pboland

He's already done this at least once folks -- and got caught doing it by me. It started back in Dec 05, before he was selling much on ebay. See those neutrals from vglist http://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=swee...by&ref=home -- that's me. I parted with my Jaguar collection (needed the money) by auctioning it on ebay. Mr. Sweet bid on mulitple auctions--lots of games and 2 loaded systems. He retracted his bids for no good reason (he said they were typos, but never re-bid with the "correct" amount) from the systems late enough in the game that they didn't sell for nearly what they should have for the ebay market at that time. I was extremely tempted to cancel his bids on the other 11 auctions he had high bids on, but he had decent feedback and like I said, I needed the money. He ended up winning 9 auctions, all games. He immediately contacted me after the auctions ended and demanded I consolidate shipping so it would cost less. He didn't even ask -- just told me to do it and send him the costs. My auctions did not indicate that I would consolidate shipping and I only do it as a courtesy if I happen to have a big enough box (I'm not a dealer and sometimes just don't have the boxes available to do so). He was lucky that I had a box to fit and I sent everything off after payment received and I did use delivery conf. Now, my dilemma -- do I leave him feedback? I'd really like to leave him negative for the invalid retractions he did (and from his feedback page, he appears to use retractions way more than I can imagine anyone ever should), but that was for auctions other than the ones he won. I really didn't have a beef with the specific auctions he actually won. Since I felt that leaving pos feeback was still rewarding bad behavior, I decided to leave no feedback at all. Well, he got the items okay and left me positive feedback and then the fun started -- he demanded feedback, not once, but about every other day for several weeks. So I finally did what he wanted -- left feedback that is, only they were neutrals and not positives because of his continual harrassment. He then tried to get me to mutually agree to remove them, but I declined and made sure that he ended up on my blocked bidder list so I wouldn't have to deal with him again. But that's not the end of it. He came back, only as someone else [at least in ebay ID]. I put some more of my video game collection for auction in November 06, and low and behold -- I get an email from sweet asking why he can't bid on my items. I ignored him as I figure no amount of explaining was going to satisfy him. Now, I had a few new users bidding on items and didn't think much of them. I had some rare items that were generating attention and wasn't going to penalize new users from bidding (or winning) as long as they behaved. I didn't realize that one of them was Mr. Sweet until the auction ended and I saw the name of the winning bidder on the message from ebay. He paid through PayPal before I caught this detail, but realized I'm not dealing with him and I shouldn't have to -- he's on my blocked bidder list! I immediately refunded his money through PayPal explaining why and that I was reporting him to ebay. I did report him to ebay and requested my FVF for the auction. He refused it and said he wanted "his" item. Well that was the last I heard from him. His new ebay account was closed and I was able to get my fee back. Lesson here? Stick to your guns and don't let people get away with stuff on ebay that they shouldn't be doing. The system does work a little, but I still wonder what story he told ebay about that account so that nothing happened to his power seller status? Some things we will never know...

You don't. My Clearpic-modded 1200XL has nice looking video, almost as nice as my unmodded 800. Atari got the video circuitry right in the 800, but they screwed it up badly in the 1200XL, for some reason. Actually the 800 video circuitry isn't perfect but its the best out of all the 8-bits. (The luma is still underdriven but the impedance is correct) I am currently working on a super video and s-video upgrade for the XE Game Machine. I will post it in a new thread when it is finished. I thought it would be pretty cool to have s-video on an XEGS too! I once asked about this. I believe their would be some problems with loosing the artifacting. Here is a link to that post: XEGS s-video good luck!

OK, I got Wizard of Wor to work by holding down Option & Reset on start-up. When you power on, I let go of the Reset button and kept the option button depressed. I did this 3 times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. This trick however doesn't work for Gorf. I still can't get Gorf to work on my XEGS. One would think, if it works for one it would work for the other since they are both made by Roklan, but it doesn't.

Is your 1050 stock or US Doubler enhanced? I ask this because I have seen programs that cause this same message when I am using my USD 1050 but work fine when this drive is off. Weird but True! As far as I know it is a stock 1050.

