Jump to content
Have You Played Atari Today?
2600|5200|7800|Lynx|Jaguar|Forums|Store  

Turbo-Torch

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    1,120

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Turbo-Torch

  3. Posted

    If you don't need the box and foam, they're very reasonable.

    I just looked at completed auctions on eBay and found about a dozen that sold for $50 or less.  No lines from bad zebra strips, no missing keys and little to no yellowing.  At last year's Tandy Assembly there was quite a selection in the $30 to $50 range.  I believe the Model 100 offers the most bang for the buck in vintage computing by far.  You can barely get a useless Mattel Aquarius in that price range.

     

    Personally, I've picked up seven of them through two different CL ads.  Five are in excellent shape and two are parts machines (bad zebra strips).  All have the pleather cases, manuals and power supplies.  I believe all have the full 32K and several have various special ROMs from back in the day.  I also have a Model 200 with the large flip up screen that's in excellent shape but has turned a nasty brown...needs a retrobrite treatment.  All were free. 

    • Like 2

  4. Posted

    3 hours ago, jhd said:

     

    How easy is it to transfer files from the Model 100 to another (modern) system?

     

    I have contemplated buying one several times, but the (in)ability to get data off the system has always stopped me. 

     

    Going to try this again, posts go into that cloudflare thing and never show up.

     

    The built in modem or using a null modem with the rs232 should do what you need.

    It also has a cassette interface so you could probably download programs, convert them to a wav or mp3 and then load it that way.

     

    I've called current BBSs using the built in telcom program and it works well.

     

    Look into getting one just for the fun of it.  They made so many, it's got to be one of the cheapest vintage computers out there.  A really nice one shouldn't go for more than $50 bucks.  If you want a DVI, that'll probably cost a small fortune.

    • Like 2

  5. Posted

    Another big difference of the Deluxe is the floating play field and background that glows with a black light...very cool visual effect that not many games had back then and can't be emulated.  Also has a very good sound system, hard to believe the highs and pounding bass come from a single speaker.

    • Like 1

  6. Posted

    They are great little computers that can still be somewhat useful today.  I like to keep a journal of complex equipment I work on out in the field for future trouble shooting and the 100 makes a perfect notebook.  I'm supplied with the latest smart phone and laptop but hate dickin' around with the tiny smart phone screen or taking the laptop out of its Pelican case, waiting for it to boot up, setting up a hotspot with the phone, hoping it's not going to update Windows 10 and then typing on its modern piss poor crap keyboard.

    With a Model 100, flip a switch and you're instantly presented with a menu that doesn't require reading glasses.  And the keyboard is phenomenal!  I would love to find a modern laptop with a keyboard even half as good as a 100.  Seriously, it's almost as good as the ALPS keyboard in my Model III.

    Lastly you have a real RS232 port and built in com program which is great for communicating with old legacy equipment.

    Oh and they run for an eternity on 4 AA batteries.

     

    I do wish they had a back light that could be turned on/off.

     

  7. Posted

    I've had my upright for close to 20 years now and I've yet to put my initials in 1st place.  Whoever TA is managed to get 36,xxx points decades ago and he or she still remains #1.  My Defender kicks my ass even more.  

    It's why they are keepers.  Favorites from back in the day that I could play forever on a quarter were some of the first games I bought...and then quickly got rid of because of how boring they became. 

    • Like 3

  8. Posted

    19 hours ago, digress said:

    I have a cf xtide for my tandy 1000 ex. Must have for moving files from a modern pc and of course acts as a harddrive

     

    thanks for the pics.

     

    My first computer was my Model III which I still have and will never get rid of.  Years later I bought an EX and it was so much fun.  All the local BBSs were IBM based, so it opened a whole new world within minutes after unboxing it.

    Eventually I wanted a hard drive and the aftermarket kit for the EX was stupid expensive.  It ended up being far cheaper to sell the EX and buy an SL with a 32mb hard card.  Deep down, I missed the EX.

    I don't have much interest in computers outside the Model III, but I have been searching for a good local deal on an EX.  If one ever turns up for a decent price, I'll outfit it like yours.

     

    I think there were 2 HXs at the show this year, didn't see an EX.

