svenski

Can someone remind me how to pick up the guys in Defender so I can go drop them off at the landing pad. They keep screaming out to me but all I do is fly by...haven't played it in over 15 years Also, am I the only one who finds Donkey Kong (how do I get past level 2) and Donkey Kong Jr incredibly hard - how do I get past level 1?!!!!! Ok there is always Bounty Bob, *but* I want some variety ya knows. Now if I could only find my Star Raiders cart........

Best price I could sell you 2 new 7800 Joypads , bag sealed , would be for $32.00 . Shipping would be from UK in Pounds Sterling, not sure how much but the pads aren't exactly heavy. Looks like Best might be the best(!) option.

Hi , I wrote a couple of articles for Page 6/New Atari User, a couple of game reviews ("Conflict In Vietnam" was one) as well as the review for DOS XE, I was the one who mailed them a disk to put in their library. I only wish I started out writing for them early on, they used to pay quite well really, given the circumstances.

Canada Post sucks. Whilst I was based at Mississauga office it took them 13 days to deliver some insurance documents mailed from a company 8 miles up the road. I can imagine the public outcry if Britain's Royal Mail made everyone go outside to collect their mail from a box at the end of the street. They *tend* to respect overseas standards so if you ship something into Canada priority mail, airmail or express, they'll usually follow those standards although actually delivering something to your doorstep is something they have a problem with.

I can't see Infogrammes starting to sue people left, right, and center for using the "Atari" name or logo unless it was blatantly commercial. They have had plenty of time to start that, before the name change. I can't see how sites such as AtariAge, Atari Musem etc would be affected. They ain't stupid. This is an obscure French company that used to write even more obscure piles of crap that did quite well in France and were a disaster everywhere else. They were clever, though. They saved up their French Francs and went about buying up popular software houses and franchises. To get from where they started to where they are now needs brains. They aren't going to risk a huge PR disaster by jumping on Atari enthusiasts. As for releasing code etc to the public. Why should they when a lot of games titles are very much as viable today as when originally released. As for a new Atari console, that would be fantastic. Imagine one of the worlds largest software houses and distributors behind it. They wouldn't have to worry about third parties not writing for it. It isn't the old Atari, and I doubt they'll have my 2600 woody back for a nominal $35.00 out of warranty repair... BUT..fingers crossed they do something with it now instead of just using it as a games label. They made the name change for a reason, and I'm sure we will find out why soon enough.

I'm no expert but surely the power issue isn't that complicated. The XL/XE is not power hungry compared to a modern laptop, and the power supply is old technology. All you need (I think) is an alternative that matches the input/output requirements of the existing PSU. I think it is a good idea, just not sure of the viability when it comes to costings. The 8-bit Atari community is small compared to other platforms, and the number of atari users who actually like to part with their cash is even smaller. Good luck with it !!

I can't see why a portable XE couldn't be made today but surely the costs involved would outweigh the benefit.

Hi, You only need DOS if you have a disk drive, not sure from your post if you have one or not. DOS=disk operating system. Your 130XE has a built in OS (operating system) with ATARI BASIC. You can purchase various different programming languages for your Atari including Microsoft BASIC, Assembler, Logo, Pilot, Forth, Pascal and more. As for DOS, there are several versions of Atari DOS. The most commonly used is DOS 2.5. The best Atari DOS is DOS XE, which was written with Atari's XF551 disk drive and the 130XE in mind. There are several versions of Sparta DOS, some on disk, some on cart. It has been years since I've used Sparta DOS so I can't advise you on which one to get. Generally Sparta DOS was considered *the* DOS system to use. Personally I think DOS XE is fantastic, it loads into RAM, supports the 130XE RAMdisk, supports subdirectories , can be configured for your Atari system and also will allow you to program your own binary files with set command instructions for common tasks so you can essentially automate it. DOS XE is available on ebay. Sparta Dos is a bit thin on the ground but you can buy it from myatari.com. If you haven't got a disk drive then that should be your next purchase, a disk drive really opens up the capabilities of the Atari . Good luck.

Thanks guys.

Seriously, I think I read that the 7800 uses the same sound chip as the 2600 but that certain 7800 carts come with their own POKEY chip. Is this right? If so, does anyone know which carts do?

By making any software require up to 128k you alienate the majority of Atari systems. Most have 64K, next are 48K upgraded 400/800s, then 32K and below. Most Atari games were written for 48K (it used to piss me off) but then the publishers were wanting to maximise sales. Extra features dependable on the amount of RAM available would be nice, though.

