Messages

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

I understand where you came from, not saying that you should understand necessarily where I came from. Each of you spoke and made clear their thoughts.

I tried to be friendly and honest, thinking that I could talk with other adult people about a passion (video games), and a console in particular, but some obviously do not have the same attitude than others, and honestly I have no reason here to cause any kind of problem to your "ecosystem"...I was not here to launch pebbles in the water and have fun looking at the circles that I caused.

To be precise: I asked info about prices without using my ebay account; I know that it is hard to believe that there may be someone out there with the same nick, but it is also hard to believe that a grown up man (not a kid, a man), would be so retard to create an account on this board using the same nick that he uses on ebay....especially since he is a greedy bastard that just wants to monitor the board to see where he can make profit, right? Would be much easier to create a new account with a totally different name, don't you think? Anyway, I am still wondering why am I explaining this; if you want to believe that it was me, I am fine with it; I do not control what you believe, so you are free to think whatever you prefer.

I am thinking that on this board there are people that are in fact doing what you accused me to do, that sell stuff on ebay and use this forum to make profit; maybe you never knew it because they never mentioned it (and I may understand now why they didn't); If this is what is bothering you, then you should start to find these people, instead than throwing stones at whom was trying to be honest.

And to be clear, I asked for repairs info, for a paid service, not out of charity (and thanks to all that has sent me messages and to whom gave suggestions on that thread); I am part of a BMW forum and asking for a good mechanic is basically one of the most simple form of participation in there; If this is considered taking advantage, then I would be really surprised to see you going on sites like stackoverflow and give for free suggestions, about how to resolve technical problems Maybe all the forums where I've been are different, and was expecting the same here.

I would not be entering in any raffle before having this conversation with some of you, you can imagine now...I may not have money but for sure I do not eat on the back of others...I rather starve than do that, and I care about my pride, because that's how was raised. None of you knows me so I can understand that you need to think badly about someone that spoke like I did...you can always say that what I wrote ticked you off, and I understand that, so no big deal.

I guess that gathering electronic items called video games (because I can't use the word "collecting" without giving it a bad name with my actions), is not something that I can afford; I cannot afford to keep all that I buy without selling it, nor I can guarantee to myself that I will be able to never ever get rid of it, for a reason or another...this makes me a person that just buy electronics when he can, not a collector. PRobably I do not have the right, to feel emotions as some of you, since I am in a different situation. All that I should feel is the noise of the coins in the purse, like a greedy goblin, right? Sorry, it isn't exactly like that.

Anyway, thanks for making it clear where you stand; it was a pleasure to meet all of you, independently from how you treated me (always thankful for meeting nice people, but even more grateful for knowing people which I should never interact anymore). I will take my leave, so you don't have to worry about me anymore (and no, I will not open another account; you can rest assured about that, and you can even save my IP address to verify...I have no interest in such childish behaviors; I have kids, I am not a kid myself).

Wish you the best and please, go ahead and remove my posts and my account; or keep them and make fun of them; whatever suits you. Thanks for having me here.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

@Darshie; I should explain at this point that a big deal on these forums are people that use what we see as a hobby for profit - thereby driving up the prices for those of us that collect out of love for the system.  So talk of selling for profit doesn't go down well, as most of us help each other out by sharing games at cost price rather than profiting, so that the price stays low and others get to enjoy.

I see where you're coming from, I wouldn't want to invest in something temporary only to lose interest and sell it for a loss later, but unfortunately that is a possibility here.  And the worst thing would be to take advantage of generosity here, to turn it to your personal profit later.

Maybe your best bet is to start out with a flash card to give your system a test run without to much outlay.  If you find yourself enjoying the system, maybe you'll stick with it, but if you're here for a quick in-out, make a quick buck, you'll likely find yourself unwelcome - at least in the trading threads, if not hostility elsewhere.  Just a heads up

If I give this impression I am sorry because it was not the idea; in the same way you buy a car, hoping to not spend thousands in repair, and hoping that last for long time, I try to cover my back, in case that I need to get rid of part of the collection (as I tried to explain in the previous post).

