VIC-20 problems

[Keir]

Yesterday I got 2 packages of Vic-20 games in the mail (yay!) so I hooked up my Vic but when I turned it on the screen was just a bunch of weird characters. When I used it last a few months ago it worked fine.

To make things worse, when I got out my spare (doesn't everyone have a spare Vic-20?) the screen started out seriously flickering, then it stopped, but it had a weird red tinge that slowly faded away. After that it worked fine. It turned out to be the RF modulator, so I can just use the "good" one, but it was really weird to watch.

Another random question: Why do some games start out with offset screens? You can adjust them with the CRSR keys, but it's just weird.

*Sits back hoping the 3 other Vic lovers will read this...*

[Mayhem]

The offset screen thing was a "feature" to allow people to configure the picture to different sized TVs apparently. Sometimes you use the cursor keys, sometimes the joystick (a couple I got yesterday do this). One game I own (Polaris) is offset and doesn't respond to either of these, so if anyone knows how to centre the screen on this game, let me know! :(

It might be an NTSC thing, but I doubt it... all the other Vic20 carts I own are fine...

Hey Keir... got a Vic20 trade list? I might need some things from it :D