How to load a ROM onto a cartridge

[How to load a ROM onto a cartridge]

I didn't see on the store here how to get the board all by itself, just the custom cartridge with the board inside. If I feel like I am going to damage the label in ANY way, I won't do it. I only want to do it if the label remains undamaged. And if that occurs, then I'll go for the cartridge/board package offered here. I'll check out the cartridges in a bit and see how feasible it is to open one of them.

 

For this one-time thing, yes, I'll have to figure out a way for it to be done for me (sounds like it will be through Atari Age here). The request for a recommendation is for any future projects I may want to tackle when I dive into this and give it the time/attention it needs . Do you have a recommendation for the "true USB programmer"? Would the link given by nanochess suffice?

[How to load a ROM onto a cartridge]

I already have the project ready to go. It is a modification of the ROM of my mom's favorite game. The only modification I made was to display, "I love you, Mom" at the beginning. Beyond that, the game hasn't been touched. She recently dug out our old Atari stuff from when I was growing up and she was very hopeful that I could get one of the two consoles she had stored away working so she could play her favorite game (Megamania). I can't get those two "six-switch" consoles working (video is jumpy and staticy and can't figure out why) but I did manage to get an old "4-switch" console that I bought at a flea market over a year ago working (couldn't test it until I got the power and TV cables the other day). It is ironic that the console from the flea market works (even had some rust inside of it when I opened it up LOL) whereas the consoles my mom carefully stored away don't. But at any rate, she will be able to play her game now and I had thought to set that up for her for Christmas. Then I had the idea to mod the game to tell her how much she means to me with a surprise message.

 

I have two Megamania cartridges and I'd hoped to be able to "wipe" one and replace the ROM with my modified one. But since you guys said that isn't possible, it looks like I have two options. Somehow get the ROM loaded onto an EPROM and then see if I can place it in one of the cartridges so it looks original (thus adding to the surprise) or go with the custom cartridges offered here at Atari Age. At any rate, one of these options looks easily doable before Christmas . Does this help?

 

The more I read about this stuff, the more motivated I am in really diving into it, learning to program/create these games, repair the consoles, etc. I've been teaching myself programming for the past few years and have recently gotten interested in the electronics/hardware side of things.

 

EDIT

 

And for my future reference, can someone recommend an EPROM programmer? I have a feeling I'll be getting into this and a recommendation will definitely help versus me picking one blindly .

[How to load a ROM onto a cartridge]

Right now, speed is of the essence. I came up with an amazing idea for a Christmas present so I am trying to figure out what I can as fast as I can . If a process of wiping an existing cartridge and loading a game onto it is a (relatively!) fast processes, I'll go that route. To be honest, this idea of mine has shown me all kinds of cool stuff that are done with Atari ROMs, how new games are made, etc. and if I weren't pressed for time, I'd try to sort through this myself. But since I'm pressed for time, I'm trying to get it done ASAP. But after this, I think I'll delve into this. It looks like fun . I'm an aspiring game programmer (C++ and C#) and have learned quite a bit. But I think I'm going to try my hand at this as well. Reminds me of my childhood .

 

I saw the custom cartridges (after I posted my message, naturally...and after quite a bit of searching!) from here and I've put it down as an option if the above possibility can't be pulled off in time.

 

Newbie question...what is an EPROM? Is that what would be loaded onto a new board? Or is that reserved for wiping and reloading preexisting boards?

 

EDIT

 

Also, I saw the Harmony cartridge and think it is AWESOME. But for this particular project, it isn't what I'm after.

[How to load a ROM onto a cartridge]

How can I load a ROM onto a cartridge? I'm assuming the old one would have to be erased so the new one could be loaded. So far the only lead I've found was a now defunct site www.pixelspast.com where I could get a board to put the ROM on. But if someone can point me in the direction of another place to get those and how to load them, then I won't have to try to sacrifice an original .