I am not for a quick in and out; I've been waiting 15 years to buy this console, and even if I have the emulators, it is not the same thing; I wanted the real thing.

I still own an Amiga, which is still working, and it is my most dear thing, because was the first thing that I purchased with my own money, when I've got my first job. Even if I play on the computer with the emulator; I have floppy that I use, because is that feeling of owning something that makes it special, and if it is not tangible, is just crap.

I am planning to build my collection, I don't plan to abuse of anyone's time or generosity, and if I can do anything for the community I am more than happy to do it; but if you see me as a person that one day will sell his games; there is nothing that I can do to change it....you make your own ideas about people, and most likley once you have an idea, you won't change it.

If I gotta buy something and make a loss on it, so be it; I bought a 40 years old car trying to restore it, and after 5 years I still have it, even if it cost me a lot of money in repairs...i wanted it, and once I had the chance to get one, I purchased it, and unless I gotta get rid of it because I get kicked out of my actual job, I plan to keep it. But I am realistic...dunno where you came from, or how is your life style; I see mine and I have no long term hope to be in a stable position, so gotta also consider what may possibly get if I need to depart from my collection.

I appreciated your words and the fact that you didn't just jump on my head before giving me the time to explain.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

I am not sure how did I offended anyone...I didn't came here out of the blue, saying that collecting games is a waste of time, and has to be done only for profit and such things. I feel like this is all that you see in what I posted, which is highly one-sided honestly, and on the verge of the "if you are not thinking what we say, you are not even worth to talk to".

I desired to own a PCE (and many other console), since when I was a kid; but I never had the money, nor the possibility to even buy one....the best that I've got was an intellivision used, because that's all that my parents were able to afford. I grew up and decided that when I will have the money, I will buy what I always wanted....and here I am, buying all the things that I dreamed of.

If for you is offensive to think that I have the desire one day, to sell my collection and get the money that I put in, I have no idea what to say. I don't buy with the idea to sell; I buy knowing that eventually I will have to sell...if you are lucky to have a great job, a stable family, a house that is yours and space and time to do all that you want, I am happy for you; I am not in this situation. I move around, I need to sell something sometimes, and then when I can I buy it again, so forgive me if I have to keep an eye on the wallet too; because if I find myself in a tight situation, at least I know that I can move on for a bit, until I have again the chance to get back what I had to sell.

If I had the money I would probably invest in stocks, buy a farm and grow animals, or get a nice house in Malibu or in LA, but is not my case; if your life is all good and happy, and you can spend as much as you want, buying systems and games to your heart content, I am happy for you, and hope that you will always be in this situation.

I tried to explain where I came from; if you collect for your own reason I have no right to neither judge you, nor to say anything...it is your passion and you live it in the way that you deem right; I try to do what I can to follow my passions, and to keep an eye to the financial situation. Then if I get tired of something, I am glad to pass on what I have to someone else that can enjoy it, like I did the first time that I touched 15-25 years old hardware that I only dreamed about, when I was a teen (yes, most of the people from whom I sold or bought stuff were teens or under 25; I wish I was so lucky).

Anyway, thanks for the attacks, and thanks for demonstrating me that not even on a video game forum, I can talk about something, without being labeled as a "not worthy", because I don't follow the fanatic approach that many people has. Instead of finding the common points between people, some can just see the differences and blame the others because they are not like them; and this is really sad.

I never offended anyone; nor I mind you doing it...it is a forum on internet; I can simply accept that some people are like that and avoid them. I am sure that the games that you purchased were not sold by people to make money; they did it for free, out of their love for other fellow game lovers; or even worst; they had to sell it maybe to pay their bill at the end of the month; but you don't care right?

