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AbeOwitz

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Posts posted by AbeOwitz

  6. Posted · Edited by AbeOwitz

    7 hours ago, ParanoidLittleMan said:

    Well, this looks as bad filtering of power , especially if that bad area is moving slowly up/down.

    Even if PSU is changed with one what works well in other ST it is possible. There is filtering with electrolyte capacitor on motherboard too.

    So, if both (in PSU) and on MBO are weak, +5V, +12V might be bad.  Looking with oscilloscope is best what can do, before going in some component replacements.

    What's weird is the distortion occurs at exactly the same lines every frame.  There's no rolling or randomness to it.

     

    So, whatever's wrong is occuring in sync with the video.

     

    I just watched a video where the STFs didn't have circuitry for composite sync?  That on this model one can't just combine HSYNC and VSYNC?

     

    Edit:  Found this, lessee if I have those components around...  resistors yes, diodes probably, maybe transistor...

    https://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?p=310158&sid=5cabebd9f99a8943281e32ce45dc361b#p310158

     

    IMG_20210321_112404.jpg

  9. Posted · Edited by AbeOwitz

    I picked up an STF in bad shape a while ago.  Was able to fix some things, but I'm stumped with this one.

     

    Same pattern in both low & med res.  Have not tried Hi-Res yet.  (My hi-res monitor is also on the fritz.  Prob. needs new caps.)


    I've reseated all socketed chips, swapped the power supply with a known working one.  Also swapped the video chip, no changes.

     

    Bad EPROM/RAM?  Bad capacitor?

     

    (No floppy hooked up here.  Mouse and OS seem to work fine, just a video output issue...)

     

    I'm going to dig deeper, but figured I could ask here first to save me some time, in case this has been seen before.

     

    Any suggestions?

     

    Thanks

     

    IMG_20210320_223300.jpg

  10. Posted · Edited by AbeOwitz

    I have a couple of 520ST's and a STe w/4MB RAM.  I upgraded one 520ST to 1MB, and replaced the external floppy drives with more modern mechanisms, that will do double sided 720k.

     

    I'm pretty sure I upgraded the BIOS with EPROMS to the latest. 

     

    I also have a trashed 1040STf that I'm using for parts.

     

    Keeping another good STe for myself.  ;-) 

     

    They are packed away, but if you are interested, I can dig them out and take some pics, verify they work, etc.

     

    Edit:  Found an old pic of the RAM upgrade I did years ago. 

     

    post-3709-134896412737.jpg

  11. Posted

    I would like to see something more like the RC-2014, http://rc2014.co.uk/ We could design backplane boards that fit in each Atari case, and plugin the modules we want.

     

    I suggest a modular architecture so we could use an FPGA, 65816 or 6502 as a CPU, or VBXE or an ANTIC/GTIA board for video out.

     

    In my 800XL, you'd have an L-shaped backplane board that fits all the IO ports, but can stack 2 cards deep on the side. OTOH, the 800 would have upright slots...

     

    I'm also looking into 65SPI, which would allow a bunch of cool hardware addons. http://sbc.rictor.org/io/65spi.html So, that could be a card as well... With SPI or I2C, we could easily add Ethernet or WiFI chips with built in TCP/IP stacks, LCD screens, sensors, etc.

     

    The bus would need to handle 8-16MHz, and based on the 6502.org forums, that may be difficult to achieve.

     

    Alternatively, 3.3 volts internally and use modern components, and use voltage level converters on the I/O...

    • Like 2

  12. Posted · Edited by AbeOwitz

    I'm having trouble with 4.48 on SIDE2 (with Ult1MB SDX disabled).

     

    I can't type double characters.

     

    For example best I can get is:

    BASIC OF

     

    If I type a different character, then backspace, then F, I can finish the command.

     

    (Also happens in Altirra similarly configured.)

     

    Also BASIC OFF gives 170 file not found. How do I turn off basic? Is it possible to turn off basic in Ultimate1MB as well, or am I stuck with the options given?

