Messages

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Broken TG-CD need repair]

Yeah, both Keith Courage and thesteve are active and taking repair orders. You can PM them for rates.

Given the burnt electronics smell, I'd recommend Steve more for serious damage like that as he's a fully trained electrical engineer.

Thank you, I will contact one of them.

Looking back now, it seems the replaced laser assembly is simply having the same trouble as the original.
Probably the gear, the smell may be the motor trying to turn but it can't

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Broken TG-CD need repair]

Here is a post from when I fixed it years ago:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=9200.msg160025#msg160025

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Broken TG-CD need repair]

Hello.

My drive for the TurboGrafx CD isn't working properly. When it has been stored away for a while and I first attempt to use it, the disc will not spin. The drive displays PC but there is no "click" and the disk doesn't spin or move at all. After some time, say 1/2 hour or so, it will start to work fine. Once it starts working it seems to work just fine.

It also does not work on it's own as a CD player although just like when in the system, once it works it works.

I had replaced the whole laser assembly from the computer version of this drive years ago. However this seems to be another issue altogether. Also I can smell some "burnt" electronics from the back of the drive where it plugs into the CD unit.

Is there anyone offering repair for the CD drive? I am hoping it is just caps...

I do have another functioning version of this drive that was used with computers.
I sometimes listen to music on it. Not sure if that unit can help in the repair of the TG-CD unit.
It doesn't work for games when connected to the TG-CD base.

Thanks!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: FMV Games & CDRs]

The Taiyo Yuden I purchased simply said "silver". They were not expensive. I had a spindle of 100 shipped for $26 total.

It is probably worth mentioning that the writing speed is important too.
I have a VAIO laptop that can burn 10X as the slowest and the TG-CD doesn't like discs burned on that.
Vs my newer Toshiba laptop that can burn at 8X and those discs work perfectly.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: FMV Games & CDRs]

My TG-CD was having trouble with games on CD-R. Like Riot Zone. After the 1st boss battle, it would just sit there and  you could hear the laser seeking and seeking over and over again.

I was using Sony and Memorex CD-R. I searched these forums a bit and got the tip to purchased a spindle of Taiyo Yuden Silver CD-R. With these my TG-CD has no troubles at all playing the same games. The loading and seeking is fast and the drive sounds like its working as easy as reading originals.

That's been my experience.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: PCE Golden Axe]

This version of the game is not so good.
Still I find myself playing it every so often... maybe I like bad games   

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TG16 AV mod]

great!  thank you sir!

Hey, if you do it post pics. It's always interesting to see how mods turn out. Even simple ones.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TG16 AV mod]

is there a tutorial on how to do this mod?

I used this link for the pins. Just find where they are on the bottom of the board. You'll need to unsolder or bend the shielding back (I bent it back). Then its a simple task of drill holes and soldering the wires to the rca jacks.

http://www.cgquarterly.com/articles/tg16_cable.htm

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TG16 AV mod]

You should try the S-Video Mod.

Have no use for Svideo really. I don't even have many TVs that have Svid inputs anymore.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / TG16 AV mod]

Nothing special, but I AV modded a TG-16. I grabbed V,L,R,G from under the board where the 69 pin connector is.
Works really good!

http://flic.kr/p/fP4zA4

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Stuck in Ys Book 2]

Rastini Mines
=============

Once again in the mines, head back to the room with three exits. This time
around, take the northeast path to the following area. Follow the path
leading through the next couple of areas until you come to a door at the end.
Heal up and save your game, equip the Medicinal Herbs you should have
gathered earlier, then when you are ready, enter the room. You will face the
first boss, Belagunder, in here. Read the Bosses section if you need help
defeating it.

After you defeat the boss, you will receive 400 EXP and 600G. Go through the
northern door and you will reach a new area of the mine. Follow the path
around to the south and east until it splits, then hug the southern wall and
you will enter a hidden room. Defeat the enemy inside and check the box in
the northwest area to find some Iron Ore. Take it and exit this room. Head to
the northeast and continue all the way to the far north end of this chamber.
When you get there, head west to find some flowers by the water. Wander among
the flowers to receive the Celceta Flower.

Next, make your way back to the far south end of the area. Once there, take a
path leading southeast into the next room. Head north and follow the path
leading to the east. Hug the south wall and you will enter another hidden
room. Follow the path going to the northeast and southward, and open the
chest at the end to find an Evil Bell. Go back out of this room and continue
northward through another opening, defeating the tougher enemies with Fire
magic. In the northeast corner you will find a treasure chest; open it to
receive Light Magic.

