256KB 600XL?

[griz]

I would like to expand a new 600XL to 256KB of xe-compatible ram. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is there anyone here who can perform such an upgrade (hardware+installation)? I know of some who could handle the installation, but what hardware schematics and/or products/parts are available/required? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Marius]

I would like to expand a new 600XL to 256KB of xe-compatible ram. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is there anyone here who can perform such an upgrade (hardware+installation)? I know of some who could handle the installation, but what hardware schematics and/or products/parts are available/required? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

there is an SRAM upgrade available in Germany. I still did not build it in my 600XL but it is 600XL compatible. It is even beter, because it makes your 600XL 576KB in total. But first you have to upgrade it to 64KB yourself. That is an easy upgrade, without (except for 2 64K DRAMS (4bit)) any parts needed.

 

The SRAM upgrade is almost plug and play. But in the 600XL you need to remove the ANTIC socket, and that might be a little hard if you don't have desolder experience.

 

Marius

[mimo]

there is an SRAM upgrade available in Germany. I still did not build it in my 600XL but it is 600XL compatible. It is even beter, because it makes your 600XL 576KB in total. But first you have to upgrade it to 64KB yourself. That is an easy upgrade, without (except for 2 64K DRAMS (4bit)) any parts needed.

 

 

Do you know where I can find the "how to"?

I have the MegaHz upgrade ready to put in, but need to do the 64K upgrade first as you have said.

[MrMartian]

I would like to expand a new 600XL to 256KB of xe-compatible ram. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is there anyone here who can perform such an upgrade (hardware+installation)? I know of some who could handle the installation, but what hardware schematics and/or products/parts are available/required? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

I know this would work: XL Memory Upgrade And, yes, I know my documentation sucks. I am working on writing up something better.

 

I could offer help in installation, or even do it for you if you wanted to ship your 600XL to me.

[pepax]

Here is my expanded 600XL (many thanks Beetle!).

The 64KB/Q-MEG/LPT upgrade was made in the late armory Zbrojovka Brno, I guess, as a moonlight job of course (they also manufactured computers, parts and peripherals during the socialist times).

 

Speaking about Mega-Hz, you might also like this fine product of his.

[mimo]

Here is my expanded 600XL (many thanks Beetle!).

The 64KB/Q-MEG/LPT upgrade was made in the late armory Zbrojovka Brno, I guess, as a moonlight job of course (they also manufactured computers, parts and peripherals during the socialist times).

 

Speaking about Mega-Hz, you might also like this fine product of his.

Yep, got one of those, just to find 15 friends!!

Hopefully I will get to a retro gaming meet next year and break out the MJ16

[+Guitarman]

there is an SRAM upgrade available in Germany. I still did not build it in my 600XL but it is 600XL compatible. It is even beter, because it makes your 600XL 576KB in total. But first you have to upgrade it to 64KB yourself. That is an easy upgrade, without (except for 2 64K DRAMS (4bit)) any parts needed.

 

 

Do you know where I can find the "how to"?

I have the MegaHz upgrade ready to put in, but need to do the 64K upgrade first as you have said.

 

I have the instructions somewhere for the 2 chip 64K 600XL upgrade but need to find them (the move ,ya know!! LOL). All it is are the 2 64Kx4 dram chips and 3 jumper wires. Very easy to do.

 

EDIT*****

Found this. I will still look for my instruction sheet I have since I think it varies just a hair.

 

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.

Edited November 20, 2007 by Guitarman

[griz]

I would like to expand a new 600XL to 256KB of xe-compatible ram. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is there anyone here who can perform such an upgrade (hardware+installation)? I know of some who could handle the installation, but what hardware schematics and/or products/parts are available/required? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

I know this would work: XL Memory Upgrade And, yes, I know my documentation sucks. I am working on writing up something better.

 

I could offer help in installation, or even do it for you if you wanted to ship your 600XL to me.

 

Great, thanks for the responses guys.

