Tempest 2000 no longer saves

[MantaNZ]

This really upset me. I lost my progress (I've still never finished the game) and all my high scores. It doesn't save at all now.

 

Does anyone know if the Jag used eproms or batteries to save? I dont want a dead battery leaking all over the pcb. Don't want to take my cart apart as in all their infinite wisdom, Atari put the label over the screws. Might just have to buy a cheap loose copy...

[+save2600]

yep, you'll be better off purchasing a cheap loose copy. No batteries in Jaguar games, so no worries there, but they use a capacitive memory scheme that is said to fail after 100,000 saves. More or less.

[MantaNZ]

Mine must have been faulty. No way I did that many saves. lol. Thanks for the info. I'll put my cart back in its box and find a loose one for playing

[Trooper Galactus]

Go to church. Jesus still saves.

[Isgoed]

Try cleaning the cartridge contacts, it might be the cure

[MantaNZ]

Go to church. Jesus still saves.

I tried once. Started to catch on fire. Was really weird.

 

Try cleaning the cartridge contacts, it might be the cure

It's actually my second copy of the game and I bought it new. It had a bit of play back in 2009 but since then hasn't really been used so I don't think that would be the issue. Worth a shot though I guess.

[Trooper Galactus]

I tried once. Started to catch on fire. Was really weird.

Either you're setting a whole new standard for sin or you should get checked for syphilis.

 

......maybe both?

[MantaNZ]

Either you're setting a whole new standard for sin or you should get checked for syphilis.

 

......maybe both?

I'm really hoping it's the sin. You think the pile of dead hookers in my basement could be the cause?

[jaybird3rd]

Does anyone know if the Jag used eproms or batteries to save? I dont want a dead battery leaking all over the pcb. Don't want to take my cart apart as in all their infinite wisdom, Atari put the label over the screws. Might just have to buy a cheap loose copy...

Jaguar cartridges contain a serial EEPROM for scores and other saved data. Those EEPROMs are still being sold today, so if the one in your cartridge has failed, it's possible to open the cartridge and replace it. You'll have to be comfortable with soldering, though, since the original chip is soldered to the board.

[Trooper Galactus]

I'm really hoping it's the sin. You think the pile of dead hookers in my basement could be the cause?

Kinda depends what you've been doing with/to them...

[MantaNZ]

Kinda depends what you've been doing with/to them...

I don't really use them. I'm more of a display collector.

[Trooper Galactus]

I don't really use them. I'm more of a display collector.

I just envision each of their carcasses holding a box from your Jaguar collection.

[MantaNZ]

I just envision each of their carcasses holding a box from your Jaguar collection.

 

Funnily enough, that was my original intention. Fun fact though, rigor mortis doesn't last that long... Edited January 30, 2016 by MantaNZ

[walter_J64bit]

Have you tried to reset the cart?

http://atariage.com/manual_html_page.php?SoftwareLabelID=1111

[MantaNZ]

Pretty sure I did but I'll give it another go.

[omf]

you could probably get the needed chip from ebay for cheap and replace it yourself if your not too bad at using a soldering iron, you will however loose any data that was on that dead one and you might damage the game label as you would have to peal it back at the top corners to reveal the screws to get inside

 

if you remembered what scores you had on it it may be possible to write this information back to a blank chip if someone with an eprom programmer offers you their help

[ls650]

Unfortunately, the EEPROMS do seem to fail occasionally. I have a Wolfenstein 3D cart that refuses to save as well - rather annoying.