He said they both work fine on his 800XL, which means they don't need OS B... and holding down Option works the same way on the XEGS (hold down to disable BASIC), or at least it does on my XEGS. I doubt this would be different in different revisions of the XEGS, but you never know with those wacky Tramiels... It's a puzzler... If the games are enabling the Missile Command ROM, I don't think there's anything you can do about it without doing a hardware mod to remove Missile Command (basically turn your XEGS into a 65XE), or disassembling the games and fixing them so they don't do that. Is it possible to hack in a toggle switch somehow to the Missile Command rom to disable it? I guess if one is to do this, the switch would need to go on the power input pin of the Rom? If so, which pin is power, or am I barking up the wrong tree here? My electronics knowledge is thin at best, but I can use a soldering iron, and fumble through schematics. Anyway, I'm getting another XEGS here either today or tomorrow. Once I get it, I will see if the games will boot up on this other XEGS. Thanks guys for your help so far.

They are originals. I don't know if missile command is controlled by the consol register. If it is, can this be disable manually?

I would have to say it probably requires OS-B, because not holding down Option yields the same results as holding down Option. Thanks Atari Frog

Yes, I do hold down the option button when booting. (That was implied) Yes, I have cleaned the contact on both system and all of my carts. (That was implied) I'm starting to think the cart issue is an alinement thing. As for the disk games, I am still at a loss. Thanks for the reply.

I have two disk games by Roklan (GORF & Wizard of Wor). Both load fine with my 1050 & 800XL, but when I use the 1050 with my XEGS I get "REMOVE CARTRIDGE" and it doesn't load. I have many different disk games, but only these two will not boot on my XEGS. I would guess it has something to do with the fact that the XEGS has missile command built in, but I am only guessing. Does anyone know of a way that I can get these two games to work on my XEGS? (hardware or software hack?) Since I am on the subject of game issues, I noticed that my Star Raiders II cart only works on my XEGS and not my 800XL. Why is this? (XE carts somehow different than older 8-bit carts?) Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I believe Missile Command will come up also if the XEGS keyboard is not plugged in. At least that is how it is on mine.

If you are interested in making a Super Mario Bros like game, you might want to check out this topic: Super Mario Bros game stuff Welcome to AtariAge!

I really think this topic makes good points for why atari needs to come out with the FB3. So I am writing this reply to keep the topic at the for front of the topics lists and hope that it generates more interest.

I originally wanted the FB3 to be a laptop type computer or look like a 5200, but I think you are right. Must people recognize the 2600 (even though they don't know it was called a 2600, they just recognize the shape). When you ask people (outside of AtariAge) what video game system they first had, they will say "an Atari". To most people Atari is the VCS or 2600, but they don't know the systems name they just know it was an Atari. A lot of these people don't even know there was a system after the 2600. That got me thinking, I think the new FB3 should still be based on an 800XL but put in a 2600 vader like unit (see pic). You might think this is odd, but think about it for a minute: 1) The average consumer would recognize the 2600 shape (more sales!) 2) Atari would save mass amounts money getting it made (re-use the molds, retail box with new art & box inserts!) 3) We the atari fans would have a FB that we could mod into a full atari computer! 4) It would be way cool to have chrome buttons (OK that is a stretch, but still) I think this might work, but then again maybe I'm thinking alittle too much about it.

Two words: STAR RAIDERS. Star Raiders was one of the defining games of the Atari 400/800, but to really play the game properly requires enough keys that one may as well stick on an A400-style (or even TS1000-style) keyboard. An option to wire in a real keyboard as well would be nice, but IMHO some sort of keyboard should be built in. A membrane keyboard? I like that idea. I would guess though that the cost would be about the same as a standard keyboard. The only reason I say this is because who makes membrane keyboards (full computer type keyboards not key pads) these days? It might cost more just for that reason. On a side note, I was thinking (that could be bad!), chances are that no keyboard port (or keyboard) of any kind would be included on the FB3. I would guess that solder pads will be on the circuit board and we will have to wire in our own PS2 port if we want a keyboard of any kind. In reality that is the most cost effective way to handle it.

It's a give and take. The "laptops" you see have pretty standardized hardware that's extremely inexpensive. So splurging on the plastic parts and circuitboard space for the keyboard isn't a big deal. In the case of the Flashback units, they're coming equipped with a highly specialized microprocessor (containing a CPU, display chip, I/O handling, etc.) and two custom control devices. There's not a whole lot of margin left there. If Curt added a 30 cent PS2 connector hidden behind perforated plastic, however, I'd be a rather happy chap. I think I to would be happy with the PS2 connector as well. However didn't you write this on the "what do you want the FB3 to be?" topic? I'm with you on this one. Heck, I think it's a natural progression from the existing PnP systems. Not to mention that it's how we used the real "computers" back in the day. The perfect system to lead the charge is the C64DTV. The hardware is already done. All it needs is for Mammoth to pack it into a keyboard. Voila! Instant computer for kids and enthusiasts. It's too bad that Jeri and Robin haven't been able to find funding to do this.

