+MrFish Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 BTW, i'm unfamiliar with the extra LED's (L1, L2). What are these for? They are for status leds. Led1 is for keyboard disable on (Ctl F1) and the 2nd is for international charactor set on (Ctl F4). The same code is used in the XL/XE but atari didn't add the keys or the leds. The 2 Leds are controlled from PortB. Thanks. I actually downloaded the manual to find out, since no one responded very quickly. They actually added some nice extra features to this machine. I particularly like the ability to turn off Antic via keystroke. Was this possible on the other machines by any means using key combinations? The only way I knew of was poking "559" with "0" directly in a program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sup8pdct Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 BTW, i'm unfamiliar with the extra LED's (L1, L2). What are these for? They are for status leds. Led1 is for keyboard disable on (Ctl F1) and the 2nd is for international charactor set on (Ctl F4). The same code is used in the XL/XE but atari didn't add the keys or the leds. The 2 Leds are controlled from PortB. Thanks. I actually downloaded the manual to find out, since no one responded very quickly. They actually added some nice extra features to this machine. I particularly like the ability to turn off Antic via keystroke. Was this possible on the other machines by any means using key combinations? The only way I knew of was poking "559" with "0" directly in a program. None that I know of. If you are ok with pulling the XE/XE apart and with soldering 4 wires, you can make 4 push buttons work as the function keys. Of course, installing any os upgrade you will loose the function keys (as far as i am aware). Drilling holes in my top case to fit four buttons isn't what I would do. I used to know which positions on the keyboard connector to use, but it has been many years and my memory is somewhat fading. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorgle Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Congrats! I just picked up my 9th 1200xl to hack into a pc. IMO, the 1200xl is the best looking piece piece of hardware ever created, hands down. About half of my 1200s have pretty decent video and the other half needed the clearpic mod. Since this one is brand new, I'd leave it alone unless you really can't stand the fuzziness. One thing you probably should do, however, is add the +5v to the sio connector. It's an easy one-wire operation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Thanks everyone, I'm psyched. The 1200XL is my favorite Atari machine. I thought about keeping it as part of my collection, but how could I enjoy it unless I use it? I'm a basic user, so I don't need RAM upgrades or multi-OS mods. I'll try it as-is first, but if the video is poor, I may have it modded for better video. Can this thing do RGB? Would it be possible to use this photograph or part thereof on an Atari-related web-page I'm planning to put together? It's already my Mac OS X wallpaper, and very nice it looks too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliecron Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Yes I really like the pic, thanks for sharing, it's my wallpaper at work too! Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Thanks everyone, I'm psyched. The 1200XL is my favorite Atari machine. I thought about keeping it as part of my collection, but how could I enjoy it unless I use it? I'm a basic user, so I don't need RAM upgrades or multi-OS mods. I'll try it as-is first, but if the video is poor, I may have it modded for better video. Can this thing do RGB? Would it be possible to use this photograph or part thereof on an Atari-related web-page I'm planning to put together? It's already my Mac OS X wallpaper, and very nice it looks too! I did the same thing. What a great picture. Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scream And Fly Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share Posted December 17, 2008 Would it be possible to use this photograph or part thereof on an Atari-related web-page I'm planning to put together? It's already my Mac OS X wallpaper, and very nice it looks too! Sure, no problem. I actually made the pic for a wallpaper. If you need a larger one, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Sure, no problem. I actually made the pic for a wallpaper. If you need a larger one, let me know. That really is an awesome picture. It looks like something that would be used in a promo or documentary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noelio Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I was looking for nice wallpaper to replace the stock SUN wallpaper on my Solaris desktop, this is it!!! What a GORGEOUS machine the 1200xl is and look ma! No fingerprints or hazy plastic! Nice job on the picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Philsan Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 (edited) Do you have other new Atari computers? Could you take the same picture? Edited December 17, 2008 by Philsan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scream And Fly Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 Do you have other new Atari computers?Could you take the same picture? Thanks guys, that was just a quick pic. Philsan, I have the following machines, new in the box: Atari 400 Atari 600XL Atari 800XL Atari 65XE Atari 130XE Atari 1200XL Atari XE Game System Atari 2600 Atari 5200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARMIK Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Looks awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Do you have other new Atari computers?Could you take the same picture? Thanks guys, that was just a quick pic. Philsan, I have the following machines, new in the box: Atari 400 Atari 600XL Atari 800XL Atari 65XE Atari 130XE Atari 1200XL Atari XE Game System Atari 2600 Atari 5200 Well, break out your camera and get to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scream And Fly Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 I could do it, but I would need to pull out my studio lights to really make 'em look nice for wallpapers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noelio Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I think a clock face style pic would rock, starting with the 2600 then 400 & 800 etc etc etc. You would have to have some good elevation to avoid shadows etc. That would be the ultimate wallpaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Philsan Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Scream