Calling All Vectrex Owners!
Brett Walach
were in circulation, or sold back in 1982-84. Some of you might have an
idea, or even know the exact numbers possibly. But what I want to know is
what is the serial number from the back of your unit? If they started with
0000000, then the highest serial number that gets reported will give some
indication of how many there are. Some companies use a Date code as the
first part of their serial#, but I don't see an 82, 83, or 84 on either of
the Vectrex units I own. Just reply with your serial# and any comments you
may have. Let's see what the highest AND lowest #'s are...
The serial # from one of my units(GCE) is 0049458. The other unit is tucked
away to preserve it, but I could take a look soon.
Sincerely,
Brett Walach
/*********************************/
Electronic Designer/Hobbyist
Vectrex Enthusiast and Preservationist
Vec...@inil.nospam.com
"I'm not perfect...yet" - MacGyver
/**************************************/
Jon Kade
pages on Vectrex.com? I've been in contact with the guy who has it
registered, and he'd be very interested in it.
This isn't gonna be a VGA deal though...you get full credit for your
work, as it should be.
Mark Shaker
>
>
> The serial # from one of my units(GCE) is 0049458. The other unit is tucked
> away to preserve it, but I could take a look soon.
>
You have TWO Vectrexs!
Is that all? :)
The serial numbers on my in house Vecs are:
0044544
0125085
112658 A
I'm afraid that I won't be able to check the serial numbers on the 2 Vecs in my
"Emergency Offsite Vectrex Storage Facility" (Dad's house) for a few days.
By the way, I believe that we should both seek professional counsuling.
- Mark
The Maverick
0061710
--
An asylum for the sane http://www.volcano.net/~themaverick
Shane Shaffer
wrote:
> Just reply with your serial# and any comments you
>may have. Let's see what the highest AND lowest #'s are...
0029907
0039282
0142320
- Shane Shaffer
sdsh...@erols.com
http://members.xoom.com/sdshaffer/
John Dondzila
It's a sure bet that #94557 (my first) has probably
seen more online time than any other Vectrex.
A better question:
Who has the rarer Vectrex ? I'm talking about the one's
that DO NOT say "ENTERTAINING NEW IDEAS" at the bottom of the
screen. This is the screwey one that won't run Patriots.
Anti SPAM In Use !
Remove the * from *pcj...@monmouth.com
to send E-Mail.
Chrissalo
>wrote:
>
>> Just reply with your serial# and any comments you
>>may have. Let's see what the highest AND lowest #'s are...
>
DVE 2.0beta4
:-)
Chris
Mark Shaker
> Thinking of people who own 2-5 Vectrexs when I can't even find 1 is going to
> drive me to the doctor's couch! Yipes.
>
Then please do not consider, my 1 of cart of every original game
(exlcluding Mine Storm II and Dark Tower), 3 Multi-carts, 2 light pens,
2 3D Imagers, 8 extra controllers and 2 trackballs (modified atari
trackballs). :>
ga...@my-dejanews.com
drive me to the doctor's couch! Yipes.
brian
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James G Watt
Model Number 3000 UI-U.K.
Seriel No 2028604
--
James G Watt
http://www.kinetic-arts.demon.co.uk
Part of the Video Arcade Game Collectors WebRing.
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
Jon Kade
<lsh...@flash.net>, who said:
>ga...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
>
>> Thinking of people who own 2-5 Vectrexs when I can't even find 1 is going to
>> drive me to the doctor's couch! Yipes.
>>
>
>Then please do not consider, my 1 of cart of every original game
>(exlcluding Mine Storm II and Dark Tower), 3 Multi-carts, 2 light pens,
>2 3D Imagers, 8 extra controllers and 2 trackballs (modified atari
>trackballs). :>
Mind if I borrow some of your doubles when I get my Vec? =)
I'm in the area...and my Vec's controller is broken.
Jon Kade
The Vectrex that I'm prolly gonna win on eBay, that is. I don't have
one yet. I can't imagine you finding that stuff in the Detroit are, so
did you buy it online?
Mark Shaker
> >
> >Mind if I borrow some of your doubles when I get my Vec? =)
> >I'm in the area...and my Vec's controller is broken.
I supose that I could part with a few items for a couple of weeks.
What are you intrested in?
