renewed interest in the 8 bits.

[jc78_2005]

ok, i have an xegs that i just kinda put in the closet after i got a it not real long ago, im more into the 5200, however, i do have a renewed interest! i finally was able to locate a site, with downloadable images and such. omg,yeah i have indeed been missing out! i honestly had no idea there where that many games for them!i have a few quick questions,, im only interested in the gaming side of the 8 bit by the way.

do the atarimax carts use both cartridge and floppy files? and all i need is the cart and the sio2pc correct?

im still gonna have to track down a keyboard, i had a chance at one awhile back from a user on here cant recall who though, but had to pass at the time oh well. if anyone has one i would be interested in maybe trading or buying if the price was right.. thanx in advance for any help.

[accousticguitar]

I have the SIO2PC and APE software on mine so that it is connected to a pc. I don't have the Atarimax cart and it works fine. I don't know what the Atarimax carts need to work.

[mimo]

Yes, SIO2PC, APE and a Cart is what you need.

If you use the Makemenu utility it is a piece of cake.

You can use .atr images as well as Roms and xex etc, a great investment.

You can of course just use the SIO2PC and ape if you have a PC close to your Atari

[jc78_2005]

Yes, SIO2PC, APE and a Cart is what you need.

If you use the Makemenu utility it is a piece of cake.

You can use .atr images as well as Roms and xex etc, a great investment.

You can of course just use the SIO2PC and ape if you have a PC close to your Atari

thanx for the info! i have a few more questions if you dont mind. sio2pc will it work with a usb adaptor? i have a serial to usb adaptor already, instead of having to buy the usb model. secondly, can you just hook up an external hardrive to it? or must it be a pc? thanx

[ApolloBoy]

Yes, SIO2PC, APE and a Cart is what you need.

If you use the Makemenu utility it is a piece of cake.

You can use .atr images as well as Roms and xex etc, a great investment.

You can of course just use the SIO2PC and ape if you have a PC close to your Atari

thanx for the info! i have a few more questions if you dont mind. sio2pc will it work with a usb adaptor? i have a serial to usb adaptor already, instead of having to buy the usb model. secondly, can you just hook up an external hardrive to it? or must it be a pc? thanx

Yes, the serial SIO2PC will work fine with a serial-to-USB adapter. And no, you can't hook it up to an external hard drive; you need APE for it to work.

 

Good choice on getting the SIO2PC! I love mine.

[mimo]

I'm not so sure about the USB adaptor, some work, some don't IIRC. If I were buying an SIO2PC now then I would definately go for the USB version

You should ask the man Steve at Atarimax.

He is also on these forums as "CLASSICS"

It is also worth having a look at the Atarimax forums for help/support/FAQs

Edited February 28, 2009 by mimo

[jc78_2005]

I'm not so sure about the USB adaptor, some work, some don't IIRC. If I were buying an SIO2PC now then I would definately go for the USB version

You should ask the man Steve at Atarimax.

He is also on these forums as "CLASSICS"

It is also worth having a look at the Atarimax forums for help/support/FAQs

thanx for the info guys! i will look around a bit. im just trying to save a few dollars! im sure these work with power pc macs? seems like i read that somewhere. if not the wife has a lap top.

[sl0re]

To beat on my drum, the cheapest way is to just get an SIO2IDE (and use a IDE to CF adapter with it) or get an SIO2SD. Then just write ATRs to the memory card from your computer.

 

Macs can read fat, so I think it would work from them too.

[ApolloBoy]

To beat on my drum, the cheapest way is to just get an SIO2IDE (and use a IDE to CF adapter with it) or get an SIO2SD.

Actually, the SIO2PC is significantly cheaper than either the SIO2SD or SIO2IDE. But I do have to admit that both are more convenient.

[jc78_2005]

i like the sound of all of them actually! but i think i wil ljsut go with the sio2pc and a atarimax cart,it amazes me how many options are out there for the 8 bits! next question is , if im unable to find a keyboard for the xegs.. which other 8-bit should i get,, strictly gaming only. compatibilty is my thing. i love the looks of all of them. so thas not an issue really

[sl0re]

To beat on my drum, the cheapest way is to just get an SIO2IDE (and use a IDE to CF adapter with it) or get an SIO2SD.

