Atari 850 diagnostics?

[+Nezgar]

Alright, we're getting somewhere, you've confirmed you have communication through to the 850 now. Stick with BobTerm in Full Duplex mode for now - configured for Ascii translation (not Atari/VT52E/VT52O for now). With full duplex is normal to not see what you're typing if there is no working modem or not connected, as it relys on the remote device to echo back what you type. Now we're just not sure about the communication from the 850 to the wimodem232.

 

In Ascii mode, at each baud rate, try typing "AT" then Return, and you're expecting an 'OK' response.

 

The wimodem232 may be hardcoded to support 19200bps only, and the 850 can only do up to 9600 reliably. Can you connect it to a PC at 19200 and confirm if it works from there. If so, see if you have a setting to configure it for a lower baud rate such as 9600 or 4800, and then try again with the 850.

 

Also, if you have any old real modems, you can connect one of those, and try a similar "AT"<Return> sequence at each baud rate. Also when you connect a real external modem, watch the status LED lights. When you connect the 850, you should see some lights change/light up , such as RTS/RS and DTR/TR.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Chameleon loads the R: driver from 850 ROM: Seems to work

Bobterm loads the R: driver from 850 ROM: Seems to work too.

ICE-T does not load the R: driver from 850 ROM: Normal behavior. It needs a software driver.

 

Full duplex only returns characters when a modem device has "echo" enabled. If no device, or not working, no characters will be returned.

Half duplex always shows characters you typed. If a device "echoes" them you'll see every character dduupplliiccaatteedd.

 

Looks like at least the 850 is functional now but unable to communicate with the modem. Double check the custom cabling from 850 to modem.

 

When I have the computer in this configuration, the device information programs still do not see the R: device handler.

Also, I am not using custom cabling, I purchased the actual Terminal cable from atari.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Alright, we're getting somewhere, you've confirmed you have communication through to the 850 now. Stick with BobTerm in Full Duplex mode for now - configured for Ascii translation (not Atari/VT52E/VT52O for now). With full duplex is normal to not see what you're typing if there is no working modem or not connected, as it relys on the remote device to echo back what you type. Now we're just not sure about the communication from the 850 to the wimodem232.

 

In Ascii mode, at each baud rate, try typing "AT" then Return, and you're expecting an 'OK' response.

 

The wimodem232 may be hardcoded to support 19200bps only, and the 850 can only do up to 9600 reliably. Can you connect it to a PC at 19200 and confirm if it works from there. If so, see if you have a setting to configure it for a lower baud rate such as 9600 or 4800, and then try again with the 850.

 

Also, if you have any old real modems, you can connect one of those, and try a similar "AT"<Return> sequence at each baud rate. Also when you connect a real external modem, watch the status LED lights. When you connect the 850, you should see some lights change/light up , such as RTS/RS and DTR/TR.

 

I did get to this point before, but now I understand more what is happening. I have been cycling through the baud rates, and get no response.

 

I stupidly got rid of my actual Hayes modem. I don't have any other serial modems, only the XM301 sio modem.

 

I will hook the wimodem232 back up to my compaq and make settings.

Edited April 5, 2018 by SINGLE TOOTH

[NISMOPC]

Also, I am not using custom cabling, I purchased the actual Terminal cable from atari.

 

The "terminal" cable is a NULL modem cable. You need the "modem" cable.

 

Did you purchase the CX-87 or CX-88 or both?? The CX-87 "modem" cable is was is needed.

 

If you purchased the CX-88, you might get away with using another NULL modem adapter inline to reverse it, but no guarantees that will work.

Edited April 5, 2018 by NISMOPC

[NISMOPC]

For reference, this is my set-up currently:

130XE => 1050 (1) => 1050 (2) => 850 => SIO2PC => PC

||

CX-87

||

wimodem232

Edited April 5, 2018 by NISMOPC

[SINGLE TOOTH]

 

The "terminal" cable is a NULL modem cable. You need the "modem" cable.

 

Did you purchase the CX-87 or CX-88 or both?? The CX-87 "modem" cable is was is needed.

 

If you purchased the CX-88, you might get away with using another NULL modem adapter inline to reverse it, but no guarantees that will work.

