A while back, I got a Philips VG-8020/20 so I can have an authentic MSX computer to go alongside my DE0-based 1ChipMSX clone. Today, I began converting the computer to be like a Japanese MSX by replacing the original BIOS with the Japanese MSX BIOS and placing a socket for the TMS9129 as I will replace it by a TMS9128, except the chip has still not shown up.
So I go ahead and test everything, and at first, everything was working fine. The only game I have is Gradius 2, which was no longer in English with the new BIOS, so I knew that was working, but now, I can't get the game to boot on the VG-8020 anymore. No matter what slot I put the game in, I get the MSX boot screen, then the computer either locks up, gets stuck in an infinite reset loop, boots to scrambled graphical garbage or will play the game for a bit and either reset or lock up. This cartridge also gave me problems on the DE0 where, since last week, the game would not be recognized by the DE0 at all.
And as I'm typing this, the VG-8020 has just failed to recognize the game and booted straight to BASIC. I should also note I accidentally desoldered the Z80 while I was trying to get the TMS9129 socketed, so that may pose a problem if there's a cold solder joint on the CPU. Regardless, the VG-8020 no longer works with this game and I don't know if the issue is the game itself or the computer. Considering it already started acting up on my DE0, I'm inclined to say there's something wrong with the game, but since I desoldered the Z80 when I wasn't supposed to, I wouldn't be surprised if that is the source of the problem. But if it really was the Z80, wouldn't MSX BASIC fail to work correctly?
Anyone know?
