800XL - External Keyboard?

[koolmoecraig]

I'm looking into building a custom joystick for my 800XL. A lot of the games that I enjoy require keyboard inputs beyond "Start". Miner 2049'er for instance, requires the space bar to activate the elevators and other things.

 

Is there any easy way to add this functionality to a joystick? I don't mind having to connect an additional cable from the joystick to another port.

 

Thoughts?

[Fox-1 / mnx]

An easy way... no.

 

Software solution: Write a custom assembler routine that takes a chosen input (joystick/paddle/whatever) and translate it into a key press. Modify the game in question and hook the routine into the game. Safest bet is the joystick handling part. Sometimes it possible to run the code in a VBI which you can init before starting the game. Depending on how the game does set-up it's own VBI routines you can also extend it by adding your routine to the end of the existing VBI.

 

 

Hardware solution: Hack your keyboard input. Did it once with a PC keyboard on where I added a joystick connector. A connected Atari joystick acted as cursor keys with the fire button as space bar. The same can be done on 8-Bit Atari.

[koolmoecraig]

That's what I figured.

 

I'll find a broken XL and use that - put a little keypad on the joystick and run a cable from it to inside my 800XL to the keyboard connection.

 

Speaking of which - Anyone have a broken XL?

[Fox-1 / mnx]

You don't need an extra XL for just that. What part(s) do you think you need from it?

[Osgeld]

you could use a transkey II a gizmo that converts a ps/2 keyboard for the atari

 

its still a mod but then you could use a cheap ps/2 numkeypad or something

[+mytek]

you could use a transkey II a gizmo that converts a ps/2 keyboard for the atari

 

its still a mod but then you could use a cheap ps/2 numkeypad or something

 

You took the words right out of my mouth .

 

If that looks like a possible solution the OP can use the link in my signature to see what's available.

[Fox-1 / mnx]

All above are viable options but a bit overkill for just an extra button or two.

 

Attaching 2 wires to your internal keyboard connector (pin 7 and 11) gives you the option to connect an external space-button.

 

I have a CX85 keypad which is modified by it's previous owner. It has an extra connector which needs to be plugged into a modified 800XL. The mod is just wires attached to the keyboard connection (number keys) to let the CX85 work without a driver. It's pretty much what you want.

[koolmoecraig]

You don't need an extra XL for just that. What part(s) do you think you need from it?

 

Well, I thought it would be cool if the keys were the same as the XL keys. If I'm going to go through the trouble I might as well add the option, select, start buttons as well.

[koolmoecraig]

You took the words right out of my mouth .

 

If that looks like a possible solution the OP can use the link in my signature to see what's available.

 

Very cool products you have there. Never knew they existed!

 

Question: Can the Transkey work alongside the stock keyboard or is it one or the other?

[+mytek]

Question: Can the Transkey work alongside the stock keyboard or is it one or the other?

 

Yes the Transkey will work in parallel with the stock keyboard, but to do so you'll need to set XEGS/XEL mode to OFF. The present state can be checked by pressing ALT+X when at a Basic or DOS prompt screen. Pressing CTRL+ALT+X will toggle the state, with the setting being retained in EEPROM memory to be restored upon power-up.