-^CrossBow^-

You may not have killed it..totally. The Voltage regulator on the Atari is usually one of the first things to go when one dies. It is possilbe that when you took off the shielding...which on both my systems requires a soldering iron to suck up the solder attached the ground, that you could have shorted out something. Remember the Atari has a nice large 2200uf cap in it...and that puppy will hold a charge like no ones business. I actually took out my Voltage Reg in one of my heavy sixers replacing a cap when a spark jumped off the soldering iron. If you have any other Atari's laying around you can use them to compare with as you meter out between points on the board. I was gonna make the suggestion when you stated you had static to first adjust the RF coil pot on the RF itself. But you have gone beyond that point now. Let us know if you find out anything more.

Liquid_Sky: Actually I thought about larger LEDs but they require more juice and also won't fit under the casing shells if I use them since they stand taller. But trust me...the Blue LEDs I used are like blinding if you look at them dead on...in fact..they are so bright that the 7800 pic had to be edited due to a large Blue Line that was going across the pic when the scanner hit it..the blue was too much and caused a shimmer on the lens...heheh.. the 5200 didn't do this because the light doesn't hit right on the scanner glass evenly like the 7800 deck does. Here is the unedited Pic showing the Blue Streak due to the brightness of the LED... Anyway, larger in this case wouldn't have meant better because the LEDs wouldn't have fit properly and might not have been any brighter in the in long run anyway. [ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: -^Cro§Bow^- ]

First you will have to execute this one differently. If you must use shortcuts then simply make a copy of the one you normally use for all your other stuff. Then edit the properties of the shortcut so that it start up z26 like this... z26 -g3 LOTR.bin BTW...I had to rename the lord of the rings bin file because XP didn't like the long file in dos mode...it simply never could find it. so I renamed it as LOTR.bin try that and see what happens. Or...now that a Stella.pro file exist with the LOTR proto in it...try using StellaX which is all windows based.

Yeah StellaX works the best in XP...only none of the recent protos work in StellaX however since it doesn't have a profile file it works from. Z26 works on my XP set at home..but the sound has a constant buzzing and it seems slow..like about 45frames or so.. Hopefully StellaX will be updated some time to support these newer Protos...

Well you have to specify the -g3 switch when you type out the z26 command to execute the rom. For example if you have the lord of the rings rom in a directory called ROMS. So then let's say this ROMS directory is actually in the directory you have Z26 in. Then you would need to type... z26 -g3 .roms(romfile.bin) and it should load it up... as for why you don't see a list of roms, this is because by default z26 will assume all the roms are in the current directory that z26 resides in. If you want it to look in another directory then you have to specify that in the config file that z26 creates. At least I believe that z26 has a config file you can store common used switches to and have it refer from. I myself use StellaX for windows 2600 emulation and for the new games, I manaually fire them up with z26, however there is a horrible buzzing sound in XP with z26 and the SBLive! Not to mention much slower speed. But it does all work. Hope that helps...

Hmm..I thought Gandalf approached Frodo first while at Bilbo's 300+ birthday party? Mind you it has been 15 years since I read the books and even then I was 12 when I read them. But I could have sworn that Gandalf was with Frodo and Sam and Pippen at the start. Then towards the middle of the first book Gandalf is felled with the Balrog. But I didn't think they were all the way to Moria by then? I thought it was when they came out of the Misty mountains I think they were called that the battle between Gandalf and the Balrog happened. I only remember it this way because I remember being very very upset at the time when I read it. I had read the Hobbit several times even earlier in my youth when I was 8 or so and of course Gandalf was The Man! So I was totally devistated when he seemed to be gone so quickly in the first book. To be honest, I really lost interest after that and can't remember anything from the second book anymore since I found it to be the most boring to read and get through. Third book I only really remember the battle at the end and of course the final struggle between Frodo and Golum on Mount Doom.

Correct me unless I am wrong...but didn't Gandalf fall into the abyss with the Balrog before they got over the mountains and before getting to Rivendell. So in that theory Gandalf woulnd't actually be part of your part except at the very beginning. What I can't figure out is who the white figure is supposed to be that find in the woods from time to time. And how did you guys actually complete the game and make it to Rivendell with all the members including the mysterious white figure. I am pretty sure that the white figure can't be Gandalf as he is known as Gandalf the Grey until the 2nd book at which point he later comes back as Gandalf the White. But again, this is in the second book and not the first as this game is based one. So any ideas... My guess is Golum...but then that doesn't explain why Wraiths move away from you when you find the figure is interesting. Too bad you don't stay white for long. My guess is it could be Tom Bombadill as I recall the wraiths being scared of him or something. And Tempest is correct in that many of the Wraiths were semi defeated at the River with a torent of water. So technically they shouldn't be able to follow you beyond that point. Oh well, Pickiness is one of the reasons stated as to why this game was canned besides the Licensing issues. Great looking game though. Wish there was a way to access the map from any screen however, instead of waiting to be in a village or forest area.

