When, how and why did you start using MSX computers?

Resident (44)

17-09-2004, 14:20

Must be three or four years, I found an SVI-728 at the fleamarket. I had bought a Goldstar FC200 at another fleamarket some years before, but since the seller had put it below two trays filled with LP records, it had been smashed. In the following year, I got two more 728s, but lacked software and documentation. It wasn't until I built a cable for connecting the cassette port to a PC soundcard that I started to enjoy playing Roadfight, Galaga and Xanax. Due to housing constraints, I haven't had the chance to delve deeper into the system, and I don't quite fancy learning Z80 just yet (6502 is much more elegant, IMHO).
Why? The MSX hasn't got ugly graphics, it's the only home computer with lots of Japanese games, and I like old computers. Still, I think that it's got a lot of untapped potential. Instead of working on PC remakes of MSX games, I think people should do MSX remakes of MSX games. Take Xenon, for example. It could be so much better.

Por anonymous

incognito ergo sum (116)

17-09-2004, 16:58

I don't quite fancy learning Z80 just yet (6502 is much more elegant, IMHO).
LOL
That's a term I haven't heard in relation with 6502 before!

Por Mafcase

Champion (257)

02-10-2004, 22:19

I can still remember the good ol' days!

hehehe

My first computer was a Texas Instruments a so called 'TI 99 - 4A'

Hell yeah!

after some time I had my first MSX: a Sanyo MSX 1
(can't remember the type but do remember there was a little switch in the cartridge slot on top (like a reset button, guess it was for preventing putting a cartridge in when the computer was still powered or something...) with an external Sony diskdrive

later on I became a Sony Hit-Bit 700 D (german version), Philips 8245, 8250, 8250. The last computer I bought was a Turbo-R.

Nowadays working with Blue-MSX...

Por MrRudi

Hero (525)

02-10-2004, 23:51

I'm not sure which year it was, but my first MSX was a Spectravideo SVi738 with internal single-sided floppydrive. As far as I know the only MSX1 with a diskdrive. My dad actually had to go to Amsterdam to get one. It was my second computer, I started out on a Sinclair Spectrum 128+ (on which I also programmed my first game - a textadventure which was a bit like Cluedo).

I did some basic stuff on the Spectravideo as well but it was mainly a games machine. Till I got fed up with all the great MSX games I couldn't play on it and sold it, to buy a Sony HB700 after that, which came with an original Metal Gear and Vampire Killer Years later the Sony was traded in for an NMS8280 which I still have. Both it's drives are busted though. The rare times I want to fire up a real MSX computer I use the NMS8255 I bought on a fleamarket a couple of years ago.

I started programming again when I got the HB700 since it was so easy to get nice graphics on the MSX2 screens. I made a few leaders (logo animations) for myself and filtered through the source code of FAC Demo 3 to find out how to use ripped MSX-Game music in my "demo's". Around that time I guess there was this girl in school who told me her brother did that kind of stuff too, and told me I should give him a call. Her brother of course was Koert van Mensvoort who had already formed BCF with Sander Strootman and Dennis Lodewijks (anyone else saw them on TV last week? ). I joined BCF when DiskStation 2 was released in Zandvoort and that's how it all started!

Por Manuel

Ascended (19298)

03-10-2004, 00:00

on tv? When? What program? About what?

Por AuroraMSX

Paragon (1902)

03-10-2004, 00:17

The good ol' days was when my dad borrowed a computer, which, I guess, was running CP/M and I had just enough knowledge to figure out how to run 'Boter Kaas en Eieren' :-)
A few years later he bought an ZX-81 in Germany. Lots a fun.
In 88 I got my first own computer as a high-school graduation gift: an NMS8250 which I still have.
It came with Radarsoft's "Topografie Europa" (If you don't know where to find a city, just fly yo Russia). The first cracked software I got was 'Livingstone', 'Last Mission' and TurboPascal 3.0'

Por IC

Hero (557)

03-10-2004, 02:19

Hehe.. this brings back memories.. The first touch I made was with an VG8020 (Philips) and I even remember my first game that I played.. Nemesis3! And I was A.M.A.Z.E.D! With all the Atari 2600 things I did this Nemesis 3 made me turn into a MSX lover in an instance.

After my 'first contact' I bought an VG8020 from a friend who wanted to trash his cpu (cauz he bought an Amiga). At some fair I bought my first original catridge (Nemesis3.. why was that? )

After seen SD-Snatcher on an NMS8245 I bought my own NMS8245.. and that's where I first came in touch with ASM, BBS, Harddisk and all the other stuff..

Por MrRudi

Hero (525)

03-10-2004, 05:33

on tv? When? What program? About what?

Some years ago Koert made a very bad amateur movie starring Sander and Dennis shooting at eachother with plasma rifles. Just a simple movie with some effects added afterwards. (I think it can be found on www.snout.com, not sure). I am guessing they submitted that for the 'Dutch movie week' or something, and NLD3 broadcasted a compilation of all submissions last week, including theirs.

...to figure out how to run 'Boter Kaas en Eieren' :-)

That would be 'Tic Tac Toe' :D

Por AuroraMSX

Paragon (1902)

03-10-2004, 14:27

...to figure out how to run 'Boter Kaas en Eieren' :-)

That would be 'Tic Tac Toe'

Indeed - Thanx! I couldn't remember the proper english name last night

Por Gorgane

Resident (62)

03-10-2004, 21:10

My quest in the world of MSX started two weeks ago when i bought a SVI-728+tape drive+some games on tapes and carts from a recycling center here in Finland. I paid 5 euros for the whole bunch. I had been aware of the existence of MSX machines for only a few years as my main activity during the late 1980's was to make a lot of dirty dipers.

My good mood got some beating when my Commodore 1084S monitor blew up after only 4 hours of use. Of course it was the only suitable monitor i had so now my machine is hooked up to my Sony TV with way too short sound cables taken from Amiga TV-modulator. This makes using the keyboard, which is bad anyway, a pain in the ass. And i'm very much affraid that somebody is going to step on it someday.

I have a big collection of games and machines (about 20 diffirent consoles and computers and around 400 games) so MSX was a nice addition.

Only really bad thing is that Spectravideo made machines are of very low quality and have problems with Konami's SCC and MegaROM games. Why must this piece of shit be the most common MSX in Finland?!! Hopefully i can replace it with a Toshiba HX-10 or even with a MSX2 someday.