 

MrMartian, Does that also require the 64KB upgrade to be installed first?

[MrMartian]

MrMartian, Does that also require the 64KB upgrade to be installed first?

Yes, it would. This upgrade only adds the extended memory.

 

I could make a version of this that would replace all the RAM in a 600XL, where in 512K mode, you would have 512K+64K full, and in 1M mode, it would be 1M-64K.

 

Would anyone be interested in that?

Edited November 20, 2007 by MrMartian

[mimo]

MrMartian, Does that also require the 64KB upgrade to be installed first?

Yes, it would. This upgrade only adds the extended memory.

 

I could make a version of this that would replace all the RAM in a 600XL, where in 512K mode, you would have 512K+64K full, and in 1M mode, it would be 1M-64K.

 

Would anyone be interested in that?

well that would depend on cost!

Is your upgrade Antic compatible ?

[mimo]

there is an SRAM upgrade available in Germany. I still did not build it in my 600XL but it is 600XL compatible. It is even beter, because it makes your 600XL 576KB in total. But first you have to upgrade it to 64KB yourself. That is an easy upgrade, without (except for 2 64K DRAMS (4bit)) any parts needed.

 

 

Do you know where I can find the "how to"?

I have the MegaHz upgrade ready to put in, but need to do the 64K upgrade first as you have said.

 

I have the instructions somewhere for the 2 chip 64K 600XL upgrade but need to find them (the move ,ya know!! LOL). All it is are the 2 64Kx4 dram chips and 3 jumper wires. Very easy to do.

 

EDIT*****

Found this. I will still look for my instruction sheet I have since I think it varies just a hair.

 

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.

Thanks for that, I guess I could just snip the relevant pins and bend them up to save de-soldering?

[MrMartian]

MrMartian, Does that also require the 64KB upgrade to be installed first?

Yes, it would. This upgrade only adds the extended memory.

 

I could make a version of this that would replace all the RAM in a 600XL, where in 512K mode, you would have 512K+64K full, and in 1M mode, it would be 1M-64K.

 

Would anyone be interested in that?

well that would depend on cost!

Is your upgrade Antic compatible ?

 

Yes, it is Antic compatible. Read this original thread: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=113354

 

I would sell the chip for the same cost as the other one, as it doesn't cost me any more.. It's not that hard a modification over what I've implemented already... As for the actual cost, I'm looking into shipping info, and will let you know soon.

[griz]

MrMartian, Does that also require the 64KB upgrade to be installed first?

Yes, it would. This upgrade only adds the extended memory.

 

I could make a version of this that would replace all the RAM in a 600XL, where in 512K mode, you would have 512K+64K full, and in 1M mode, it would be 1M-64K.

 

Would anyone be interested in that?

 

This new version that you could make - it would work with a stock 16K 600XL?

[Marius]

This new version that you could make - it would work with a stock 16K 600XL?

 

Hi Griz,

 

Don't be too afraid for the upgrade to 64KB. It is SO simple, that I really don't understand why not many more people upgrade their 600XL to 64KB. In fact it is more a modification... so simple. And I'm not really a technical-hero so when I say it is simple, it is REALLLLLY simple

 

And other thing:

 

It will be difficult to make an upgrade for the stock 16KB xl, because of this:

 

Extra memory, is like the name: EXTRA. In fact you have to think about TWO systems in one: first the stock 64KB atari, and next to that: the upgraded memory. The circuit that controls the extra memory has not much to do with the stock 64KB memory. So however it could be possible to upgrade your 16KB XL without changing the 16KB, It will be a complete re-arrangement of the computer. A big thing.

 

Good luck!

 

Marius

 

p.s. I saw someone else already posted the upgrade to 64KB...

[mimo]

can I use 41464-12 ICs?

[+Guitarman]

can I use 41464-12 ICs?

 

 

Yes, they are 4464 compatible, just a different manufacturer.

