manterola Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Yes, by the shape of the Q and O you can see it isn't a type 4 with mylar. Do you sell the mylar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scitari Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Yes, by the shape of the Q and O you can see it isn't a type 4 with mylar. Do you sell the mylar? I don't plan to sell the mylar. I have some other XLs and will keep it just in case. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarland Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 I have a clean 800XL (made in Hong Kong) with a keyboard that is not functioning. Most of the keys don't work at all. A few work occasionally and will sometimes return the wrong character (e.g. F -> 4). I ordered a new mylar from Best and when I cracked it open discovered that it has a Type 1 Alps keyboard. No new mylar for this one! Did you find a fix for it? Tried swapping PoKey with a known good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 Anyone know if you can get replacement copper springs for the type 4? They are about an inch long and are used as the 'post' to cause contact in the mylar. If not, can I replace the whole keyboard with any type, or do I need to get another type 4? Previous owner jury rigged it, but it didn't work that great. Can provide pics if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 22 minutes ago, invisible kid said: can I replace the whole keyboard with any type Any type XL keyboard will work as a replacement. BEST sells brand new old stock keyboards, complete with ribbons. However for the price that they want for them, I'd say that your better bet would be to pick up a cheap "untested" or not fully working 600XL on eBay and swap out the keyboard from that. As a bonus, you'll get some extra chips from the board (including a POKEY). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 25 minutes ago, SS said: Any type XL keyboard will work as a replacement. BEST sells brand new old stock keyboards, complete with ribbons. However for the price that they want for them, I'd say that your better bet would be to pick up a cheap "untested" or not fully working 600XL on eBay and swap out the keyboard from that. As a bonus, you'll get some extra chips from the board (including a POKEY). Thank you, good idea. I will probably end up going this route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted November 17, 2019 Share Posted November 17, 2019 I ended up finding a spring that was pretty close. A wee bit skinnier in diameter and a bit longer. I cut it down a bit and it works good! It's a weeee bit harder to press, but if you didn't know, you might not be able to tell. And it is definitely waaay better than the first kludge, which I think used a q-tip section instead of a spring. It was expertly done, but without the spring action, was noticeably different than the other keys. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymanone Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 21 hours ago, invisible kid said: I ended up finding a spring that was pretty close. A wee bit skinnier in diameter and a bit longer. I cut it down a bit and it works good! It's a weeee bit harder to press, but if you didn't know, you might not be able to tell. And it is definitely waaay better than the first kludge, which I think used a q-tip section instead of a spring. It was expertly done, but without the spring action, was noticeably different than the other keys. I just stumbled across this thread. Not sure, if it´s helpful, but I've a couple of these ones left.... Gtx., andY 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 (edited) Nice! I'd ask for one, but it looks like it would have quite the journey to get here! Since the new spring is working pretty good, I'll leave it at that. I will say I'm drooling over that pile of stock springs! lol Edited November 19, 2019 by invisible kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymanone Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 2 hours ago, invisible kid said: Nice! I'd ask for one, but it looks like it would have quite the journey to get here! Since the new spring is working pretty good, I'll leave it at that. I will say I'm drooling over that pile of stock springs! lol Yes, ya´re right, of course. If it works well for you there is no need for it ??. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faicuai Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 On 3/31/2019 at 3:42 PM, scitari said: I have a clean 800XL (made in Hong Kong) with a keyboard that is not functioning. Most of the keys don't work at all. A few work occasionally and will sometimes return the wrong character (e.g. F -> 4). I ordered a new mylar from Best and when I cracked it open discovered that it has a Type 1 Alps keyboard. No new mylar for this one! Based on what you describe, what you most likely have bad components / IC (responsible for handling the keyboard) on that 800XL (not the keyboard). The very good news is that, it is highly likely you also have Hong-Kong Rev.C motherboard as well, which is fully socketed and has the distinction of having the I/O resistors near the Joystick ports packed in two BLACK or RED neat blocks. Based on the prior and later boards I have seen, probably the best overall. What all that means is that it should be pretty easy to repair, and there should be nothing wrong with the keyboard per se, as long as there is no corrosion or mis-contact on the keyboard's ribbon-terminal (which is VERY delicate, and should be handled with lots of care when unplugging or re-plugging). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinadan67 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Hi, this week i got my repacement keyboard mylar from retronics, but after opening my 800XL i don't think it will fit. @GoodByteXLpointed me to this thread, my keyboard is type 5. For which type are the replacemant mylars meant? type 4? