Normal to have to press reset to get cart to load?

[TopJimmy]

I haven't messed with Intellivisions much, but i recently got 3 consoles from a yard sale.   The first one I'm looking at is an INTV System III.   it seems to work, but only after pressing reset (with cart inserted).   initial power on is a black screen.   is this normal behavior to have to press reset?

 

thank you

Edited May 11, 2021 by TopJimmy

[+wongojack]

I've never used a system III, but that is NOT normal compared to my use of other Intellivision models.

[+fdr4prez]

10 minutes ago, TopJimmy said:

I haven't messed with Intellivisions much, but i recently got 3 consoles from a yard sale.   The first one I'm looking at is an INTV System III.   it seems to work, but only after pressing reset (with cart inserted).   initial power on is a black screen.   is this normal behavior to have to press reset?

 

thank you

Please read this thread - pay attention to the posts about the capacitor that should be swapped out (replaced)

 

 

[TopJimmy]

very helpful.   different board but the issue sounds similar and gives me something to look into.  reset capacitor, thank you.

 

[+Lathe26]

This behavior also occurs for Tutor Pros, i.e. Super Pro Systems that have a Tutorvision board inside.  These systems are pretty rare.

[TopJimmy]

https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=1209

 

this is the one i have from the lot.   No schematics found on this one, but it is different than the Intellivision schematics i've seen.  only two electrolytic caps on the entire system (one obviously power supply filter and one small polarized near video output section, none near reset switch).   Since it is basically working but requiring reset to load cart, I think I'm going to leave it as-is.   Appears to be a less-common variant, so I'll leave well enough alone.   

[mr_me]

Most INTV Intellivisions have the exact same schematics as a Mattel 2609.  Can you post a photo of the PCB.

[TopJimmy]

I literally just closed it back up this morning but i'll get internal pics if needed.   there's no separate power supply board.   transformer and one board.

 

when i looked it up, it was one of these I believe:

https://console5.com/wiki/INTV_System_3

 

I cannot seem to find pictures of the white version of mine online.   here's mine:

 

Edited May 12, 2021 by TopJimmy

[mr_me]

It's likely an INTV 1988 PCB.  They are rare and that beige case is even more rare.  The remaining question is which exec chip does it have at U2.

 

As Lathe26 pointed out, having to press reset to start the cartridge seems normal for this variant.

Edited May 12, 2021 by mr_me

[TopJimmy]

That's awesome.   I'll open it up in the near future to get pics of the innards.   

 

At the same estate sale i also another similar console and the keyboard adapter.   Plus about 40 boxed mostly complete carts.

 

I have not messed with Intellivisions much since i was a kid (I had Atari, neighbor had Intellivision) but used to play it a lot.  

[+cmart604]

2 hours ago, TopJimmy said:

That's awesome.   I'll open it up in the near future to get pics of the innards.   

 

At the same estate sale i also another similar console and the keyboard adapter.   Plus about 40 boxed mostly complete carts.

 

I have not messed with Intellivisions much since i was a kid (I had Atari, neighbor had Intellivision) but used to play it a lot.  

That white case appears to be a Tutorvision case with Super Pro parts as well. If you're looking to sell that one I'd be very interested and willing to make it worth your while. ???

[carlsson]

[Intelligentleman]

That white case variant with the blue trim on the controllers is rad.

[Morpheus]

Outstanding catch Jimmy.

Congratulations!!!

Ultra super holy grail!

Was the white consolle also boxed?

If yes, could you post some pics of the box and manual?

I’m expecting to see a super pro system standard box but who knows...

 

[TopJimmy]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment.  looks like for this board I'm seeing normal (hit reset) behavior and all three of the systems work.

 

To those who've asked, i have no intentions to sell at this point.   These will be kept pristine in my collection for now.    Should i decide to sell in the future, I know where to come.   

 

I have a decent collection of 80s consoles, but never really focused on Intellivision.   I do have an unboxed woodgrain intellivision in not-so-great condition and a perfect boxed minty Tandyvision One.   And a bunch of carts (many boxed) i've picked up from thrift stores over the years.

 

The main thing that drew me to this specific lot was the 40+ boxed carts, not the consoles.   i didn't recognize anything unique about them!   Glad i picked them up.   it was a new estate sale company i'd not dealt with, and fortunately he took my buy-it-all offer at opening of the sale ($150 for everything).   many of these companies will not discount that quickly.

 

thanks again to everyone.

 

 

Edited May 15, 2021 by TopJimmy

[wolfy62]

On 5/12/2021 at 4:30 AM, TopJimmy said:

That's awesome.   I'll open it up in the near future to get pics of the innards.   

 

At the same estate sale i also another similar console and the keyboard adapter.   Plus about 40 boxed mostly complete carts.

 

I have not messed with Intellivisions much since i was a kid (I had Atari, neighbor had Intellivision) but used to play it a lot.  

Wow!!!! What a dream find!?

Please post a pic of which games you managed to acquire,I imagine there are some late 80s INTV game releases in there.

As mentioned by others,the beige super pro system with the blue trim on the controllers is very unique.

Do any of you other guys have one of those?

[Morpheus]

I do.

 

In my dreams...??

[fsuinnc]

Congrats on the find.  If you are a collector and have any interest in programming games for an old system, Intellivision is the system.  IntyBASIC, and the programming forum (https://atariage.com/forums/forum/144-intellivision-programming/) make creating your own games easy.  Just thought I'd mention it.