I actually purchased both. All kinds of people were telling me to use the "null" modem cable aka the Terminal Cable. I didn't understand why that would be needed so I bought the Modem cable also. I'll try again with the Modem cable.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

For reference, this is my set-up currently:

 

130XE => 1050 (1) => 1050 (2) => 850 => SIO2PC => PC

||

CX-87

||

wimodem232

I see a small pic of your setup in your avatar photo. Got any larger pictures? I'd like to see your setup, it seems pretty sweet.

[NISMOPC]

I actually purchased both. All kinds of people were telling me to use the "null" modem cable aka the Terminal Cable. I didn't understand why that would be needed so I bought the Modem cable also. I'll try again with the Modem cable.

 

I initially was attempting to use a Lantronix UDS-10 and also got mixed research results and responses. So I also have both cables. In the end the CX-87 is what I needed, especially when I went to the wimodem232.

[NISMOPC]

I see a small pic of your setup in your avatar photo. Got any larger pictures? I'd like to see your setup, it seems pretty sweet.

Check out my gallery - I am always changing it around, but the avatar is probably the closest to how it is right now...

 

 

 

 

Edited April 5, 2018 by NISMOPC

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Check out my gallery - I am always changing it around, but the avatar is probably the closest to how it is right now...

 

Sweet! I like the TI99 setup too. I saw the little Professor calculator on your shelf, lol. I used to have one of those as a child. I like the Atari Setup, that's pretty awesome. I really like seeing people's setups. You use ICE-T with your wimodem232?

 

I also like the litte atari badge on your monitor, that's a nice touch.

Edited April 5, 2018 by SINGLE TOOTH

[NISMOPC]

Sweet! I like the TI99 setup too. I saw the little Professor calculator on your shelf, lol. I used to have one of those as a child. I like the Atari Setup, that's pretty awesome. I really like seeing people's setups. You use ICE-T with your wimodem232?

 

I also like the litte atari badge on your monitor, that's a nice touch.

Yes, I'm using Ice-T 2.80 Alpha 7 @ 9600 baud ==> http://atariage.com/forums/topic/217539-ice-t-xe-276-released/page-6?do=findComment&comment=3090553

 

The TI-99 is my original unit from my pre-teens, and the Little Professor is also mine from whenever it was given to me in my youth. The 800XL on the shelf and one of the 1050 drives is also my original units from early teens. All work as expected...

 

The ATARI badge is leftover from a severely damaged 400 (after seller decided not to secure it in a lot I received) that I brought back to life with another used case off ebay.

Edited April 5, 2018 by NISMOPC

[SINGLE TOOTH]

I've had great success. I've managed to dial up to a BBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to use the Modem cable to the wimodem232 and use the right SIO port on the "old" 850.

 

It really sucks that the old 850 has a bum sio port and the NIB 850 doesn't seem to work. I did get it to make that distorted fart-like noise a few times where it should be loading the drivers.

I reseated all of the chips on both 850s and no change. Although I think I did manage to break the socket somewhat on the new 850. I didn't realize it was some sort of ZIF socket that slides.

 

I'll try the multimeter continuity advise as previously suggested... Any other tips on how to get these 850s working?

 

[+Nezgar]

Excellent! I may have missed something, but what did you do differently this time to make it work?

 

Edit: got it, I missed you mentioned you were previously using the cx-88 terminal cable instead of the cx-87 modem cable this time. Cheers!

Edited April 6, 2018 by Nezgar

[BillC]

.

Edited April 6, 2018 by BillC

[+tf_hh]

Congratulations, well done with good help from this community

 

This thread, the login screen brings me back to the old times with BBS´s... I think, I will dig in the basement, hope to find my 850, the US Robotics modem and finally hope, it will connect over the actual VOIP fixed line...

 

Are there some real working BBS in the U.S. with real analogue dial-in ports - no telnet etc.? Does anybody has a list?

 

Jurgen

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Congratulations, well done with good help from this community

 

This thread, the login screen brings me back to the old times with BBS´s... I think, I will dig in the basement, hope to find my 850, the US Robotics modem and finally hope, it will connect over the actual VOIP fixed line...

 

Are there some real working BBS in the U.S. with real analogue dial-in ports - no telnet etc.? Does anybody has a list?