For the time being, you are done with the mine, so use the Wing I suggested
you buy earlier and return to Lance Village.

From http://www.ign.com/faqs/2010/legacy-of-ys-books-i-ii-walkthroughguide-961312

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What Turbo game are you currently playing?]

Made it to the 5'th level of Cotton for the first time.

That's great. I can't get past the 2nd..

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: TG-16 Thunderdrome!!!! 2 games enter 1 leaves Vol. 1 Shumps!]

Soldier Blade.

They are both really good. I think of Aerofighters a lot when I play GoT, and that's not a bad thing, but I like SB a little more.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What Turbo game are you currently playing?]

The English audio / text version of Ys IV
So far I've gotten to the boss in the Lava pits at the tomb.
Have to figure out how to beat him..

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Information about the TG-CD's 11VDC power supply.]

Most power supplys with that kind of voltage and amperage get hot. Nothing to worry about.

Worse comes to worse the AC adapter goes bad someday but it definitely shouldn't do any damage to the system.

I chickened out, thinking the 1000ma might be a little low, I found a 12v 1200ma from an older Netgear router and swapped the wires / tip to fit on that. After a couple hours of using that I think it actually felt more warm than the 1000ma adapter did.
I think either will work out fine. I have to use some foam strips in the TG-CD carry case so the smaller adapter doesn't rattle around in the case.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Information about the TG-CD's 11VDC power supply.]

Bump of a really old thread.

Tonight I took a 12V 1000ma power supply from an old 3com shark fin cable modem. Swapped the wires around to make it center negative. It has been powering my TG-CD for a couple hours now and the supply is slightly warm.

Anyone else use a similar supply, 12v 1000ma, and had luck using it for a long time?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: You favorite PCE Boss/bad guys]

Darm. Also the bosses in Deep Blue.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release]

Got my Turbo Everdrive from Stone Age Gamer. Love it. It is really tight in the slot of my Duo-r and Turbo Express. Is that normal? Any worry of it damaging the slot?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release]

Retrogate is solid, the shipping may take a while but he stands by his product and if there are issues my experience is he will take care of it.

And no a region switch won't affect the functionality of the everdrive. There is a region switch built into the device as well.

Erik

thanks for the info. I look forward to getting the everdrive. My current multicart is an older 32mb printer port version. Works good but doesn't fit too much.

about retrogate, we didn't get the impression he was too concerned  but IMO its still too early to worry. International packages sometimes get held up. Just so happens that my order placed the same night has been delivered for a week already.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release]

The Krikzz site is back up. It was down last night when I went looking for answers to my questions above.
http://krikzz.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=57
The site has a link to this review that explains its all.
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?41652-Review-Turbo-Everdrive-English

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: DaVinci Code in PCE games]

I wish I was better at this sort of game!
I've never been too good at platform games.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release]

For those in the US looking for a Turbo Everdrive, they seem to be in stock again at Stone Age Gamer. My brother and I each ordered one last night.

As a side note I had ordered a MD Everdrive from Retrogate in Europe and the same brother ordered a Turbo Everdrive from them.
My multicart showed up in the mail three weeks later but his never arrived. It seems to have died in customs. It has been 5 weeks now, I think. When he contacted Retrogate the seller did not seem too concerned about it. That really sucks and is frustrating. Who knows though it may eventually show up. I once ordered a cable for the Apple 2 computer from eastern Europe and after two month it didn't show up. Seller refunded me and made a claim with the post office. A month later it was on my porch....

Anyway, I have some questions about how the Turbo Everdrive works. The roms on the SD card do they need to be patched for region or does it not matter. Just like loading roms in MagicEngine?

Also my PCE-Duo-r has a region switch installed. Will this have any effect on using the Turbo Everdrive?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What Turbo game are you currently playing?]

Just picked up Galaga '90 and Ys IV. Galaga has long been a favorite of mine and I'm pumped to play it again. Never played Ys IV, am even more pumped to get that translation patch and try it out!

Where can you get the translation patch?

Here's a thread discussing it: https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=13136.0

Ys IV is dope! Very cool to be able to play this in English

Thanks! I had to download the right Japanese version of the game, but I have it all patched working great.
Can't wait to get into this game.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What Turbo game are you currently playing?]

Just picked up Galaga '90 and Ys IV. Galaga has long been a favorite of mine and I'm pumped to play it again. Never played Ys IV, am even more pumped to get that translation patch and try it out!

Where can you get the translation patch?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release]

Is anyone aware of a USA seller that has the Turbo Everdrive in stock?

