giantenemycat wrote on 2026-03-27, 13:40:

I was about to transplant a different board into this case, but actually looking at it, it seems like the I/O shield is built into the chassis.

its a punch out, few snips and its out

giantenemycat wrote on 2026-03-27, 13:40:

Even if that pops out, that's not going fit into a different case, is it?

shape is standard, might need to use tape to secure it 😀

wierd_w wrote on 2026-03-27, 15:31:

Genesis is a normal DB9. […]
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Genesis is a normal DB9.

Many vintage serial mice used the same kind of molded plastic plug.

It's (genesis controller) physically (and mostly electrically) the same as an Atari Joystick.

There's a community breakout board for TI 99/4A microcomputers for dual joysticks that's basically just some passives and some db9 connectors.

https://texelec.com/product/ti-994a-to-atari- … ystick-adapter/

I can confirm that genesis controllers fit fine.

This is good information, thanks. I'll reply again when it's delivered.

I sorted a lot of floppies today, and found an original 1987 copy of Tetris. The last time it was played seems to be 1991. I have created an image of the disk just in case...

BitWrangler wrote on 2026-03-27, 23:41:

giantenemycat wrote on 2026-03-27, 13:40:

I was about to transplant a different board into this case, but actually looking at it, it seems like the I/O shield is built into the chassis. Even if that pops out, that's not going fit into a different case, is it?

That one doesn't look too unusual. I am seeing some listed under the designation "Motherboard ATX IO Shield Backplate Centre Parallel Port Horizontal Audio"

The board I want to put in does actually have the exact same I/O, minus the LAN. Even though it's also laid out in the same way, I guess there'd probably be small differences in spacing that would have it not fit.

But I think this case is probably slightly too "modern" for the year 2000 anyway, which was my plan for it. What do you think?

My lovely wife came across an awesome find, buried in a cabinet for decades, while cleaning at her parents house. She immediately thought of me! 😀

She ran across their old original Sears Tele-Games Atari 2600! It was completely covered in thick dust bunnies, far worse than in the photo below, but otherwise in good physical condition for it's age. I gave it a good air dusting, brought it home, cleaned it up a little more, and it's already looking much better.

My wife knew I would have a blast restoring this classic gem back to it's original working state, and that's exactly what I am going to try and do. I'll open it up and see if there's any noticeable physical damage, replace what I think should be replaced, before even attempting to power it up. Then, I'll set about fixing whatever I can to bring it back to life!

Cosmetically, I'll clean the plastic and wood bits better while I have it torn apart, but I'm not going to try and restore it to "like new" condition. Personally, I think it already looks good for its age, and those marks, dings, and scratches show this Atari had a good life, and I plan on trying to extend that life.

Without opening it up yet (as soon as I have time) the cartridge looks good. The toggles are all free and not crunchy. The two momentary sliders also feel good. All good signs. The only real changes I intend to make to the system will be adding the composite mod and a new power supply.

This is going to be a fun project! 😀

StriderTR wrote on 2026-03-28, 20:07:

My lovely wife came across an awesome find, buried in a cabinet for decades, while cleaning at her parents house. She immediatel […]
Show full quote

My lovely wife came across an awesome find, buried in a cabinet for decades, while cleaning at her parents house. She immediately thought of me! 😀

She ran across their old original Sears Tele-Games Atari 2600! It was completely covered in thick dust bunnies, far worse than in the photo below, but otherwise in good physical condition for it's age. I gave it a good air dusting, brought it home, cleaned it up a little more, and it's already looking much better.

My wife knew I would have a blast restoring this classic gem back to it's original working state, and that's exactly what I am going to try and do. I'll open it up and see if there's any noticeable physical damage, replace what I think should be replaced, before even attempting to power it up. Then, I'll set about fixing whatever I can to bring it back to life!

Cosmetically, I'll clean the plastic and wood bits better while I have it torn apart, but I'm not going to try and restore it to "like new" condition. Personally, I think it already looks good for its age, and those marks, dings, and scratches show this Atari had a good life, and I plan on trying to extend that life.

Without opening it up yet (as soon as I have time) the cartridge looks good. The toggles are all free and not crunchy. The two momentary sliders also feel good. All good signs. The only real changes I intend to make to the system will be adding the composite mod and a new power supply.