Sikor, PM me please re your games

I thought APAC sounded familiar. Check this link http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/atari/

Thanks for the excellent link!

Wow, thats great. I've looked at the contiki browser but the Atari port seems half as fun as the C64 version. There is even a JPEG viewer for the C64 version. It would be fantastic if the Atari version got beefed up a bit although I don't know if the atari port is for 64k machines or 48k to be as compatible as possible.

Rescue on Fractalus is quite common on cartridge form so you shouldn't have a great deal of hassle finding one. What part of the world are you in?

Thanks, that figures. I think all my 2600 carts are as common as mud.

I know this is meant to be a classic, but is it rare?

Hi, you should be able to use a US 110v XL/XE power supply (e.g brick). Or you need a "step-up" convertor. You plug the original PSU plug into it, and the convertor into your wall socket/power bar. Remember a simple travel adaptor will not cut it. You can buy them cheap cheap in the States, online. The 800XE is PAL B, if your TV has a problem tuning in to the signal in the first place then buy an XL/XE monitor out to Composite cable. Get one from Best, B&C or Ben sells them on his site (see the "won't pay B&C prices" thread). The composite cable will get around any issue with simply finding the signal. All you are left with then is any issues with your TV or VCR in watching PAL. An excellent VCR (somewhat pricey) that will cover every format under the sun is the Samsung Worldwide VCR. You'd be able to have an input signal in PAL B (800XE) and output it to NTSC on your TV. There will be equivalent models out there, the Samsung Worldwide VCR is just an excellent beast.

There are *tons* of titles available on tape, most of which were not released in the US. Classic titles from Zeppeling include Fantastic Soccer, Blinky's Scary School, Draconus, Phantom and more. Then you have all the Mastertronic titles, most of which were written by UK programmers during their school lunch hour (perhaps). Other UK publishers were English, Byte Back, Atlantis, Blue Ribbon (they called themselves 'Blue Ribbon' because the software was utter shite) and probably loads more, like ooh Firebird (Warhawk, Druid)... there must be more... In the US Cosmi released many of their early 400/800 titles (like Caverns of Khafka) on cassette. After the release of the XEGS Atari UK released several new titles on cassette - just can't remember them. As for if they play, it depends on the game really but many modern tvs will handle PAL . At the end of the day the world won't end if you don't play cassette games or throw your datacorder in the bin. You just can't beat putting in a tape, going downstairs to watch the latest episode of 'Friends' only to find that by the time its finished, the game has almost finished loading.

I'm looking for an Atari 800, good condition, fully working, UK PAL. If anyone is interested in selling please let me know. I'm also after 810, 1050 and XF551 drives. Thanks

Got 13! Is that good or bad ?

I've heard that if the shipper uses priority mail packaging and turns it inside out etc, then if USPS find out they will levy unpaid shipping charges on the package. If you are the recipient, they won't let you have it until you pay the charges (presumably difference between 1st class and priority mail).

The Microprint printer interface is offered for sale on ebay every week or so for under $5.00 .

The 1200XL is a sexy beast. The keyboard issue can be fixed. Whilst the actual keyboard itself is fantastic the problem is the keyboard mylar. Whilst replacements are readily available for the XE models, none were made for the 1200XL due to lack of demand. See http://www.retrobits.net/ for an excellent site that gives help on fixing the keyboard issue. I was given this link via Abbuc so I can't take credit for finding it, just passing it on. One thing that does work (without resorting to above) is to sit down with the 1200XL and boot with BASIC or run the keyboard diagnostic and just constantly press each unresponsive key until you get a result. Keep doing this until the key becomes responsive again. Don't ask me why this works, it just does. Strange. Also unscrewing the keyboard assembly and pcb/mylar and re-screwing also helps but don't get too enthusiastic or you'll end up damaging the threads in the pcb and won't be able to tighten up properly. As for software, I've not yet found a problem apart from the usual 400/800 OS issue. People don't like change. The 1200XL was a big change and people soon forgot about changes to the OS when Atari flooded the market with the 800XL. *Yes I'm sure there will be something that doesn't work, I'm just saying so far I haven't found anything* Check out the link above for some great 1200XL mods, sadly I'm not savvy enough to do them myself Finally, if anyone has the ability to produce new mylars for the 1200XL I'd be interested in helping getting them to market.