Stability of a product today vs yesterday.

[Stability of a product today vs yesterday.]

The thing is not connected to the outside world in any way. Now that is a secure computer!

I think the only problem with a setup like that would be getting it up and going. Installing software that you'd need and having to manually find and download then transfer required software libraries (.NET version hell and the like). I would like to have something like that though.

[Genesis Model 2 buzzing fixed by deoxit?]

Sounds like it. Interesting. I would've just chalked it up to a bad a/v cable and chucked it. I'll have to try this if one of my Genesises(Genesi?) starts buzzing.

[Trash find! G3 Imac. Questions inside.]

TenFourFox seems to be the best OSX browser for PowerPCs. http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

 

There's also the Mac OS 9 - it's still alive group on Facebook that talks a lot about PowerPC OSX software as well. That might be worth joining. People post their iMac G3's there all the time and the group is really friendly and helpful.

 

You should post the system specs. I've got 2 iMac G3s. One is a rev B Bondi Blue 200mhz with OS 9 and the other is a Clear 700mhz with Panther.

[The most ANNOYING sound effects/music/voices in video games.]

I absolutely love arcade 1942 and 1943 but the low health beeping is the worst sound ever. It ruins otherwise great sound effects and music.

However, maybe I got so good at the game because I didn't want to hear it anymore.

[Why has Microsoft never attempted a hand-held console?]

I don't think they could translate the type of games Xbox is known for over to a decently priced handheld. I shudder at the thought of someone trying to translate the controls for Halo or Gears of War onto a DS or PSP like handheld.

 

Also people really like Xbox Live and I think that it would've been hard to do something like it for a handheld and be reliable until recently.

[Retroblox]

 

He's probably frantically calling Mike Kennedy to see what his next move should be.

 

"Quick! Install a SNES Mini into the shell! They won't suspect the same trick twice!"

[Retroblox]

 

I see ZERO appeal in preserving physical CD playback, when they're easily duplicated or ripped using everyday consumer tech.

 

Yeah. I kinda like having the original discs but I would rather have a burned disc or an ISO in an emulator if I have the option. It seems nice, but pretty stupid.

[The Official Mac G4 Cube Thread!]

Dang, I got 2 iMac G3s but I might have to get me a G4 Cube. That thing looks super sexy. I wish Apple would make something nice and compact like the Cube. I know they got the current Mac Pros but they haven't updated the hardware in them for a while I think.

[Can anyone school me on purchasing a DreamCast console?]

I don't understand why people still think burned discs are bad for the drive. I've been using burned backups on both my Dreamcasts and havent had a single problem.

 

Funnily enough, the only time I ever did have a drive problem was with an original, unopened copy of Destruction Derby. It would not boot at all without a boot disc. The drive made the most awful screeching when it loaded a level. Really fun game though.

[Mac OS 9.2.2]

If it is a later model, you might be able to run Halo if you upgrade to OS X. I think it doesnt work in OS 9.

 

I love MacintoshGarden but they have a lot of install CD isos that never seem to work for me on either of my G3s.

[New Gaming Hardware from ATARI coming soon!]

The FAQ only mentions Minecraft. I wonder if it will have any other games on. Definitely feels written for kids.

 

It also mentions backups for Minecraft world files so maybe it will have some kind of cloud backup support?

[Oh where have all the drivers gone?]

You might try asking around on Vogons if someone has the specific drivers you need.

 

I usually just google the manufacturer and model numbers for the part and start clicking away. I can't find any one site that has all the drivers I need or at least most of them. Getting my old Gateway Solo 9300 up with ME required drivers from 3-4 different sites. One of which was an old faculty tech support page for some university that no one bothered to take down I guess.

 

Searching for drivers is easily the worst part of collecting old PC hardware.

["Nintendo issues DMCA notice against that really good Metroid II fan remake]

I'm sure they don't like people stealing their ip.

 

True. But why doesn't Nintendo just hire them and publish the fan game? Do something like Sega did with Sonic Mania?

["Nintendo issues DMCA notice against that really good Metroid II fan remake]

Maybe this is a sign (probably not) that Nintendo has some upcoming Metroid game in the works and doesn't want a fan project to compete with it?

 

Nintendo seems to really hate their old school fans. Or just really hate free marketing.

[What are your favorite five minute games to play on the John?]

I'm surprised there isn't any Vita in this thread. So I will recommend TxK and Luftrausers on there.

 

The Sega 3D Classics Collection on 3DS is also pretty fun if you're gonna be a while.

[Any helpful tip on how to get vintage computers from my local schools?]

The oldest thing I've seen at my uni was a couple of Macintosh Pluses in a storage room waiting to be sold. I have seen a couple of Pentium III machines and a Power Macintosh G3. I don't think anywhere is gonna have any cool, vintage hardware anymore. Probably sent off to recycling or bought long ago.

 

I would talk with the admins but also try whoever handles surplus equipment storage. Might have something laying around and not know what it is so will sell it for cheap if allowed.

 

But, like what Flojo said, probably only gonna be old Dell stuff. That's what's at my uni, and I've looked everywhere. We are almost swimming in the old Dells, can't throw them out fast enough.

[Damn you melting styrofoam!]

If you're willing to put your sealed, boxed NES through X-ray, you might be able to detect if there is a dead cat inside.

But what if the dead cat has melted while inside the box and now is the shape of an NES?

[Favorite NES song?]

I really like the title theme and stage one music from S.C.A.T.

[The great thrift store famine]

 

Many (but not all) Goodwill districts now send video game donations to either be sold through the Goodwill auction website or to that Goodwill pilot electronics store The Grid. If you're inclined, you can ask the store manager if their Goodwill district requires them to ship off video game donations to the auction warehouse.

 

I really hate that Goodwill auction website. I used to get cool deals on stuff I could never find in my area. I got a VIC-20 with cassette drive and some educational software for under $40 and some Atari Basic books for like $5. Now I see collections of common N64 games go for $100 or more. Anything good on there gets inflated to prices that put ebay to shame.

[Best C64 emulator for Android?]

Frodo C64 worked well for me but I haven't used it in about a year so I don't know if it is still good. It looks like it's still free.

[What Do You Do with a Console Once You're Done with It?]

I tend to just keep it if I'm "done" with it. I haven't touched my SNES in forever but I would never think of getting rid of it. If I get multiple same consoles I just fix them up, find some duplicate carts in the collection and give/sell them to a friend to try and spread the love of retro gaming.

[The great thrift store famine]

My Goodwill has never been full of interesting stuff so I'm used to the disappointment of seeing nothing cool. They did have some NES and 2600 carts when I first started going there when I started collecting. Picked up a couple of the NES carts but didn't have a working 2600 at the time so didn't get any of those. I managed to find a purple Gamecube one time that they bundled with purple and orange controllers with a copy of Resident Evil 0.

 

Lately it does seem like someone is grabbing up whatever my Goodwill gets in for games (except the obviously shitty PS2 racing games and a stack of Baseball games for the Vita). I have not seen anything gamewise in the store for a long time. I managed to get a good deal on Zone of the Enders in a Hollywood Video rental box. Came with original manual. I'm glad whoever is picking it clean is ignoring the board game section. Found a copy of Frogger the board game and a Pac Man math card game for super cheap.

[What are you playing on PS Vita?]

I'm doing a second run through Persona 4 Golden. I also still play a few games of TxK every couple days.

[Video Game Hell]

Virtual Boy forever stuck to your skull and you can't close your eyes for longer than a second.

[Windows 98 PC]

Might want to check your local Goodwill or electronics recycling center. You might find a good PC there. I'd also maybe check Craigslist.