The Mr. Video Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Hi. My Atari 600xl came in today but when I turned it on, I get a green (sometimes beige) screen. Any help would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 (edited) Might need to adjust the color pot... - Michael Edited May 26, 2017 by mytekcontrols Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 26, 2017 Author Share Posted May 26, 2017 Might need to adjust the color pot... - Michael Just tried that, didn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Z Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Do you mean *just* the solid color? No READY prompt or self-test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 26, 2017 Author Share Posted May 26, 2017 Do you mean *just* the solid color? No READY prompt or self-test? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Z Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 usually this happens when the OS isn't even running. Try reseating chips, it's about all you can do without a machine to swap parts from. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russg Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 (edited) Hi. My Atari 600xl came in today but when I turned it on, I get a green (sometimes beige) screen. Any help would be nice. not much you can do. You could hold OPTION when you turn it on. This will disable the BASIC chip, in case it is bad. It should give you a blank blue screen. If it comes up the same, then maybe BASIC is bad. Might be the OS ROM chip. Might be lots of stuff I don't know about. You only have 16k RAM, that could be bad too. Edited May 26, 2017 by russg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 26, 2017 Author Share Posted May 26, 2017 Ok it's displaying a redish-brown screen now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 (edited) Ok it's displaying a redish-brown screen now. When you originally posted I didn't realize that you were looking at a blank screen, otherwise I wouldn't have suggested adjusting the color pot. Anyway I agree that it sounds like the OS isn't booting up, which as suggested by others could be caused by any number of things, and all of the suggestions such as reseating chips are good ones to do. But one thing that the 600XL's are famous for is the RAM failing. Touch each RAM chip and if they are particularly hot, especially if one is more hot than another that is probably the culprit and needs to be replaced. If I recall correctly there were two different manufacturers used for the RAM, with one being notorious for failures. If you end up having to replace the RAM you might want to entertain the notion of getting 64K chips and doing this simple upgrade. ============================================================================== HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR ATARI 600XL TO 64K RAM THIS MOD IS COPYRIGHTED BY KEN SUMRALL. HOWEVER, YOU MAY FREELY DISTRIBUTE IT, AND MODIFY IT, AS LONG AS THIS NOTICE IS INCLUDED IN ITS ENTIRERTY. THE AUTHOR MAY BE REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESSES: ken%hpda@hplabs.hp.com ...!hplabs!hpda!ken You will need the follow parts to perform this mod: (2) 4464 RAM chip, 64Kx4, 150ns or faster. Additionally, you will need chip pullers, a soldering iron, and 3 small pieces of wire. I used wire wrap wire when I did this mod. If the chips on your 600XL are socketed, you're in luck, otherwise, you need to first unsolder the following chips: (1) 74S32 location U18 (2) 74LS158 locations U5 and U6 (2) 4416 locations U11 and U12 and put sockets on the mother board in their place to make the job easier. Now bend up pin 9 on the 74S32, and put it back in its socket on the mother board. Bend up pin 3 on the 74LS158 in location U5, and put it back in its socket. Also, bend up pin 10 on the 74LS158 in location U6, and put that chip back into its socket. The last two chips you need to change are the two RAM chips. Put the 4464 chips into the sockets at locations U11 and U12 on the motherboard. Now you need to install 3 wires to complete the mod. The first wire should be connected between pin 3 of the 74LS158 at location U5, and pin 20 of the parallel bus on the 600XL. The second wire should be connected between pin 10 of the 74LS158 at location U6, and pin 18 of the parallel bus. The third wire connects between pin 9 of the 74S32 at location U18, and pin 45 on the parallel bus. That's all there is to it. ============================================================================== - Michael Edited May 26, 2017 by mytekcontrols Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 26, 2017 Author Share Posted May 26, 2017 When you originally posted I didn't realize that you were looking at a blank screen, otherwise I wouldn't have suggested adjusting the color pot. Anyway I agree that it sounds like the OS isn't booting up, which as suggested by others could be caused by any number of things, and all of the suggestions such as reseating chips are good ones to do. But one thing that the 600XL's are famous for is the RAM failing. Touch each RAM chip and if they are particularly hot, especially if one is more hot than another that is probably the culprit and needs to be replaced. If I recall correctly there were two different manufacturers used for the RAM, with one being notorious for failures. If you end up having to replace the RAM you might want to entertain the notion of getting 64K chips and doing this simple upgrade. ============================================================================== HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR ATARI 600XL TO 64K RAM THIS MOD IS COPYRIGHTED BY KEN SUMRALL. HOWEVER, YOU MAY FREELY DISTRIBUTE IT, AND MODIFY IT, AS LONG AS THIS NOTICE IS INCLUDED IN ITS ENTIRERTY. THE AUTHOR MAY BE REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESSES: ken%hpda@hplabs.hp.com ...!hplabs!hpda!ken You will need the follow parts to perform this mod: (2) 4464 RAM chip, 64Kx4, 150ns or faster. Additionally, you will need chip pullers, a soldering iron, and 3 small pieces of wire. I used wire wrap wire when I did this mod. If the chips on your 600XL are socketed, you're in luck, otherwise, you need to first unsolder the following chips: (1) 74S32 location U18 (2) 74LS158 locations U5 and U6 (2) 4416 locations U11 and U12 and put sockets on the mother board in their place to make the job easier. Now bend up pin 9 on the 74S32, and put it back in its socket on the mother board. Bend up pin 3 on the 74LS158 in location U5, and put it back in its socket. Also, bend up pin 10 on the 74LS158 in location U6, and put that chip back into its socket. The last two chips