Messages

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Super CD-ROM2 Cap Replacement]

It's been a while since I posted here, but I recently connected up my Core Grafx II and my Super CD-ROM2 to find my CD unit sound to be very very quiet. Even leaving it to warm up didn't help.
My cables etc. are all fine on my other PC Engines, so pretty sure it's the capacitors.

I have the replacement caps, so was wondering if there is anyone in the UK (or abroad) who could replace the capacitors (for a fee)?
I would do it myself, but I would like the thing to work eventually, which really isn't an option if I try any soldering.

Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers.

[Off-Topic / Re: What do you drive…]

RE: the Celica All Trac/GTFour, whatever its called.

Celica 4WD Turbo: Carlos Sainz Edition.

Considerably closer than the standard GT-Four anyway, while obviously not as tuned as the Rally version.

"In racing series that are "production-based" (that is, the vehicles entered in the series are based on production vehicles for sale to the public), homologation requires not only compliance with a racing series' technical guidelines (for example, engine displacement, chassis construction, suspension design and such) but it often includes minimum levels of sales to ensure that vehicles are not designed and produced solely for racing in that series. Since such vehicles are primarily intended for the race track, practical use on public roads is generally a secondary design consideration, so long as government regulations are met."

Good enough for me.

[Off-Topic / Re: What do you drive…]

Don't mean to boast but my truck could probably stomp any of the cars on here "just saying" oh and by the way screw gas mileage

we-play-games.com/admins/darn/misc/car.jpg

Had it 11 years, and there's nothing like four wheel drive and a turbo for sucking petrol.

And even with a child seat in it too.

It's the road version of this:

we-play-games.com/admins/darn/misc/celica.jpg

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Ficticious PC Engine box scans I made]

I put far too much time into this, to then realise it's not the right shape.
Oh well.

we-play-games.com/admins/darn/console/pce/tempest_pce.png

[Off-Topic / The “What-Did-You-Buy-Today?” Thread]

Nice:

[General Gaming / Re: another cave shootie coming out]

I wouldn't worry about Deathsmiles II as it's balls compared to the first one.

[PC-FX Discussion / Re: Soooo....any real reason to own a PCFX other than collector braging rights?]

I should be getting a PC-FX delivered tomorrow or Monday.
I love failed systems like the Virtual Boy, NUON or Jaguar. Only having a few games to play isn't a major issue.

Now to get a CD32...

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Rainbow Islands menu translation]

Thanks very much.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Rainbow Islands menu translation]

Okay, here's the top menu:


First sub-menu:


Sub-menu with two different options:


Cheers.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Rainbow Islands menu translation]

Does anyone know where I can find a menu translation for Rainbow Islands?

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Sapphire]

Are there two Sapphires on that pic?

At one point I had a genuine and a bootleg copy.
Now I have none: both sold.

I should really get another boot just so I can play it now and again.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Sapphire]

I've still not had confirmation that this was delivered...

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Sapphire]

I sold my bootleg version for £30 a while back.
I thought it was a fair price, although I do feel bad about bootlegs in general.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Sapphire]

This page is about as good as it gets for telling the two versions apart.

Yeah, that's the page I used before I bought mine to know what was what, but the fact the seller included the real one and a fake, I couldn't go too far wrong.

[Off-Topic / Re: the craigslist video game whore...LMAO]

Get back to me with what you have and what you want to do.

What I have? A real disappointment in the human race.
What I want to do? Despair at the state of modern society.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Sapphire]

sicboy, was that for a complete with spinecard?

Yeah, complete with spinecard and no scratches etc.
Re-invested the money in an XRGB-3 which should make my PCE (and other retro stuff) look real nice.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Sapphire]

Is it factory sealed?  Or is that just a protective cover?

Just a cover. I always play the games I own.
Hopefully it is now sold (pending payment).

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Sapphire]

Anyone got an idea of value?
I'm sure it must have cost me about $300, but that was a while ago.
Maybe its gone up or down since then.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Sapphire]

Hello and sorry for not posting for ages (not played my PC Engine for a while).

I'm looking to sell my Sapphire (original, not the boot version), but I don't know its current value.
Can anyone advise?


Fake on left, original I'm selling on right.

Sorry if I am breaking any rules.

[General Gaming / Re: atari jaguar]

Worth it for Tempest 2000 alone.

[Off-Topic / Re: Older Systems and High Def TV's]

I'm looking for someone to be upgrading their CRT to LCD and getting it for free.
Trust me, there aren't any quality CRT (non-widescreen) sets available in the UK.

