Mattroid
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Posts posted by Mattroid
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Someone recently gave me an Astrocade as a gift (!!). I'm familiar with all the usual heat issues, etc, and opened it up the other day to check on the data custom (I'd been seeing some freezing after running the thing for 10 minutes or so). Turns out the heatsink had separated from the data custom which is basically what I'd expected. I plan to replace it with one of the recommended heatsinks from console5. The odd part is the glue/paste left behind - from the photos I've seen here and elsewhere, I'd expect normal looking thermal paste and clean that up in the usual fashion. In this case, there's a layer of something blue - it's unlike any thermal paste I've ever had to deal with so I'm not really sure what it is or how to clean it up. I've tried IPA, Arcticlean, even some mild scraping hoping it might just pop off but it just won't have it. Before I do anything too rash or look for other products that may end up not working, has anyone ever seen this and know what might help safely remove it? Was this common from the factory at any point or could this have been the result of a repair? Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks!
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There's actually at least three, including this one, but this one is the only SD card based one.Let's have a look what alternative flashcarts there is for the neo geo pocket...Oh yeah there is none.
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16 hours ago, str0m said:
The option to do a manual backup would be good. As I'm back at my desk and not sat in my car as I was at lunch (lol), when you want to remove a file from the initial/quick launch menu, the only option is to delete it? Perhaps add the option when you have pushed B to write a copy of it back to the SD cart but with an incrementing character on it, puzzlebobble_1.rom or something if you follow then you can always revert back to that at a later point.
15 hours ago, SainT said:There is a manual backup option already. I cant remember the button combo off hand, but it does as you describe as I remember.
We talked early on in testing about the possibility of having multiple saves per game in the way you describe, @str0m. I'm not aware that numbering multiple saves automatically was ever implemented, but you could handle it manually by creating multiple copies of the same game with different names (*_01, etc). Currently you manually back up a game with save intact before you want to remove it from flash. You do this from the flash menu by holding B and pressing Right on the stick. To copy the game back with that same save, you need to flash it again later from the saves folder as opposed to your main roms location.
14 minutes ago, SainT said:There have been two updates.
The first fixed a bug with backing up games and the second an issue with reading of memory cards. Although the memory card reading issue was weird, you could fix the issue be reflashing the same firmware. I never quite figured out what was going on, but fixed it such that the issue never happened again.
Thanks for this @SainT - I've been wondering about this for a while actually (I may have sent you a PM about it a while back I think?). My cart from SAG seemed to have a different version than my last prerelease version from a couple years back and I couldn't find any info out there about what may have changed.
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I don't want to get too off topic here, but since it came up in recent conversation...I just happened to tag Custom Game Cases on instagram the other day about possible repro NGP snap cases...
I'm sure it's a long list but it's still exciting
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7 minutes ago, Tanooki said:
I doubt this was something they'd have rushed out or had a deadline so bad they'd have to resort to cheaply cut foam blocks and clamshells for other devices(GBA) to bundle this up which is kind of sad. As you said, it's not up to par basically with the art too on top of the block, but for the price it's not that terrible and the extras are on the normal for them seeing as I have their PC Everdrive, Everdrive GB, and the NES N8 too so I know what to expect.
They didn't release a Deluxe Edition of the Game Gear ED until fairly recently, alongside the GG BitBox cases which makes sense since it would take a special case to fit those. So when I saw this announcement I was hopeful they somehow quietly made a custom NGP game case but figured that was just wishful thinking...I mean, it'd be a pretty large investment to mass produce cases like this for a console with such small demand...though if they could make them fit multiple different carts, then maybe. They've been talking about doing a "classic" console run of BitBoxes for a long time that would fit 2600 and a bunch of other older cart types but I guess that never saw the light of day.
Maybe someday someone will come across a warehouse of nothing but the black clam shell cases that non-US NGP games came in for a while there or (probably more likely and cheaper) someone will repro them. I mean, we're getting Virtual Boy cases soon, so I'd say there's hope for the NGP yet! Most of my collection has either the Japanese clam shell case or original box, but I do still have my fair share of loose (with game case) carts. I'd like to one day get those cased up and shelved but it is what it is, I guess.
6 minutes ago, Tanooki said:Oh and good eye on the NGPC game cases. I actually have more than enough of those, probably +1 or 2 over the actual games I have I think in case I ever buy another title or two. If they end up fitting that space without the foam block, that's fantastic.
