DavidMil

Not sure if this is where I should ask this question or not, but it does pertain to 8 bit game Doc's so... On the Atari Mania sight in the 8 bit games section, I can't get to the doc's pages that are to the right of the 5 or 6 pages that are shown for each game. Does anyone know how to get to those pages? I sent several PM's and posted some general help questions but that forum is about dead. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, DavidMil

No, I got the MACHDOS download from the internet. The one I downloaded didn't have the 130XE after it. I have downloaded your 130XE version also, and they do look alike. Again, Thank you. The problem is that the files all appear to be corrupt. I'm working on them though. If I can get anything I will most definitely post 'em. David

After downloading the manual (thank you Kyle22) and finding a good download of MACHDOS ver. 3.7, I have discovered that all the files on my disk are the same as the downloaded version with the exception of the three additional files I had listed above. So, anyone have any idea what they might be? I'm going to run DiskWizard on them to make sure the files are good, or try and repair them if not. DavidMil

I came across a disk with MACHDOS 3.7 and a few other files. Is MACHDOS a European DOS? The files I don't recognize are: CPY800PL.EXE ATASPRT (no extension) MYDOSPLS ( no extension) The machine will boot up to the MACHDOS DOS screen but nothing works (as in, the is no keyboard response from ANY key on the computer). I have to do a cold reboot to get the machine to respond again. The MACHDOS.DOC file is corrupt and the only way I can look at it is using DiskWizard. None of the three unknown files will load in Basic or binary format. I haven't looked at any of these three files in DiskWizard... yet. Suggestions anyone? Thanks, DavidMil

Does your 130XE try to access a floppy drive at boot up? If you hold down the Start button when turning on the computer, do you hear the long beep that tells you it's trying to load a tape? These two tests can give you an idea of what is working thereby narrowing the possible problems. DavidMil

I never had much to do with Apples, except sell a lot of floppy disks at some of their user group meetings. I was kind of hoping that they were talking about a 1090 (four slots and Z-80 compatibility). I know that is rather far fetched, but... Messed with a Trash 80 a bit and also a very advanced but not supported TI 99-4A, just not Apples. Thanks for the feed back! DavidMil

I found this note on the back page of the instruction manual for the SSI game, 'Broadsides'. Can someone explain what it means? Thanks, DavidMil

Be warned: if you try to use the brown levers on 800's without the raised aluminum casting under the levers, the levers won't work right (stay centered) and they will slide around and the lid will come loose. You will have to put some kind of spacer inside the brown lever to keep it centered. I know this from experience. DavidMil

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't Side2 be a really fast and easy way to back up about 250 double sided (hand punched) floppies? Or is there an easier way? Most of these disks have more than two or three games on each side. David

Here is a listing from Omnimon manuals about the capabilities of each Revision Level. I'm not sure if this includes any XL/XE versions. David Rev Levels.pdf

I know that there are versions; Standard, A, R, L, U and maybe some others. Is there a way when looking at the Omnimon startup screen, or any other quick way to tell which version you have? Both my Omnimon and RAMROD boards start up to the same Omnimon screen, so I'm assuming that they are both the Standard version. But I'd like to know if there is a way to tell exactly which version you have. Also I'd like to know if anyone has a dump of the different versions. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, DAvidMil

Ohh yes! David

To be honest, I'm trying to justify to myself a need for a Side2. It's something I've wanted for awhile. I think I'll print out a big picture of one and put it on my wife's keyboard with a hint about a birthday present. No, wait, that won't work; my birthday is in November... Guess I'll get one with my tax return. I do like all the options that Side2 makes available! David

Get a can of WD40 and a clean rag. Wet the rag with WD40 and rub it on the ribbon as you manually advance the ribbon (don't press hard and don't leave the rag in one place too long). This can be rather messy if you're not careful, but it is a quick way to revive a used/dried printer ribbon. Or else order a replacement on line. But for a quick test, this a quick answer. DavidMil

Can I get a little feedback about the reasons why users would prefer either a Side2 or a AtariMax 8Meg cartridge? Some info about strengths and weaknesses of both. Thanks, DavidMil

My boys were 8 and 10 when we bought this machine. They put it through hell. There are more scrapes and scratches on this poor old 1200XL then on a car in a destruction derby. It's been in the attic for a long time, but I'm happy to report that it is now working better than ever! The only problem that I have with it now it is that I have to 'dink' with the color on the flat panel TV when I'm playing 'Eastern Front' because in the winter you can't tell the white Germany unit from the snow. Life can be very tuff! Thank you all for your input! David

So you don't remove Q8 and all the other components from the 2002 upgrade anymore? David

Sorry DrVenkman. Here's a picture of all the bad/loose pins: Don't know why but the pins in the PIA chip were fine. I don't think I every replaced it before... DavidMil

I've modified all of my 1200XL's with a video upgrade from a guy named Bob Woolly. I use his ClearPic 2002 upgrade. The improvement is really amazing! Especially when using S Video. I don't know if he ever did another improvement to this upgrade... Anyone Know (hint, hint Bob)? DavidMil

Google ZD915 desoldering station. You'll find them on eBay for about $10.00 less than Amazon. DavidMil

Thank you Nezgar. If you can swing the $120 or so dollars, it's really worth it. I removed all those bad sockets in a little over an hour. David

After I changed out all the sockets and the machine quit being 'flaky', I tried swapping out the crystals. You would think that .0009 MHz wouldn't create any problems, but it was enough that the 1200XL came up and worked without any problems... Except there was no color, only a black and white image. Like you said Stephan," Always use the proper crystal." DavidMil

The post before this one locked up and I can't do anything with it, so I just added the picture here. Like I said, I do like machined sockets. DavidMil

I do like those machined sockets. Here is a picture of all the sockets that I had to replace.

The saga continues... After reflowing all the components within an inch of R13, I decided to do the GTIA chip too. When I pulled out the chip, part of the single wipe pin from position 21 fell out of the socket too. I thought I had discovered my problem but when I desoldered the socket several other pins fell out of the plastic before I could even turn the board back over! Not good, not good. So I decided to look at the ANTIC socket too. Yes, several of the pins were very loose there too. Only two pins fell out while desoldering that socket. One fell out of the CPU socket too. So now I've decided to replace every socket on this 1200XL. I don't have enough 40 pin sockets to replace all of them now, so tomorrow I'll call Brad and order some more. I have a special feeling for this old computer, or I swear I'd pull all the chips out and drop the system board in the garbage at this point! DavidMil