     

  9. Posted

    It's not eBay's fault or the sellers.  Doesn't matter what state it comes from, I pay Indiana's 7% sales tax...it's something my state now requires.  I noticed it a few months back when I got dinged an extra $140 in tax. :x  I still think it's a gray area as you're often buying USED items...but then again, you're using eBay which is like a store.

     

    So are you guys paying Canada's tax or your state's tax?

     

    And technically, for anything bought out of state (mail order or whatever), we are responsible for keeping track and reporting it on our taxes every year.

     

     

  11. Posted

    The show was really great this year.  I didn't make it to Tech Track day, which was Friday, but was there most of Saturday and Sunday.

    The very rare Tandy 3 was cool to see in person and I really liked the plotters cranking out pictures all day long.  I'm not into printers, but I may have to find one of them.

    I'm already looking forward to next year's event.

     

    t190.jpg

     

    t191.jpg

     

    t193.jpg

     

    t194.jpg

     

    t195.jpg

     

    t196.jpg

     

    t197.jpg

     

    t198.jpg

     

    t199.jpg

     

    t1910.jpg

     

    t1912.jpg

     

    t1913.jpg

     

    t1914.jpg

     

    t1915.jpg

     

    t1916.jpg

    • Like 2

  13. Posted

    On 9/4/2019 at 7:49 PM, PikoInteractive said:

    Aim for a cocktail. 

    Just bought one delivered to me for $165 and only needs the glass cover which is like 45 delivered.

    They need a lot less space, and are easier to work on since they open from the top.

    Plus you can do your homework on it, eat, drink, etc.

     

    A lot LESS space?  One cocktail and two small stools eats up the same space as 3 full size cabinets.   

    • Like 2

  15. Posted

    22 hours ago, Alexs said:

    I don't want to anger him by complaining unnecessarily, thats why I'd thought of asking about others experiences here on the forum beforehand

    That's the problem, simply asking could land you on the "No Atari For You" list. 🚫 😥

    I'd bet money he did test it before sending it out (which is a good thing)...he did on a brand new XE motherboard I ordered.  That's not to say minor glitches can't get past him.  I had an odd inverse character issue which only showed up in certain situations and he did replace the board.

     

    Personally, I'd accept the two dead pixels.  That was very common on anything back then, and if you go back just 10 years ago, there were dead pixel policies for TVs and monitors. The warranties stated some dead pixels were normal and it needed to exceed a certain amount before the screen was considered defective. 

     

  16. Posted

    The easy things have been checked/tried...with exception of installing a cap kit as has been suggested.  From this point on you'll need a multi-meter and a strong magnifying glass just to start looking and checking for open traces.

     

    And how much "brown gunk" is on this board?  The inside of a 100 is relatively sealed from the outside environment and all of mine have been spotless when I opened them.  

    Has yours been in a flooded basement or something?  Once again, post some pictures of what you have.    

  17. Posted

    3 hours ago, bobmoo79 said:

    so I replaced electrolytic caps , mosfet, diode but as we suspected there's no improvement to the lcd.

     

    BUT it was worth doing as now I know all of those are good to go for another 30 years! 

     

    the speaker seems a bit extra distorted (though it could have been like that before) so I'll take it apart to check that but I think I may just order a new lcd and speaker, replace those and hopefully this baby will be sorted. fingers crossed!!

     

    When you get the new LCD, make sure you take the protective film off.  I can't remember the exact details, but if Brad had not mentioned it when I was ordering by phone, I would not have noticed and left it in place.

  20. Posted

    All that could easily be sold, just not in North America.

    There's incredible wealth in other parts of the world, especially the Middle East.  Drop a $ million without blinking an eye and brag about it all they want.

    And I'm sure someone will come up with being able to buy it legitimately if they're that rich...sorry that doesn't work when there's only X amount of items and the owner doesn't want to sell.

    • Like 1

  22. Posted

    You didn't say you took it apart.  If you meant the blue pot on the motherboard, that has nothing to do with the display.  I believe it's an adjustment for the internal modem.  Hopefully you got it back to where it was. 

    Try contact cleaner on the display pot.  DeoxIT if you can find it is the best.

AtariAge
Forums
Store
General
Follow AtariAge

Copyright ©1998-2021 AtariAge

×
×
  • Create New...