>
> The Vectrex that I'm prolly gonna win on eBay, that is. I don't have
> one yet. I can't imagine you finding that stuff in the Detroit are, so
> did you buy it online?
One Vec addicts story:
I bought my first Vectrex when they came out in '82 for the introductry price of $200.
I bought some carts, an imager and the light pen as they were introduced.
On yeah, My Vec broke shortly after I got it. The screen would get very bright, there
would be a dot in the center of the screen, with wavy lines extending to the corners.
The local (100 mile drive) Vec Service Center couldn't fix the problem, so GCE replaced
the Vec and gave me 2 free carts. This was a good thing for a guy in collage and working
a part-time job at the minimum wage.
When the Vec was discontinued and the prices slashed. I bought a second Vec, a second
imager and completed my cart "collection". (I didn't think of myself as a collecter. I
just loved the thing, and wanted a back-up in case the thing broke. It never occured to
me that this stuff was collectable.)
My second Vec (in box) was latter stolen from an appartment storage locker (live and
learn).
My original Vec broke around '94. Electronic repair places wouldn't touch it, but I held
onto it just in case. A friend was playing the Vec when it broke, a year later he
noticed that another one of his friends had a Vec that he was not using. So for $50 I
again had a working Vec.
In '96 I thought that I was the only person in the world that still liked the Vectrex.
Then I finally got on the internet. WOW! New Games! Multi-carts! I never would have
guessed.
I again wanted a "back-up" Vec, so I bought one offered on the usergroup. Jesse then
told me how to fix my broken Vec. I desided to play using a multi-cart and store my
original Vec collection offsite, so I would still be in busniess should my wifes smoking
burn the house down. I went on a bit of a buying spree.
I tried bidding on a couple of items, but someone would always step in with an
outragous bid. I got bought everything via the newsgroup. I was only burned once, I paid
$110 for a Vec, the seller forgot to tell me about a tilted image, chipped case and a
broken controller cord. (I re-sold it for $75 after providing an honest description.) My
last "purchase" was a trade, I got 4 never used controllers that had their cords cut off
by a surplus house.
Now that I'm stocked-up, I've stopped buying. I'll replace anything that breaks and get
2 copies of any new Vec game or accessory.
- Mark
P.S. Sorry guys, I'm not intrested in selling or trading away any of my stuff.
Ralph Stenzel
S/N 3086194 new ROM version ("VECTREX")
S/N 3084273 new ROM version ("VECTREX")
S/N 3064837 new ROM version ("VECTREX")
S/N 3064707 new ROM version ("VECTREX")
S/N 3063733 new ROM version ("VECTREX")
S/N 3061304 new ROM version ("VECTREX")
S/N 3019282 old ROM version ("GCE - ENTERTAINING NEW IDEAS")
S/N 3013344 old ROM version ("GCE - ENTERTAINING NEW IDEAS")
S/N 3010206 old ROM version ("GCE - ENTERTAINING NEW IDEAS")
All machines European (MB Brand) models;
Old ROM versions feature the infamous "Level 13 bug"
More details will be published on my website soon...
Ralph
Ralph Stenzel, Electronic Archaeologist & Device Doctor
eMail: ste...@vector.franken.de
alias: textwe...@usa.net
W W W: http://www.franken.de/users/vector/stenzel/
Brett Walach
59413
Also, I asked my friend for the number off of his HP3000. It is
94586
I have included these in the stats below...
So far I have seen these model numbers:
HP3000 (USA)
3000 UI-U.K. (EUROPE)
3000-C1 (EUROPE)
I should have asked for that too, because we need to distinguish between the
different types just in case any serial #'s overlap. I don't think they do
though just from looking at the numbers so far. From now on, please try to
include the Model # with the serial #, thanks.
I have a question for Ralph Stenzel, What are the model numbers from your
units?
BTW: Keep your 9 units high and dry, I think I read a story on The Digital
Press about a guy who had 11 Vectrex unit floating around in his basement
when he had a flood! Ouch!
Here are the stats so far, If you see a question you can answer please
direct that to me so we don't repost something so simple. I will again
repost this info as a completed list, Thanks to all who have replied so far,
keep them coming!
GCE Vectrex Units
MO: HP3000
0020978
0029907
0039282
0049458
0056954
0059413
0061710
0094557
0094586
0119420
0125647
0142320
xxxx394 (part ripped off)
("looks like these are consistently increasing. Maybe there where only
150,000 HP3000's produced. We'll have to see how high it gets, so who has
#0000001?")