While they're still loose in there a bit, it's actually not bad and I much prefer keeping the game cases in there, honestly. One thing I really wish they'd done with the SNES BitBoxes was allow room for the original dust covers. I manage to still have a good number of those and it's kind of a shame to case the carts up and then just have the dust covers...collecting dust...(which is, I mean, exactly what they're kinda supposed to do anyway...?)
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9 minutes ago, Greg2600 said:
I was going to get one with the same theme from there, but I had a store credit issue, and by the time they resolved it, sold out. If you have any NGPC cartridge cases, the ones they came with originally, you can put that cart inside and the case should fit in the Bit Box without using the foam.
PS: The Lynx SD (and I assume GD) will fit in a GB/GBA Bit Box as well. It's a tight fit but fit nonetheless.
That's a fair point - The GBX BitBox cases will fit NGP carts both loose and inside their small clam shell cases. The foam SAG added simply makes the fit a bit more snug and prevents the cart from sliding around. For comparison, though, I've attached a couple more pics. And yes, there is enough room for these to close with the clam shell case inside, it's just not a completely snug fit is all.
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On 4/22/2020 at 11:14 PM, Tanooki said:
What's the extras? I'm kind of curious. I don't feel a need to upgrade as I'm sure the core product is what it is, though I do like the new look of the exterior of it.
Got mine from SAG today. From what I can tell, the "extras" to the deluxe edition are a NeoPocket sticker, a SAG sticker, and a SAG business card (in addition the case and manual). I got the NGPC "themed" deluxe edition since AES or MVS styled stuff doesn't really "fit" the NGP to me, though I'd probably like the black AES style better overall...I gotta say, this is not really really up to their usual standard for deluxe edition artwork, in my opinion, but at least they provide options. I can also confirm that the BitBox case is just a GBA case with a bit of foam adhered in place to fit the cart. All told, it's only an extra $12 or so to get a nice case, so it's fine. Then again, once you have one of these, you'll never really need to change carts again, so perhaps a case is unnecessary? ?
The firmware is v1.02 (the version on RetroHQ matches the one on SAG) and I'm fairly certain my beta cart is is running v1.01 - I'm not sure what the difference is. I haven't played with it a whole lot yet but I haven't seen any noticeable differences thus far. I have a guess based on old beta testing talks with SainT and the rest of the testing crew, but can't be sure (if I'm right, it's nothing major that that the end user would notice in most cases).
Regardless, I'm super happy to see this out with distributors and from what I've seen it's been getting a really great response from a larger audience. Really glad to see this getting the love it deserves.
I will say I really like the new shell. It looks more like an original cart and has a super nice texture to it. The SD card sits a tad bit more flush with the top of it than it did the old shell. This is minor but definitely makes it seem more polished.
Overall, I don't think there's any reason for anyone to "upgrade" unless they just want to. Personally, I wanted a second one anyway, so here we are. But if you've been waiting and don't have one yet, it may be time to go through one of these sites.
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Unless there's something else not advertised, you can get the deluxe edition with a case and stickers along with the manual. I did go ahead and order one since I wanted a second cart for link play anyway and just because I'm a sucker for their deluxe editions...What's the extras? I'm kind of curious. I don't feel a need to upgrade as I'm sure the core product is what it is, though I do like the new look of the exterior of it. [emoji3]
I'm more curious if this could mean custom NGP BitBox cases? I doubt it but I'd love nice cases for the few loose carts I have sitting around.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
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Flashmasta was great but yes I'd say this is what you want these days. Just like the flashmasta was a step up from the Bung flash cart from back in the day, this is a step (or several, really) up from the flashmasta.is this better than a flashmasta? I had one of those for my ngpc but it seemed to delete the games once turned off and I'd have to reload them -
I assume he's talking about BennVenn unless there's another one in the works someplace.
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Quite possibly. I'm not sure what front lights are being used now, but mine was salvaged from a broken GBA SP.
For anyone mostly playing at home, I'd say a good lamp you can sit under is the best option but if you move around a lot that's when it becomes a pain.
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Terrible? I get the point you're trying to make, but I have all three options you mention and, in my opinion, the front light mod is by far the best solution. The worm light not only causes a glare but since it has to be pointed directly at the screen to do anything, it also blocks your view.Your other option would be a terrible mod like the bad one for GBC where you toss in a front light and need to use LOCA in a dust free room to hopefully properly seal the deal but it really washes out the visibility so it kind of sucks anyway. Great it's lit, but looks like sh... you know.
The point is moot I guess since hastor said he didn't want to mod the system anyway. But for anyone on the fence, I'd say go for it. I got mine installed 10+ years ago and my NGPC has gotten way more play because of it, despite the color washout.