Actually, the SIO2PC is significantly cheaper than either the SIO2SD or SIO2IDE. But I do have to admit that both are more convenient.

 

I don't agree. You can find SIO2SDs in Europe (re: buy from a Euro seller on ebay) for prices around those of the SIO2PC (which doesn't come with ape).

Edited March 2, 2009 by sl0re

[mimo]

i like the sound of all of them actually! but i think i wil ljsut go with the sio2pc and a atarimax cart,it amazes me how many options are out there for the 8 bits! next question is , if im unable to find a keyboard for the xegs.. which other 8-bit should i get,, strictly gaming only. compatibilty is my thing. i love the looks of all of them. so thas not an issue really

That question is one that has been asked many times before, and there are many differing views.

I would sear clear of the 400 and 800 and go for an 800XL or a 65/130XE

800XL- good build quality, great compatability, missing chroma hook up for s-video output (an easy fix)

65XE- not so good on build quality, but has s-video out. Compatability as per the 800XL

130XE- As per the 65XE but with 128k RAM, although the extra RAM is not used in many games

 

If you have a working XEGS I would try to get a keyboard for it though. Try a want add in the marketplace here or Best and B+C sell new.

I have a dismantled one here in the UK (undergoing a de-yellowing process), but shipping would probably be a killer

[WizWor]

i like the sound of all of them actually! but i think i wil ljsut go with the sio2pc and a atarimax cart,it amazes me how many options are out there for the 8 bits! next question is , if im unable to find a keyboard for the xegs.. which other 8-bit should i get,, strictly gaming only. compatibilty is my thing. i love the looks of all of them. so thas not an issue really

You should shop for a complete XEGS. You'll get the keyboard plus a spare computer -- in case the XEGS ever fails. The XEGS is very compatible and durable plus it comes with svideo out for good graphics on a modern TV. Also, you can use the XEGS without a keyboard.

 

I'll second the sio2pc/usb solution + maxflash cart solution. This is what I use. I have the registered APE product, but you don't need that to get the flash carts built...at least not technically.

[jc78_2005]

i like the sound of all of them actually! but i think i wil ljsut go with the sio2pc and a atarimax cart,it amazes me how many options are out there for the 8 bits! next question is , if im unable to find a keyboard for the xegs.. which other 8-bit should i get,, strictly gaming only. compatibilty is my thing. i love the looks of all of them. so thas not an issue really

That question is one that has been asked many times before, and there are many differing views.

I would sear clear of the 400 and 800 and go for an 800XL or a 65/130XE

800XL- good build quality, great compatability, missing chroma hook up for s-video output (an easy fix)

65XE- not so good on build quality, but has s-video out. Compatability as per the 800XL

130XE- As per the 65XE but with 128k RAM, although the extra RAM is not used in many games

 

If you have a working XEGS I would try to get a keyboard for it though. Try a want add in the marketplace here or Best and B+C sell new.

I have a dismantled one here in the UK (undergoing a de-yellowing process), but shipping would probably be a killer

i am wanting to jsut find a keyboard , i actually like the xegs so that is my goal, but worst case i cant find one i would get another system. i willl check best, ,what is b + c ? im not familier with that one. yes shipping would probably be very high. thanx for all this help guys i really appreciate it.

[mimo]

B+C Computer Visions aka myatari

http://www.myatari.com/

[Urchlay]

You should shop for a complete XEGS. You'll get the keyboard plus a spare computer -- in case the XEGS ever fails. The XEGS is very compatible and durable plus it comes with svideo out for good graphics on a modern TV. Also, you can use the XEGS without a keyboard.

 

Your XEGS has s-video out?

 

All the ones I've seen have only composite video...

 

Agree 100% on the suggestion that he should get a 2nd XEGS instead of trying to find just a keyboard for the one he's got. Most likely he can get a complete XEGS for cheaper than B&C sells the keyboard for.

[jc78_2005]

You should shop for a complete XEGS. You'll get the keyboard plus a spare computer -- in case the XEGS ever fails. The XEGS is very compatible and durable plus it comes with svideo out for good graphics on a modern TV. Also, you can use the XEGS without a keyboard.

