Simply_Graham

That's great that you picked that out so it may be a simple Antic swap to fix. Mytek Quick question, in regard XEL MIDI update added MIDI XEL II I purchased the boards from OSH park ages ago (8 months plus), and appears no version numbers, mentions on ArariBits a newer version of board to correct left channel output, was this simply a track left off. to discuss should I PM or post on a new topic ?

Hi Guys Yea, I'm aware the two BIOS are similar with the Splash screen's being diffrent, however I did mention an update, I assuming the U1MB has it's original firmware, as Chevymad hasn't got the SIO working as yet I think in one of Flasgjazzcat's video's there was mention of some odd artifacts, down the left in one of the machines he'd upgraded. (But that maybe my poor memory or associated with something else.) Can you think of any reason's at all as to why he maybe getting this ? I believe the screen is stable once booted, just the Menu, maybe Chevymad can add some more information this evening.

Here Here for that Dr Venkman Although a pain, you could also try swapping the XEL TK II into the XLD temporarily as you know this works, beside that maybe a photo of the area around the Pokey's and post just in case we can spot anything to help you with it. Meant to mention I can't help much with the vagaries of the display you are getting with the U1MB menu up, perhaps sorted with a software update, however I've only a 130XE with NTSC and that’s stock at the moment P.S you could try te U1MB in the XEL, and also update the Bios to XLD and swap back when done.

Well looks like things are taking a turn for the best; pleased you've both got them working. :):) Chevymad, make sure the pokey you have in the left channel is a good one, I've had one of my pokey's work fine as a stereo 2nd channel but no SIO swapped round and all good . It may also be worth re programming the TK II, perhaps clearing up the odd characters your seeing. The yellow indicates CF Swap, however this could be 'swapping back and forth' very quickly giving the appearance of being swapped. ALT-N is the keyboard operation for this but thats programming in the TK II. I take it the keyboard is known to be good? Wish you luck!

ChevyMad Try checking the values of R18 & R19 as these should both be 2K2 resistors RED RED RED, yours appears to be 22K RED RED ORANGE should only need to change R19 although mine look more like Brown Brown Brown in the photo.

Dr Venkman you are NOT the only one to have put D3 in backwards ... I did exactly the same, however having an oscilloscope I found the problem in about 30 mins. As I’d decided on checking the clocks first. (Mine is a PAL build so no X2 crystal. But does have X1 and components surrounding U6 and Q2) However I knew it was the system clock oscillator and it still took me that long to spot my mistake.

So just how many sets of boards and completed machines have been built; if you include all the tester's ??

'The BOMB was a MEMPAK Ni-CAD battery used for back up .. controlled by ICL7673 and a pair of transistors.. I don't think it liked being left for 30 odd years and decided to leak ...

Hi McLaneinc / Nezgar I've heard before that John didn't design the hardware, didn't know about his programming skill's and to be honest, I'd never seen him write any software on the fly for the SRAM version of the controller(s) I built, just to go round to his flat with it in an XEGS or XE130 for him to play with and often ended up with a soldering iron sorting out some of the customer Atari's he had in for upgrade. The software would be ready the next week I visited. I need to reverse engineer the original Veroboards I used ... XEGS (WITH 128K UPGRADE) XE130 I've also have three of the Original O.S Controllers, one I purchased and then reverse engineered as the Chips had been defaced.. after that I contacted John and started on the SRAM versions. But ended up with a bare board and another working one without the chips being defaced. I've attached the images as I resently had to reverse enginner the originals so I could work out the CCT Diagram. You seem to have know John much better than I, it would be good to have a chat and tell me a little of Mike & Dave (I'm guessing you knew them pretty well) I'll now get notifications on any responce. There is also a pic of the disks I have. see about getting them into ATR's Included is the C.U.P.I.D software

Michael Nice to hear your still working on the GBS8200 solution. I've managed to mount one inverted in the taller 80mm case of an XEL using and arduino micro to program. used the HDD mounting plate so no change to the Case lid. Looking forward to recieving my boards now, just found mind are being held for a customs payment of $34..

It was marketed by 'Computer House' as the C.U.P.I.D interface, John May wrote the software as I recall. Believe I still have an original disk. Also 800XL with a nasty messy cut out for s 25Way D-Sub connector, two PIA (actually 6520A with 6821 on top I believe will have to find to check.) No idea re the Eprom software only knew of the Disk version. assume used spare D6xx or D7xx address lines of the LS138 chip for decoding. no idea of interwiring between socket and PIA..

I'm not sure if the way I commented was taken the wrong way, I hope it wasn't; as I think we all use our computers for different things, and want different things from them including looks. My comment was only aimed at the Doc, as a suggestion following his own path. I've 6x 1050's two have been butchered as spares due to some 'other' in-experienced with a soldering iron, causing so many tracks to lift as not, also the mechanics are faulty, already used the stepper motor as a replacement in another Mech. One of these spare case's will be the home for my XLD. that's not to say that I may change the 2nd tier to something other than MIDI. purely as I built that inside my XEL (being the taller 80mm case.) however I like the idea of re-purposing something that will become redundant. I also like the idea of doing something similar but using the XEGS style case, will I? Who knows could I, maybe and likely using the same or at least very similar circuits to either the XEL or XLD (and yes I'm aware there much more going on in the later..) the XEGS 'cart por't also poses an issue with lay out, but nicely the back panel can be cut about and opened up to all manor of interfaces That maybe my choice for the future, my main interest is actually building these computers, repairing them, making addon's of my own etc. etc. thats almost more than playing games ( Although I do ) I'm grateful that the boards have been released, and hopefully be on there way latest Monday. Do I like everything the way Michael has done things? No not all , the PSU being a case in point for me. but hey it's been good enough for Atari over many years, and it is very much better than any of the original Atari designs. Remember Michael has his own vision and agenda which I'm sure he is most pleased with producing the XLD Hats off to him for seeing it through and allowing us all to be able to share in his personal vision.

Hey Doc I't wouldn't take to much to use an original XEGS style keyboard, sure the electronics need to be replaced, perhaps with that or a PS/2 keyboard controller, issue would be sorting out the matrix, and getting the connections correct. although it maybe easier to remap TKII with alternative software, rather than hardware, apart from a few additional button's shame it wouldn't look right with a 1050 case your xf case may well suit..

Fantastic Achievment Although I'm a little sad as I love actually building the circuits up as well, and would have loved to build myself; same as the XEL, there for me is no achievement in buying something thats built (Well maybe a laptop). besides I've already worked out and ordered the components including a pair of S3's (ones in the XEL now). currently building an XEGS from scratch I hope that the board will be available in the future.. Just seen reply above, I must concur that for us in Europe the costs are a little silly, although I will alway point out that MacRorie will always help the best he can.

Guys I have already built Michaels 1088XEL fantastic redesign :) For anyone in the UK .. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcade-Game-RGB-CGA-EGA-YUV-to-VGA-HD-Video-Converter-Board-HD9800-GBS8200-H-RR/303164763181?hash=item4696072c2d:g:j7cAAOSwaIpcGydK Just ordered to try out And still waiting on release of the files to Marlin, or at least when the boards are available. My continued best wishes to all involved Graham