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Yes, mylar is only used in the type 4 keyboards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tt_atari Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Hi everyone. I have an 800 XL that has AWC type keyboard. It is missing "A" key and the switch underneath is broken. Does anyone know where I can get a switch / key cap? TIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueyjones70 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 4 hours ago, tt_atari said: Hi everyone. I have an 800 XL that has AWC type keyboard. It is missing "A" key and the switch underneath is broken. Does anyone know where I can get a switch / key cap? TIA. You can usually get switches and key caps from Best electronics. I have some spare switches and I would give you one if I have the same switch. Take a really close up picture and post it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tt_atari Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 13 hours ago, hueyjones70 said: You can usually get switches and key caps from Best electronics. I have some spare switches and I would give you one if I have the same switch. Take a really close up picture and post it. Thanks Huey. Pictures attached. Excuse the dust, been in storage and have not had the chance to clean it up yet ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueyjones70 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 I don't have any of those type switches. Best Electronics is your best bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirKon Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 (edited) Hello [error ] Edited November 25, 2020 by AirKon i m so stupid, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back2skooldaze Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Hi does anyone have a good condition fully working atari 800xl keyboard for sale. My revision 4 ribbon cable has gone totally bad and has come off the pcb. Its cracked along each bend of the ribbon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Back2skooldaze said: Hi does anyone have a good condition fully working atari 800xl keyboard for sale. Best Electronics apparently still has some but they're a bit on the pricey side. However, if you have a mylar type Stackpole keyboard you can order a completely new mylar from Best and replace it yourself for about 1/2 the price. http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/800xl.htm#Wizz Edited December 11, 2020 by SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back2skooldaze Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Hi mine does not have a mylar otherwise I would. I've sent 2 emails to best electronics but no reply I've put Atari in the subject line to avoid it going to there spam email or deleted. I desperately want a keyboard for my 800xl I don't mind the cost if new from best electronics. Can some in USA give them a nudge for me please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, Back2skooldaze said: Hi mine does not have a mylar otherwise I would. I've sent 2 emails to best electronics but no reply I've put Atari in the subject line to avoid it going to there spam email or deleted. I desperately want a keyboard for my 800xl I don't mind the cost if new from best electronics. Can some in USA give them a nudge for me please. Try my Atari on eBay (used to be B+C computer vision) http://www.ebaystores.co.uk/Atari-Sales-and-Service/Atari-Portfolio-/_i.html?_fsub=8& They don't list everything they have in stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFSL Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Fantastic post! I remember my Atari as a kid being so easy to type on - then I get an Atari years later and thought - well, its been years! Who knows? Perhaps I remember it wrong. I recently got another Atari and noticed... this keyboard is much better... and now I know why. The next time I am inside these I will pull them apart and find exactly which ones I own. Thanks to the OP for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarland Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, MrFSL said: Fantastic post! I remember my Atari as a kid being so easy to type on - then I get an Atari years later and thought - well, its been years! Who knows? Perhaps I remember it wrong. I recently got another Atari and noticed... this keyboard is much better... and now I know why. The next time I am inside these I will pull them apart and find exactly which ones I own. Thanks to the OP for this. Indeed! There's a big difference between most of them. No need to open the computer to see what keyboards are they. It's not difficult to distinguish them apart. Edited December 11, 2020 by Sugarland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarland Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 4 hours ago, Back2skooldaze said: Hi mine does not have a mylar otherwise I would. I've sent 2 emails to best electronics but no reply I've put Atari in the subject line to avoid it going to there spam email or deleted. I desperately want a keyboard for my 800xl I don't mind the cost if new from best electronics. Can some in USA give them a nudge for me please. You said you had a 'revision 4' which I presume you meant to say 'type 4'?? The type 4 has a mylar. Share a photo of the top of the keyboard and if possible (no need to take it apart) the underside of the keyboard. Type 4 has a solid aluminum 1mm thick metal underside, often with a Stackpole sticker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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