DarkLord

Yep, thats a real bummer alright. It seemed like, at one point, that mulitple Falcon clones were going to become available...and course, many never made it.... On a happier note - Wizztronics still sells Atari items, and even supports them. I got great phone and e-mail support from Steve at Wizztronics when I was re-casing my Falcon into one of their rack cases...

Ahem.... <cough>.... See Sig. PS We're for *all* Atarians!

I hear ya bro! Your assessment of modern machines is spot on, AFAIC. I use Linux now, on my main "PC" computers, and that helps some, at least it has more soul than that -other- OS... But...at the end of the day, I'd still rather turn my Mega ST or CT60'ed Falcon on than any of my other comps, or laptop... I dream of getting a STacy someday, so I will have a real laptop (okay, luggable!) then. I think many of us are bitter, to differing degrees, on what happened to the computing side of Atari... I mean, when you think about all the missed opportunities, blown chances, etc, etc,...it just makes a person sick inside. But...it just makes my memories of the Atari "age", and my remaining Atari computers, games systems and software, that much more precious to me. Especially now, as I get older...

102mhz!? Lucky dog! Dang-it, I wanted to break into triple digits (95mhz max here)...

Yes, anything you buy from the dealers these days is rather high. Did you also get prices from B&C Computervisions, and Bravo Sierra? I owned an STe once, and have a Mega STe now. IMHO, they are mostly compatible, with most software that won't work being early games... If you do go for an STe then go for the later TOS 1.62, because 1.60 had a bug in it that wouldn't let you save your desktop in med-rez. Of course, TOS v2.06 rocks... HTHs.

Rick, the SC1435 works fine with any ST - you don't have to do anything strange to get sound to it - the regular monitor cable carries sound from the ST to it, just like the SC1224. You can go either route - note that the STe is a much nicer machine than the regular STs... HTHs.

Hi. Well, DarkForce! is a BBS... That's a Bulletin Board System. Back in the day, before the Internet was as wildly popular as it is now, BBS's ruled. Usually it was some local computer guy, using his own hardware (computer, hard drive, and a modem) and setting it up for other users, usually in the same area to call in, logon, and enjoy the system. Specialized software took calls, managed the users, allowed e-mail on the board, allowed file uploads/downloads, hosted message bases where users could discuss various topics, and even allowed online games to be played. At one point, they were immensely popular. The name of the controlling person was a "SysOp". Thats short for System Operator. Back in the 1990's, I ran a very popular Atari based board called "The DarkForce! BBS". When the Internet became very popular, I shut it down (this was about 1999/2000 or so). I had no way of getting my Atari hardware/software on to the Internet, making it accessible to all without a long distance phone call. In April 2005, the 8bitters in comp.sys.atari.8bit informed me of a wonderful device called the Lantronix UDS10. It basically takes a serial port and converts it to LAN use. In other words, I could once again bring DarkForce! back to life... I bought one, posted questions asking this and that about it, and finally got it working. So DarkForce! is an Atari based bulletin board system, running on true Atari hardware and software, accessible to anyone in the world, with a computer, via telnet. With a telnet client, you simply telnet into: darkforce-bbs.dyndns.org Go through a short login process, and become a member, have lots of fun! Hope to see you on there soon...

Hmm, many times controls like that will acquire dust... Sometimes, sometimes, I say, you can get a can of that compressed air and clean it out real good and that will help. As for the knobs, are you sure they aren't sunk back in there? (I mean like a screwdriver type adjustment)... If they are not, then I'd be tempted to pull the cover off the SC1224 and see whats there. Mind you, thats with it unplugged, and with the knowledge that like any TV set, things hold charges that can still shock you, even unplugged - so be careful. HTHs.

I don't know if they do or not, but I'd like to think that they do... That they know their legacy still continues, and that thousands still find constant enjoyment from their products...

Actually, its 256 plus 16 (14 useable)... Sure (about ICQ). I believe I've got you authorized now. I just installed Mandriva 2006 on my main comp and I'm having an odd problem with (K)Licq... I can add my account from the initial start up and all is well. Login, exchange msgs, blah, blah, blah... As soon as I quit Licq, it won't connect back again. Until I rm .licq, with all my settings. Then restart, add my account again, and it works again. Until I logoff and start it again.