 

Your XEGS has s-video out?

 

All the ones I've seen have only composite video...

 

Agree 100% on the suggestion that he should get a 2nd XEGS instead of trying to find just a keyboard for the one he's got. Most likely he can get a complete XEGS for cheaper than B&C sells the keyboard for.

i think i will you guys advice and look for another complete one, i think you are right the price of the keyboard (unless i find a steal) is gonna be just as much as i could get another complete system or close to it anyway. . now who has an extra to trade me! im gonna post in the wanted section.

[ApolloBoy]

To beat on my drum, the cheapest way is to just get an SIO2IDE (and use a IDE to CF adapter with it) or get an SIO2SD.

Actually, the SIO2PC is significantly cheaper than either the SIO2SD or SIO2IDE. But I do have to admit that both are more convenient.

 

I don't agree. You can find SIO2SDs in Europe (re: buy from a Euro seller on ebay) for prices around those of the SIO2PC (which doesn't come with ape).

Actually, I think you're right on this one; I just spotted a SIO2SD on eBay right now for about US$63 with free shipping. Not bad.

[jc78_2005]

Actually, I think you're right on this one; I just spotted a SIO2SD on eBay right now for about US$63 with free shipping. Not bad.

, so with this you just load the images onto an sd card and put the sd card into the sio2sd and thats it?seems like a more simple way of doin things.

[sl0re]

, so with this you just load the images onto an sd card and put the sd card into the sio2sd and thats it?seems like a more simple way of doin things.

 

but wait, there is more.

 

This device has it's own lcd screen and buttons you can use to switch atr's or images... so you don't have to learn / use any software.

[WizWor]

You should shop for a complete XEGS. You'll get the keyboard plus a spare computer -- in case the XEGS ever fails. The XEGS is very compatible and durable plus it comes with svideo out for good graphics on a modern TV. Also, you can use the XEGS without a keyboard.

 

Your XEGS has s-video out?

 

All the ones I've seen have only composite video...

 

Agree 100% on the suggestion that he should get a 2nd XEGS instead of trying to find just a keyboard for the one he's got. Most likely he can get a complete XEGS for cheaper than B&C sells the keyboard for.

Sorry. Brain cramp...composite out. Still composite vs RF is no comparison.

[jc78_2005]

, so with this you just load the images onto an sd card and put the sd card into the sio2sd and thats it?seems like a more simple way of doin things.

 

but wait, there is more.

 

This device has it's own lcd screen and buttons you can use to switch atr's or images... so you don't have to learn / use any software.

yeah i saw that! very cool, is there also an onscreen menu? im guessing not . either way very cool and simple!

[+Roydea6]

YASH! or should I say yes.

 

[sl0re]

, so with this you just load the images onto an sd card and put the sd card into the sio2sd and thats it?seems like a more simple way of doin things.

 

but wait, there is more.

 

This device has it's own lcd screen and buttons you can use to switch atr's or images... so you don't have to learn / use any software.

yeah i saw that! very cool, is there also an onscreen menu? im guessing not . either way very cool and simple!

 

I think you can switch around the atrs with a A8 software, but I don't know because I always found the buttons on the unit so easy that I never read the manual...

[WizWor]

You should shop for a complete XEGS. You'll get the keyboard plus a spare computer -- in case the XEGS ever fails. The XEGS is very compatible and durable plus it comes with svideo out for good graphics on a modern TV. Also, you can use the XEGS without a keyboard.

 

Your XEGS has s-video out?

 

All the ones I've seen have only composite video...

 

Agree 100% on the suggestion that he should get a 2nd XEGS instead of trying to find just a keyboard for the one he's got. Most likely he can get a complete XEGS for cheaper than B&C sells the keyboard for.

i think i will you guys advice and look for another complete one, i think you are right the price of the keyboard (unless i find a steal) is gonna be just as much as i could get another complete system or close to it anyway. . now who has an extra to trade me! im gonna post in the wanted section.

Right now, there is an auction on ebay that includes a keyboard. It is cheap and uninteresting, so you may want to take a look even if you let the seller keep the vcs.