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB TurboExpress Ac adaptor]

You can get one here: http://www.retrogamecave.com/nec-ac_adapter.html

Though it looks lie they are currently out of stock.  I'm sure they'll get more in soon, though.

Does the Atari Lynx and Turbo Express use the same power supply?
I seem to remember when I got my Express from Telegames it came with a separate power supply that said Lynx / Turbo Express on the box...

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: power supply for TG+CD]

Hey. Can a SEGA Genesis 1 or Atari Jaguar power supply be used to run the TG+CD setup?

What I've searched for seem to say yes, but I wanted to ask here and make sure it has been done before, before I try it on my setup.

Thanks.
** edit, looks like the info I read was wrong. The pin is larger in the CD base unit.

So, is there a commonly used replacement power supply for the TG+CD?

What you're looking for is here.
http://www.retrogamecave.com/nec-ac_adapter.html

Thank you!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / power supply for TG+CD]

Hey. Can a SEGA Genesis 1 or Atari Jaguar power supply be used to run the TG+CD setup?

What I've searched for seem to say yes, but I wanted to ask here and make sure it has been done before, before I try it on my setup.

Thanks.
** edit, looks like the info I read was wrong. The pin is larger in the CD base unit.

So, is there a commonly used replacement power supply for the TG+CD?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Favorite non-standard controllers?]

I have and use the Avenue 3 pad. It is really big though. I do like it better than the Duo-RX pad I have. I find the diagonals very hard to hit with that one.

Lately I have been using an adapter to use a Turbo Pad with my Duo-R. They are comfortable controllers. I actually don't own a stock PCE controller yet. I'd like to pick one up someday.

In the 90's I almost exclusively used the Turbo Stick.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: PC Engine on US TV]

Thanks for all the replies and advise. I was under the impression the Turbo Booster was hard to find but I guess i was wrong.

The coregrafx looks cool!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: PC Engine on US TV]

I am thinking about getting a PC Engine. I read that it only has RF out. Does the RF work on USA TV's. I read it would work but there would be no audio.
If so, I guess the core grafx would be better to get.
Thanks!

To avoid RF headaches, hook up white PCE to an AV Booster or SCD or IFU suitcase and you will be happy.
.......

Cool pictures. Thank you! So is the AV Booster common or is it hard to find like the Turbo one?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / PC Engine on US TV]

I am thinking about getting a PC Engine. I read that it only has RF out. Does the RF work on USA TV's. I read it would work but there would be no audio.
If so, I guess the core grafx would be better to get.
Thanks!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

I replaced the battery tonight. The battery I got from ebay had solder tabs but they stick out on opposite ends of the battery. So I used a wire on the NEG side. Seems to work great. Would the Tennokoe Bank loose its contents immediately if the battery was no good? The only thing that concerns me is that the CR2016 is considerably smaller than the CR2320. So I guess it will not last as long. The original I took out still measured a strong 3+ volts.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: DUO-R please set disc]

Either the CD lens has gone bad or the lens needs a slight adjustment. %50 of the time on a duo-R all you have to do is slightly  raise the lens gain using the potentiometer on the CD lens itself.

Thank you for the reply. We have to get the proper bit to get the system open.
Then we can try to adjust the gain.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / DUO-R please set disc]

Hello.

My brother has a DUO-R that is having problems playing CD games.
The discs spin up but the system says to please set the disc.

Has anyone experienced this and can give any insight as to what might be wrong with the system?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

Ok, just found out, in the links in this thread you can see CR2320 is the original battery.
Looks like the same glue used on the lid too...

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=5467.msg94306#msg94306

Funny thing is when I checked eBay for CR2320 with solder tabs I didn't really see any.
Maybe that is why the original post I linked to above recommended the CR2016.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

Wrong battery and hot glue makes me think it's not the original battery.

Maybe if I put a meter to it and get 3V I should just leave it...

A separate question, I never noticed all these years the "Barney" converter I use to play Japan games on my TG16 has a picture of a PCE being used with American games...
I've never had a PCE, I have a Duo-r and these adapters do not fit in the hucard door.
Does the adapter work in reverse of how i'm using it as shown on the sticker?
I'm guessing yes but like I said, I can't test it for myself with no PCE.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

It doesn't look hard to replace. I ordered some batteries that have solder tabs on them already.
I'll post another pic of the new battery installed when I swap it.

Huh, what is that, CR2320?  I wonder why you have that battery, while that post linked earlier says it's a CR2016...