     

    Thanks! :)

  13. Posted

     

    Yeah I already have a good S-Video to HDMI up-converter (LINK) for a very reasonable price, but it doesn't always render the colors as intended when software is pulling tricks to get more colors than normal. So I have a DELL square LCD monitor that does a very reasonable job at getting things right when fed by a good S-Video signal. However just like you, I am looking to custom fab an A8 and was thinking of doing it more like an all-in-one system. So the DELL would be way too big and bulky for what I have in mind. This is where I need a naked flat screen with S-Video input to custom fit into my new case. But I already got burnt once when ordering something on-line that really had a sucky picture. So now I would like to find someone that is a bit more knowledgeable about what looks good with an A8, and get a recommendation before I buy.

     

    - Michael

    Yeah, I lose color artifacting with VBXE as well.

     

    FWIW, since your S-Video adapter puts out HDMI, I am happy with my HJ0801A-01E + PCB800099 kit from eBay...

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/HDMI-VGA-2AV-Rear-View-Monitors-8inch-1027-768-HJ080IA-01E-TFT-LCD-Display-/371515037326?hash=item568005968e:g:STUAAOSwSdZWeVav

     

    If only VBXE output HDMI... sigh...

  14. Posted

     

    Thanks for the LCD info, and thanks for the compliments on my latest TK-II board incarnation :) I hope you enjoy it.

     

    Yeah shielded cabling really should be used on all of the video lines if they are more than an inch or so long, but don't rule out the GBS220's proximity to the A8 motherboard. You might find that you really do need a grounded metal shield between them as you have suggested. So I'm actually interested in a getting a high brightness 8-10" flat panel display that works well with the A8's S-Video output (preferably derived from Bryan's UAV board). Do you think the monitor you have would qualify? Or is there something better in your opinion?

     

    Project's looking nice :thumbsup:

     

    - Michael

     

    Michael,

     

    It's not really a monitor, but an LCD with a pre-programmed driver board. You'd have to do a lot of research to find a driver board that can take S-Video and drive the LCD you want. I used http://www.panelook.com/index.phpto cross reference LCD's on eBay to find an IPS display model in the size I wanted. And I bought the LCD with the board so I knew they would work. (A lot of those boards are pre-programmed for a small set of LCD models, though a few people have been able to hack them. http://tech.mattmillman.com/lcd/rovatools/ftdi-ft232h/ )

     

    There are S-Video to HDMI/VGA adapters out there. I tried one last year, but they shipped me a different model than pictured, and it didn't work. (Luckily it was through Amazon, so I got my money back.)

     

    I have a Dell 2007WFPb that takes S-Video input and works with A8. Add in a matching sound bar and you're good! :) (I used to have a Dell 2001FP with S-Video input. Sold it to another Atari guy.) But these are bulky and heavy, not too convenient to take to a retro computer meeting. :/

     

    -Abe

  15. Posted

    Abe, how does the GBS-8220 compare to your Framemeister on that size of monitor?

     

    It really does look great! I'm looking forward to more pictures. If I ever build something like this I would squeeze in a KVM and an RPi or mini-ITX to run Respeqt. If you do the SIO2SD, try a VFD display instead of LED -- that would look very sharp!

    I'd have to take a closer look and compare the two. The Framemeister did seem to have a better signal. It also outputs HDMI, which is superior to VGA.

     

    In my portable, I'm going from VBXE to GBS8220 to VGA to LVDS, so, it's not as sharp, but still 100X better than composite. ;)

     

    OK, I will look into VFD display. :)

  16. Posted

    Any details on the LCD display that you used? And it looks like you are utilizing one of those arcade video conversion boards to translate RGB to S-Video, presumably originating from the VBXE outputs. Is that correct?

     

    Looking good!

     

    - Michael

     

    Yes, LCD is HJ0801A-01E kit with a PCB800099 as input, which I got off of Ebay. The LCD has IPS, which has a better viewing angle.

     

    Since the PCB800099 cannot go below 30khz, I have to use the GBS8220 to convert it.

     

    I am picking up a bit of noise, so I will switch to shielded wires and am considering making some shielding or getting a metal project case to put the video boards in. The noise is minor, but as an EE, I think I can do better... ;)

     

    BTW, just ordered some of your stereo TK-II boards from Osh-Park. While I did my own PS/2 with a Teensy, I like the polish and feature set you provide. Nice job. :)

     

    I just got a PICKIT-3 and successfully programmed the chips. Now to get all the components together...