you need to change are the two RAM chips. Put the 4464 chips into the sockets at locations U11 and U12 on the motherboard. Now you need to install 3 wires to complete the mod. The first wire should be connected between pin 3 of the 74LS158 at location U5, and pin 20 of the parallel bus on the 600XL. The second wire should be connected between pin 10 of the 74LS158 at location U6, and pin 18 of the parallel bus. The third wire connects between pin 9 of the 74S32 at location U18, and pin 45 on the parallel bus. That's all there is to it. ============================================================================== - MichaelI don't feel any of the ram chips getting hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 I don't feel any of the ram chips getting hot. Then it's likely something else. Too bad you don't have a 2nd machine to swap chips from, since that would make troubleshooting this a hell of a lot easier. - Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 27, 2017 Author Share Posted May 27, 2017 Today I tested the PSU because I heard that a bad PSU can cause the blank screen and figured out that the PSU isn't outputing enough voltages. Unfortunately I can't open it up because it's one of those "ingot" PSUs that you can't open up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Never use an ingot... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russg Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 I don't feel any of the ram chips getting hot. If the DRAMs are MT on them, they are bad. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Solid screen = not running. Time to start swapping chips with a known good machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 If the DRAMs are MT on them, they are bad. What do you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 What do you mean? He means that if you have DRAM chips marked "MT" (Micron Technologies, I think) they're much more prone to failure than other brands and it's a good chance those are bad, causing or contributing to the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Beige? Seen red, seen green but beige...That's new to me... Are you sure its the ingot, normally the screen colours acknowledge a running machine but with on board issues.. BUT, I'm no expert, listen to these guys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) He means that if you have DRAM chips marked "MT" (Micron Technologies, I think) they're much more prone to failure than other brands and it's a good chance those are bad, causing or contributing to the problem.Can't find any MT marked chips on my motherboard. Though, I did find one marked MMI. Edited May 28, 2017 by The Mr. Video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russg Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Can't find any MT marked chips on my motherboard. Though, I did find one marked MMI. what happens when you hold OPTION when you turn it on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 what happens when you hold OPTION when you turn it on?Still get the blank screen, in fact, the first thing I did when I got it hooked up was to try to boot it into self-test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) Assuming you've done the lift up/reseat on the major chips, I'd assume something's fried, my bet in order would be bad RAM, then CPU, MMU, Antic. A symptom of overvolt PS is buzzing in the audio though similar sound occurs if using RF and it's not tuned in properly. Edited May 28, 2017 by Rybags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Today I tested the PSU because I heard that a bad PSU can cause the blank screen and figured out that the PSU isn't outputing enough voltages. Unfortunately I can't open it up because it's one of those "ingot" PSUs that you can't open up. Given your other symptoms, I'm tempted to think that your PSU failed "hot" (overvoltage) and is now not putting out enough current, presuming your earlier voltage measurements were correct. Have you examined the system for blown capacitors inside? Look to see if any of them are swollen or leaking. If you find any, they need to be replaced first thing. Next, get another power supply! Something like this, or one of Bruce's (B&C Computervisions, aka myatari) other recommended versions: http://www.ebay.com/itm/XL-XE-Power-Adapter-1-0A-Orig-New-Atari-Ver-6-The-Logo/140954042315?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3D6527e4f155cb4d22bce00c4440ee7a41%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D140954042322 If you want to salvage the machine, you'll have to try swapping chips one after another to see which one(s) are bad. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 Given your other symptoms, I'm tempted to think that your PSU failed "hot" (overvoltage) and is now not putting out enough current, presuming your earlier voltage measurements were correct. Have you examined the system for blown capacitors inside? Look to see if any of them are swollen or leaking. If you find any, they need to be replaced first thing. Next, get another power supply! Something like this, or one of Bruce's (B&C Computervisions, aka myatari) other recommended versions: http://www.ebay.com/itm/XL-XE-Power-Adapter-1-0A-Orig-New-Atari-Ver-6-The-Logo/140954042315?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3D6527e4f155cb4d22bce00c4440ee7a41%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D140954042322 If you want to salvage the machine, you'll have to try swapping chips one after another to see which one(s) are bad. Good luck! I don't see any swollen or leaking compositors. Might be a chip problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russg Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) Still get the blank screen, in fact, the first thing I did when I got it hooked up was to try to boot it into self-test. I looked for Red/brown screen in my docs. It said the following: U2 thru U5, U18, U19, U28, U30. and I would guess Antic or GTIA U7 and U17. All those mean swapping chips with known good ones. U2 Decoder ; 74LS138 U3 Memory manager U4 OS ROM U5 BAS ROM U18 CO17097 U19 CO61850 U28 Latch 74LS37S U30 And/Or inverter 74LS51 That's not much help, but what I researched about it. You could take out the BAS ROM and see if you still get the red/brown screen. It would boot to a blue screen. I'd start with the OS ROM, Antic and GTIA. If you have socketed chips, that would help a lot. I just tried it, taking the BAS out of a good board. It boots to the self test like you said. Edited May 28, 2017 by russg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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