I thank the people that were civil and polite, and that made their point without excess; usually you always get back what you do, so I prefer to do good.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

Well, my preferences are based on 2 points:

1) I am making a collection, but I don't want to invest thousands unless it is worth....I know that the whole thing of saving goes against the main point of collecting something (it is expensive by definition). If I can go on with what I have already, I am glad to avoid to spend more money So for now I have the 2.0 card and I can play and collect games that run on a 2.0; then I can buy a 3.0 and buy other games that run on 3.0. The arcade card sounds good, but since I do not play these games, I don't buy them just for the sake of the collection....it is a delicate balance between what I play and like, and what I collect jut for making a profit once I will sell it.

2) I collect other systems and other things....and I have a simple job so I can't afford "everything", nor I can settle on just collecting one thing I spend already hundreds on collectible toys and games, so once that I run low on cash I gotta prioritize, and the arcade games for the PCE are really low on the list.
The idea is that eventually I will run low on interest and sell the PCE collection (or my wife kicks me out of the house first); and start with something else, so at least I want to get first what I play with, and enjoy, before than just buying for the sake of completeness.

Neo Geo sells pretty well; I had multiple offers from many collectors, to get my games and console, so that's why I went for that road...with the PCE I've noticed that prices may vary a lot (some crazy people were selling bomberman "sealed" for 400 bucks; while others had an almost new copy for less than 50 dollars...but even with non sealed games the prices goes wildly), and this is scary since if I buy games that I don't even play, for a bunch of money, and then want to sell, I get stuck if the market goes down.
I will buy and sell stocks if I wanna go for that road, hence my idea to focus on what retain value.

Of course you can tell me "then do not collect games, because this is what it is", but I would find this pretty limiting....we do things because we want, and we do not stop just because someone think differently, right?

I am not asking you to understand me of course; we are all different after all ;) I don't know why any of you collect PCE stuff, but all that I collect is because I love it,I had it when I was a kid or never had it when I was a kid; I am attached to my stuff and sometimes sad when I get rid of them; In a perfect world I have the time, the money and the space where to put anything I want, but ain't gonna happen in the real world.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

Thanks for the suggestions....I realized that pomping world is called also Pang....loved that game on the arcade

I will check splash lake from the gameplay videos looks fun! I love puzznic, plotting, puyo puyo and columns...puzzle are perfect for having some fun, between a shooter and an action game

Honestly; if I get the Arcade games with the card; how much value do they retain? I want a complete collection but if I gotta put money for something that I don't really play (I have most of them on the NEo geo), at least I hope that they will keep in value

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

Thanks for the suggestions; I will go for the ENG version them

I've checked that store and it has pretty good prices; has a lot of good feedback so most likely I will give them a try. But do I really need the arcade card? I have already the Neo geo games on the original console, so I am not planning to get any of them for the PCE (plus it is 60 bucks...I saw some 3.0 cards for about 20-30).

Accepting offers is a good thing! Usually I wonder why people put on Ebay that they accept offers when in the end they never take your offer

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

Um...I don't have an answer to that. I don't know what you mean by "SG".

If you don't speak Japanese I would get the US version.

My BAd, I meant TG (turbo grafx).

So they are worth the same ? In that case I would go for the EN version.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Lots of games on ebay; are these prices OK?]

How many luke skywalker, han solo, picard and such are around ? I used this one since I watched Bastard!!! (it is a manga, kinda like Berserk), and I assume that I am not the only one that read it and likes it.

If I was related I would subscribe here with a different nick, don't you think ? Has been not even a month that I am on this board.

If my nick was Jon Bon Jovi would you question my identity ? Anyway removing the link; I've got the feedback that I was looking for. Thanks guys!

if your nick was jon bon jovi I'd question your sanity.  and if you linked to another jon bon jovi i would even more so.

Spot on

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Lots of games on ebay; are these prices OK?]

How many luke skywalker, han solo, picard and such are around ? I used this one since I watched Bastard!!! (it is a manga, kinda like Berserk), and I assume that I am not the only one that read it and likes it.

