carmel_andrews

Re: the uni hero bug... I seem to remember it was more to do with the fact that you needed a printer enabled at the same time that you were playing the game (something to do with the fact that the a8 version was ported from the 64) Never heard of this 'colony' bug I do recall hearing that the a8 version of rockford (mastertronic) is also bugged I was pleasantly surprised to hear that mastertronic are still with us today (they did the PC re release of tomb raider, angel of darkness), i beleive they are now owned by sold out sales/marketing, previously owned by virgin (mr branson's crowd) and that mastertronic were the first euro/uk importers of sega master system... shows how old i am

Let me know if you need the uncracked version. I think I have it somewhere. 868185[/snapback] Seems as though i've tried all pre ste tos's and the last two versions (debug/non debug) of steem... still won't let me play the game as the automation disk no. 46 doesn't allow joystick input to start the game (also applies to other menu disk versions) and, strangely enough I am now experiencing problems running it with saint (199d and c)... it crashes at the lightning screen (same as winston/stew) my email addr is [email protected] (or just send me a PM...please, no spam)

Wasn't Gustafson one of the designers of either 'the chip' or super archiver/sa2 or the software (810/1050 u/g's) 869644[/snapback] Yes. -Bry 869747[/snapback] I remember that ICD and OSS used the same UK importer, namely Frontier Software (they then changed names to Marpet developments) although sillica shop (sillica systems) also used to import some ICD/OSS products (I bought an original mac65 cart for 70.00 GBP thinking that i was the next chris crawford/chris gray... hardly ever used it)

Atari did exactly this and priced itself out of the majority of people's pockets. If we adjust pricing for inflation, A8 carts retailed for about $100 (in today's money), and that was just too much for most people. Everyone may remember the Neo*Geo as an expensive system, but the 5200 cost over $500 in 2005 dollars (inflation adjusted), and its games were extremely expensive. It's hard to make a profit when your largest market ends up being techno-geeks like us. 869245[/snapback] You mean... back in the days when Atari considered the 8-16k rom's were the maximum ammount of memory that the consumer could afford to buy (bearing in mind that Atari thought that they were 'over designing' the original vcs by equipping it to handling 8k of ROM) I remember reading a story that Asteroids wasn't the first vcs game to use Atari's 'bank switching' concept

Nice Piccie... Played it a couple of times when i had the orig. cart (have played it sometimes on atari800win+)

I remember people telling me about this at the back end of the 1980's, they were referring to it as 'atari's little secret' I guess that Atari only chucked this in at the last moment because competing systems already had plenty of expansion possabilities, i.e the apple 2 (comes to mind) Atari didn't probably mention it in their promotional materials as they didn't think people or companies would make any expansion devices that supported the connector (sounds similar the the support for the PBI/ECI connectors Atari received) I do have an old 800, never opened it, hardly used it as i get v. bad white noise & TVI when i use it (might need a new RF mod...)

Wasn't Gustafson one of the designers of either 'the chip' or super archiver/sa2 or the software (810/1050 u/g's)

Nothing can replace the feeling of shoving countless 10p's into an old arcade machine (the old type of 10p) The last time i ever went into an arcade was just before I left a company I was working for in the west end (london) in '89 There again, nothing can replace the feeling of shoving an age old cart game into a 2600/2600jr, emulation is a 'poor' substitute as it doesn't replicate the same feeling, especially using the old cx40's again (aka, standard atari joysticks) It's nice to see that these 'anklebiters' or sub 30 yearolds have an appreciation for the decent things in life (i.e good taste in videogames/hardware technology) or is this the exception rather then the rule/norm Happy atari'ng __________________________________________________________________ I'm 19. I wish I was born earlier then I could have grown up playing Atari. The 80's were the coolest (By cool I mean totally tubular) decade. The haircutts, music, cars, and video games from the 80's are so badass. 866800[/snapback] you and me both. I'm 21, and I wish I was my age back in the 80's, the arcades, the music, everything. You never see an arcade like you did back then unless its in someone's house. 866997[/snapback] There is such an arcade in Portland, Oregon, called Ground Kontrol. I've been there even though I've got a MAME cabinet... You can't replace the atmosphere. 867008[/snapback]

Must have been used because before the 7800 was dropped (circa 1991/2) I do seem to remember a few (not many) 3rd party 7800 games and they couldn't have been able to produce these games for the 7800 unless they received the encryption key and associated algorithms from atari (uless there was a way for by-passing the data encryption algorithm.. similar to what tengen allegedy did with the NES software they did)