 

Jurgen

 

 

I actually did dial into a bbs with my xm301 modem, but there aren’t many dial in bbs’s. It looked like crap on 40 columns on my Atari though. Not sure if there are any dial up Atari boards. Google bbs list and you’ll see a site that has a list of all bbs’s. There is a separate list for dual up bbs.

 

edit I see you’re in Germany. Not sure if that list will help you.

Edited April 6, 2018 by SINGLE TOOTH

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Excellent! I may have missed something, but what did you do differently this time to make it work?

 

Edit: got it, I missed you mentioned you were previously using the cx-88 terminal cable instead of the cx-87 modem cable this time. Cheers!

I am not sure why it didn’t work at some point earlier as I’ve prosbbly tried this combination before. What really helped is knowing what sounds to listen for so the 850 drivers loaded. I did also notice bobterm did load some extra drivers this time around. I can’t say I saw that happen before.

[NISMOPC]

It really sucks that the old 850 has a bum sio port and the NIB 850 doesn't seem to work. I did get it to make that distorted fart-like noise a few times where it should be loading the drivers.

I reseated all of the chips on both 850s and no change. Although I think I did manage to break the socket somewhat on the new 850. I didn't realize it was some sort of ZIF socket that slides.

 

I'll try the multimeter continuity advise as previously suggested... Any other tips on how to get these 850s working?

Glad to see you got it working! My 850 came in a lot I purchased a few months back and thankfully worked just fine. Maybe you could open up the "bad" one and look for loose solder points on the SIO connector as well as any possible cracked traces. The board in this is pretty robust, so I doubt the traces are cracked. As for the NOS 850, well, that just SUCKS!

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Glad to see you got it working! My 850 came in a lot I purchased a few months back and thankfully worked just fine. Maybe you could open up the "bad" one and look for loose solder points on the SIO connector as well as any possible cracked traces. The board in this is pretty robust, so I doubt the traces are cracked. As for the NOS 850, well, that just SUCKS!

I took them both apart last night. I didn't visually see anything wrong at all.

 

Maybe I'll reflow the pins anyway.

Really disappointed that the NIB 850 didn't work.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Congratulations, well done with good help from this community

 

This thread, the login screen brings me back to the old times with BBS´s... I think, I will dig in the basement, hope to find my 850, the US Robotics modem and finally hope, it will connect over the actual VOIP fixed line...

 

Are there some real working BBS in the U.S. with real analogue dial-in ports - no telnet etc.? Does anybody has a list?

 

Jurgen

 

 

Download the list here, and in the zip file there is a file for dialup bbses.

 

https://www.telnetbbsguide.com/lists/download-list/

[Kyle22]

That's a nice list, but mine isn't on it yet.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

That's a nice list, but mine isn't on it yet.

I think you have to request it be included.

[JoeFL77]

I know this is an old thread but if the 850 still does not work, try DeoxIT D5.

 

I had an 800 that only part of the SIO would work. 

 

I took out the Pokey and PIA a couple times and it did not help.

 

Bought some DeoxIT d5.  Before I removed the chips, I put DeoxIT on the pins of the ICs.  Removed them, put more on the legs. Inserted chips.  It all works. 

 

My 800 was very clean when I got it.  No rust type corrosion on the pins, but they were not shiney either.

 

I used standard Q-tips.  Not the correct tool, but is what I had.  I was very careful about leaving "hairs" from the Q-tips.  I believe they make foam ones that would be proper to use.

 

In a few moments, I am going to try a untested 850 I just got.  I do not have devices to plug into it.  This thread will help me a lot.  Thinking of buying a Star NX-1000II printer but not sure if I should spend the money or use Fujinet or SIO2PC/USB to print through and Windows 10 Computer.

[Mazzspeed]

Is this a new WiModem232? If so, do an AT*UPDATE command in terminal and it should download and apply an update if one is available.

 

They're an awesome device.

Edited April 27, 2021 by Mazzspeed

[moonlight_mile]

This is so weird I was just looking up this thread the other day to see if I could dump my rom or to determine if I have the most up to date rom or not.

All my chips are around the end of 1981 and the beginning of 1982. I can’t remember when the 850 was discontinued but I am guessing probably not too much past 1982.

If I popped this on my tl866 what model of chip should I use?