[STs from Brewing Academy]

On 1/18/2021 at 3:30 PM, mattsoft said:

This is just a heads-up if anyone is considering picking up an Atari 1040ST from Brewing Academy.

 

First off, I love Brewing Academy. Have bought a few things from them and everything has been great. I've recommended them and will continue doing so.

 

I've been looking for a 1040ST a project and Brewing Academy has them in 3 grades: tested, untested, and "only a parent could love". The untested ones are $100 + shipping. Good deal! Like the description says "They are generally in good physical shape and come in two varieties:  Tested and Untested" and the picture shown is a good looking 1040ST (obviously not the one you're buying, but it looks in good physical shape).

 

So I bought an untested one. Either my definition of good physical shape is different than theirs, or maybe I got one that fell off the "generally in good physical shape" truck, but mine is more of a "only a parent could love" model. Dirt and yellow aside (that can be cleaned up), the big issue is that the front case is engraved. I'm not sure I would classify good physical shape to include a very large engraving on the front of the case. Anyway, just a heads-up that you might want to ask before buying, or expect that at least the untested and lower grades will have physical damage to them even though the description does not say this, considering these are as-is, no returns.

 

That's definitely an "only a parent could love" model. Not cool for it to be offered otherwise.

[Just purchased a 65XE for $40......Now What?]

13 hours ago, Crc_Error said:

Just purchased a 65XE for $40 with original box, packaging, RF switchbox and RCA composite cable.  Plugged it in and everything is working perfectly.  I currently also have an 800XL with the UAV upgrade which I have done on it only.   If one was to add all the super great hardware upgrades  (U1MB, Sophia 2, Pokey Sound Upgrades, etc.) that are available out there for the A8's which machine between these two would you upgrade, the 800XL or the 65XE, and why?

  Is the 800XL and 65XE basically the same other than the 65XE not having the PBI on the back?  My 65XE only has the cartridge slot on the back.  Thank you so much for all the info. you guys have given me over the past few months as I have slowly gotten back into the vintage A8's.  

800XL because it has the PBI interface on the back.

 

Most North American 65XEs do not have the necessary ECI port which would be required (plus an adapter) to connect PBI peripherals.

[Rikki & Vikki]

I find it amusing how some folks get startled as they discover "supply and demand". 

 

[5200 Asteroids needs more controller "dead zone"]

On 11/16/2020 at 1:24 AM, Shawn said:

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/82555-to-all-non-programmer-idea-peddlers/

+1

[Newbie (to programming) wants to learn how to convert 5200 ports to 8-bit (and vice versa, 8-bit ports to 5200)]

This is not a project for a "newbie to programming".  Here is what is involved:

1. A thorough understanding of 6502 machine/assembly language.

2. A thorough understanding of how all of the IC's that power an Atari 8-bit/5200 work.  

3. A thorough understanding of the Atari 8-bit's memory map.

4. A thorough understanding of the Atari 5200's memory map.

5. An understanding of how to use a disassembler and how to use its output.

6. An understanding of the difference between code and data memory.

7. An understanding of how to use an assembler.

8. An understanding of how to use a debugger.

9. A thorough understanding of how to convert 5200 analog controller input subroutines into corresponding routines for the 8-bit's digital controllers.  

 

The project you are describing is challenging (but not impossible) for experienced programmers.  If you want to learn to program the Atari, I recommend you consult De Re Atari and start with its examples written in BASIC.  

 

[Sub game on the ST]

On 10/18/2020 at 10:41 AM, Maury Markowitz said:

The first is a WWII game (seriously?), the second is nothing like this game.

That's a funny way to say "No. Not those, but thanks for your thoughts". 

 

[Cuttle Cart 2 and Schell Electronic]

On 10/15/2020 at 1:29 PM, BIGHMW said:

can someone at least pirate the Cuttle Cart 2 hardware/software

 

Seriously?

 

Can't believe I am reading this "F-You" to those who labored over the Cuttle Cart and to those who are working on their own versions of that product.  

 

Not cool.

[Atari XEGS or Atari 65XE computer???]

14 hours ago, mytek said:

I think this is not so much a problem when you consider how little actually supports this. For most people having the U1MB and one of the cart options (SIDE, UNO, ect.) really covers most anything that can be done via the parallel expansion port. And now with FujiNet which only requires the SIO port, I think we are sitting pretty.

 

To each his own, but the SysCheck board has been mentioned more than a few times lately, and it requires either ECI or PBI in order to do its thing.

[Atari XEGS or Atari 65XE computer???]

15 hours ago, BIGHMW said:

Well, considering the 130XE is also available through Best Electronics, and is the same size as the 65XE but with double the RAM (128K for the 130XE vs 64K for the 65XE) 

Most US-market 65XE computers do not have the ECI interface on the back, and this greatly limits your expansion options down the line.  The 130XE has both an additional 64K and the ECI slot (next to the cart slot). 

 

Just to be clear, both the US-market 65XE and the XEGS lack the ECI interface.  For that reason, I would go for either a 130XE or an 800XL.  The latter is a 64K machine (like the 65XE and the XEGS), but it sports a top-loading cart slot and a Parallel Bus Interface, which offers the same expansion options as the 130XE's ECI slot.

[What is the best version of BASIC for the ST for general purpose questions?]

1 hour ago, ParanoidLittleMan said:

Welcome to atarisaurus forum ? I never heard about Microsoft Basic for Atari ST. Looked at atarimania - nope.  So, where can get it, look about details ?