The first quarter... never heard of it Pheonix (got it) very old edition (goes up to 1996) Bushnell couldn't use Szyzygy as it was already used/copyrighted by some CA based roofing company, but in Atari's first logo (prior to the stylised A symbol) bushnell took the s from Szyzygy and the A from Atari Bushnell was obviously a fan of Astronomy/Astrology as Szyzygy has something to do with 'celestial bodies' (coming from Utah, as he did, it isn't surprising, as Utah is mostly farming and agrigculture from what i was told... so not much happening there then)

Is there or was there a version that works on 64k Atari's, as the ones i've seen are either 128k or more, and there's a lot of depacking going on while the game is loading

Well... that is strange, as in the mailbag section of the same magazine (different issues) there were people claiming that they had copies (must have been pirated) of a WIP A8 version If you go manage to find Mr Brabens Email addr. do post it to these forum, so that we can all petition him What i will do is dig out the specific editions mentioned and type out the articles concerned just to prove that there could be a element of truth in what i was saying

I remember reading in the old Atari user (database) magazine that either acornsoft or firebird (owned by BT) were going to release a version of the classic BBC game 'Elite', rumour has it that a version was almost complete but wasn't released because 'it looked too good', as in , better then the C64/speecy/bbc versions I remember in recent years that 'wrathchild' was planning to code an a8 version, which for reasons best known to him, basically stopped coding it Question is, was 'wrathchild's' version a complete re-write or did/does he have access to the original acornsoft/firebird a8 source code And as 'wrathchild' still has the source code for his 'elite' and if it was a complete re write (not based on the firebird/acornsoft jobbie) will he pass it on to someone willing to bring this game to market Alternatively if anyone knows where the original source code is (Acornsoft/Firebird version) how about working that source code, as apparently it was nearly complete (from what i read) Also going back to Database/Atari user mag, i also remember an article about UK software companies (one's mentioned include USG/Gremlin graphics, Melbourne house and Alligator Amongst others) allowing software publishers in certain mainland european markets to convert/port some of their UK games over to the A8 but only in certain mainland EU markets (i.e not for selling in the UK), the ports or conversions were prodominantly from C64/Amstrad/Spectrum games, one of the titles mentioned was 'exploding fist', a photo of which accompanied the article, the european markets mentioned were spain and italy and the price point that each game was being sold for was less then an equivalent game in the UK My question is, does/did these ports/conversions actually exist or still exist, and if so how about converting them to ATr format, so that everyone can enjoy them, as i'm guessing that program rights/copyright etc are long since expired

This is probably an updated version of the famous 'Turbo 8/16' upgrade which was originally made by Chuck Steinmann/Dataque (he also originated the v. first stereo pokey upgrades 'gumby') and was planning various modifed 8bit compat. machines based on the turbo 8/16 upgrades with better sound/graphics hardware designed around tower/pc cases (for easier access) after that, various other American Atari hackers came up with their own versions, including Bob Wooley (who originated the dual Antic/Gtia upgrade) and CSS apparently had a version as well The original turbo 816 upgrade was imported into europe/uk by BaPAUG (which i was a member of) and Chuck Steinmann used to write regular columns in BaPAUG's news letter about the features and applications (incl. programmes) for the turbo 8/16 upgrade (i have 2 or 3 old news letters with the articles but no scanner... sorry The Ironic thing about Turbo 816, which i guess is what this upgrade is based on/around.. is that Chuck steinmann originally offered this to Atari themselves (as it was is intention 'originally' to use a modd'd version of the atari o/s (800/xl/xe) and interface it with this new processor and upgrade) the problem was that, because all of the 'miss information' that existed about the upgrade at the time (people were claiming it compatible with the St and all that) Atari basically nixed a deal by asking for too higher cut/percentage for each unit sold, and also because all the miss information that already existed about the upgrade, they (atari) didn't want to associate themselves with a product that could potentially cut into the ST's market and therefore affect ST sales (a'la AMIE chip scenario, if you know my meaning) Additionally, the turbo 816 upgrade was the first time the this processor had been used by a computer/games system other then the super nes and Apple2gs, the commodore 64 equivalent 'the super cpu' upgrade didn't appear until just recently Atari also had a hand in the original design of this processor and sold the design to what turned out to be WDC (western design centre) during the tramiel/warner transition period ___________________________________________________________________