Al, I was responding more or less outta quick rage at Atari-Jess's comment. But in particular I was talking about the slanderings back and forth a month back with Sean Kelly and BlackJax releasing the roms at his site for the CV games and such...and also to the more recent ramblings regarding Junie and Randy over Hozer. Personally I was appaulled when I started to see these messages as like you, I had always considered this place to be a very friendly and what one might even go so far as to call a "safe" zone from which to post messages about. I most likely will never leave this place (how could I?!). There is simply too much knowledge to be had here. And while the boards are getting flooded with more and more off topic postings...at least they aren't stagnant and new information is forthcoming on a nearly hourly basis. With that, I stand by my belief that had Blue LEDs been avail back in the day, that Atari could have sold more 5200s alone just by using a Blue LED. Trust me...the scans don't do justice. The 5200 one is especially nice because the Blue actually forms a sorta ring around the main light from the tinted plastic on the top of the 5200 deck. The 7800 is almost blinding to look at sometimes so I refrain from doing so as to prevent any self Lasik being accidently done to myself in the process of changing out a cart or simply turning off the power...hehe... Purple would be better for the 7800 however.

Hmmm...I hate these kinds of posts... For the record...I don't tolerate Smartasses too well. So with that... Atari-Jess, I will be leanient since we share a name here. But I haven't posted these pics of these Ataris anywhere else except in the RGVC channel under IRC. You correct in the technicallity that I didn't actually say "Coolest" other than the reply post. Man, I am starting to see some ugliness in these boards and hence this is the reason I haven't posted much as of late. I stick to the general rule where in if I haven't anything helpful to contribute...I don't.

yeah that is the problem with Atari800win. Many games 2nd fire button don't work. Moon patrol for instance can't be played because you can get the buggy to jump. Try another emu such as Jum52 if you want better 5200 emulation.

Actually, none of the newer consoles had anything to do with me putting in the Blue LEDs. Fact is a buddy of mine likes to dabble in Fibre optic stuff. He bought a cheap Fibre Optic tree which burned out its LEDs within an hour or so he had it. So he went to radio shack and bought some Blue LEDs to replace them with. When I saw them, my first thoughts were that Atari should have used Blue LEDs. It would be better if I could get ahold of some premanufactured Purple LEDs. That way I would put a Purple on in the 7800, Blue in the 5200, and install a Red one in the 2600. That way, they are all color coded properly. [ 12-16-2001: Message edited by: -^Cro§Bow^- ]

I may have to look into this one. Xenophobe was the sole reason I wanted the 7800. You could say it was the "Killer App" in deciding I had to have one. Too bad your talking about 2600 Xenophobe..but I will see all the same. Have to do mine in StellaX and then take a screen grab. I don't have the 2600 copy as it is semi ultra rare in NTSC format. Thanks for the compliment on the Avatar. While I don't use that one...and you didn't direct that compliment towards me. I created it and hence will accept you compliment that way. [ 12-14-2001: Message edited by: -^Cro§Bow^- ]

You guys didn't look hard enough. I do think the 7800 and 5200 are both cool looking console designs...But I changed out the power LEDs on both my 7800 and 5200 units. Hence why I said they were the "coolest" Atari consoles. Blue = Cool.. Man...humor is so lost on you guys!!!

Just wanted to add that my favorite ultimate console models by Atari are my slightly modded ones here: and here: hehe...

I'm gonna be the rebel here and go with the following as my Faves... Original 6 Switch Sears...(Silver looks cool!) 5200 as it started the look of the rest of the consoles..and personally..I like it big! 7800 It is the best of both. Small and sleek while still retaining a somewhat classic look by having the cart stuck in it can't quite explain it. The worst are the Jr. models and the Vader as they simply looked like quick toss outs to keep the supply going to me. Can't speak for the Jaguar since I have gotten one yet. Note the "yet" there.

I don't think there is a reliable way to tell. Both times I have had a copy that could do this they were both Picture labels. I also compared the labels between this one and the other that doesn't shut off the star field and they don't appear different at all..same label pic...same size lettering...same copyright info...and even the same rev level is stated...as being Rev A. So in short...it is probably a shot in the dark guess as to which ones can and cannot do this...

What I find interesting in these sketches is that many elements shown on those pages were later used in final concept drawings for some of the other later units that weren't released. Also the idea of the storage for joysticks and carts was always something Atari was interested in. The 5200 is the only unit where they actually did build some sort of built in storage. Anyway, the drawings are cool but most of the units in those drawings aren't really all that much smaller than the Jr. turned out to be.

