What's new Pussycat too?

Same view different number plates

 

Picked up a non-analog joystick for the Dragon off feeBay and it works well...

 

NICE! Definitely a needed accessory considering those frightful sticks that Dragon made for their computer!

 

No problem with the games Richie, as always my pleasure to pass on some stuff..I'd rather see it used than sell it..

 

It’s my signature Paul regarding Paul Woakes passing away back in 2017. I am eternally grateful for the copy of Encounter! You sent me though.

 

LOL....OOPS

Didn't really look at it but thought "no need to thank me again Richie"

That's made me chuckle, first one of the day

 

As Matt commented, mate, that jossie really looks the part and should stand you in good stead with games like Chuckie Egg!

Naturally, I'm also lurving the Atmos colour-scheme(!) ;-)

 

Never thought of that Andy but you’re right, the sellers are also selling BBC Micro versions on eBay as well if you feel the need for a Beeb joystick, price is a bit rich for me but they are there nonetheless.
If you let me know how much for the extras I’ll sort something out, I don’t want you out of pocket on stuff that wasn’t in the original deal.

 

@Vyper68 Now you can clean up the Dragon brand joysticks and put them up on permanent display and never have to touch them again except with a duster.

 

Finally got a copy of Encounter! on disk for the Atari

 

Shame you can't play it until you fixed Andy's Oric

 

LOL! Cut Rich some slack, Graham...
That could take a few weeks!!
Brilliant looking condition, Vyper - you must be tickled pink with that acquisition.
Hope you didn't pay too far over the odds but whatever - I know Paul Woakes' work is worth it.
Matt speaks highly of this game too - it's very very smooth action.
CLASSIC, FELLA!

 

Yeah it’s proving irksome but I think the 6502 is failing, it only boots intermittently on my working Oric-1 and when I Isolated/disconnected it from the power rails on the PCB then the Voltage Regulator went back up to 4.9V before that it was only 3.6V.

 

Oh dear... doesn't sound too promising at the mo then, mate.

See how you go and if I have to relist as spares/repairs, then so be it.

Cheers, Rich.

 

Yep sounds like a duff 6502, its not one made in Mexico by any chance ? think they are more prone to that issue, presumably a different FAB plant.
let me know if you need a 6502 posted up.
Also I could send a WDC 65C02S only just got this but I can replace as not using at the moment.

 

They had a disk version of Dropzone for sale too but it went for £67 in the end.

 

wow ... thats a fair markup on there original cost ...
I hope the disk is good, you'll have to tell us how it runs.

 

BLOODY HELL!!!

 

I have a R65c02P4 some where so I could pop that in to test my theory, just waiting on some sockets now, all the resistors are ok as well spent the afternoon with a Oric, multimeter and schematics. My eyes are killing me now... I need to get a magnifier

 

It booted first time Graham so had half an hour blasting away

 

Rich, I have one of those "multi helping hands" things with a magnifier which I can send up if it's any use rather than it just sitting here gathering dust:

 

Hi Richie

Nice one I'm glad the disk runs fine good idea to back it up if you can.

Can you confirm what items you need to fix the Oric, I'm guessing a CPU, I can send up some turned pin sockets as well. What did you want to do re a Gotek for Andy, I guess you either have or have ordered the 3" drive face for this?

One thing I did think of, and I'm not sure it's been documented anywhere, is changing out the linear voltage regulator for a switching version. You can then ditch the heat sink in the Oric as it will run that cool.
This does mean a few wiring changes as you can only get positive rail regulators so not just a drop in replacement. Requires a bridge rectifier purely for safety (polarity of incoming DC) wired across the power input socket, wiring the new regulator direct to its output, and connecting the new regulator output to the positive and negative points on the original board. may need wrapping the new regulator in capton tape, it won't be getting hot at all, so just needs insulating from anything else.

The original brick PSU is still giving out about 15V for what becomes 5V so producing a fair bit of heat.

Let me know please as can send off first thing in the morning if required. p.s WDC chip not directly compatible but have standard 6502's I have a switching regulator and a should have a small bridge rectifier or individual diodes to make one.

Welcome to call or text me any time after about 8AM

 

[Encounter!] A classic game that was ground-breaking 3D when it came out. Simple, yet addictive, and faster moving than similar games like Battlezone. I'm a very big fan of a similar game, that is deeper, but only enemies in the 360 degree 3D world and no pillars: Dimension X by Synapse, another ground-breaking 3D game that came out around the same time. but it has a real story and different levels/areas to go to via tunnels like X-wing fighters and in the Death Star trench, some that need to be cleared of enemies, some bonus areas and areas that repair your ship, etc. It gets more play-time from me...though I don't fully understand it yet and need to take the time to find and read the manual!

 

I’ll have to check that one out Matt as I’ve not heard of that one before.

 

If you have never seen Dimension X, you should be bloody well impressed by the visuals, moving checkerboard ground even better than Ball Blazer (more like arcade Space Harrier), killer sprite scaling, especially when entering the tunnels...