Back in the day's when i still used my A8 (when i had a working 1050 that is) I used to play arround with the O/S controller card (computer house UK) I did have both a 130xe with one built in and an 800xl (256k) with one built in If I was to loan or lend my 800xl version (plus the component software) to someone would it be possible to get this hardware/software combo emulated using atari 800win+ or Atari++ I also have a 130xe that has 'Ultimon' installed, that i would like to see emulated on atari800win/atari++, again, i am prepared to loan/lend my xe to anyone prepared to carry out this task...(London/UK only) Additionally, I looked on atari.art.pl's ftp page, it seems that quiet a few rom's exist for modified atari d/d's including happy, usd and speedy Is it possible that someone can modify atari800win (or atari++) to accepting these roms as well as also the Black box rom that i've seen Additionally, and i guess that this would be a 'long shot' but does anyone have available the computerhouse UK version of the Floppy board interface (this version predates both the Derek firn/microdiscount and CSS versions of the same thing), unlike the CSS version the computerhouse version was freestanding, where as the CSS version could only be used with black box, the computerhouse version was done in 1987/8 the other difference being the computerhouse version being able to hook up to Amiga/St external 3'5 inch d/drives and i was told it also featured a built in super archiver plus software for converting atari discs over to the 3'5 inch format I do recall the micro discount floppy board interfaces, i believe there were 2 versions, the cheaper 5.25 inch version (the o/s contained a bug which prevented you from formatting the reverse side of the disk, like you could with a normal 1050) also there was apparently an error in the schematics for the floppy board interface (as I have a copy of it), the 5'25 floopy board only allowed you to use 360k pc. disk mechs, the 3.5 inch version allowed you (apparently) to go up to 1.2 and 2.4 meg pc. disk mechs, and i was told that he was planning a version that allowed you to attach pc hard drives to the atari There was a big issue about the 3.5 inch version, when i went to one of the last AMS shows in stafford, I met up with one of the members of the AUG i was with and he showed me Derek Firn's floppy board interface, you could just about make out the Atari name/logo and board serial number, as i understand that all motherboards atari hardware used had similar serial numbers and something called XF551 assy. (i guess, short for assembly) so, in that respect, dereks floppy board interface is little more then an xf551's innards but with a modd'd/hacked or reverse engineered o/s, so I laugh at anyone that considered buying derek's floppy board interface The other thingthat made me laugh about derek firns floppy board, was the excuse he gave as to why there was a 12 month delay in launching it, the excuse was that, he (derek) was working in co-operation with CSS (new york) in giving the floppy board more capabilities, yet if you look at Derek's 3.5 inch floppy board and the CSS floppy board for the Black box, you'll notice that it's 2 totally different designs/constructions and also Derek firns Jobbie was freestanding (like computerhouses jobbie) and CSS's version wasn't freestanding (you could only use CSS's jobbie with the black box) however, like computer house's version which featured a built in super archiver and software, apparently CSS's floppy board jobbie also featured super archiver plus copying/disk conversion software

I'll look thru my Atr collection (QUIET A FEW) problem is, is that the versions that I've got are v. poorly hacked versions i.e a small boot loader, a small binary file and then something that passes as a faxsimile of the original game data (albeit packed using cruncher 5, superpacker, code3crunch type packers, the only other versions that i've seen are a small boot loader and then a binary file, hence the legendary 'ff ff' headers on sector 4 of most Atr's i've seen I'll go through my Atr's this evening and zip them into a zip file for u to look at tommorow, but i've got a nasty feeling that this exercise is going to be more painfull then trying to 'pull out teeth' Sorry for being so neggy, i guess i was just hoping that someone would have english versions (Atr's of Micro Discount's Polish imports)... I guess i'd better keep on dreaming ___________________________________________________________________

I have a whole bunch (about 20+) of Polish Atari 8bit games on ATR format for use on atari emulators My problem is, is that most of the games text (which forms an integral part of these games) is all in Polish Is there anyone out the that can convert the Polish text into English any help is greatly appreciated happy atari'ng CA

I have a whole bunch (about 20+) of Polish Atari 8bit games on ATR format for use on atari emulators Is there anyone out the that can convert the Polish text into English any help is greatly appreciated happy atari'ng CA

