adam1977 Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 I've already posted this on the AtariAge Facebook page, but I thought i'd post it here too in case any members aren't on the FB page I've made a short video of my Atari 800 booting up in the hope that someone can help me with it. As you can see from the video it struggles to load up memopad and basic, but basketball and Atari Logo don't do anything at all. What I have done is: Re-seated all of the chips on the motherboard and on each RAM/ROM card Cleaned all of the edge connectors on each RAM/ROM with 99% isopropyl Tried one RAM card at a time (16k) In the video i'm typing anything to demonstrate the keyboard works with memopad, but on BASIC I can type but once return is pressed nothing else works keyboard wise. I'm using a lead bought off eBay, with three phono plugs, red/white and yellow (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261035157096) https://vimeo.com/285733592 I had the 800XL for Christmas in '83 and had never seen an 800 until years later, but I just love the style and build quality and had to get one when I had the chance, i'm hoping this isn't too damaged and that I can get it working. Many thanks and it's great to be here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faicuai Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 I've already posted this on the AtariAge Facebook page, but I thought i'd post it here too in case any members aren't on the FB page I've made a short video of my Atari 800 booting up in the hope that someone can help me with it. As you can see from the video it struggles to load up memopad and basic, but basketball and Atari Logo don't do anything at all. What I have done is: Re-seated all of the chips on the motherboard and on each RAM/ROM card Cleaned all of the edge connectors on each RAM/ROM with 99% isopropyl Tried one RAM card at a time (16k) In the video i'm typing anything to demonstrate the keyboard works with memopad, but on BASIC I can type but once return is pressed nothing else works keyboard wise. I'm using a lead bought off eBay, with three phono plugs, red/white and yellow (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261035157096) https://vimeo.com/285733592 I had the 800XL for Christmas in '83 and had never seen an 800 until years later, but I just love the style and build quality and had to get one when I had the chance, i'm hoping this isn't too damaged and that I can get it working. Many thanks and it's great to be here From 30k-feet view. it seems that 6502, Antic, GTIA, and Pokey do work (at least to the point of getting to MemoPad and being able to type, read input from the keyboard, and sending it to video-memory in RAM). But Basic and others locking up during or after booting, sounds like the CPU crashes at some execution point. At this point, I would completely discard RAM failures, by cycling 16K boards on slot-1 only, one by one, and repeating the entire test (including carts) for each obe. Then the next suspect is the personality board, some region of ROM damaged, but that requires more HW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted August 22, 2018 Author Share Posted August 22, 2018 Many thanks, i'll try the RAM boards again, I take it they're inserted in the slot next to the ROM module? I'll report back after trying this P.S: Apologies for the video, i'm not good at things like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faicuai Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Many thanks, i'll try the RAM boards again, I take it they're inserted in the slot next to the ROM module? I'll report back after trying this P.S: Apologies for the video, i'm not good at things like this CORRECT. Insert ONLY one RAM board, on the slot #2, right next to the Personality slot #1 (first from ftont to back) and repeat all tests for each and every board, on that slot. Make sure NOTHING else is plugged on the remeaining slots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted August 22, 2018 Author Share Posted August 22, 2018 Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 also make sure the carts are in the proper cart slot on the left normally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Westphal Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 If that does not fix it, let me know. I think it's a bad ram card myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 (edited) make sure no foam bits or debri is in the slits for the cart connectors in the 800 and they clean and not damaged... I've seen that haunt folks already Edited August 22, 2018 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 While in the basic cart.. type only valid basic commands (i.e.) list, end, goto, print fre(0) otherwise you will get a syntax error might halt the cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 I accidentally found out that Jumpman is a handy tool to check 800 memory cards. I never even knew I had a faulty RAM card in my 800. To be honest....it is not a “use a lot” machine for me (no Incognito) so I hadn’t tried a lot of software with it but when I tried Jumpman it reported it needed 32k to run. Having had only XL and XE machines before of course I never encountered that fault report so I was pretty surprised. The more so since I knew the full 48k was present in my PAL 800. This made me think there might be something wrong with one of the RAM cards so I started swapping them around until I got the game to simply run. For some reason when I had the good cards in the front slots it worked. Next was finding the wrong RAM chip on the bad card....figured that out by swapping RAM chips between one of the good boards and the ones on the bad board. All this with still Jumpman as being my diagnostic software Naturally it was the last RAM chip that i tried....but at least I found it. Replaced it with a RAM chip I had around that only needs single power supply with a small mod to the pins of the chip and it’s been working great ever since..... Maybe...this method could work for you....but maybe there are also RAM test tools for the 800 ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) also make sure the carts are in the proper cart slot on the left normally Will do thanks! If that does not fix it, let me know. I think it's a bad ram card myself. I might check the RAM cards tonight, as soon as I find anything i'll post my findings make sure no foam bits or debri is in the slits for the cart connectors in the 800 and they clean and not damaged... I've seen that haunt folks already I'll have a really good look thank you While in the basic cart.. type only valid basic commands (i.e.) list, end, goto, print fre(0) otherwise you will get a syntax error might halt the cartridge. I have tried something I used to do years ago, which was 10 PRINT "ADAM" but as soon as I press return to type the next command it freezes