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Someone else could explain this way better and I could, but you can "lose" memory due to how the games are flashed. Remember, this thing is broken up into two 8M flash chips, so 16M total, with 15M free for games (see first post). In other words, you're not working with 15M in full, you're working with 2x ~8M. I'm not sure how that last 1M is broken up in there for the OS.
As the guide says (unless it was removed or changed prior to final printing): "Due to the way ROM images are stored on the FLASH memory, not all the storage space can always be used when installing larger games. It is advised to install larger games first."
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I think this could be a fun project, especially if the code was open source so people could build one if they wanted to but someone could also build and sell them for those that can't or don't want to bother.Yeah, it's not tricky from a software POV, an Arduino would do the job. The connector is actually a PCI connector you have to chop around with a hacksaw, so that's not a problem either.
I wouldn't mind building some for people but I don't have the know how or time to figure out the code part of it.
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I doubt there's enough demand to pre make them... I don't think flavor makes his anymore either. Could this maybe be done with an Arduino and proper connector? If so people could make one pretty easily.
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Quick heads up. The ROM for Delta Warp in the MAME/MESS romset doesn't work right. It gives a save error after the first level.
I dumped my copy, and that works fine. So it's a bad dump. The MAME dump is .5m, while the real cart is 1m, so I think the second half is empty, and someone trimmed them off. But, saves go there & because the SD cart sees a 512k image, you can't write in that area.
Just thought folks would like to know.
Yeah we found this during testing. All dumped roms I had were the same way which I thought was odd... Even the NoIntro rom and the so called good dump in the good set. I didn't have a physical copy to dump but it's good to know that it should dump properly.
The fix is to pad the rom out to 1mb which 'restores' the save area on the rom and resolves the issue.
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These are the official hard cases from snk. I've never seen a source for just those but you can find them when buying some non US games on eBay and such...usually at a premium, especially for the few English games that I think had them at one point.
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Yep. Those cases are great. I have them for most of my carts but obviously not all.
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I haven't downloaded it to be sure but I imagine it's sized for a NGP clamshell case.What kind of cases is that sized for? The spine looks a little bigger than a DS sized case (which is what I'm used to using).
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So if I'm playing Evolution, and want to remove it, I would have to use SAVE to back it+game save up in a kind of purgatory. Then I want it back months later, I can pull that data from save and it works. But, if I just threw Evolution back on there, it wouldn't access the save I had and overwrite it?
I guess that's one way of looking at it. Based on how the NGP handles saves this is really the only good way to do it, I think.
I suggested to SainT that it would be a good feature enhancement to one day let the OS scan the saves folder at flash to see if a game is being flashed that has a corresponding save and prompt the user to either load the clean rom or the saved version, though I imagine that could slightly slow down the flashing process. I also suggested to support multiple saves by tracking on a number to the end of the saved rom's filename or something similar.
I'm sure the feature set will only get better from here on out [emoji4]
In the end, it's not bad as it is, so long as you understand how it works and flash/save/delete accordingly. I guess it's kinda risky if someone else picks up your NGP and jacks with it, though.
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I beleive it saves based on filename and is one per rom currently. The save function just saves the whole rom to the saves folder so if you delete it from flash, you'd have to flash the one in the saves folder next time to pick up where you left off. You only need to save to the saves folder when you plan to delete from flash as the flashed rom will retain your save like an original cart. And a second save of the same rom will overwrite the previously saved rom.I'm working on a overview/review of the NGPSD Kit, most of the way done.
SainT -- I'm curious about that save function. If you fire up two games, let's say Evolution and then Faselei, will the Faselei game over-write Evolution? How many saves can run parallel, or each reset of the game do you need to use the save function to write that save back to the cart(or SD card?)
Just wanted that clarified.
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Also, not to get anyone even MORE excited, but..... You guys are gonna LOVE this cart
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For sure but definitely no rush on it. It'll be good for those (all too) rare instances where someone wants to play vs. I can wait until you're caught up on all the preordersAha, as you had a beta one, I hadn't mailed you!
If you want a "retail" one also, just shout...
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Well damn. I guess I don't remember what email address I used lol.
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QQ from a new Astrocade owner
in Bally Arcade/Astrocade
Posted
Thanks, will do 👍
Could be something like that, nice find.
I'd prefer not to apply new paste over it, especially if it's not transferring the heat efficiently but perhaps I'm overthinking things. The last thing I want to happen is burn it out (I've seen and heard plenty of horror stories there!) 🙈