[mimo]

cool thanks

[jonweiss]

I also am interested in upgrading my 600Xl. The problem I'm running into is I can't find any 4464's here in the states.

I have 4164's and 41256's but no 4464's. Will the 41256's work or maybe someone can point me to someone selling them.

 

Thanks

[Roydea6]

Hi,

 

Try this link: Sorry it is an Ebay Item, but I just received mine yesterday.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=320189017053

 

Good Luck

 

 

Roy

[Urchlay]

I have 4164's and 41256's but no 4464's. Will the 41256's work or maybe someone can point me to someone selling them.

 

41256s won't work.

 

If you can find a place that has a large pile of old PC parts (computer junkyard, or a friend who's a packrat), look for ISA video cards. I found some 4464s on one, and they work fine for my 64K upgraded 600XL. I didn't even have to desolder them: they were in sockets on the old vid card...

[pepax]

41256s won't work.

 

If you can find a place that has a large pile of old PC parts (computer junkyard, or a friend who's a packrat), look for ISA video cards. I found some 4464s on one, and they work fine for my 64K upgraded 600XL. I didn't even have to desolder them: they were in sockets on the old vid card...

 

 

I was lucky to find a few EGA video cards. They usually have 8 socketed pieces of 4464 RAMs. They work well in my repaired C64-II and upgraded C16. Didn't need to put them in my 600XL as it's already upgraded. originally to 64KB and now it has Mega-Hz's 512KB upgrade board.

Edited December 13, 2007 by pepax

[jonweiss]

Now thats wht I really needed. Thanks, I just ordered some.

 

I knew they were on old video cards but I threw them all away a long time ago. Funny my wife still calls me a packrat.

 

 

quote name='rdea6' date='Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:36 PM' post='1425067']

Hi,

 

Try this link: Sorry it is an Ebay Item, but I just received mine yesterday.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=320189017053

 

Good Luck

 

 

Roy

[timofonic]

So when are you gonna release the jedec code and/or offer the pre-programmed PLD?

 

Many many apologies! Too much work and not enough Atari makes me forget what I have to finish ...

 

http://www.isletech.net/atari

 

I am still writing up information on wiring, but that's the start..

 

I found this message on the other thread. Just to be safe, it's your 512kb expansion for XL already finished and "production ready"?

 

Where are the schematics?

 

EDIT: Found this http://mega-hz.no-ip.com/ATARI/ATARI%208Bi...re/512K%20SRAM/

Edited December 16, 2007 by timofonic

[jonweiss]

Thanks for the link but I think it's down. I have been trying to contact mega-hz for sometime. Does anyone else sell these? I'd really like to get one.

 

 

 

So when are you gonna release the jedec code and/or offer the pre-programmed PLD?

 

Many many apologies! Too much work and not enough Atari makes me forget what I have to finish ...

 

http://www.isletech.net/atari

 

I am still writing up information on wiring, but that's the start..

 

I found this message on the other thread. Just to be safe, it's your 512kb expansion for XL already finished and "production ready"?

 

Where are the schematics?

 

EDIT: Found this http://mega-hz.no-ip.com/ATARI/ATARI%208Bi...re/512K%20SRAM/

[MrMartian]

I found this message on the other thread. Just to be safe, it's your 512kb expansion for XL already finished and "production ready"?

 

Where are the schematics?

 

Finished, yes. But, keep in mind this is basically a hack! I never intended it as a board to be produced, just a controller chip for those inclined to do some soldering. The point of it being all in one chip was to minimize the number of wires required. What kind of schematics would you be looking for? Just an interconnect diagram between the board, chip, and SIMM?

 

Recognizing that 30 pin SIMMs are scarce, and this isn't something anybody can just drop in, I've been working on a version that's all on a board, with some other useful features. Unfortunately, as I started a new job at the beginning of December, my hardware hacking spare time has been reduced to near nil, so it's taking me longer to get anywhere. I'm planning big!