If I was related I would subscribe here with a different nick, don't you think ? Has been not even a month that I am on this board.

If my nick was Jon Bon Jovi would you question my identity ? Anyway removing the link; I've got the feedback that I was looking for. Thanks guys!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

Thanks for your replies I think that I will go for most of the ones that you mentioned.

BTW is there a difference in collector's price between the english and japanese version? Since Y's is available also for SG, I was wondering if is better to get the Jap or Eng version, to retain more the value of the game

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Lots of games on ebay; are these prices OK?]

So are you this eBay seller and is this your way of promoting your own goods for sale? If so no-one here will care, just come out with it.

Other than that, if you like his prices and want to buy local go for it, what do you need from us?

Nope, isn't me; incidentally we share a similar nick, but I am not selling, I am buying for now. If I'll need to sell I'll not have problems to say it.

I was just looking for suggestions from more experienced PC Engine buyers, about pricing and convenience of buying local vs order from JP....hence my original post, pointing at this ebay user as example.

If you know more locals that has good prices, you can post their names...so far I've heard only about Bernie.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Lots of games on ebay; are these prices OK?]

Thanks for your replies.

So from what I can tell, reading your comments, it is SAFER to buy in Japan, using non tracking shipping methods?

I saw that seller and saw that he has a lot of games for PCEngine, and told myself that it was a good deal to buy "local"; but if you tell me that is more convenient to get from JP then I will probably look also at international sellers at this point.

Black tiger, so EMS is a waste? Regular cheap mail is fine? Then why do you say that he has misleading listings? To me they look just like all the others (at least for the few games that I was interested in...I saw that he also sell case and manual without game, but I don't need it, since I always buy the complete package...I am against buying just the HUCard honestly).

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

Thanks roflmao I've noticed that the majority are all SCD, and it sucks that I cannot play them (yet)

I've heard of spriggan (which seems not the same spriggan of the anime that came out years ago); but ys are not RPGs? Is there an EN version that would play with the 2.0 system card?

Gotta check the others...other than darius are new to me

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Games on CD worth buying, that works with the system card 2.0]

Hi guys

I found myself a bit disoriented about CD games...I've got  2.0 system card with my CD unit, and figured out that it will not play Super cd games

Until I find a 3.0 card at a decent price, I was wondering if you can suggest me some games that are worth getting for the 2.0 system.

I have the emulator for the PC engine, so I can try the HUcard games, but for the CD I was not able to find any image, ready to play on the emulator (found some archives with a bunch of audio files, but I was not able to find ISO images that can be mounted on the virtual drive, so the emulator would read them). So I have no idea about the games available for the CD2.

Any suggestion? I would exclude RPGs since I don't read Japanese (same for any other game that involves reading the text to understand and play the game); Other than that I have no particular preferences...trying to build my collection so anything goes

I will eventually buy also Super CD2 games, when I find the system card, but for now I would like to start with the CD2 games

Thanks!

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Lots of games on ebay; are these prices OK?]

I just now realized that all the really low bid titles are really just empty cases with manual only. So that basically leaves every game the guy is selling as priced too high.

Yeah, I've seen better prices, but not in US...I am just worried about ordering from JP (especially when the seller tells you that he does not give tracking number...by the time you get the game, if you get it, the 30 days for the protection plan are gone for good). I will most likely skip the guy then; thanks for your comments!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: any reliable place where to get a cap replacement for a GT?]

Thanks for your replies I am glad to see that there are so many talented technicians, and that there is no competition among the members....

Have been on other groups and was quite awkward to see people spitting on each other in the same forum. I can understand that there are differences among each member, but I like to see that the majority act as group for the sake of the group

I will consider these names, since I am planning to do the job soon.

Thanks!!! And BTW if you had job done by any of these members suggested, and want to share your experience (like Bernie did), feel free to!