and fly, you have an awesome collection and you are a good photographer. When you'll have time, I think it's important that you take good quality pictures of your new computers. Even Atari dedicated websites or Wikipedia have poor quality photos. I think our beloved computer's design deserves to be keeped for the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastRobPlus Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Scream and fly, you have an awesome collection and you are a good photographer.When you'll have time, I think it's important that you take good quality pictures of your new computers. Even Atari dedicated websites or Wikipedia have poor quality photos. I think our beloved computer's design deserves to be keeped for the future. Agree 100%. I would love to see some of these sites use quality pictues of non-yellowed systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross PK Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Are you really going to open it up and start modding it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickled_Pink Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Oh God. I'm in love. :lust: Is there any way to get the 1200XL to work on PAL TVs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross PK Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 (edited) Actually I need to say something, that I thought of yesterday when I was reading the topic. I don't mean to bring a downer on things, but I've noticed in the picture where it's in the bag, that the silver keys are crooked, I'm sure that can only happen from wear and tear, which leads me to thinking is it really brand new and unused? But then again in the close up picture, the keys look really straight. Edited December 19, 2008 by Ross PK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEtalGuy66 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 (edited) Actually I need to say something, that I thought of yesterday when I was reading the topic. I don't mean to bring a downer on things, but I've noticed in the picture where it's in the bag, that the silver keys are crooked, I'm sure that can only happen from wear and tear, which leads me to thinking is it really brand new and unused? But then again in the close up picture, the keys look really straight. Your wrong about that... The "crooked" appearance of the keys is apparent even on brand new machines, and its because of the "looseness" of the keyplunger design.. The normal keys have edges that are recessed down below whats obviously visible, so you dont get the noticeable visual effect.. The function keys, however are perfectly flat, SILVER (which has a very high respective contrast) and the edges are very visible... look at any XL machine.. If you dont notice slight apparent "crookedness" in the function keys, its merely by chance.. Certainly some machines exhibit this better than others, but its not necessarily due to wear. It has much more to do with the fact that ATARIs werent manufactured to "lexus" quality standards (remember the "ballbearing test" commercial?) Edited December 19, 2008 by MEtalGuy66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross PK Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 (edited) Actually I need to say something, that I thought of yesterday when I was reading the topic. I don't mean to bring a downer on things, but I've noticed in the picture where it's in the bag, that the silver keys are crooked, I'm sure that can only happen from wear and tear, which leads me to thinking is it really brand new and unused? But then again in the close up picture, the keys look really straight. Your wrong about that... The "crooked" appearance of the keys is apparent even on brand new machines, and its because of the "looseness" of the keyplunger design.. The normal keys have edges that are recessed down below whats obviously visible, so you dont get the noticeable visual effect.. The function keys, however are perfectly flat, SILVER (which has a very high respective contrast) and the edges are very visible... look at any XL machine.. If you dont notice slight apparent "crookedness" in the function keys, its merely by chance.. Certainly some machines exhibit this better than others, but its not necessarily due to wear. It's just that I remember my 800XL back in the day had silver keys that looked pretty much straight, I've seen others on the net that still look like that. Where's the key's on the 800XL that I have now look quite crooked, I just thought it must be down to wear and tear. Edited December 19, 2008 by Ross PK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEtalGuy66 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I'll tell you what IS an good indicator of wear... If you look at the surface of the dark brown plastic around the front edges of the keyboard area, prolonged use causes a "flattening" or "smoothing" of the texture here.. Also, the surface of the silver function keys is "brushed" metal.. The texture of this "brushed" surface can (and often is) worn to a degree over time on keys like reset and option that are used ALOT.. If you look at his close-up picture, the surface of all his function keys shows a prestine, unspoiled "brushed" finish... I think its the real deal... Or at the very least, put together from a new-old-stock keyboard & top case half that someone managed to dig up.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 look at any XL machine.. If you dont notice slight apparent "crookedness" in the function keys, its merely by chance.. Certainly some machines exhibit this better than others, but its not necessarily due to wear. Agreed. I've seen several new XL machines and none of them had 100% perfect alignment in those keys. The design just has somewhat inherently loose tolerances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scream And Fly Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 (edited) Thanks everyone. Metalguy is correct - this machine was never used. Further, the 1200XL badge still has the protective plastic on it, which is visible in the photo if you look at the edge of the metal. Will I use this? I want to - I haven't yet though. Maybe I'll try to find a nice used machine to mod instead. I'll set up my studio gear and photograph all my machines if you all want. I'll do it this week and set up a gallery where you can download all the images Here's a quick snapshot of the top keys (just used a crappy point and shoot camera) Edited December 19, 2008 by Scream And Fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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