AceHart

I agree with all comments about three repros But I do have a tuppence to add: (1) FB2 For the FB2, there is a solution to the "handles snapping off" The handle has two components: The screw base and the handle itself. The failure mode is that the internals of the screw base may fail such that the handle comes off. Here's the solution: (1) unscrew the screw base from the joystick base, (2) put a fairly large bolt (just for support - threads don't matter) inside the handle where it connects to the screw base, (3) fill interface of the screw base, the handle, and your newly added bolt with JB weld, (4) allow to set, (5) re-screw onto the joystick base. Works great! [The second, and more minor failure mode is that it just unscrews from the joystick base without really breaking. A little cyanoacrylate will do the trick for that.] What's great about the FB2 joysticks is that the five switches are piezoelectrics instead of snap domes - thus higher reliability than the originals on that score. (2) Best Elecronics I agree 100% about using the Best Electronics gold PCB upgrade. Well made and reliable - and you get to use original joystick hardware.

Hmm, interesting. Surprised you didn't sell even one. I still look at garage sales for Atari games, but leave empty handed. I have better luck at two venues: (1) a retro game and arcade store at Madison Sq. Mall (got 10 Atari games for $5 total last trip / 5 of them were M Network - no valuable ones, but hey) and (2) trash on the side of the road. Yes, it wasn't too long ago I found a 1940's rotary phone in great shape and working condition, a bunch of vacuum tubes, and a C64 thrown out in a big pile. I picked up the phone and tubes, but regrettably not the Commodore. BUT I know somebody did, because I later came back and it was gone. (The actual trash was still there, so I know it wasn't trash pick-up that took it.) No Atari stuff, but eh. Never know what people will throw out. I wouldn't dumpster dive, though.

There seems to be expos like this out west from time to time; but does anybody know of retro gaming expos in the Southeast: Alabama / Georgia area?

I now have the Harmony cart as of last week, and I am well pleased. Cheers to batari! I'm using it with my modded FB2 and it works just fine (albeit with known FB2 limitations). Now I just need to load some more ROMs, hey.

This is an old post, and the question has been answered elsewhere, so I don't know if my replying is helpful. But anyway, what people refer to as "Rev C" can be identified by playing Quadrun. If you hear the voice saying "Quadrun Quadrun Quadrun" on startup, then you have "Rev C". Otherwise it's older.

Got it! [Yes, I know that some people don't like the AT-Games Sega Genesis. But it is what it is: it meets my expectations, I get to play some old Sega favorites - particularly the two I mentioned - and it is made to accept carts with somewhat compatibility.] But Dig Dug and other VCS carts will wait.

Now that's MUCH better than any notes I had. And a great picture too. I do have some comments, though: (1) I recommend using a DPDT switch: One pole will switch between which jumper to use, and the other to switch the recommended wire to IC2 pin. The exact jumpers to switch are labeled on the board; and by the way, the are not the same as the earlier rev. (2) Consider adding a momentary switch or button to activate the reset. I did not do that - I wish I had known about it. This beats cycling power to change games.

This might be helpful, although the pictures are of the older rev. board, not the one you & I have: http://www.atarimuseum.com/fb2hacks/page1.htm If I am able, I'll check what I did. I have no desire to dissassemble my FB2 again, but I think I may have some notes somewhere. Maybe..

You say "the switch", as in one. Is it a double pole or a single? Or more to the point: There are two connections that need to go through a switch; one will be normally closed*, and the other normally open for on-board games; and obviously the first will be open and the second will be closed for cart. games. I don't remember which ones; it's been a while since I've done my mod. I just want to make sure you were aware there are two connections, not one, that need to go through a switch. *there is a jumper (it looks more like a resistor to me, though - a zero-ohm resistor?) on the board that needs to be removed, and this circuit will go through the switch. I removed that part, but I still actually ran the circuit through it, but I think that was just silly. But it works.

Don't remember the year. I remember my brother always having a VCS (was it a sixer? I don't remember). But it broke, and we never did get it fixed. After having it in defunct condition for a while, I got an Atari Jr. when it came out. Incedently, I inherited all the carts, as brother ceded them to me. Then the story continues that in the '90s I was going to sell the Atari Jr., along with all the carts, joysticks, paddles and pad. Mistake - but thankfully (??) the Atari Jr. wasn't working right, so the sale fell through, and I still have it. Aaaand now I have a FlashBack 2, acquired and modded a couple years ago with the purpose of playing (most of) the old carts plus the onboard games. I remember Lionel claiming to be toys "...to grow up with, not out of". I agree.

I just got my copy of Business is Fun recently and am about 1/4 through. The editing isn't nearly as bad as one might think given the reviews. The most glaring editing mistakes are quotation marks facing the wrong way. Anybody who uses modern word processors should know that the software will orient quotations marks that way it thinks it should, and it is sometimes right. (c.f. "Expert is merely man who make quick decision - and is sometimes right." - Charlie Chan) I plan to get Business is War too, but like the first book, it will be a while before I do, and for the same reason: budget. The next Atari related buy for me will have to be the Harmony cart, and then I'll get B. is W. when I re-up my funds.

Dig Dug for VCS to replace a long-lost cart Also AT-Games Sega Gen.: Gain Ground and Golden Axe would be nice.