I don't know if it would ruin the price point. I see kids laptop computers in the stores all the time that are priced below $35.00. Heck they have screens with them too. Now a screen might ruin the price point. I guess I should have done a little more thinking about the questions. So for now lets say that a yes vote is for a keyboard/ and or keyboard connectivity.

I don't know if this is something new, but it seems a little odd that atari would put their name on something like this. Take a look here. On Ebay

I was interested in what people thought of the idea of the FB3 having a keyboard. I personally think it should, but I would like to see what everybody else thinks.

A lot of you might think this is odd but, I own an 800XL (with a 1050)& XEGS (with a CX12) and right now I prefer the XEGS. I have put a longer cable on the keyboard that I got from a broken 5200 controller. I would have to admit the keyboard took sometime to get use-too, but now I don't think about it. I'm hoping to replace the XEGS keyboard with one from a 600XL or 800XL in the future, however I'm not sure if this is even possible. I guess I will find out soon enough.

Couple of things: 1. All Electronics sells surplus parts. So their prices may reflect volume prices, or they may reflect depreciation on obsolete parts. 2. The manufacturing price quoted by a member of the FB2 team is $9 per unit to sell it at its $30 price point. That screen costs $8. I seriously doubt it would cost much less in bulk. As I said, a $50 price point would probably work well. But it's difficult to hit $30 unless you're willing to take a loss on the hardware and make up the difference elsewhere. On an amusing note, you've managed to pull up the exact same LCD screen I was looking at for a possible electronics project. Small world. Don't get me wrong, I was not suggesting that Atari buy parts from All Electronics. And yes I am aware that All electronics sells surplus parts and/or obsolete parts. However All Electronics is making money off the sale of these LCD panels. So I would guess that they are getting them a hell of a lot cheaper then they are selling them to you or I. My point was, if one is to volume manufacture a lcd screen it may be (heavy on the maybe) possible to purchase a larger monochrome LCD than it would be for a color LCD at the same cost. On a side note, maybe the FB3 doesn't need the screen, but a built-in keyboard might be pretty cool.

As far as the screen goes, 4" x 3" is actually bigger than the b-book. I have included a link for the LCD screen I was thinking of. I thought keeping it black & white would keep the cost down, but admittedly I don't know all that much about volume manufacturing. LCD screen

Has anybody entertained the idea of a portable 400/800 laptop type FB3. I know a lot of you are saying "no way" to much cost. However, this xmas my daughter got this barbie laptop (b-book). I bought it for $29.95 which I believe was the price point that Curt wrote about. It doesn't have a color screen, but the more I thought about it you don't need a color screen as long as you can plug it in to your tv. Think of it this way. You want to write a program in BASIC, but you don't need a color display while you are programing. Now if the laptop had a composite output jack, you could simply plug it in to your tv to fully test your program in color. Keep in mind the screen doesn't need to be very large either. Maybe say 4" x 3" and back lit. The keyboard on this Barbie b-book is not all that bad. It just might be better than my XEGS keyboard (and yes it is a full computer keyboard minus the function keys). I figure since it is a toy, the keyboard should be pretty tough. The laptop could still look like a 5200 case which would open like a clam shell. Put two joystick ports, composite out, run off of batteries, power in jack (if you don't won't to run off of batteries), headphone jack, a way to save your programs and you are good to go. Is this possible or am I off my rocker? I added this pic as a reference.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone. The auctions went well. This will help out a lot this x-mas season.

I pray the FB3 will play A8 carts Eric That would be cool, but I doubt it will out of the box. Like the FB2, one would probably have to mod it. I know Curt has posted somewhere on these forums what the design is for the FB3. I hope that if/or when it comes out it will have all the bells and whistles that Curt talked about.

This may be a silly idea, but I have watched shopgoodwill for many years now and one thing I noticed is that not all Goodwill stores use their online auction site. Maybe we need to let our local Goodwill's know that this vintage stuff sells like hot cakes on their our auction site. This way, instead of being thrown out they could give us all a chance to buy this vintage hardware that they think is worthless. Just a thought....