xrbrevin

first easy thing to try is clean the tape path with alcohol and a cotton bud its good that the head can read data tho. the record operation mechanically engages an 'erase head' prior to the normal head - maybe the erase head is grubby and not erasing properly?

i agree, dont differentiate - own both instead! 😀

here is the 1050 diagnostic software but yes, the simplest way is to read an original disk. then format a disk, write a disk, boot that disk on another drive to ensure its within spec always worth scrubbing the read/write head with alcohol if youve just exhumed the drive from a long term slumber.. 😴 1050 Disk Diagnostics.atr

RGB2HDMI is open source. ive used it with other 8bit machines and the pic quality is up there with the cleanest but ive never tried it on an A8 machine. Im sure it will be impressive though

Given the limited room inside the 600XL, i'd consider the modulator more expendable than usual..

im thinking maybe your jumpers are configured for EPROM and not PROM (or vice versa)

here is the keyboard matrix - see if there is a common connection for the errored keys

looks ready for breadboard hackery 😎

welcome! thats a nice 800XL - fully socketed and ceramic RAM too 😎 you need to advise what method you are using to connect the display. standard hardware hierarchy: RF modulator is the most inferior monitor port composite is better monitor port s-video is best (be aware that the chroma signal is not connected on stock 800XLs - you have to do a small mod to rig it up) beyond these 3 factory options, there are many modern upgrades should your heart desire. they require some modding skills to install tho. VGA, HDMI, UAV are among them

U35 is required if you use a programmed GAL instead of an original Atari EMMU im pretty sure its a 74LS95 but there are topics on here that detail the mod in full detail so have a search around 🙃 130XE - Sams ComputerFacts.pdf 130xe Hardware Manual.pdf

did you get this sorted? i had the same issue with 5x units i assembled. it turned out to be a bad batch of IRLML2402s that came from aliexpress. i replaced them with ones from here in the UK and they all worked right away 🙃

its a v.accurate rendition - with the right filament, you can make a variant of the illegal vic-20 cloned version 😄

small-scale mandela effect..?

i agree, i think ive only had a couple of bad caps in all the A8 gear ive resurrected over the years. only replace if there is a fault. youll have to post some before and after pics altho it might already be in clean condition as it has been boxed!!

I could only get baby berks to run but thats fine, better than having the function unusued

just spotted this little gem: https://www.indieretronews.com/2023/07/doom-brand-new-port-of-classic-fps-for.html

they look like the gear shifter from Hard Drivin'! 🙃

its intriguing - seeing it realised, i think the Atari logo shouldve been coloured all along. maybe we should have a casual competition to recolour the case?

you can short 2x pins on the 24pin header socket to generate a character on screen try the co-ordinates for the broken keys to help find the cause

just for the record, there is a misnomer in the OP's question. Reverse basic is for 600/800XL and XE models only - option key is not used for the 400/800 models because basic is not built-in.

Inter-galactic? if so, 1 bloke should be green skinned! 🤢

even more "international" than before! 🙃

freddie could be worth a check, it handles RAM operations be careful when desoldering - the XE models are not as resilient as their predecessors due to manufacturing cost-cuts

yes good point. if the working XEGS then fails to operate, it will highlight a dud.

did you swap out the chips individually? its possible you have more than one culprit so it worth trying multiple substitutions at once