Purchased a working Atari 130XE with (possible?) unfinished mod?

[ColecoGamer]

As the title states, I recently purchased a working Atari 130XE. What I noticed right away is that someone had cut a hole on the backside of the case. Feeling curious, I decided to open the machine. What I found was a series of wire leads soldered to two different chips on the motherboard. These wires are all connected to what appears to be a passthru/power connector of some kind.

 

I am posting some photos hoping that someone here can indentify what this mod (or unfinished mod?) could be. It looks clean, but there is no electrical tape holding the wires in place, and I am worried about them eventually coming loose.

 

 

[ColecoGamer]

If the picture of the motherboard isn't good enough, please let me know so I can post a new one. I just noticed that my camera's flash is obscuring one of the chips that are attached to those wires.

 

Edited for spelling

Edited August 9, 2017 by ColecoGamer

[ColecoGamer]

As you can tell, I am new to Atari computers. Is the cable inside my 130xe common and not a mod as first thought?

Edited August 9, 2017 by ColecoGamer

[pirx]

it's a mod

[flashjazzcat]

Maybe some internal CF interface (hence slot) which plugged into the OS ROM or similar? Jumpers appear to be picking off R/W, O2, and $D1xx.

[flashjazzcat]

Internal MYIDE.

 

https://www.atarimax.com/myide_old/documentation/install_guides/65xe.html

[ColecoGamer]

Thank you; I really appreciate the responses! Since the mod is already complete, what parts would I need to take advantage of it? Flashjazzcat mentioned it was an internal MYIDE setup.

[flashjazzcat]

Flashjazzcat mentioned it was an internal MYIDE setup.

You'd need to purchase an internal MYIDE board from the same site I linked to above.

[ColecoGamer]

You'd need to purchase an internal MYIDE board from the same site I linked to above.

D'oh! My apologies; I was so excited by the news, I missed your link!

[hueyjones70]

I also recently purchased a 130XE with a smililar mod. Mine has the pink and purple wires. The computer does not work at all. I can't see any other problems with the motherboard. The power light does not come on but I checked the switch with a multimeter and it shows 5.3 volts coming in.

[1050]

Pink and purple wires are factory hoo-doo and many have them

and they all used to work. Does the 5+ make it onto the board

at the middle switch contact though? Switches do go bad with

oxidized contacts such that they appear to work but do nothing

electrically. They can be taken apart and contact cleaner shot

past the ball socket internally to work magic in a can but often the

entire switch is just replaced instead. Taken apart for this switch

means spreading the flat side springs that hold the plastic rocker in

place, removing the plastic rocker to reveal the external guide pin

and exterior ball portion of the ball and socket. Push inward on the

ball and shoot contact cleaner past it such that the liquid can get

inside. Using small pliers on the guide pin, work the switch carefully

until it clears the crud internally and begins to work as it did before

time degraded it. Switch is available from Best Electronics but he has

a 50 dollar minimum order amount and likely doesn't do overseas

shipments willingly. WD-40 would work for contact cleaner if you

don't have any handy.

 

http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/

 

Page 93

65XE / 130XE On/Off Switch CO61913 / CO61022 / CO70006 - $1.25

no working link sorry - he wants you to call him and order it

verbally anyway.

 

Temp test for switch would be to short middle leg to lower leg with

screwdriver shank. If the power light comes on now then it's the

switch in need of attention.

[hueyjones70]

Glad to find out that the pink and purple wires are factory. You nailed it with the switch info. Turns out that my switch was bad, cannabilized a non-working 800XL and the 130XE is ok except for keyboard, some dead keys. If cleaning doesn't work, I will get another from Best.

[hueyjones70]

How can I post pictures?

[+DrVenkman]

How can I post pictures?

 

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