AV Famicom EXP Port Differences

[aitsu124]

So I can't load my custom levels/progress in supported games, and I've traced the problem to the keyboard... or so I thought; while browsing, I found a source that said that the ASCII Stick Turbo Jr. won't work on the AV Famicom, the system I'm using. So, before I go out and buy another keyboard (or anything else with the needed jacks), are there any differences between the EXP port on the original Famicom and AV that could be causing this?

[P]

First time I hear that things don't work on AV Famicom. But I don't have an AV Facmiom so I can't confirm anything.

Before blaming the keyboard I would try to replace something cheaper first though. You are using an old Nintendo Data Recorder right? Maybe something is wrong with that. I'd try recording to a modern tape player (if you can still get them in your country) or mp3 player or anything that can record via an line-in jack.

[aitsu124]

It's not the Data Recorder; knowing that I can save everything just fine, and that I hear noise when loading, I plugged headphones into the DR and they worked. I've also tried loading from my computer, and though I don't hear anything, it still doesn't load.

As a side note for when I'm testing this: how long am I supposed to wait for these things to load? I know I've waited at least long enough when testing both the DR and computer (about ten minutes), but how long is the normal waiting time?

[P]

Not terribly long. Of course when loading a big program it takes some time until everything has loaded, and BG SCREEN data takes a good while (not ten minutes though), but if you put names on your programs when saving, Family BASIC will display LOADING [program-name] as soon as it finds the program header on the tape. So by giving names to your programs, you should get feedback pretty fast (unless the program is far away on the tape).

When loading there's no need to specify the name though (unless you have more than one program on the tape and you don't know where it is). It will just load the first program it finds.

[aitsu124]

Yeah, it's looking to be the keyboard. I've also tested it to where I also know it's not the cable.

With custom levels/progress, which is what I'm loading, it's supposed to show something for when it finds that as well, right?

[P]

Every game is different. I don't remember if Excitebike, Wrecking Crew or any of the others shows something when it finds the data. It might be easier to test with Family BASIC first if you have that. Just type in a garbage program in BASIC mode like:

Code Select Expand


10 CLS

Record it on tape (SAVE "HELLO" or whatever) and then turn off power to make sure it's erased from the RAM. Then turn on again and try loading it (just type LOAD and play the tape). If it succeeds, type LIST to see if the same program comes up.

[aitsu124]

Unfortunately, I don't have FB. However, I do remember that at least some games I have will show "N102" or whatever it thinks it's called under loading at some point, likely when the data is detected. I haven't gotten this when testing.

[P]

I see, too bad. A flashcart works as well if you have that.

It's possible it says something when it detects the data. But the data in those games doesn't have a header with a name that you can enter (what I remember anyway).

[aitsu124]

Unfortunately, I don't have that either. But I do know that something would've come up if the data had been found. Despite the fact that it was sold as tested and working, it's very possible that my keyboard was tested solely with FB and not with the DR. Plus, it's not in the best condition to begin with.

[P]

Yeah and "tested" probably doesn't include the tape modulation module. I guess they only tested that all keys registered in Famibe.

Someone else that had problem with saving/loading said that the 3.5 mm jacks was rusty inside, so if you are looking to repair it the first thing to try might be to replace those.

[aitsu124]

I heard about that, tried thoroughly cleaning and scraping but neither worked.

Since it should've been tested with Family Basic, and I just need a cheap device that can read data, there's a thread for Famiclone keyboards and I might just use one of those.