  17. Posted · Edited by AbeOwitz

    Nice job! What kind of case is that exactly? I've been looking for something along those lines for a PC/portable server build!

    The case is by Schroff. Can't find the model number, nor can I find where I ordered it from...

     

    However, this looks similar. I can't guarantee it's the same...

     

    http://www.alliedelec.com/schroff-24575138/70067588/

     

    If you need, I can give you dimensions for comparison...

     

    Also found this:

    http://ci-ele.en.made-in-china.com/productimage/ubFnwgCLZqRm-2f1j00OvyEYMUsEezo/China-Series-D2-Aluminum-Outdoor-Electrical-Enclosures.html

     

    Digikey has Schroff as well, but I didn't see handles and the best comparison I saw was about $200... :(

  18. Posted · Edited by AbeOwitz

     

    I don't have an SIO2SD or an SIO2pc cable, though they are on my list of things to eventually acquire, as such my storage options are:

    90K 810 drive

    130K 1050 Drive

    CF Card (All the space!)

     

    So, the CF card is my only option at this point. I may just need to wait till next months meeting and put a call out for someone to bring a flash programmer and get a new chip. No big deal, I can mostly enjoy it as is for now.

     

    Jason,

     

    I had trouble with flashing my U1MB a while ago. I have a programmer, adapter and extra NVRAM chips. Once I flashed it externally, I was able to flash it internally after that... Not sure why...

     

    I also have an SIO2PC you can borrow. In the mean time, install AspeQT on your laptop and download the software you'll need...

     

    I'll bring it all this month...

     

    OR, I can gather up the parts and drop them off someplace convenient...?

     

    -Abe

    • Like 1

  19. Posted

    I've been working on this slowly over the past year or so. It's still a WIP, but mostly functional.
    I was jealous of the Commodore portable SX64(?) I saw at a retro computer meeting last year...
    This system is composed of:
    * A nice sturdy portable equipment case with handle. (about $80)
    * 130XE motherboard
    * Ultimate 1MB
    * VBXE + GBS8220 + PCB800099 + HJ0801A-01E IPS LCD
    * Stereo Pokey + cheap ebay amp mounted in floppy tray
    * Dropcheck's excellent XF551 classic board + 3.5" floppy (720k)
    * 12v/5v Power supply
    * And a PS/2 -> Pokey keyboard adapter I made from a Teensy 3.1.
    * Bits of aluminum bar and hardware from Home Depot to hold it all together.
    Still much to do. Waiting on a 5.25" panel to put my power and other buttons in.
    Need to properly mount the video cards you see on top.
    Will probably replace the floppy with SIO2SD eventually. I can always attach an external XF551 or my Happy 1050 via the SIO port in back. Actually, it's nice that the XE has the cart slot in the back, I need to cut a hole in the back panel to allow for it.

    Portable130XE Top

    Portable130XE Front

     

    Will post more detailed images later. :)

     

     

    • Like 10

  20. Posted

    Thanks for the reply. I'll skip then, I really want the "Don't Panic" button... hard to find a box with everything for < $50...

     

     

    Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I've tried to be fair and transparent. So far everyone has been easy to deal with. AbeOwitz, the only prop in the HHGTTG is an Order for Destruction. I've got pics of that game on the site. http://ataricollectionforsale.blogspot.com I don't check this main thread frequently, so please PM if you'd like a quick response.

     

    I'll try to get the last few items tested and posted this weekend.

  25. Posted

    Add me to the list of SIO enthusiasts. ;)
    I have a Bitscope DSO, running in Linux.
    Here are the first 2 SIO commands sent. The first batch is a status request.
    The second batch is requesting a read of sector 1. (The data is not on screen, since it takes a while before it is fetched and sent.)

    SIO First 2 Commands

    Here is what happens when I open the latch during a DIR command:

    SIO Latch Open

     

    Kinda confirms the OP.

    • Like 1
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