Atari Mega 2 w/ Keyboard, mouse and strange video board

[+save2600]

Hi all,

 

Need some help identifying just what exactly I have here. I just inherited a nice looking Atari Mega 2 computer system that came from an embroidery shop. It seems to work fine and boots up w/ a floppy disk. The only video cable I have for it seems to be a custom RGB (3 RGB ends w/ BNC connectors) with cable hooked via a 9 pin connector to a port above the extra floppy connector. Seems as if there is a card installed in the computer that allows it to drive this monitor. Anyway, I do not currently have this RGB monitor and cannot make much out on the screen using my Commodore 2002. It sure seems as if syncs higher than 15khz. I have seen the back of the monitor though that this computer used to be hooked to and it also had a 9 pin Atari 2600 style connector as well as the appropriate RGB/BNC connections for its video input! The Mega 2 also seems to have a custom switch installed in the front of the case, next to the power LED. When switched up, the power LED lights green, when switched down, the power LED goes off - but the fan still spins. Without opening it up, I'm not sure exactly what all is in here. I am guessing there is no HD since the computer does not seem to boot without the floppy - but could be wrong about that. Might just be no OS installed on the HD? Also, is it possible this has a better processor in it than a 68k?

 

Pictures attached. I guess I'm wondering just what it is I have and what it is worth. I'm an Amiga guy myself and would like either cash to put towards Amiga goodies or will simply trade this to someone for their Amiga hardware.

 

Please e-mail me direct if you are interested in the system or can help me out. Wanted to hold off on cracking open the case if possible as I am not sure HD's, processor upgrades and the like were even available for these.

 

Thanks!!

 

 

 

 

[+save2600]

Well, thanks to all those that replied. From what I can discern, this is a Rev. B motherboard and comes with a few "serious" upgrades. First, I see a processor board with a Toshiba 68k that runs at 16mhz. A switch was installed in the front of the case that allows you to dumb it down to 8mhz for compatibility with older software. I also see that this has 2 TOS 1.4 ROMS in place and a Best Electronics power supply that also has the word Skynet on it. I would assume that this was an upgraded power supply for the video board and the faster processor. Next we have a Image Systems Corp Multi-Sync video board made in the USA and its model number is: ATR-4CP REV. A3. Taken from the web, this board is for use with VGA or Multi-Sync monitors. It offers Moniterm compatibility and as is supposed to be more compatible with other Atari ST screen modes. This board also has a 68881 co-processor socket (no chip installed), 384mb of ram, 1024x768 resolution and is blitter chip supported. One site claimed this video board could do 1680x1200. Again, all of this info has been taken off the web. More info on this $800 curiosity can be found here: http://www.520st.com/atr4.html

 

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Full size pics of everything can be seen here:

 

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http://webpages.charter.net/aceamusements/st

 

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Too many varying inquiries and comments, so I have decided to let her go on eBay and see what she does. Auction starts at 8:30pm CST.

[Goochman]

I wanted to get a video card upgrade for my Mega 2 ST so I could use a higher rez on a VGA monitor but it appears these are very rare and no longer available - good luck with your auction

[+save2600]

I wanted to get a video card upgrade for my Mega 2 ST so I could use a higher rez on a VGA monitor but it appears these are very rare and no longer available - good luck with your auction

 

If the auction does not do well, I will simply part out the Mega 2 and sell the video board & 16mhz Fast board separately. This is probably the way to go since I would guess that most ST fans already have a computer. I happen to have a "spare" 68000 CPU chip I can re-install into the Mega 2, making it a full system again for those that would like to make a leap from their 520/1040's.

 

Here's a link to the auction of the Mega 2 w/ all the goodies:

 

http://tiny.cc/Yb4MZ