SlowCoder
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Posts posted by SlowCoder
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As a kid, I was introduced to computer programming with the ADAM. I can't remember the name of the magazine, but my dad got a monthly subscription to one that had a bunch of BASIC programs listed out that you could type into the computer. They ranged from simple little graphic programs that drew out a smiley to phonebook management programs.
I looked at a couple of issues of Compute! magazine, but I don't see any programs there.
Anyway, wondering if maybe someone can point out the name of the magazine?
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Looking to purchase the following for my ADAM, in good cosmetic and funtional condition:
- 2 Adam controllers (prefer beige). Depending on price, willing to consider black Coleco versions. Also, if only one controller available, may be ok, too.
- Working copy of SMARTBasic
- Blank data tapes
Also, in the market for some games (Coleco) to play. Of course, need the controllers to play the games!
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Justin, excellently put!
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I didn't read through the whole thread, but maybe you could set up some sort of state requirements at startup for the demos to work. For instance, joystick must be in up-left position and fire pressed at power up time, otherwise the cart pretends to be dead, rendering it useless to the thief and any potential buyers.
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Dupe post. Using my Droid, and somehow double saved.
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Asteroids was definitely my game of choice back in the day. I rolled it whenever I wanted. I was 8-10 at the time. Remember playing late one night and rolling it multiple times (3 or more) and eventually just getting tired and turning it off.
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Tell us how they work. I've heard they are prone to interferrence from modern systems such as wireless networks.
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Tell us how they work. I've heard they are prone to interferrence from modern systems such as wireless networks.
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Does that $40 include shipping? I've been looking for a solution like this. Also, does it provide the needed power to run the tape and other components? I've read that some PS without proper -5v will only power the cart functionality. I'm interested in running the entire system. Thank you.
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Great news (for me, anyway)! Finished cleaning and reassembling. It fired up first time turned on in 25 years, went to the word processor, and works like a champ! Happy camper! Now I just need to figure out what to do with it, but I've continued that foray in a new thread here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/168804-my-adam/
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Not really. Early eighties portable TVs were becoing more popular in kids bedrooms especially B&W ones. So, that they did not annoy the parent by using the main colour tv they could connect the VCS/2600 up to the portable. Although large B&W TVs were losing out to cheaper colour ones, the portable market was populated by B&Ws - colour portables still being very expensive. So, it would make sense to leave the color/b&w switch on the front.
Not to pick a fight, but I do not see that as a valid argument for placing the B/W switch on the front. In your example it seems that would be the least used switch on the console, unless the console was travelling between color and b/w TVs.
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After the last 25 years my ADAM has been in storage, it is now unmothballed, cleaned internally, and functioning. Quite a feat considering it was stored in an attic with wildly changing temps. It's in great cosmetic condition with barely a scratch, and even the covers are not dryrotted! Whats even more surprising is that the original ribbon still works.
The bad side of this story is that it appears that over time all of my tapes, cartridges and controllers have been misplaced and as reported with 99% certainty by my father, were trashed many years ago.
Now I need to figure out what to do with the system. I don't want to get rid of it. I'd like to recover some functionality to it.
I have some questions:
- How easy is it to recover some of my old tape programs like BASIC? I also had tape based games called Buck Rogers and Mach 3. Are these programs out of copyright and can they be copied for my use?
- I remember the tapes the system uses are proprietary tapes. Can a regular cassette be modified for use?
- If I began collecting carts for it, are all CV carts compatible?
- Is there a different power supply available so that I can bypass the printer?
Any help is appreciated.
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Just to complete SpiceWare's point, when they redesigned the system to a single board, in order to keep all six switches on the front they would have had to make a wider board. They probably didn't want to do that, plus the two plain slide switches are cheaper anyway so the 4SW was born.It seems odd, though, that they used a fancy chrome switch for color/bw while putting the more-useful difficulty switches on the back. I'd have thought that it would make more sense to change the design of the power switch, and then have four chrome switches for diff1/diff2/select/reset.
My thoughts exactly. Their selection of switches to move does seem a little illogical.
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We all know the original versions had 6 nice chrome switches on the front.Not chrome. Turned (or machined) aluminum. (Or aluminium if you prefer.) Only certain 4-switch units have polished chrome switch levers. (Promotional and factory reconditioned units.)
Both of my H6's have the slightly larger, smoother switches. Very nice compared to the switches that accompanied the L6 and later systems. Ain't no complaints here!
