Why did they put a hole in the cart.

Paladin (869)

04-08-2008, 00:50

Today I saw a post and suddenly a wondered; "Why did they pu a hole in the cartridge?"
As far as I can remember every MSX cartridge has a hole in it, but i never knew why.

img257.imageshack.us/img257/6505/msx24zy1.jpg

By Jipe

Paragon (1586)

04-08-2008, 05:44

on sanyo PHC28 you find a photo transitor and a led : is for protect the msx and the cartridge if you remove with the power on

By NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6011)

04-08-2008, 09:00

I think that it was meant to lock the cartridge to cartridge slot in case power is turned on... I just don't know that this kind of lock would have been implemented in any MSX model.

By evulopah

Paladin (669)

04-08-2008, 09:05

I think the hole can be used to attach the cartridge on the mirror in your car

By ro

Scribe (4865)

04-08-2008, 09:07

It's a lock. to secure it on your machine. Only few MSX types have that option.
I had a sony HB700P machine which came with some sort of extension thingy where that locking mechanism was used with.

By pitpan

Prophet (3153)

04-08-2008, 10:23

Sanyo MPC100 has a mechanical system that shuts down the computer if a cartridge is plugged or removed. It has a spring and a wheel and seems pretty basic to override. But it can prevent hardware damage.

By MäSäXi

Paragon (1884)

04-08-2008, 10:35

Thinking it´s a lock, check out NAMCOT cartridges, they don´t have a hole, it´s more like CAVE!! (at least when compared to "normal" cartridges)

Is there really any MSXs which support such LARGE hole which is used in NAMCOT cartridges?

To me, it seems NAMCOT uses such large hole just to make their cartridges look different!

By Abi

Hero (601)

04-08-2008, 20:39

It's for locking your cartrigdes to prefend them to pull out when power is on.
I had a NMS8245 and a extra plastic holder which i could fit on the back of the MSX2 (SLOT2).
There was also a pin included.
When insterting a ,for example FM-PAK, i was able to lock the cartrige so you could not pull out the cartridge.
If i am sure this extra plastic cartrigde gliding thingie was icluded in the NMS8230, NMS8235 and NMS 8245 package (in the box).
Saw salso ome guys sell them apart at some fairs in holland also (Zandvoort, Tilburg, Doetinchem, Almelo etc.)

By meits

Scribe (6530)