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: Lots of games on ebay; are these prices OK?]

Indeed I've noticed a fluctuation in the prices around....even for the console, I saw people selling the cd2 with interface and the PCE for more than 300 USD (without games), while in Japan it cost you less but you gotta pay a lot for the shipping...so I am more oriented to a US seller instead

I will check your thread Bernie ;) I want to build my little collection with well kept pieces, and seems that you have well kept pieces

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Lots of games on ebay; are these prices OK?]

Hi all

[link removed, to avoid to be associated with this user]


I have noticed that the games are not excessively rare (I am still new at the whole PCE scene, I know maybe 20% of the games), and that you can find them for a similar price on JP Ebayers sites, but I was wondering if is convenient to buy from Ebay users in JP (shipping costs, chances to get the items damaged or lost; what to do if the items are defective, customs costs and so on).

What do you think? Should I just order from JP users?

Thanks!

PS: he has almost the same nick as me, but is not me LOL

[Console Repair/Mod Center / any reliable place where to get a cap replacement for a GT?]

Hi all

My little one is starting to fade out...the sound is almost gone and I would like to do a full cap replacement, but I don't really have neither time nor skill to do it decently.

Is there any place that you would suggest, which is in USA, that does the cap replacement and does it right? Heard about some users from this forum that does repair, so I was wondering if you do also caps replacement and how much is the average charge for this kind of repair.

I am interested in hearing your success stories; if someone did a cap replacement for your GT and it is still working after a long time, that's the kind of experience that I would like to hear

Thanks in advance!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: white PC engine - trying to figure out if it is still working]

The fuse seems intact, not sure why I cannot read any current there at all; I also have a very cheap multimeter....I would not be surprised if that thing won't work as expected (or I am not setting it correctly...altho I am not sure then why I can get a correct reading at the connector).

Do you mean voltage? The only way to check current with a normal meter is to make a break in the circuit somewhere (for example, remove the fuse) and with the meter in Ammeter mode install hook it up across the opening in the circuit. With the circuit intact you can only check voltage.

Voltmeters measure voltage difference. If the fuse is in tact and you are measuring across it in Voltmeter mode you will get nothing on a working system. With the power on there will be zero difference in voltage because fuses have no resistance. With the system off you'll have nothing because...its off. You will only see voltage across a fuse if the fuse is blown.

The best way to check a soldered-in fuse is to hook the ground wire of the meter to a chassis ground, power the system up, and measure voltage on one side of the fuse and then the other. They should read the same.

Not that this matters, evidently, since you seem to have a good fuse.

Then I swapped my white PCE and it boots, but there is no video. I can hear the game music going, and it respond to the pad buttons (i hear the sound effects, meaning that in fact the console works), but no video.

At this point I know that the little white fella is alive, so now I assume that I shall start to look in the video area to see why I get nothing. There is no signal at all from the AV cable, only the audio works.

Anything that I should check? Is this even possible to be fixed or should I just sell it for parts on ebay?

That's not common. My first question is, is there any evidence of mods being done to this system? If its never been hacked then its probably a blown cap or resistor. Maybe it has one of those bullshit HK PAL mods and your TV just isn't syncing with it?

Sorry, I meant Voltage (V); I am quite rusty on my electronic...has been probably 25 years since my last exam at college (i just remember Voltage and current intensity applied to resistors...and few formulas to calculate ).

That makes sense now....all that i know about a fuse is that it has a connection, so if the electricity pass trough it, you should be able to catch it, but I forgot that V is in fact the difference of potential energy among the electrons, so in fact, it is equal to 0 in an open circuit (and a fuse is an open circuit, unless is blown). Thanks for giving me the spark (pun intended ), about this I need to measure the current intensity (i), to see if in fact there is any activity going on....but my multimeter seems to read only V and ohm....gotta check the instructions.