And i suppose that what applies to 'software' also applies to hardware and coding techniques like hardware scrolling, sprite scrolling, multi colour playfield graphics, split screen graphics.. etc etc, I believe that a majority of hardware coding/software coding technologies/techniques are still under the umbrella of Atari's library of patents, like the above examples and various others not mentioned here And on the hardware side, I suppose that's why we have yet to see an A8 (atari 8bit) clone or 3rd party compatible, atari st clone (the milan and c lab jobbies are apparently based on the tt and falcon rather then the ST) also an atari lynx/jaguar clone or 3rd party compatible I don't regard the 'flashback' series as clones as their primarily based on 'emulators' Even the Amiga Inc's 'amiga one' machine is a PC running WinUAE... Boring A while back I read that the Tetris Company were going after all Tetris clones, claiming to have a copyright on "the look and feel" of Tetris. I just looked it up, and several articles turned up in the search. I nabbed up the link for the first name I recognized - <a href="http://slashdot.org/articles/99/02/19/0827245.shtml">Slashdot</a> It's back from 1999 - I have no clue if they are still rigorously pursuing game authors. I'm not really sure what the story is with Edtris, Cubis, or Tetris26. I just supposed that the Tetris Company must have gotten after the authors, since I haven't seen any of these games for sale since Hozer days. BTW, I would also think any Nintendo trademarks would be taboo as well. 713092[/snapback] Goodluck with that deal. There must be 7,498 Tetris clones minimum. Tee hee. 861428[/snapback]

The problem with today's games are... all graphics and sound and very little gameplay... and as for 'value for money', i'd rather wait 15 minutes for Zybex or Draconus to load from tape (A8) then to see the latest shootem up or platformer on an x box or PS2 Another thing i'd noticed is that today's programmers are becoming more lazy, i.e they can't be arsed/bothered to program the hardware directly, can you imagine today's programmer trying to get their head arround coding a game for the 2600/5200, 7800, lynx,jag or a8/16 etc The other reason why today's game's are as challenging is the rise in popularity of the famous quote ' have you got a code/cheat for this or that game', something that, if memory serves me right wasn't commonplace back when i was playing games on my old 800xl/130xe etc (disk and tape games) Give me an original defender cartridge (a8 version) and i'll certainly show you how to play a game (while a sega, nintendo, sony or xbox user, will be trying to find a code or action replay cheat) Atari games were designed to be played with and with challenging scenarios in mind, show me someone with an x box, ps2 etc, and i bet you, 9 times out of 10 they'll have an action reply disk/cart with them or one of those cheat code books, not a million miles away Ah well!, back to another game of defender

Slightly wrong there, the 5200 did feature a 'region select' mem location, it was either an antic or g/ctia location, can't remember which, i was told that this was used more often with the 5200 and less with the A8 (atari 8bit) The 7800 Lock out chip was more for software/data encryption, as apparently the 7800 featured a very advanced data encryption algorithm, i was informed that it was either 360 bit or 96 bit... can't remember which, secondarily it wasn't used for authentication of region specific software, it was more to prevent users from copying or pirating the software, as the encryption code was also placed in the 7800 cartridge rom, and if you inserted an atari 7800 approved software the encryption code stored on the cartridge rom would interface with the data encrytion algorithm, which if memory serves me right was either a separate IC or part of the MARIA chip CA ____________________________________________________________________ Actually, I think you are getting the 5200 confused with the 7800 as far as the lockout chip. The 7800 had one and the 5200 didn't. Mitch 864902[/snapback]

Allison... Do you repair and service STe's, as mine isn't working... think it might be something to do with the PSU (don't have a spare ste to get a PSU) How often do you come down to London Also, do you have any of those third party cartridges like LLS or Ultimate Ripper (might be int.) Do you do any other hardware mod's apart from ram u/g's, my 520 ste is max'd out at 4 meg (4x 1meg) Looking fwd to hearing from you happy atari'ng CA ____________________________________________________________________

If you've been looking at the UK muisic charts in recent months (even though i'm not that much into music) you could'nt have falled to notice the re-release of the tony christie single...'This is the way to Amarillo' it was re-released as a 'charity' single for the 'red nose day', and subsequently became one of the most popular and successful charity singles (after 'feed the world') to hit the top 10 Even the British Army wouldn't be left out coming up with their own version and own pop video, which apparently was so popular it managed to crash the main email system for the M.o.D (Ministry of Defence) Not wishing to be left out, I've just come up with a couple of variants for Atari users/owners This is the way to Atari This is the way to Amorgordo

Without sounding flippant or disingenous to that era of Atari's management It would apear that this is another classic example of tramiel's cost cutting drive to streamline manufacturing capabilites and capacity at Atari, by standardizing all board level components, enabling Atari to get more product out and quickly (didn't seem to work)... unless ofcourse you have a prototype (i.e.. a v. rare beast) ____________________________________________________________________

I know that the 5200 was only ever made for US markets (and anything compat. with the American NTSC standard) however I am told that Atari incorporated additional technology into the 5200 hardware which prevented people from using software not authorised by Atari, specifically region specific games, i.e Pal games, NTSC games etc This type of software protection i don't think was incorporated into the A8 series of the 2600/7800 very much or any non atari games/computer system at the time Does this mean that the 5200 was the world's first manufactured region specific games system