I can google, but this time would like to get direct link(s).

Btw. not sure that Microsoft is much popular in this waters ?

I've used STs since 1986, and I have never heard of Microsoft Basic being released for it.

[SW Programming for Atari ST - what way is best ?]

2 hours ago, Donna45 said:

After you know the language you are going to program in, it is important to think what would be the simplest way of starting your program. A good start is to put all your code in a file called. Do not think that you can do better. The advantage of such a file is that in the first compile you get a simple example that you can compare your idea with. This does not give you the advantage of a program with a specific and complicated design. 

Do not fear the linker. It's your best friend in facilitating code modularity. 

[Dug out the 1200XL from my parents basement and I need help from the experts]

17 hours ago, gilsaluki said:

After its bath, a clean rag with some Armorall will make that chocolate colored gem sparkle.  

I would recommend baby oil over Armor All. The baby oil will rejuvenate the lanolin in the plastic while the Armor All will replace it.  Replacing it causes the plastic to look good for awhile and then turn dingy, requiring indefinite repeated applications. 

[Old Atari 400/800 modem name ???]

On 10/1/2020 at 4:22 PM, Jim Klein said:

Looking for the name of an old modem I had one for my Atari 400 before the 1030.

 

It was a non Atari vendor (3rd party)

White

3 LED's on the back of the topside

SIO connection directly to the Atari

 

Anyone remember these or can send me a pic of one ?

 

Much thanks,

Jim

 

My guess would be MPP. 

[800XL Repair]

1 minute ago, kb1ujs said:

None of the RAM is socketed, so if I replace it I'm going to put machine pin sockets in.

 

The computer came with a modern replacement switching power brick.  I am going to test it though as I don't know its provenance.  

 

This is the only Atari 8 bit I have, so swapping parts isn't an option.  I do have access to test equipment (oscilloscope, logic probe, multimeter) so I'm hoping to get a good enough idea of what's going on to get the right parts 

I am currently troubleshooting an 800XL that went from working just fine to showing self-test garbage characters before my eyes.

 

I have socketed and replaced the RAM (it was time) and the two 74LS158 MUX ICs, but it turns out that wasn't it.  I've noticed that if I put a little downward pressure on the CPU, it tries to find a boot device and then hangs. At this point, I suspect either the CPU socket, the POKEY socket, or the POKEY chip.  Might also be the OS ROM.  

 

There is an 800XL schematic floating around.  It is helpful.

 

Good luck!  

[XM has shipped!]

Very sad news. 

[How to remove yellowing from an old Atari case]

On 8/13/2020 at 12:16 PM, Mclaneinc said:

 

These things happen and it's totally my own silly fault...

 

More mod's, an Ultimate 1MB?  (Totally recommended and get the Flashjazzcat version of the bios, can be flashed on later though)

 

Whatever the mods are, you have fun there Thomas..

 

I retrobrighted a Commodore 1702 monitor, and it showed some irregularities until I wiped the whole case liberally with baby oil.  The lanolin in the baby oil might really help your top (and bottom) case.  

 

It's cheap and easy; give it a try - I think you'll be pleased.

[Need Something?]

23 minutes ago, bob1200xl said:

e-mail me at bob1200xl@att.net .

 

 

Bob

 

Will do - thanks, Bob!

[Need Something?]

Hi Bob!

 

I recently got my 1050 disk drive out to show my son how 5.25" floppies worked (and the relative performance of them), and I discovered that my drive's SIO cable is missing.  I wasn't able to scare one up, but then I remembered this thread and thought I would see if you had extra.

 

If you have an extra SIO cable, I am happy to PayPal over some dinero.

 

Thanks!

[Looking for a post. Video converter box?]

I think you are looking for the RetroTINK. 

 

 

[Atari ST 30MB Supra Drive]

The Atari ST section of this forum might prove to be more helpful and more relevant. 

[Commodore 1702 mod?]

If the plastics are in really good condition and you don't want it, I might be interested in purchasing it from you.  PM me if interested.  

[Sophia 2 preorder thread]

1 for me, please.

[1088XLD - Custom A8 Computer in 1050 Drive Case]

35 minutes ago, towmater said:

People act as though the internet is some sort of Rosetta Stone of knowledge and that someone should read 35 pages of documents before daring to ask a simple question. Like, now I'm afraid to ask if there's a PS2 converter for the original keyboard so I can adapt a newly designed housing for an old keyboard? I could Google it and spend an hour going down rabbit holes, or I could just ask here if anyone knows an offhand and immediate answer.

Personally, I would do my own research before asking the other forum users to read it for me, but that's just me.

[effectus 0.3 : pointer.eff not loop.]

On 4/4/2020 at 2:05 PM, funkheld said:

Hello the new version ?

thanks

While you're waiting, it is a good time to experiment with assembly language.  At a minimum, you will likely find the need for some assembly language subroutines if you choose a high level language.  You might just find you don't need a high level language at all!

[XM in 2600 mode on the 7800?]

20 minutes ago, Tidus79001 said:

Curt Vendel, can you or any of the others who have been developing and coding for the XM board answer this?

Consider how the 7800 boots: it first checks to see if the cartridge is a 7800 cartridge, and if it is not, it enters 2600 mode.  When in 2600 mode, the system is exactly like a 2600.

 

Considering that the 7800 XM requires a 7800 (meaning, you cannot possibly connect it to a 2600), what would be the point of trying to write a 2600 title that uses it?  I am pretty confident that it is neither possible nor desirable to use the 7800 XM in the manner you propose.