MB Vectrex Units?
MO: 3000-C1
1012980
1023011
1023062
MB Vectrex Units
MO: 3000 UI-U.K. (is MO just "3000 UI" ?)
2028604
Ralph Stenzel's Units (EUROPEAN MB, but what MO #?)
Old ROM
3010206
3013344
3019282
New ROM
3061304
3063733
3064707
3064837
3084273
3086194
Notice the 1,2,3 beginning #'s for the MB EUROPEAN units. It looks like
there may have been 3 different starting #'s 1000000, 2000000, & 3000000
because Ralph's LOW 3000000's have the Old ROM. I wonder if James G Watt's
2028604, or any of Shawn Scallen's 3000 C1 units 1012980, 1023011, 1023062
have the Old ROM? Both Shawn and James have some low 1000000, & 2000000 #'s.
If the Vectrex unit's where parallel produced, maybe they will have the Old
ROM. Well James and Shawn, what can you tell us?
Also, the GCE (USA) units look like they all start with a '0'. So does
anyone have the Old ROM?
Why don't we define that, it should not show "Entertaining New Ideas" at the
bottom of the screen when you power up the unit. Thanks for the info John D.
jl...@idt.net
John
Trask
0146020
Julie Brandon
>Notice the 1,2,3 beginning #'s for the MB EUROPEAN units. It looks like
>there may have been 3 different starting #'s 1000000, 2000000, & 3000000
>because Ralph's LOW 3000000's have the Old ROM. I wonder if James G Watt's
How can I tell if I have the old ROM (Serial: 2016726): if you tell
me, I'll feed back what this one is.
Ta-ra,
Julie
(who hasn't played the Vectrex in yonks, even though it's sitting
pretty in the front room. *8-X)
--
To reply by e-mail use the supplied Reply-To: address from the message headers
(your software should do this automatically). There is no need to edit that
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Julie Brandon
>The serial # from one of my units(GCE) is 0049458. The other unit is tucked
>away to preserve it, but I could take a look soon.
Serial: 2016726 Model: 3000 UI-UK (Milton Bradley)
No date clues.
Ta-ra,
Julie Brandon
>#20978 & #94557
>
>It's a sure bet that #94557 (my first) has probably
>seen more online time than any other Vectrex.
>
>A better question:
>
>Who has the rarer Vectrex ? I'm talking about the one's
>that DO NOT say "ENTERTAINING NEW IDEAS" at the bottom of the
>screen. This is the screwey one that won't run Patriots.
AFAIK MB ones don't say Entertaining New Ideas either, but no probs
with Patriots.
Peter Hall / preacher
/Peter
--
------> Namn: Peter Hall
------> Telefon: 0470-91991
------> Web: http://peters.dagbok.just.nu
------> Email: prea...@mindless.com
------> ICQ: 2178143
Brett Walach
-----Original Message-----
From: James G Watt <j...@kinetic-arts.demon.co.uk>
To: Brett Walach <vec...@inil.com>
Date: Monday, September 14, 1998 7:57 PM
Subject: Re: Calling All Vectrex Owners!
Brett Walach wrote:
>>MO: 3000 UI-U.K. (is MO just "3000 UI" ?)
>? The back says:
>
>VECTREX
>MODEL No. 3000 UI-U.K.
>240V ~ 50Hz
>
>Seriel No 2028604
Thanks for the details!
>> I wonder if James G Watt's has the Old ROM? Both Shawn and James have
some low 1000000, & >>2000000 #'s. Well James and Shawn, what can you tell
us?
>How do I tell?
>The machine boots with
>(c) MB 1982
>It appears to run everything I've thrown at it (including spike hopping
>and patriots)
Well, John D. said that the "Entertaining New Ideas" does not appear on the
Boot screen, but...It doesn't look like the MB unit ever did that. I think
what you would have to do is play the built in Minestorm game until you get
to level 13, if you beat it and the Vectrex crashes, you have the OLD ROM,
because they never thought people would get past level 13, thus there is no
more levels.
So are you up to some asteroid shootin' ?
James G Watt
In article <35fc0...@news.inil.com>, Brett Walach <vec...@inil.com>
writes
>MO: 3000 UI-U.K. (is MO just "3000 UI" ?)
