ColecoVision Test-Cartridge ?

[ten-four]

Hi, I think i have an idea.

 

I'm looking for a kind of test-cart, i do not know if it exists.

 

I need a full color screen shown in different ways. (red, yellow, green, blue)...

A kind of Test Pattern. (circle, box, triangle, text)...

Convergence test. (grid)

 

Screen images should be shown until is pressed forward to the next screen.

So could you be able to adjust crt and lcd screens.

 

Maybe it could be included to newcoleco's joystick-test cart.

 

This cart could be plugged in to a original ColecoVision.

 

Any ?

 

 

EDIT: Perhaps like this screenshot I have made.

Edited October 16, 2008 by ten-four

[newcoleco]

It's not exactly what you want, but at least you can start from it to do your own version. It's based on my ColecoVision programming starter kit from my web site (the compiler kit works only under Windows 98, 98SE, Me, NT4, 2000, 2003).

 

Source code and ROM file included.

 

scrntest_src_rom.zip

 

Have fun!

[ten-four]

Hi newcoleco.

 

You are close, and in a right direction.

 

But what i need was a fully and complete test-cart, that would include Controller-test of

Joypads - Roller - Steering - S A Controllers.

And some kind of the true colors shown in what i ask for in the first post.

And if there is a good programmer, that would include a kind of timer/counter/watch would it be completed.

 

I'll need it in a cartridge to be plugged in a real ColecoVision.

 

Thank you anyway Daniel.

[Pixelboy]

There's some test software in the AtariMax CV 127-in-1 cart. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but then again, if you have something very specific in mind, you should just program it yourself. It's easy with Daniel's C programming kit.

[newcoleco]

I have the regret to say that a fully functional test cartridge is something I don't have time to do... specially with overdue projects like jewel panic and the specifications of what you want for this project.

 

I gave you here my way to start your project that show a bitmap picture which is not exactly your mock up screenshot but close to. It's based on my starter kit, and all I did was to copy the picture, put it into my bitmap converter and fix up the bad parts with my paint tool, convert it into data and use it into a very simple source code. That's it.

 

After reading your project specifications again, I would try using the original Marcel deKogel Coleco library instead of my special library for 4K game which came with my starter kit.

 

Anyway, it's up to you to decide if you want to give it a try or ask someone else to help you programming it. I'm sure, if they are not busy right now, Scott Huggins, Pixelboy and PKK will help you better than me actually.

 

Good luck!

[PkK]

Hi newcoleco.

 

You are close, and in a right direction.

 

But what i need was a fully and complete test-cart, that would include Controller-test of

Joypads - Roller - Steering - S A Controllers.

And some kind of the true colors shown in what i ask for in the first post.

And if there is a good programmer, that would include a kind of timer/counter/watch would it be completed.

 

I'll need it in a cartridge to be plugged in a real ColecoVision.

 

Thank you anyway Daniel.

 

Well there's always a completeness / complexity tradeoff. I thought about this a bit and think that a resonable testcart would include the following functionality:

 

Noninteractive tests:

- RAM test

- VRAM test

- BIOS checksum

- Detect PAL/NTSC

- ROM checksum

- 5th sprite bit

- sprite collission bit

- +5V line voltage

 

Interactive tests:

- Sound channels

- Noise channel

- Controllers (incl. SA and Roller)

- Controller ports

- Graphics output

 

This is what can be done by something that plugs into the cartridge port (much more could be done otherwise, but I don't think it would be worththe effort). It should allow to detect and diagnose nearly all ColecoVision problems.

 

I just designed the pcb for such a test cart.

 

Philipp

[ten-four]

Hi Philipp...

 

I know Nuvatec made some carts way back, but i have never seen theese carts since.

 

One thing in a testcart was looking for, was a graphical convergence test. (grid), and som stable colors too. (15+1)

 

That would be a fine tool for ajousting older tv-sets with a connected ColecoVision.

 

Maybe it could be included in your test cart. ?

[PkK]

Hi Philipp...

 

I know Nuvatec made some carts way back, but i have never seen theese carts since.

 

One thing in a testcart was looking for, was a graphical convergence test. (grid), and som stable colors too. (15+1)

 

That would be a fine tool for ajousting older tv-sets with a connected ColecoVision.

 

Maybe it could be included in your test cart. ?

 

Should be no problem.

I hope I find time to really make the test cart.

 

Philipp

[PkK]

One thing in a testcart was looking for, was a graphical convergence test. (grid), and som stable colors too. (15+1)

 

Something like this?