If I couldn't find a used one to salvage off another machine thats not working, then I guess I'd try Best Electronics or B&C Computervisions... some place like that.... HTHs.

Hmm, btw, under my entry in that list, its 256 megs of SDRAM, not "260"...

Hehehe, if it wasn't for the fact that I can't fit all I've got in my Wizztronics rack case into that one, I'd be very tempted. I think a friend of mine, (Barry Shortridge, AKA "Phantomm") has one of those that he picked up off some auction or the other...

Awesome - looks great! Hmm, have you checked to see what a set of replacement keys costs? (in case you can't get the yellowing off yours)... I'm not sure how much - could check with someplace like Best Electronics or B&C Computervisions... I believe you can thread the mouse cable through the back, but you might have to do a little case modification... Again, nice job...

Yep, upper left there are the 6 TOS ROMs. They are a little bit expensive if you buy them from a dealer, IMO. But worth it overall. First, always guard against static electricity. Ground yourself properly. They are not very difficult to install. If you don't have a chip puller, you can use a very small, narrow, flat blade screwdriver to *gently* pry up the ends of the chips in the machine, going back and forth, working them up to where you can pull them out. Note the orientation of the chips. Make sure you get the new chips properly aligned before inserting them. It is pretty easy to bend those little legs. TOS 1.4 has many enhancements over earlier TOS versions - here is an addendum I found (why does text never format right?): --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ATARI RAINBOW TOS ADDENDUM ================================= NOTICE: Rainbow TOS must be installed by an authorized Atari dealer. The new Rainbow TOS provides many improvements to your computer's GEM Desktop operating speed and make your computer easier to use. To make sure you have Rainbow TOS installed in your computer, select the Desktop Info option from the Desk menu. This dialog box appears. --------------------------------------- | GEM, Graphic Environment Manager | | TOS | | ------------------------------ | | /|\ | | ATARI | | | | Copyright 1985,86,87,88,89 | | Atari Corporation | | Digital Research, Inc. | | All Rights Reserved | | | | ---------- | | | OK | | | ---------- | ------------------------------------- File Selector (formerly Item Selector) -------------------------------------- Two important changes affect this dialog box. One is the the addition of the Drive Selector. The other is improved use of wildcard characters. The Drive Selector displays drive identifier letters A through P. Click on a letter to select that drive. Drive identifiers representing uninstalled drives appear in a light typeface and cannot be selected. Use of wildcard characters allows you to more easily control the Directory window display. Use wildcard characters to replace portions of the last section of a pathname on the Directory Line. For example, if D:\SALES\*.DOC appears on the Directory Line, only files with the .DOC extension will display in the Directory window. To display the entire contents of the subdirectory SALES delete .DOC and replace it with the asterisk wildcard character. Refer to your computer owner's manual for further instructions on using wildcard characters. To display the new directory, press [Return]. Move Files ---------- With Rainbow TOS you can move a file from one folder or drive to another in addition to copying the file. First, select the file(s) you wish to move. Then hold down [Control] as you click on and drag the selected file(s) to a new location. During the move process, a Move File(s) dialog box displays the number of files being moved. As each file is moved, the Move File(s) dialog box displays the file's name and complete destination (disk or logical drive letter and folder name). When you copy or move files, Rainbow TOS does not change the date and time stamp of those files. File date and time information will only be updated when the file is changed. Skip a Single File During Group Copying --------------------------------------- The option to skip a single file during a group copy procedure becomes available when a file name conflict occurs. A file name conflict occurs when a file is copied from one location to another and a copy of the file already exists at the new location. The following three options are presented when a name conflict occurs: Copy Rainbow TOS overwrites the existing file and the copy operation continues. Skip Rainbow TOS does not overwrite the file. Continues with the copy operation. Quit Rainbow TOS does not overwrite the file. Ends the copy operation. Abort Group Copy, Move, and Delete Operations --------------------------------------------- You can abort the copy, move, and delete operations performed by Rainbow TOS. Press and hold down [undo]. A dialog box displays, giving you the choice of continuing or ending the operation. MS-DOS Compatible Floppy Disk Formatting ---------------------------------------- Disks formatted with Rainbow TOS are fully MS-DOS compatible. Auto-Boot Applications ---------------------- The Install Application option of the Options menu allows you to assign an auto-boot feature to any GEM based application programs. An installed application automatically opens when you boot the system. You can select applications with .PRG, .APP, or .TOS extensions. Follow these instructions to start an application from a data file or autoboot an application. 1. Select a program file (.TOS, .APP, .PRG) from a directory window. Select Install Application from the Options menu. The Install Application dialog box appears, listing the application program file you selected from the desktop. 2. To install the application to run from a data file, type the correct data file extension in the Document Type field. This is the common extension of the files that use that application. (Consult the manual supplied with the application for the most common file extension.) If you install an application to autoboot, you may leave the Document Type field blank. Note: Some applications can open from a desktop data file only if the data file resides in the same folder as the application program files. Check the documentation supplied with the application for more information. 3. Select boot status: Auto to autoboot an application, or Normal to start an application from the desktop. 4. Select an application type. Your choices are GEM, TOS, and TOS-takes-parameters. Most programs that run from the desktop have the extension .PRG or .APP. Both of these extensions indicate a GEM application. However, some applications have the extension .TOS or .TTP. The extension .TOS indicates a TOS application. The extension .TTP indicates a TOS-takes- parameters application. Note: To use a .TTP application, first select the application, then enter the required parameters when the dialog box appears. 5. Select OK to finish. 6. To save the application's installation, select Save Desktop from the Options menu. Disk Copy/Format Dialog Box --------------------------- Rainbow TOS uses a combined dialog box for copy and format operations. This box displays when you select either the Format option from the File menu, or drag a disk drive icon on top of another disk drive icon. Select Copy or Format from the Copy and Format dialog box. Select from the available options and click on OK. The bar graphs in the lower half of the screen graphically detail the copying or formatting that occurs. Changing a Folder's Name ------------------------ With Rainbow TOS you can change the name of a folder. Click on a folder and select the Show Info option from the File menu. The Folder Information dialog box displays. You can now type in a new name for that folder. Keyboard Reset -------------- You can now reset your computer from the keyboard. Hold down [Control] and [Alternate], then press [Delete]. This key combination is exactly the same as pressing the Reset button. Pressing [Control] [Alternate] [Right Shift] [Delete] causes a VERY cold boot. It clears all of RAM (except about 64 bytes at the bottom) and then jumps to the ROMs. This cold boot clears all reset-proof RAMdisks and other data and variables that are cleared by a cold boot but not a warm boot. -------------------------------------------- Atari, the Atari logo, Rainbow TOS and TOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari Corporation. GEM and GEM Desktop are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Copyright 1989, Atari Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HTHs.