? The back says:
VECTREX
MODEL No. 3000 UI-U.K.
240V ~ 50Hz
Seriel No 2028604
I wonder if James G Watt's
have the Old ROM? Both Shawn and James have some low 1000000, & 2000000
#'s.
Well James and Shawn, what can you tell us?
How do I tell?
The machine boots with
(c) MB 1982
It appears to run everything I've thrown at it (including spike hopping
and patriots)
--
Shawn Scallen
> I wonder if James G Watt's
> have the Old ROM? Both Shawn and James have some low 1000000, & 2000000
> #'s.
> Well James and Shawn, what can you tell us?
uh...huh? is that me, Shawn? sorry, i missed the initial querry... what do
you want me to check? i'll line up all of my 7 vectri and check them out...
...except for the one with the dead screen (i have a zanen kit and a 6522
chip pulled from a Vic 20, just haven't built up the confidence to try do
anything with them... i hate electronics as much as electronics hates me :)
shawn
--
shawn scallen - spectra sonic sound - http://www.cyberus.ca/~scallen
CKCU-FM programmer * photographer * vectrex/colecovision/atari fan
for info on ottawa & area shows/events call 613-234-PUNX or email
majo...@brit.ca with "subscribe punx" in the first line of the body
Brett Walach
Shawn Scallen wrote in message <6tks18$d...@freenet-news.carleton.ca>...
>
>> I wonder if James G Watt's
>> have the Old ROM? Both Shawn and James have some low 1000000, & 2000000
>> #'s.
>> Well James and Shawn, what can you tell us?
>
>uh...huh? is that me, Shawn? sorry, i missed the initial querry... what do
>you want me to check? i'll line up all of my 7 vectri and check them out...
Check to see if you have the OLD ROM. Two ways:
"Entertaining New Ideas" does not appear on the Boot screen on GCE HP3000
units
OR On MB units Play the built in Minestorm game until you get to level 13,
if you beat it and the Vectrex crashes, you have the OLD ROM, because they
never thought people would get past level 13, thus there is no more levels.
Detail are appreciated and can be sent directly to me, I will repost all of
the #'s and comments later. Thanks.
James G Watt
In message <000801bde062$32878140$43a51fce@vectrex>, Brett Walach
<vec...@inil.com> writes
>
>Well, John D. said that the "Entertaining New Ideas" does not appear on the
>Boot screen, but...It doesn't look like the MB unit ever did that.
> I think
>what you would have to do is play the built in Minestorm game until you get
>to level 13, if you beat it and the Vectrex crashes, you have the OLD ROM,
Unfortunately in my case they were correct :-( I've never got past level
6 but now I've got some incentuive I'll give it a go.
Unless Shawn or Julie beat me to it.
Peter Pachla
>....or even know the exact numbers possibly. But what I want to know is
>what is the serial number from the back of your unit? If they started with
>0000000, then the highest serial number that gets reported will give some
>indication of how many there are....
Good luck with your quest.
The number of one of my Vectrex' is "202 3309", I'll have to get back to you on
the other two when I can get at them....
TTFN - Pete.
--
Spam deflector in effect - it's obvious!
Peter Pachla: Computer Hardware/Software Engineer,
Collector Of Arcade Machines & Obsolete Computers,
Sound Engineer,
Barman(!),
General Fun Guy....
--
Christopher L. Tumber
My machines:
1012059 (3000-C1)
1015335 (3000-C1)
0066266 (3000)
I'm fairly certain the -C1 suffix denotes Canadian machines as Canadian
cartridge boxes also have the -C1 suffix to the product number. Canadian
Vectrex cart boxes are different from both US and European boxes. Canadian
boxes are similar to US ones, except French/English billingual text and
the -C1. European cart boxes are a different colour (grey) and use a different
product numbering system plus they're in four languages.
Justin Jernigan
GCE 0011629
any lower than that?
Jus10j
Justin Jernigan
Justin Jernigan <jus...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in article
<01bde1f7$dda82d40$a6604a0c@default>...
Brett Walach
Justin Jernigan wrote in message <01bde1f7$dda82d40$a6604a0c@default>...
>
>GCE 0011629
>
>any lower than that?
We'll, no GCE USA HP3000's reported lower than above yet. But, Ralph Stenzel
has a MB unit that is low.