[Off-Topic / Re: Older Systems and High Def TV's]

Getting as good 4:3 (non widescreen, non 100Hz) CRT is pretty tricky at the moment.
I have one sitting at my dads house ready for my Guncon2 and all the Namco shooters released on the PS2.
Plus I can rotate it for any Tated shooters.

I would still like a better one and am constantly on the lookout.

[Off-Topic / Re: Older Systems and High Def TV's]

You just need to buy a component cable for your TG-16 (assuming it's like a Core-Grafx II), I get a fantastic picture from mine on a Sony HD TV.
I think I use an S-Video cable on my Saturn and also get a great picture.

I don't tend to worry about the aspect ratio and leave everything on 16:9.

The picture quality I get now is much, much better than on my old CRT.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / WTB PC Engine GT]

If someone is looking for a quick sale of their (fully working) PC Engine GT, I could be in the market for one as a Christmas present.
PM me if you are looking to sell.

Cheers.

I should add that I am in the UK.

Cheers again.

[Off-Topic / The “What-Did-You-Buy-Today?” Thread]

I'm still playing too many Mega Drive shooters:

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Pc Engine collections]

Pretty standard collection (minus a few recent purchases):

www.we-play-games.com/admins/darn/console/pc_engine_games.jpg

[Off-Topic / Re: What is your video game tech level?]

A four, possibly three and a half.
I've modded systems and sticks and messed around with arcade cabinets a bit.

[General Gaming / Re: welcome to the...]

"This game would make the perfect gift for the classic gaming collector who has everything. Guarantied they don't have this!"
Who the f*ck is that generous?

[General Gaming / Re: neo geo]

MVS all the way, fantastic system.

[Off-Topic / The “What-Did-You-Buy-Today?” Thread]

I know it's a bit of a waste of money when I have the Dreamcast version; but I like my N64 better at the moment, and sits nicely with Sin & Punishment and Yuke Yuke Troublemakers:

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

Model 2s are more or less like Duos, right?  If so, the disc is indeed spun by the spindle below; the thing in the lid is a magnetic clamp that holds the disc down so it doesn't fly off of the spindle.  It sounds like your clamp thingy is warped and not properly spinning with the disc.

Yes, this is the exact same problem I had with the CD player I was talking about.

[General Gaming / Re: The ugliest console ever created??]

Slightly off topic; but the worst controllers are the Nuon ones, these are the two I've tried:

[Off-Topic / The “What-Did-You-Buy-Today?” Thread]

By the way, I think Streets of Rage 2's box art beats out the Japanese version's for sure!

It is kinda shite by Japanese standards.
Got my Jap Hellfire and Yuke Yuke Trouble makers today too.

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

just to be sure, we're talking about the disk under the lid right? that sits on top of the cd on the model 2.

I've never seen a model 2. But the CD will be spun by a plate and if the plate doesn't "stick" to the CD, the CD will slip.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Star Soldier R or Bomberman Blast?]

Star Soldier R; but I do think they should have released a full version even on download.

[Off-Topic / The “What-Did-You-Buy-Today?” Thread]

You can never punch and kick enough people:

[General Gaming / Re: The ugliest console ever created??]

I'd like to stick up for the N64 a little here, the Japanese two tone models are quite nice:


I agree that the PS2 should have been much better designed, it looks like whoever did the design work had never looked at any of the prettier machines produced before it.
The original XBOX did redeem itself a little with the crystal model.
I quite like the dinky Wii, but am still awaiting the "piss yellow" limited edition:


It is possible to make your own ugly consoles too. I called this my "Frankensaturn":


My vote for ugliest console that possibly doesn't qualify would be the original DS, especially when the DS Lite is so nice:

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: [?]are scanlines important for you?]

Normally I'm a purist (never use emulators); but my PC Engine looks fantastic on my LCD TV, so I guess scanlines aren't a big deal for me.

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

what is the black disc's purpose? is it supposed to spin with the disc ? would tape work?

I can't check inside my model 1; but I did have a CD player with a plastic disk that the CD sat on and over the years it must have become brittle and the CD's didn't spin in time with the disk (the plastic disk is what spins the CD), they kept slipping.
I'm trying to remember what I did to fix it...

Anyone any ideas how to make a plastic surface more "tacky"?

[General Gaming / Re: The ugliest console ever created??]

