santoscork

I have a Rev 6 Vader board. All chips are socketed.

Recapping is important. Electrolytic capacitors, similar to toner or car tires, are consumables meant to wear out over time. To maintain the functionality of your original Atari hardware, replacing these capacitors is necessary to avoid potential issues. This is not a matter of opinion but rather a factual requirement. While some may argue that replacing capacitors alters the machine’s originality, it’s a subjective viewpoint. As a collector of vintage hardware, finding time for these maintenance tasks is often a challenge. Fortunately, Atari 8-bit computers and video game consoles have relatively few capacitors to replace. However, dealing with original power supplies, which are typically epoxy-sealed, poses a real challenge. I’ve resorted to new third-party power supplies for my 800XL and 2600s, ensuring reliable power delivery, which is important for proper functioning. Maintaining vintage hardware and keeping them running in spec is, in my opinion, one of the pieces to this hobby that adds a unique appreciation for the hardware. It offers a hands-on learning experience about the inner workings of these classic machines, which enhances our understanding and appreciation for their technology and historical significance.

Issue persists after the 2.4.2 install. Any other ideas?

I will try 2.4.2 as suggested by @SpiceWare. I will report back after a restart (for good measure) as it just installed.

I was asked by @batari to try the following after I couldn't get it to work. The installation went without a hitch but the harmony cart remains undetected by System Profiler on the Mac. I tried two working USB cables. Question: 1) Do I need to have the SD Card inserted into the Harmony? The cart is not detected with or without an SD Card inserted. 2) According to the manual, as reinforced by @bent_pin I should be using a 32GB SD Card and not a minroSD card. The site for Harmony Encore does state the MicroSD Cards work on the encore. That said I have a 128GB microSD card connected. I will order a 32GB SD Card, not a microSD and report back but so far with what I have. My configuration: Harmony Encore Mac OS X 10.13.6 microSD card 128GB size Other: See attachments When the Harmony is not connected and I enter "ls /dev/cu" in the terminal, "/dev/cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port" is output When the Harmony is connected and I enter "ls /dev/cu" in the terminal "/dev/cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port /dev/cu.wchusbserialfd130" is output These outputs don't depend on whether an SDCard is attached to the cart or not. Any further ideas? Extensions » ls /dev/cu* /Library/Extensions /dev/cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port Extensions » ls /dev/cu* /Library/Extensions /dev/cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port /dev/cu.wchusbserialfd130

I was cleaning the console and didn't want it to get damaged. That's why I removed it.

Where exactly is the FT232R chip driver? As I write this, my Encore is not recognized by my Mac running Mac OS 10.13.6. Which tab, from the image shown, am I to go to? Sorry I am confused. My Harmony Encore is not detected by my system!

Anyone? If not I will contact the seller which was Harmony itself. If you know please chime back. Thanks

Hello I tried to find this topic but haven't been able to. I received my Harmony Encore a few days ago. To make a long story short, I have one issue, I connected the Harmony to my mac and it's not detected by the system, nor via cable. The cables are my own and I have tried two. I reset the PRAM and SMC on the mac but the Harmony remains unseen by the system. I tried with and without an SDCard in the cart but it doesn't change anything. The Mac is running Mac OS High Sierra 10.13.6 Are there any known work arounds? It doesn't appear to be detected by my Atari 2600 Vader. The 2600 (PAL version) has a new power adapter. I don't have another cartridge to test the 2600 with and it too was recently acquired. Unless I am using the Harmony incorrectly. The SDCard is a 128GB, in FAT32, maybe it's too large? I downloaded software from here: Latest Harmony Cart software - Harmony Cartridge - AtariAge Forums

Within the service manual, there are a series of service bulletins, one of which I believe addresses the issue of electrostatic discharge (ESD) vulnerabilities. This bulletin not only outlines the symptoms and negative effects of ESD inside the unit but also emphasizes various anti-static remedies. Notably, aluminum foil is highlighted as one of the effective countermeasures to mitigate static-related concerns.

I couldn't find information on how to remove the Atari 2600 serial number sticker, but the method that worked involves using heat to soften the adhesive and a gentle tool like a spudger. Using a hair dryer on low to soften the glue and applying short actions with the spudger underneath can gradually lift the sticker in small steps. This approach proves to be a safe way to remove stickers without causing damage.

The front is smooth. It’s a PAL version. Left photographic evidence but the images here take up a lot of space. Wish I could resize them here in the web form.

Thanks @Peri Noid you bet I will so, I am back at home. Every key on the keyboard works. It took me a half hour of pinching to realize this is real. I can’t wait to explore and buy the amazing hardware that the community of developers are working on. Self tests are next.

@Peri, I checked out Duddie’s site. It’s amazing. Do you know if anyone has consolidated a list of Atari sites in Poland? Each time I run into one I am amazed!

Oh really. Do you have a source? I live in Poland so perhaps I should consider it.