Old ROM
3010206 ("10206")
The '3' I believe is just a category or type of unit.
i.e. 0 for GCE HP3000 (USA)
1 for GCE 3000-C1 (CANADA)
2 for MB 3000-UI-U.K. (EUROPE)
3 for MB MO? (EUROPE) ("Haven't heard back from you yet
Ralph on the MO")
4 for MB MO? (???) ("Can I get some more details
Peter Hall on the MO")
Eckhard Stolberg
>The '3' I believe is just a category or type of unit.
>
>i.e. 0 for GCE HP3000 (USA)
> 1 for GCE 3000-C1 (CANADA)
> 2 for MB 3000-UI-U.K. (EUROPE)
> 3 for MB MO? (EUROPE) ("Haven't heard back from you yet
>Ralph on the MO")
> 4 for MB MO? (???) ("Can I get some more details
>Peter Hall on the MO")
I believe 3 stands for Germany. My Vectrex is a German MB unit with
the 'GCE - Entertaining new ideas' ROM. Model No. is '3000-GI - EURO'.
Serial No. is '3037558'. CAT. No. is '8100-00 German *'.
Since the German units are GI and the United Kingdom units are UI,
I think the Canadian units are probably CI instead of C1. The 'I'
in the font, that was used on the labels, looks like how Americans
would write a '1' in handwriting.
Ciao, Eckhard Stolberg
Brett Walach
From: Eckhard Stolberg Eckhard_...@public.uni-hamburg
Date: Thursday, September 17, 1998 11:57 PM
Subject: Re: Calling All Vectrex Owners!
>I believe 3 stands for Germany. My Vectrex is a German MB unit with
>the 'GCE - Entertaining new ideas' ROM. Model No. is '3000-GI - EURO'
>Serial No. is '3037558'. CAT. No. is '8100-00 German *'.
>
>Since the German units are GI and the United Kingdom units are UI,
>I think the Canadian units are probably CI instead of C1. The 'I'
>in the font, that was used on the labels, looks like how Americans
>would write a '1' in handwriting.
Great info! Thanks for the post. I cataloged your serial number too. As the
flow of people's responses with serial #'s decreases, I will repost the
request for #'s with the master list so far and all of the info I've
gathered. Thanks again.
Jonathan Anderle
>
> GCE 0011629
>
> any lower than that?
>
GCE 0010627
Let's keep 'em coming...
Robert Di Benedetto
Julie Brandon
>
>In message <000801bde062$32878140$43a51fce@vectrex>, Brett Walach
><vec...@inil.com> writes
>>
>>Well, John D. said that the "Entertaining New Ideas" does not appear on the
>>Boot screen, but...It doesn't look like the MB unit ever did that.
>Oh something new for the FAQ.
>> I think
>>what you would have to do is play the built in Minestorm game until you get
>>to level 13, if you beat it and the Vectrex crashes, you have the OLD ROM,
>>because they never thought people would get past level 13.
>Unfortunately in my case they were correct :-( I've never got past level
>6 but now I've got some incentuive I'll give it a go.
>Unless Shawn or Julie beat me to it.
Not good enough to get as far as l13 I'm afraid.
Ta-ra,
Julie.
Wageslave1
here's mine:
0076590-- HP 3000
Brett Walach
Julie Brandon wrote in message ...
>Not good enough to get as far as l13 I'm afraid.
>
>Ta-ra,
> Julie.
When I was a kid, I could never get past level 5 or 6. One day not too long
ago, I broke out my Vectrex and started playing Mindstorm. I reached the
13th level without even losing one ship. Then...I crapped out. I played all
of my ships trying to beat that level! I was so confident until I started
losing, then it was a downward spiral to my doom. I have never beaten level
13 yet either. I will try again sometime, because I know I can do it. I just
don't have a need to cuz my machine is not that old(old enough to have a OL
ROM). Plus I think I'd die right away with the invisible mines!
dlar...@pobox.com
My vectrex:
Model 3000-C1
Serial #1014403
Doug
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Guy Dillon
Michael Kircher
Model No. 3000-G1 - EURO
Serial No. 3090492
MILTON BRADLEY
It doesn't have the Wave 13 bug.
Greetings,
Michael
he...@my-dejanews.com
Vectrex #1:
Model HP-3000
S/N 0090854
Vectrex #2:
Model HP-3000
S/N 0039207
-H