shmups.system11.org

Well, here I am with more glitch stories. This one is driving me nuts.

I have an NESRGB modded NES-101. I have two seperate N8s that I have tested on this thing.
On both carts, on some games I will get white dots popping up on the screen here and there. Kind of like the Magical Pop'n dots, but worse. One game that shows it pretty well is Raf World, on the first boss. The background is black, so you can see it quite well. I have noticed glitches like that in Kabuki, Raf World, and the JP versions of Metal Storm and Castlevania III. I'm sure it would show up in others, but that's what I've been focused on right now.

I was thinking maybe it was the NESRGB. Or maybe a conflict with the NESRGB and my CSY 2100, but it doesn't do this with my original carts.

Like with Kabuki, I will get those glitches going within 4 tries of taking the cart out and then putting it back in. Sometimes it does it the first time, but sometimes it takes up to 4. I tried the real cart 25 times, and never got one glitch.

I want to try a different cable, but the official cables I have are too wide to fit with the palette switch.

Anyone have problems like this? Or can give me some advice on troubleshooting? I'm a bit stumped.

UPDATE: Here is video of Jason from Game Tech, talking about the issue on my NES and EverDrive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv0PaVG ... e=youtu.be

Update: I was able to try another RGB cable, another power supply, two different CSYs, 4 different OS, and it's still the same.

No problems with normal carts, but the ED has problems. Both of them.

And it's not just when I start a ROM. It will have these white dots all over the menu sometimes as well. And I don't have to take the cart out, and put it back in to fix it. I can just push reset, and it can go away. Or it can be doing fine, and I push reset, and then I get white dots.

Frustrating as hell.

I keep thinking it's an Everdrive problem, but wouldn't some other people have these issues? I mean, I have two of them, from two completely different places. So, I doubt they are faulty.

I have a everdrive n8 and a powerpak, I'll check it out and let you know.

No issues with my everdrive n8, powerpak, or my real journey to silius cart.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cw3nfeqqanfzzpu/raf.MKV

Hmm....

Yeah, I'm not having this problem with my unmodded NES 101.

So strange that it doesn't have the problem with any other carts though.

Jason from Game Tech thinks it could possible be the reset button causing the issue.

Thanks again for having a look at yours, Pasky.

Here's a pic of the issue. In the background, Robert Smith disapproves.

Ya, that definitely doesn't happen with any of my carts. Including the N8. That may be bad ram actually, or maybe it doesn't like the latch.

Could you explain that a bit? Ram and latch?

Also, this happens with two different Everdrives. And no real carts do this on my NES. It's bizarre.

The consoles IC's. I don't think it's bad ram, but it could be, looks more like the latch though. Some NES's have issues with flashcarts when using the slower speed latch (74LS) What does your PCB have? It'll either be a 74LS373 or 74HC373. If you have a 74LS373, try replacing it with a 74HC373 (order from digikey).

Hmm...that's interesting. Didn't know anything about that.

Unfortunately, I don't know what I have in the PCB, and I don't have a modder at the moment.

I'm kinda stuck.

Any way I can find out what kind of latch mine has? I have ordered that screwdriver bit that opens NES systems. Is there something I should be looking for?

Only way to find out is open it and look at the IC. The good news is, the chip is only about a dollar.

Check this video at 3:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jog3EdUXOQI

Jason (is that his name?) point to the 74LS373 and says that you need to switch it to the HC version for a PowerPak, but not for the N8. But maybe the HC version will help you too with the N8.

Hmm...maybe that has something to do with it.

I wouldn't be able to change those chips. I can have a look at them though.

is this problem limited to NES2 models ? In the video he's using a classic Arcade PPU RGB mod. Moosmann has been using a AV Famicom (and a frontloader NES) with the Arcade PPU successfully with the Powerpak without any glitches.

Don't think it was limited to the NES2, but it was an incompatibility with PC10 PPU in the old style rgb mod.

For the record, my NESRGB is at 1.3 at this point.

Here's a vid of Jason from Game Tech testing it out.

I'd have to think SOMEONE would have a more recent batch of ED, and would have seen this problem.

Take a look. If anyone can chime in, that'd be great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv0PaVG ... e=youtu.be

Looking at that video my Everdrive was built after yours (Adate: 16.12.13) but, mine is the Famicom version not the NES version. I don't see this issue on my Sharp Twin Famicom.

OK, that's a good place to start.

Anyone here who has a cpld ver 2, and it works fine with your NESRGB, please chime in.

Also, I seem to get the vibe this particular NES, does not like EverDrives(well, it likes Jason's older one, it seems).
Both EverDrives work fine on my unmodded NES. However, normal carts do not have this kind of activity on this NESRGB modded NES.

What can be the cause of a system not working well with an EverDrive?
Would it be likely it's the system or the NESRGB?

I'm gonna bump this thread, to see if anyone has come up with some ideas.

So, nothin'?

Depressing.

Surely swapping that one TTL is easier than installing the NESRGB. It certainly can't hurt.

How is your NESRGB being powered? Did you do the regulator swap?

I had mine installed by Game Tech, so however he does it.

I have an AV Fami with the Playchoice PPU and 74HC373 installed. I'd test for you but I don't have a PowerPak. If you want me to test with your PowerPak, happy to do so, send me a PM and we can discuss.

FWIW, most Japanese modders install the 74HC373 with the Playchoice PPU specifically for PowerPak use, so you may just want to have someone replace the chip for you. Anyone handy with a soldering iron can do it, I doubt it'll cost much. It's, what, 20 pins?

I have an update. Unfortunately, it's not a good one.

It seemed that the system had been fixed, if you've been keeping up with Jason's vids.
However, I got the system in today, and got the dots back, almost immediately.

I give up.

Well i have 4 NTSC Frontloader NES system here at the moment all fitted with the NESRGB and using a N8 Flashcart and havent come across this at all.

Are you using just the NES internal regulator or the NESRGB regulator as well as the internal one?

Get your money back.

I think Jason uses a different one than the stock one, but doesn't use the one that comes with the NESRGB. I think.

Been following Jason on YouTube. This problem is isolated to your setup. Noise is being introduced somewhere. I don't believe it's the everdrive. I think Jason did a hell of a job proving that he went above and beyond any installer on this. Short of him sending you his PSU and CRT not sure you can do much more. Sorry to hear about your problems.

Can you try a different power supply, TV or extension cord / power bar?