This is going to be a fun project! 😀

I was very confused when I saw that Atari logo. I was thinking this had to be some kind of modified system with a modern computer in it to be able to display an image like that... but now I get that you were just showing the logo as part of the collage of pictures. That makes a lot more sense. 😋

Should be a fun project though! I had to fix one up for someone a few years ago by replacing the RIOT chip and doing a few other things. It was the person's original Atari from when they were young and had sentimental value. In trade for the work I was given two complete Apple IIe systems and an Apple IIc with monitors, piles of drives, printers, etc. I think it was definitely a fair trade!

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2026-03-28, 20:52:

I was very confused when I saw that Atari logo. I was thinking this had to be some kind of modified system with a modern computer in it to be able to display an image like that... but now I get that you were just showing the logo as part of the collage of pictures. That makes a lot more sense. 😋

Should be a fun project though! I had to fix one up for someone a few years ago by replacing the RIOT chip and doing a few other things. It was the person's original Atari from when they were young and had sentimental value. In trade for the work I was given two complete Apple IIe systems and an Apple IIc with monitors, piles of drives, printers, etc. I think it was definitely a fair trade!

Hah, yeah, I just used it as a place holder since I only took 3 photos of it before I started cleaning it and looking for cosmetic damage. 😜

It will definitely be fun, I'm glad my wife sat it aside for me. She knows me well! This was the unit they originally bought way back in the day when she was a kid.

I'm not sure what I'll do with it once I'm done. I have 5 or 6 Atari games on hand and a couple controllers, so I'll be able to test it and make sure it's all good when I'm done. May keep it for nostalgia's sake, but I don't need it as I have other units. Or maybe I'll sell it off to someone to recoup the repair/upgrade cost who will get some real use out of it. Atari 2600's aren't exactly rare and can be had over on eBay pretty cheap. We'll see.

giantenemycat wrote on 2026-03-28, 19:00:

BitWrangler wrote on 2026-03-27, 23:41:

giantenemycat wrote on 2026-03-27, 13:40:

I was about to transplant a different board into this case, but actually looking at it, it seems like the I/O shield is built into the chassis. Even if that pops out, that's not going fit into a different case, is it?

That one doesn't look too unusual. I am seeing some listed under the designation "Motherboard ATX IO Shield Backplate Centre Parallel Port Horizontal Audio"

The board I want to put in does actually have the exact same I/O, minus the LAN. Even though it's also laid out in the same way, I guess there'd probably be small differences in spacing that would have it not fit.

But I think this case is probably slightly too "modern" for the year 2000 anyway, which was my plan for it. What do you think?

IDK I've seen a few Athlon XP systems in similar cases. That look with translucent panels was copycatting the iMac G3 which came out in 1998, it's in the ballpark.

Opened the 2600 up tonight. Other than a few dust dinos, far too large to be bunnies, it was in remarkably good shape! No noticeable serious internal damage on the boards, components, or case. The black foam switch backs are in great shape. Not a lot of rust anywhere. After some IPA and DeoxIt on the boards, and good old soap and water on the case, with care to not damage the labels, it's looking spiffy!

Just need to get some caps and the composite mod.

Though, seeing how good a shape it's in internally... I'm tempted to see if this old heavy sixer functions as-is, then re-cap and mod it. 😀

I'm gutted!! 🙁

Today was supposed to be a great day for my retro project. I cheerily set off, finally crossing the country to the old house where I'd agreed to collect my old PCs including a decent 3Dfx collection (Voodoo1/2xVooodoo2SLI/Banshee/Voodoo3) and my most memorable Radeon - a surprise model I've been eager to rediscover and verify the identify of...

It was over 20 years ago but I vividly remember leaving that mystery Radeon safely in my PC because it was the best performing K6-2 pairing; tested comparisons had included my GeForce3 (original spec), and my GeForce4 MX 128bit DDR -5ns.

I also remember positioning a spacer followed by low profile NIC to maximise airflow to that unicorn of an AGP card... This was supposed to be my moment of truth!

What did I find?

One tower missing.

One tower gutted of its graphics cards, and err.. replaced with weird tobacco dusts. It's missing side panels too. Even the HDDs were removed. Who would do that?! At least the SDRAM DIMMs were left.

The last tower looks more complete. I think it's an i430TX/ViRGE/Voodoo1 but waiting for the delivery of an extra big bottle of isopropyl before taking any parts out for a closer look.

I'm hoping there are cardboard boxes hiding my missing Radeon and 3Dfx collection somewhere, but there was no sign of them today and I feel so low.

Edit: Actually, there should have been other old PCs in desktop format (LC2, 386, and something else.. maybe an i430VX) but I didn't see any of those. Might need take a crowbar and angrier face next time.