Wow. I really have to disagree with that. I check in here fairly often and am amazed at the amount of new traffic each time, as well as the (still) ongoing hardware development!

I don't do WIndows but I've heard Windows users talk about WinAMP, Mod4Win, and Ace... You might want to google those and try them out... HTHs. Screenshots? Uh...yeah right.

I don't do WIndows but I've heard Windows users talk about WinAMP, Mod4Win, and Ace... You might want to google those and try them out... HTHs.

Folks, just like to point out that we have received over -> 23,000! <- calls at The DarkForce! BBS now... Thanks to all for supporting us, and the Atari community!

Folks, just like to point out that we have received over -> 23,000! <- calls at The DarkForce! BBS now... Thanks to all for supporting us, and the Atari community!

No ouch intended. I figured that was what you were doing/thinking... Do keep a close eye on me and my posts - somebody needs to! <lol>

I used Krylon Fuzion paint. Awesome stuff. I got it from Walmart. I used black for everything on my Atari Falcon. Other colors are available... Check my sig, go to my website and see the results there.

Really? On my *web site*?... Hmm..... http://www.darkforce.org See sig also...

That was probably it then. Glad you could finally get online. BTW, there is a short (rather obvious) section on my web site, covering a few reasons why one can't logon. See ya...

What kind of message did you get when you couldn't connect? If it was connection refused, more than likely someone else was online. PS Did you get this?: [[email protected] ~]$ darkforce telnet: Unable to connect to remote host: Connection refused I double-checked, it was another user online then...