a four port model with the power in on the RF box. Are the only four port models that work with the 2600 adapter ones that have the asterisk(*) in the serial number? Just curious if those are the only ones that are 2600 adapter compatible. Yes, these are the ones. They are the best 5200 consoles to have, since they can use the VCS adapter, and will play ALL 5200 games including Pitfall! and Mountain King (the 2 port will not play these two). And the universal boards still use the CX522 switchbox that the power plugs into. I have several Atari factory mod kits if you ever decide to modify your original 5200 board.

quote: Originally posted by 10270: The casing is actually unmodified, it is a factory cast. Perhaps the bottom is from a 2-port model... I've never inspected a 2-port up close. There are some apparently hand done soldiering connections inside. Basically, I originally had a 4 port (back when they were new). Sometime around '86, the switchbox busted, and I called Atari. I sent in the old 4 port, and got this new one. Since there is no * in the serial number, I'm not sure if it is compatible with the 2600 adapter or not. It may be some frankenstien 5200 put together from a back stock of parts, and a tech did the power mod... tough to tell, really. Kinda neat, tho. What you most likely have is the universal board. They used the two port bottom housings (hence the hole for the power input) so you are correct in your case. The modified 4 ports did have the hole drilled and the power jack soldered to the pc board so that you could use the standard RF box. Just don't use these units with the old powered switchboxes, you'll fry your TV tuner!

Here's my cleaning process for all VCS consoles I have on my trade page: Open it up and unplug the RF cable, remove the board and shielded box on six switches. Put all the hard plastic into a sink of warm soapy water and toothbrush them. That makes them look like new, no baby oil!

Go to Best Electronics and get a new momentary switch, about a buck.

If you plug the power supply into the back of the console and not the RF switchbox then you have a factory modified unit. The holes were drilled into the housing and the board modified. If you still use the old RF box that the power plugs into then you have one of the rare universal board 4 ports that can use the VCS adapter to play 2600 games, IMHO the best 5200 to own.

Best Electronics carries the replacement part, I believe. Try them.

Sounds like a bad IC inside, easy to replace. Need help?

No color is either a bad IC, or the color adjust pot is out of adjustment or bad. Easy fix.