I do think my full Japanese Mega Drive setup is so ugly it's impressive:


As for others... I didn't think much of the original Playstation: it was just a grey brick, and I'm struggling to think of many others.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: PCE Shooters are the best]

Yep, the PC-E is the best for old school shooters.
Although recently I've been collecting some Mega Drive stuff and there's a lot of similar style shooters.
Musha Aleste, Bari-Arm, Thunder Force IV, Elemental Master, Gunstar Heroes, Dennin Aleste etc. and that's only the ones I've got round to buying.

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

i have a model 2 that makes a pretty loud scrathing noise when playing the disc, when i push down on the cover a lil the noise stops. is there something that can be done to the black disc under the lid, sonds like it could be loose

It could be that the disks are "slipping" on the black disk. Try making the black disk more "sticky" and see if it helps.

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

This is why I have stayed away from Model 1. Model 2 FTW!

Model 1 for the aesthetics and general all round coolness though.

[Off-Topic / Re: Issues with eBay Seller London.21 aka the.recordmans.music]

When I have to sell something via Ebay and use Buy It Now, I simply put that the auction requires immediate payment.
That's what he seller should have done if they were going to use all the bullshit excuses they did.
The bottom line is, they got greedy. And the guy sounds like a serious twat; he should have taken the negative feedback and just shut up.
On a related note, I have a rather nice Battle Bakraid for sale at the moment, and every time I sell something outside of forum of trusted users, I worry about what's going to go wrong.
I got well screwed when a Third Strike Kit I sold somehow didn't work when it arrived at the buyers house. I couldn't have used more bubblewrap if I tried.

I hate Ebay.

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

I guess the better question is what do you plan to do with it? If you don't want to get it fixed how much would you let it go for, and how much would shipping be? I am almost positive it is the eprom losing it's data.

I with you on the eprom thing.
I would like to get it fixed as I don't think the life expectancy of these machines is that great and I would like to have a spare.
If you are willing to have a go at fixing it, how much are we talking as I would like to keep it.
PM me the details if you want.
Thanks, Dar.

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

Actually nothing is truly unfixable. It's all just a matter of how much time/resources you wanna invest into it. In the case of that pic I have a strong suspicion that it might not be too hard to fix. It looks like either bad edge connection between the mega cd and megadrive, a broken trace, or the bios chip going bad, all of which are not that hard at all to fix if you know basic stuff about electronics. Try burning a fresh bios to an eprom and replace the mask rom in your unit OR if you have a unit that has a socketed eprom, just reprogram that eprom. If you do have a socketed eprom storing the bios, I'll bet you that it has started to lose it's data.

If you still have that unit and the knackered optical unit, I'd be interested in taking a look at it.

I tried all the "normal" stuff like cleaning the connectors and making sure they were tight enough. When it comes to burning an eprom, that's beyond my ability, although it is socketed.
The CD drive isn't fully knackered, it may just not be aligned properly.
I'm not much of a technical whiz.

I assume you are in the US, which would make shipping the unit over a bit expensive; but not impossible.
I'm sure it's fixable by the right person.

[General Gaming / Re: sega cd 1 repairs]

I recently ended up having to buy two model 1 Mega-CD units (both Japanese) and neither were cheap.
Mainly because the first went a bit tits-up, so I got some of my money back (I kept some of the stuff that was part of the deal and was also allowed to keep the Mega-CD):

Apparently this is pretty much unfixable.

My second unit then wouldn't load CD's for the first five or so minutes of use. I suspected a lense problem and decided to take the lense unit from the knackered machine and put it into the new one.
I now have a perfect working setup.


The moral of this story is that the hardware is seriously flaky and I wish you luck on fixing it.

[Off-Topic / The “What-Did-You-Buy-Today?” Thread]

I recently purchased a Japanese Nintendo 64 in order to enjoy the games in their original 60Hz goodness (I'm from the UK where everything used to be crippled by 50Hz PAL releases).

I've put together a nice collection including Wave Race (one of the greatest games made).
It was a little time after this that I realised there was a Japanese re-release of the game with Rumble Pak support, so I finally got my copy of that delivered today.

It's important to play Wave Race in the best way possible.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: FS: 69 Games (PC Engine/Turbo DUO) & Accessories!!!]

It's worth a shot:
How about Salamander and Castlevania for $100 + shipping to the UK.

Or you can tell me where to go...

Ah well.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What would you do?]

Hey, I didn't know you can do this. Does the paint chip after a few dings?  I'm trying to find a permanent solution to turning plastic buttons a different color.

The paint is basically spray on plastic, so it won't chip. It's made by "Plasticoat" or something here in the UK.
You simply need to spray several thin layers, giving enough time between coats.