phc_joe

Hi; So I hauled out my 8-bit collection (that has been modded for various reasons back when I used it heavily back in the '90s). I have forgotten soooo much! This 8-bit stuff got me through a dissertation, online database searching and early attempts at running a profession-related BBS before the Internet was ubiquitous. Current problem. I'm trying to efficiently figure out what to do to resurrect a 130XE that currently only boots to a blank green screen. I noted that a different computer (Also Atari 8-bit) booted to green screen when the ribbon cable for the keyboard was badly inserted (a corner was folded over itself...straightening that out allowed it to boot correctly, but that was not the problem with the unit at hand). First question: I have a pretty horrid/beat up 65XE that I was thinking I might scavenge for parts/chips, BUT other than memory are the 65XE chips the same as the 130XE? Next question: Is there a step-by-step logical process for teasing out the most efficient process for diagnosing/repairing the green screen issue? Thanks Stuff I have on hand... CSS Black Box with Floppy Board (Bob Puff was my main go-to guy back in the day!) SpartaDOS X with R-time-8 cartridge 130XE with 320 RAM upgrade/Multiplexer OS (in good working order) 130XE with a ROM board/switch that can switch/boot between 3 different chips (this is the machine with the problem) 800XL standard/good working order 65XE with horrid case and keyboard with many dead keys (I might be brave/foolhardy enough to try and desolder this for parts). 1050 disk drive XF551 disk drives (2) Hard drive with various Sparta/MyDOS boot partitions and utilities. Various game cartridges and 8-bit software mostly on 5.25 disks.