Regarding the pre-existing modding:
Now that I think about it....there was a wire going across the board; plus I can see residual of some soldering points made after (they are quite big, so I exclude that they are in fact from the factory)...I removed it since it was attached only on one point, and I don't remember to ever see any wire across any PC Engine board.

I will take a picture of the bottom of the board so you can see what I am talking about...maybe they tried to do some sort of mod and blew up something...I didn't tried to check cap by cap yet, so for now I am preparing to see where to focus to find out what is wrong
BTW I am using a CD interface, so the RF unit should be totally bypassed, and the signal should be taken from the rear connector....which means that if I hook up some wires there, most likely there will be no signal.

I wonder if anyone ever posted the schematics for the origina PCE, or some repair guide/troubleshooting...I keep religiously the original schematics of the Commodore Amiga, just in case that I need to repair mine, but I can't find too much material on PCE, unless you need pure schematics (which requires a degree in IC design and engineering I assume ).

If it won't work, I will probably use the case to put in a micro computer and make my own PCE mod

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: white PC engine - trying to figure out if it is still working]

You might not get much for it - I say you make it a little project.

First get your multimeter and see if there's voltage coming through any of the video pins in the external bus.  Try composite and RGB.

Sounds good; will go for a hunt on the board to see what is going on. I know that they are cheap so I was in fact wondering if it is even worth to give it to someone to have it fixed

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: white PC engine - trying to figure out if it is still working]

Thanks guys for your reply!

The fuse seems intact, not sure why I cannot read any current there at all; I also have a very cheap multimeter....I would not be surprised if that thing won't work as expected (or I am not setting it correctly...altho I am not sure then why I can get a correct reading at the connector).

Today I was able to get a loaner from a friend: a CD interface!

So I have plugged in my other core graft (which I know is in working conditions), using the cd interface AV cables and AC adapter, and the CG works just fine.

Then I swapped my white PCE and it boots, but there is no video. I can hear the game music going, and it respond to the pad buttons (i hear the sound effects, meaning that in fact the console works), but no video.

At this point I know that the little white fella is alive, so now I assume that I shall start to look in the video area to see why I get nothing. There is no signal at all from the AV cable, only the audio works.

Anything that I should check? Is this even possible to be fixed or should I just sell it for parts on ebay?

Thanks!!!!!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: white PC engine - trying to figure out if it is still working]

Thanks soop for the reply.

So basically the first step is to make a quick soldering on the expansion connector and see if I get any video out?

Which pin should I solder on the center connector and which pin for the outer connector, on the RCA jack? if the pin are not too small I can make decent blob without doing any short circuit...paid that thing 20 bucks so can't really complain if in fact is just broken.

Thanks!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / white PC engine - trying to figure out if it is still working]

Hi all

Finally after many years, was able to get back into my passion of collecting old console, and got few of them.

After a successful purchase of a GT and a CGII with the CD unit (which I am still waiting to receive from Japan), I've got also a white non tested PCE for few bucks.

I've got an AC adapter at the local electronic store, so I can power the console, but I am not sure exactly how do you check if the console is working or not, since has no led and I have no RF unit cable to hook it up to a TV.

I've heard of mods that you can do to get the video signal and pass it on a RCA cable (so you end up with the standard composite out), but the best that I was able to find was a diagram with the rear expansion connector of the console...I am a total newbie with electronic stuff, so would be awesome if there is anywhere a post with detailed instructions about how to make this mod.

Also I was wondering if there is anything that I should check on the console itself...I've take it apart and checked with my multimeter that the power is in fact reaching the console, and so far I can read 9V on the connector pins; the fuse seems to be intact (but when I tried to switch the console on and test the fuse contacts, there was no current going trough).

Is there something that is known to be faulty on the white models, that I should replace or fix...before even starting to do the video mod?

I would not mind to send it to someone to have it fixed (if it would not cost a fortune of course), but it is also fun to do some DYI

You guys here have a huge amount of expertise, so I hope that someone can give me some advices.

Thanks!