Yes. Exactly what I'd like to know. I'm sure any 3v battery that fit will be fine though.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

It doesn't look hard to replace. I ordered some batteries that have solder tabs on them already.
I'll post another pic of the new battery installed when I swap it.


picture009 by CharliePel, on Flickr

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Duo save capacity comparisons and/or alternatives requested]

First, the Tennokoe Bank's battery *can* go dead, and it does *not* recharge while in use in the Turbo system - so the original, 20-year-old batteries are probably basically dead or untrustworthy.

However, it can be replaced with a new battery of type CR2016.
Note that the battery was not originally considered replaceable, and it is soldered in place rather than a battery holder.

CR2025 and CR2032 could also be used, and are higher-capacity batteries, but are thicker and would make the cartridge bulge even more than it already does.  I suggest buying a battery with leads already welded to it, as the leads will accept solder more readily than the battery itself would... and heating the battery directly with a soldering iron could be dangerous.  This type was used in the original cartridge as well.
For example:  http://www.batterymart.com/p-rc2016-3v-75m-lithium-battery-solder-tabs.html

The plastic cover on the cartridge is held on by super-thin double-sided tape.  I once had pictures of the replacement process and may even have made a webpage for it at one time... but I've forgotten where I put them.



OK, and the second thought I had was about the Nanami tool.
I really like it, but I had a few ideas for its improvement - though I likely don't have enough time to implement them myself:

1) Instead of requiring the user to painstakingly transcribe a long data stream, a 2D barcode could be displayed, and scanned by cellphone.  Not sure if this could make a file directly, but it could certainly go to a website (including QUERY data) to convert/generate such files for download.

2) Individual games' data should be separable and recombinable.  This is not so difficult, since the storage format is pretty well-understood.  There are two reasons for doing this: a) so that indivdual game saves could be archived, traded, studied, etc. (like the unlock of Force Gear in Tokimeki Memorial stated above), and b) to reduce the size of data displayed by the barcode, to make it less problematic.

Hi. I removed the top of my Tennokoe Bank card and I see a battery CR2320 in there. So was my battery already replaced maybe? It looks like the lid was hot glued and not two sided tape... I ordered a CR2016 with solder tabs and will replace the battery as soon as i get the new one. I'm just wondering. Is CR2320 the original or was it replaced?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

Bring on the wrath!!

I was able to pop the top off the card and I see a different battery in there than what is listed in the post I linked to above....

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

Answering my own post now that I had time to sit and do a search and some reading

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?msg=264498

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Tennokoe Bank translation? Change battery?]

Hi everyone. I'm typing this quick and admitting to not doing a lot of searching...  

But can someone link me to a translation to English for the Tennokoe Bank memory hucard manual?

Also, is it possible to change the battery in the card? How do you open the card? It seems like the top can lift off and there is even a place where it is open as if to give you a space to get something in there to lift it off.
I wanted to ask before I try because I dont want to destroy the card. It is still working but I'd like to change the battery because the one in there must be very old.

Thanks!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What Turbo game are you currently playing?]

I've been playing Hellfire-S

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Raffle: Klax (US TG16)]

I could use Klax. Count me in?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbo CD / PCE CDROM2 Broken Gear / Warmup Issue - Solutions in Development!]

Thats fantastic Chop. Looks like a great fix. My brother and I cast a copy of the gear with resin. It didn't work. Although it looked like maybe we could improve it we lost interest in the project because of life circumstances. I'm glad to see a fix to this issue!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Questions about turbo-pads]

speaking of turbo pads, I have one that is like new. The D-pad is so stiff and hard to press it is a chore to use. The other turbo pads I have feel nice and easy. Very easy to use. Is the stiff pad a result of there being 2 different types? In other words a characteristic of one of the types? Anyone notice a difference in feel between the two types?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Gouging on Ebay ( r.i.p. - gouging much )]

Is it normal for Turbo CD systems with a broken CD drive to go for $150 or more on ebay??
I had my eye on a system early this week but at the end people bid it up to $150.
And its broken!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TGCD Mechanism Replacement (KSS-220A)]

That mech looks like the Sony Discman d-34??? I have a few of them laying around. I also have a couple CDR35D drives that work really good. I opened them up and coated the middle gear in grease and store them in air tight bags. I dont know... maybe that will help preserve them.... I just hope my brother comes through some day and gets these gears made. I'm sure he will. I mean I hope he is successful! I've been bugging him but he is really busy with work and kids...

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo controller on Computer?]

I use the retrousb with Magic Engine and Otake.

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=8900.msg152105#msg152105