Yeah yeah...I know we have Cosmic Ark already but I hadn't seen this one yet avail on the web. Basically while doing the usual Thrift hunting today to actually shop for another member of this board I came across a couple of interesting things. The first being a cool Pirate of Defender...basically it has the Defender Label and end label..but has the "P" to designate it as PAL format..but it isnt'...also the cart case is similar to an Activision case in that is has grips on the sides...but the bottom of the case has small rectangulare area on it with ridges for grabbing the cart easier..either way it works and looks different. The other item was an accident. One of the items on the "Please pick up..." list was Cosmic Ark. I grabbed the first one I saw with a good label. When I came home to test them all out I started with many...but ended up playing Cosmic Ark last. As I was reaching over to turn off my 7800 from which I was playing it...I hit the pause button by accident...and guess what happened? Yeap..I found me a copy where the stars can be turned off! So without further adieu...I present to you: Cosmic Ark Star disable option Binary for use in Emulation... I tested it under Z26 and it worked just fine. Enjoy and have fun rom hacking to see the differences between this one and the other normal released copy. BTW...there is Zero difference between the labels on either of mine...so that whole smaller text thing is a Myth as I see it. hehe..cool..this was my 555 post! [ 12-13-2001: Message edited by: -^Cro§Bow^- ]

hehe...a Kray 6....LOL...Priceless!

Sparkster: "NOTE: JESUS WILL BURN ALL YOUR LITTLE LIBERAL DEMONCRATIC ASSES IN HELL WHOEVER DOESNT RESPOND TO THIS MESSAGE!!!" This will not help you to get response faster other than to piss some people off. This wasn't the smartest move of the year whether you were being Sarcastic or not. Enough of that..onto your question. The RF switch boxes can be bought new at Radio Shack and other electronic hobby stores. Or you can forgo even needing one and get a Coax to F Phono adapter (Radio Shack again...) which depending on you prefrence you can get it in plain chrome for 1.99 per plug or the fancier shinier totally useless gold plated one for 2.99. I have both types and they both produce the exact same picture and sound so I personally go for the cheaper 1.99 ones now. You may need to purchase a switchbox that allow you to connect multiple Coax inputs and send to one Output (TV). That way you can still have your cable tv hooked up and have the 7800 hooked up. You still have to flip a switch to select which unit you want but they are far better built and the picture quality is much better than the standard RF box. As for you power question...the adapters are hard to get. I was told once that one of the Nokia cell phones uses a similar plug but without the tip on the one side to indicate polarity. Basically if you can get the tip portion...you can use just about any Adapter provided it supplys at least 9 volts with a 1amp current. You can actually use as low as 9volts and a current of 800MA...but they get hot fast and wear out quicker. The other alternative is the route I take...this requires some soldering. But basically you solder a different style plug than what the 7800 uses that is more universal that way power supply adapters are much easier and cheaper to get. I chose the 5.5 mil barrel jack type as it just turn out that a Sega Genesis Model 1 power supply is 10volts with a 1amp current. Meaning that Genesis power supplys are easier to find and more robust over the cheaper Atari 7800 one. I use two pieces of about 6-8 inches of at least 18 guage wire. I solder the wire to a couple of points on the 7800 mainboard..and then solder the barrel plug on the end. It looks odd because the 7800 will have a "Tail" protruding from it..but it is much easier to deal with power wise. Hope that helps...I or several others can give you more direct instructions if you need them.

hehe...don't count me out just either Vinnie!!! Let either Vinnie or Myself know what games you want to see reviews on next...and we shall get to them.

No contest...Towering Inferno wins hands down... I swear those Flames have some of the best AI ever...kinda like the spider droids in the movie "Runaway" where the flames will let you in but not always let you out. My only gripe with TI is that flames in reality can't wrap around to the other side of a building that fast...heheh... Still a cool game though.

Matty: The second level exists in the 5200 version as well... but then..since it is a straight port over...from the 800 version...that would stand to reason.

Chaz...again..funny. the problem with the Coleco was that on channel 3..it would only give me black and white..but on channel 4..it was in color..but on channel 3 it was black and white..but crisp. When I rebuilt the RF..all I did was resolder all the components. That was then I noticed the audio was fuzzy and had to adjust the RF. I was under the impression that he had a picture but staticy audio...that is why I suggested adjusting the RF... "Everything's fine (except one of the controllers, but it's usual...) apart the audio: when I connect the console to my tv set (that is, obviously, NTSC compatible), I can see video but instead of audio, there only noise." Did I have it backwards?

Uber...: Chad has figured out how to mod the 7800 to work with the cuttle cart. Ask him for details and I am sure he will give you the info. So you might want to retire it from that closet O' Storage...