as in the video, but i'll try those commands just in case I accidentally found out that Jumpman is a handy tool to check 800 memory cards. I never even knew I had a faulty RAM card in my 800. To be honest....it is not a “use a lot” machine for me (no Incognito) so I hadn’t tried a lot of software with it but when I tried Jumpman it reported it needed 32k to run. Having had only XL and XE machines before of course I never encountered that fault report so I was pretty surprised. The more so since I knew the full 48k was present in my PAL 800. This made me think there might be something wrong with one of the RAM cards so I started swapping them around until I got the game to simply run. For some reason when I had the good cards in the front slots it worked. Next was finding the wrong RAM chip on the bad card....figured that out by swapping RAM chips between one of the good boards and the ones on the bad board. All this with still Jumpman as being my diagnostic software Naturally it was the last RAM chip that i tried....but at least I found it. Replaced it with a RAM chip I had around that only needs single power supply with a small mod to the pins of the chip and it’s been working great ever since..... Maybe...this method could work for you....but maybe there are also RAM test tools for the 800 ? Very interesting in how you found out about yours, i'll try swapping the RAM cards later if I have time Edit: I've just looked on eBay for Jumpman and it's quite pricey, I wonder if there are any similar 32k carts available that are cheaper? Edited August 23, 2018 by adam1977 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 Right, i've just finished checking each RAM card in turn with each cartridge and the results are very similar to my initial findings, with various colour screens, a white screen with a grey band on the left hand side being the most dramatic I've also tried typing proper commands, as suggested by rdea6, but as before, once 'Return' is pressed nothing else works, including pressing the reset button. Any ideas where I go from here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) Edit: I've just looked on eBay for Jumpman and it's quite pricey, I wonder if there are any similar 32k carts available that are cheaper? uhhh.....yeah....just download it for free here: http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-jumpman_2713.html But you'll need a floppy drive or a SIO2PC or a Strive-Max or some multi cartridge to run it.... Edited August 23, 2018 by Level42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 I'm afraid I haven't got either a floppy drive or an SIO2PC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I'm afraid I haven't got either a floppy drive or an SIO2PC You're going to need something sooner or later.... Sdrive Max is cheap and easy to build and use and allows you to put stuff on a SD card and load it on the A8. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 That sounds brilliant, have you got a link by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 (edited) That sounds brilliant, have you got a link by any chance? Here is a post from a week ago with links for the 3 main pieces, the SIO cable and case will need to be obtained elsewhere. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/275629-sdrive-max-atx-support/page-14?do=findComment&comment=4112651 AFAIK there isn't anyone selling complete units, this may change though. Edited September 21, 2018 by BillC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted September 21, 2018 Author Share Posted September 21, 2018 Thank you very much, much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted October 7, 2018 Author Share Posted October 7, 2018 Since my last post i've caught up with the latest technology (somewhat) and have bought an SIO2SD, just the bare bones one as it was cheaper, I just need to get an enclosure for it now. Anyway, i've also bought another Atari 800, with a bundle of peripherals, tapes and cartridges and it's all fully working. My intention with this is to test a 1050 and a 410 I bought as 'untested' on eBay, but I did think as well that with a fully working 800, I might be able to get my broken 800 working as well So with this in mind, and before I start swapping things over and breaking things, can anyone please advise me where to start, I did think maybe with the RAM boards? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 (edited) I would make sure to identify what card belongs in or comes from what slot... if anything is custom or you have memory upgrades you are un-aware of, keeping them in the same slots can be critical to have it all work as it should.... Edited October 7, 2018 by _The Doctor__ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted October 7, 2018 Author Share Posted October 7, 2018 Good idea thanks, i've got some self adhesive labels I could use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted October 13, 2018 Author Share Posted October 13, 2018 Well i've made a lot of progress with the broken 800! I started off by connecting my new power supply and the SIO2SD, surprisingly it loaded up, I selected a game and it loaded, albeit to garbled graphics, but I did have sound. Next I took out the closest RAM board to the ROM and swapped it with a known working one, each one I tried had the same effect as before. I then swapped the ROM board over and it booted up every time and it loaded a game from the SIO2SD as well as a cartridge, but parts of the screen were missing, but sound was present. I then dismantled both 800's and swapped over the board that's hidden within the machine itself, swapping this resulted in 100% functionality. I then wondered which chip on the board was faulty, so i swapped over the GTIA chip to begin with and hey presto everything was again, working as it should! I also swapped the internal speaker over and this also works, so i'll need a new ROM board, a speaker and a GTIA chip. The number on mine is C014889-03, i've had a look on eBay and there is one but the number is C014889-01, would this make any difference or are both GTIA chips the same? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 Those GTIA's should be interchangable. The -01 vs -03 probably just differentiates origin factories. The part # seemed odd to me, but it's because yours are PAL GTIA's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1977 Posted October 14, 2018 Author Share Posted October 14, 2018 Thanks a lot, i'll order one and see how it goes Do you happen to know what the specs of the speaker are? Ohms etc? I've tested it and it is cabbaged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClausB Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 (edited) Just measured mine. 60 Ohms DC. Not sure what the AC impedance is. Edited October 14, 2018 by ClausB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.