Xebec

Now that I have two working Atari 800's. I really want 1 or 2 of these incognito boards . I futzed around with 6 different 800XLs (ended up getting 5 working), 2 x 1200XLs, a 65XE, and 130XE.. Got tired of touching the atari 8bits.. then when I opened up and started using an original 800.. There is something seriously magical about the original! Sent a message to Lotharek asking if we'd ever see a run pointing to this post. It's doubtful I'll even get a reply but had to try

Correct -- The ROM board and 1 x RAM board are fully populated 2 of the RAM boards are missing the "bottom right" chip (if you are facing it) -- SN74L51ONDS (motorola) RQ8239 - socket Z501.

OK - I found the clip inside that 'simulates' the cartridge lid being shut. The bad 800 at least now powers on, although it gives a buzzing noise on the monitor and only a faint green background (mostly black), with nothing else. EDIT - I got brave, and put in a known good OS ROM cart, and a good 16KB cart.. and it boots to memopad! I put in 2 additional 16KB carts, and it was still good.. I then swapped each of the good cards with the original 4 cards, and *none* of them work.. What are everyone's thoughts on this behavior? Is there something that would one-time fry all four user-accessible boards (3x RAM, 1 x ROM) but not damage the CPU board or the rest of the PCB? The only thing special I can see is the add-in boards look like they were touched.. they all have different types of RAM on them (2-3 types per board), and 1 is even missing a chip.. (one of the 4 on the bottom row). Is it worth pulling these ram chips off and testing them on good boards?

If the door is already open is it not supposed to power on? That's where my confusion lies.. My existing 800 works with the door open.

OK, I've taken her apart. It was missing one internal screw, so it was taken apart before. The PSU connector is a bit rusty or corroded, and I think the green cap right near the power switch is mis-shaped (the top is bulged a little bit). The cylinder shaped caps all look OK to my eyes. Questions: 1. Can you safely plug in / power on the power supply board when it's separate/unconnected from the mainboard? (for testing / see if the LEDs come on) 2. Why is the cartridge door required to be closed? (interlock switch) My other 800 works perfectly with it open? Bonus - What is the deal with the edge connector on the back / below the CPU - what was that intended for? Pics of PSU area and overall boards: http://atariage.com/forums/gallery/album/1982-atari-800-repair-attempt/

Lack of sleep has me putting bad info in.. removed.. thanks!

I have an untested CO61636 PSU laying around. I believe this is intended for a Atari 1027 printer or 1090XL. If someone has a 1027 printer and wants another PSU or a backup PSU (I don't have a 1027 to test) - please PM me. I'm just looking for shipping reimbursement. If you don't have a 1027 or 1090XL please don't PM me for a free power supply . Attached is a pic of the PSU - Cables appear to be in good order.

I have 3 x Atari 800's. #1 works perfectly (1 x ROM, 3 x 16KB RAM). #2 doesn't power on*, but appears intact. #3 doesn't power on*, and apparently had the SIO port was previously ripped off the motherboard. Using #1, I've verified that the OS ROM and 16KB RAM boards from #3 work perfectly. I've swapped each of the 16KB boards into the first RAM slot to make sure. SpartaDOS/X boots and runs programs (SIDE 2). However, *NONE* of the boards (ROM or RAM) from #2 work in #1. Need advice: I'm *tempted* to put a set of good ROM / RAM boards into #2 to see if it works, but I'm also thinking that if every single ROM/RAM board is bad in #2, then something on the motherboard may be frying the bus or boards? * No power LED, and no output on monitor. Have removed/reslotted the boards a few times, and also jiggled on the power connector.

I have a Percom AT88-S1PD (and manual), and wanted some verification on the following: The Percom hardware can support up to 2 floppy drives internally? including 3.5"drives? If you put a 3.5" drive inside -- do you end up with 360KB or 720KB of usable space? and does any standard PC 720KB mechanism work (or old ST floppy)? Finally, can the floppy be formatted to the PC Standard of FAT12 and accessed by SpartaDOS-X ? Thanks... John

Having just failed completely to repair bad XRAM on my 130XE, I'm really really impressed with people who are able to do soldering and wiring jobs like this..

I'd give a vote for this version if someone wants to play it without the disk swapping experience (although not running on an Atari platform) http://www.crpgdev.com/arx.html Has a classic mode option with original Atari 8bit graphics (and sound IIRC)..

I've had some long gaps in communications with him before but he did respond over time..

These are all great sounds and musics - thanks folks! It seems like people are still getting better and better sound out of the POKEY over time.. I love the A8 computer, I just wish it had had a fair shake as a console too back in the 80s.