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I'm in the midst of cleaning up my ADAM that's been in storage for 25 years. I haven't even plugged it in to see if it works. I'll let it be a surprise.
The system is nowhere near as prevalent on the internet for sale as others systems of the same era. I attribute that, at least in part, to its short production life.
I have no plans to sell it, but I am curious as to its value, should it work. Unfortunately at some point the controllers and games (carts and tapes) have all gone, so what will hopefully be left is the printer, CPU and keyboard with tape drive.
Anyone want to toss a bone on its rarity and approximate value?
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I'd be willing to bet those are pirated/repackaged Circus Atari and Video Chess.
Circus Atari, by the way ... very fun game!
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Back to the original poster...
Yeah, you missed arcades, but you also missed out on going to bed each night thinking the Russians were going to nuke us. The early 80's could be pretty scary if you were an impressionable 10-13 year old. It wasn't all Pac-Man and Duran Duran.
Though I guess it's probably scarier now with more mass media and "panic nation".
You kidding??? Most kids these days are so absorbed in themselves they don't even know what's going on in their own towns.
You also missed out on the 80s gen movies, big hair bands and the excirement of watching space shuttle Challenger fly into the air, only to have the excitement replaced with remorse as you watch the shuttle explode, raining sadness on the world. I was in elementary school, watching it on TV in the classroom when it happened. President Ronald Raegan was shot. The wall fell. These are things that happened in the 80s.
Wait 20 years and ask a kid growing up today to tell what they remember about their childhood. Most likely it will be their cell phone, video games (no offense) and drugs. How much of the world will they remember? Hopefully I can be proved wrong.
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Oh, and regular maintenance is also key. If your Atari lives in a dusty area keep it covered when not in use. Humidity will speed oxidation, so the drier the better.
But ... the BEST preventative maintenance is to play! Your contacts will remain relatively clean due to constant use. Excellent excuse, right?
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We all know the original versions had 6 nice chrome switches on the front. Then Atari decided, for some reason, to move the difficulty switches to the much less accessible rear of the unit. I suppose this was to update and streamline the looks. They kept with the wood grain for another edition, but eventually went to black, futher decreasing the characteristic differences from competitive systems.
In my opinion the older models had a lot more glamor and appeal.
What are your opinions?
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Yes it will work, but you'll have to hold the joysticks upside down.
nice! -
* watches this thread with interest *
Is there such a thing as a Sunnyvale 4 switcher? I thought by the time 4 switch models came out they were all manufactured overseas. You sure the chassis wasn't changed out at some point?
I'm relatively new here, so input from those in the know will be interesting, indeed.
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My dad is 54 and regularly plays PS3. Very into driving games. Current obsession is Burnout Paradise. HE wanted the PS3... not me (I was out of games for awhile). God the hours we spent playing Mario Kart (the real one, SNES). He loves Bowser for some reason
Uh... his name wouldn't happen to be Setzer, would it? I've got a friend on PS3 network, but I've lost contact with him due to my PS3 corrupting, and no other way to be in touch. We played Burnout almost every night. I'd LOVE to get in touch with him again.
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You can still buy them new.
Maybe buyer doesn't want/can't afford the price of a new one? I am also interested, but cannot currently afford it.
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Rubbing alcohol is convenient, and works in a pinch, but not the best. Use contact cleaner/tv tuner cleaner to solubilize the non-polar stuff. It also works great for getting the shakes out of your paddles, just spray some in the potentiometer and work it back and forth for a little bit. It's got some light hydrocarbons(hexane, heptane, etc) so it evaporates quickly with no residue.
Good for a temp fix, but just spraying into the pot only moves the debris around without actually removing it. If you're willing to go through a little extra work of opening the pot and wiping the contacts with whatever cleaner you want, the outcome will be much better.
And as far as cleaning NES carts, give 'em another 10 years of oxidation and you'll be doing more than just blowing them.
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My ADAM
in ColecoVision / Adam
Posted · Edited by SlowCoder
Very good information, NIAD! I appreciate it all!
Question about the Colecovision Ultimate SD Cartridge. Is it basically the same as the Harmony Cart for Atari, but for Coleco, allowing all of your Coleco games to be compiled into one physical cartridge? If so, that would be EXCELLENT, except for the part where my wife gingerly asks where $129 went, then brings out the shotgun when I tell her the truth ...
Yep, I'll just have to lie.
Is there a place I can download a copy of the original ADAM manual for viewing? I'm not sure the tech manual is what I'm looking for. Just looking for an operations manual.
And I'll also look up this Else guy and see what he's got coming ...