Thanks a lot for the replies. I removed the screws holding the case together to do very quick inspection. The few caps I saw, the resistors and traces pass an initial visual inspection. i already purchased a PSU that looks almost identical to the one offered by @Peri Noid on allegro.pl. I also ordered 2 video cables, one to SCART (my Sony does NTSC and PAL) and one to composite RCA. The pics cast some doubt on the kbd ribbon cable. Some oxidation. Out of concern I contacted best electronics CA about a Mylar remake. He asked I test the machine and get back to him. Shielding speaks for itself. In a few days I will be in Poland and as soon as the adapter arrives I will be looking out for that red LED.

I found an entire 800 XL sitting inside a barn like environment. It must have been there for about 10 years. The computer was found inside of its original Styrofoam boxing without the marketing sleeve. I have not switched it on. It was found in Portugal. The power supply is North American. It’s obviously an NTSC model. I need to purchase a power supply for it but unfortunately, I won’t purchase an Atari original power supply, because I am afraid of their old age and this may be a risk. The computer will be traveling with me to Poland, and I would like to ask if there are any recommended power supplies for this 800 XL. I also plan to purchase a Fuji net in the near future if it is working. Of course, I will open up the Atari 800 XL and visually inspect the motherboard and the electronics for any corrosion or other suspicious signs of damage. If after purchasing a new power supply computer switches on, is it recommended that I replace any electrolytic capacitors, and in their place use tantalums. After all these years, it’s a great surprise and pleasure to finally have a real Atari computer to tinker with. thanks!

Looks cool. Nice plastics, finally! 3D printing turns me right off. I see you have 10 on sale on Allegro right now. Can I sandwich a fujinet inside one of them?

Now reading https://forums.atariage.com/topic/176545-topic-for-newbies-or-veterans-returning-to-atari/

Could you expand on your second problem point? If I read between the lines as it were, it seems as though the 800 is unsuitable for a few of the diversions you make mention of. I stopped using a real Atari around the XL age. I never owned an XE but as I recall, the 130XE was impressive technically, as it had 2 banks of 64K. The 800 was, in my view, perhaps naively … well it was a sweet machine, for sentimental reasons really and the design is great, a close second to the 1200xl. Do go on though because as I observe the Atari 8bits from some distance I had thought that there were some new clever hardware devices that could effectively take the 800 to an XE level. I admit to not being up-to-date on the latest and greatest hardware devices available for the 8bits. Without a real Atari under my belt it sort of leaves me at a disadvantage on that front.

Truth is, I use to own one decades ago. I had a lot of Atari gear back in the 80s and early 90s. I would collect it way back then. It's literally all gone. I would just love to have an 800 again. There is one on eBay now that only does a black screen. It's in the US. I will try but I am sure the price will just be too high and I will lose out. In any event, I will try to put in a bid. I do have a few Sony CRTs that can do NTSC and PAL, maybe even SECAM so display wise I should be ok. We'll see. I am grateful for the knowledgeable reply, for now I am keeping my fingers crossed It would be nice to be a part of the Atari family again.

Excellent! I appreciate the reply and all the additional information. Thank you very very much!

Hello Is it possible to use an Atari 800 from North America in Europe? I do realize the power supply brick wouldn't be a straight plug and play. As such can a European power supply be used or would that still not cut it?

If you find any trouble, please let me know.

I am still on High Sierra but here is what I did. 1 Installed PlayOnMac 4.3.4 (Later OSs will allow for newer versions) 2 Lauched PlayOnMac 3 Clicked the + (Install a Program) 4 Chose to "Install a non-listed program" (clicked that option) 5 Clicked Next (3 times) until I see the options offered by the question "What would you like to do?". I chose "Install a program in a new virtual drive" 6 Clicked Next 7 The next step takes me to a the request: "Please type a name for you application's virtual drive. This name shouldn't contain spaces." 8 I typed "Altirra3.90" which reflects the version I downloaded from https://virtualdub.org/altirra and clicked Next 9 The following screen offers 3 options, I left all of them blank and clicked on Next 10 The next screen asks "What kind of virtual drive do you want to create", I chose 32 bit and clicked Next 11 Then it takes a moment or so to complete a process, you just need to wait a minute or so. 12 I am then asked to "Please select the install file to run". I need to click on the Browse button 14 After clicking Browse, a window titled "Select a file" comes up. As illustrated below, it is on top of my Applications window where I have the Altirra3.90 download I made. I drag the Altirra.exe file and drop it on top of the "Select a file" window. I do this to drag and drop to avoid navigating my file system through the "Select a file" window - it's quicker to drag and drop. I then click the Open window to complete the previous window's instruction to "Please select the install file to run" 15 Now I click Next and Altirra opens. You can configure it now if you wish. 16 I now exit out of Altirra and the window below comes up. 17 I chose the "Browse" option above and clicked Next 18 A "Select a file" window appears 19 I dragged and dropped the Altirra.exe (inside my /Applications folder) file over the window that just opened and clicked Open 20 I click Next 21 Then I chose "I don't want to make another shortcut" 22 I then get this in my PlayOnMac window, an Altirra icon. Sorry for all the steps but that's how I set this all up. Now when I quit and relaunch PlayOnMac Altirra3.90 is persistently available to run. Just like in a real PC, you can double click the Altirra item more than once to open up multiple instances. Hope this helps. PS I imagine the process looks identical or very similar in later version of PlayOnMac.