Found: NEW Atari 1040STE

[StirFryKitty]

Hi,

 

I'm brand new to this forum and am seeking expertise to figure out what I've got.

 

I helped a friend clean out a warehouse today and stumbled upon an Atari 1040STE. It appears to be 4-meg. None of the included accessories have ever been opened. The serial number on the unit matches the serial number on the box. So, as far as I can tell it is new-in-box. I'm not an Atari user, but I know that there are folks out there who are still interested in this kind of equipment. If I were to keep this for myself, in what ways would it be useful to me? And if I decide to part with it, what would be a reasonable price to ask for it?

[AllanHiggins]

It seems to me that most Atari fans like to use their ST's for playing classic Atari games. Some people are musicians and still prefer their Atari's when doing MIDI sequencing. A few of us are old programmers who reminisce about the good old days and like to fiddle with some program or other to alleviate our middle-age depression. If you are none of those things then you may find that the machine holds little interest for you. A quick search on eBay would tell you the going prices for your area, but if the machine is truly new-in-box, unused, then I wouldn't know what to recommend since you might encounter an enthusiast who would pay more - post a long auction, maybe.

 

-Allan

[Mirage]

Or just put it up in the marketplace here, take offers, and see what you get. No reason to keep it if it holds no interest for you though... let it go to someone who will truly appreciate it.

[StirFryKitty]

Or just put it up in the marketplace here, take offers, and see what you get. No reason to keep it if it holds no interest for you though... let it go to someone who will truly appreciate it.

 

Before I do that, I want to verify that I actually have what I think I have. Can anyone help me to figure out what to look for? Someone wrote 4-meg on the top of the box, but as I understand it that would be an upgrade not stock. The plastic around the unit itself has been opened, so maybe to upgrade to 4-meg? What would the original accessories have been? I have a mouse, a cable, a disk and a couple different manuals and other pieces of documentation. Also the box, styrofoam, and accessory box. It LOOKS brand spanking new. No wear, no yellowing.

[Mirage]

Can you provide photos? It sounds like a nice find. BTW, I am no expert on the ST machines, but there are plenty of guys here who are who can help you who no doubt will soon notice this thread

[StirFryKitty]

Can you provide photos? It sounds like a nice find. BTW, I am no expert on the ST machines, but there are plenty of guys here who are who can help you who no doubt will soon notice this thread

 

I can definitely provide photos. What specific things should I take pictures of for the sake of identification?

[Mirage]

Well, for starters, just the main computer closely and clearly (and one of the back wouldn't hurt), the box, and a shot of all the accessories/books that are in it. If anyone needs something more specific, they'll let you know. Oh, and if you can turn it on, a screenshot showing available memory would be nice I guess. I have a feeling there are a dozen guys here who can tell you what was an official model, what was an option/upgrade, etc.

[StirFryKitty]

Well, for starters, just the main computer closely and clearly (and one of the back wouldn't hurt), the box, and a shot of all the accessories/books that are in it. If anyone needs something more specific, they'll let you know. Oh, and if you can turn it on, a screenshot showing available memory would be nice I guess. I have a feeling there are a dozen guys here who can tell you what was an official model, what was an option/upgrade, etc.

 

Ok, here's what I have:

 

Here is the top of the box with the serial number sticker. The original owner wrote 4-MEG on the top and his initials. The box is generally in retail wear condition, but there is a brown stain (coffee?) on top.

 

Here is the unit, plus styrofoam, plus accessory box in the box.

 

Here is all the included documentation plus software.

 

And the accessories. The two cables and mouse are still sealed/stapled. The little black box is not sealed, but I'm not sure it ever was as there are no holes from staples or residue from tape.

 

Here is a full view of the top of the unit.

 

This closeup of the 10-key show two things. 1. The plastic is still over the nameplate. 2. There are some ballpoint pen marks above the 10-key and on one of the keys. There was a post-it note with the serial number inside of the plastic, and that's probably where the ink came from. I'm sure it can be removed, but don't want to do so without suggestions so I don't mar the color of the case.

 

These are pictures of the various features on the sides and front of the unit.

 

 

 

 

And here are various pictures of the bottom. I know the text on the label is hard to see. I can tell you that the serial number DOES match the serial number on the box. And if I need to post anything else that's on there I can.

 

 

Edited January 25, 2010 by StirFryKitty

[Mirage]

In Photobucket, if you hover above your image, a bunch of links should show up below... copy the IMG one and paste it here and it should show. Or just upload the photos here. Then wait until the ST crowd stumbles across this.

[nathanallan]

Here's a working link, I think:

 

http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy360/StirFryKitty/Atari%201040STE/?action=view&current=DSC01585.jpg

 

click forward from there.

[StirFryKitty]

Oh, I DON'T have a monitor. Just the computer unit. So turning it on wouldn't do any good, I'm afraid.

[StirFryKitty]

And thank you for your help. I loathe Photobucket, but am hesitant to post pictures to my domain when I'm talking to people I don't know. A girl can't be too careful.

[Mirage]

And thank you for your help. I loathe Photobucket, but am hesitant to post pictures to my domain when I'm talking to people I don't know. A girl can't be too careful.

 

That's exactly what Photobucket is good for. I never post photos directly from any of my websites either.

[nathanallan]

Oh, I DON'T have a monitor. Just the computer unit. So turning it on wouldn't do any good, I'm afraid.

You can hook it up to the composite out, you'll at least get a picture to come from it.

 

Pic link, the RCA jack there

[Junosix]

What's odd is that the warranty sticker is intact - you'd have to break it to upgrade the memory.

[frogstar_robot]

 

Aaaaaaaaaaaagh! That is all I had for joystick ports on my 520STFM. I suffered a year with those before permanently plugging in some 6ft extension cables. That crabbed little box is on the underside of the unit and does not leave enough room to properly grip the plug while inserting it. They are tight and difficult to plug things into as well. At least mine was. Now THAT is one argument for joystick superiority I'm willing to grant Atariksi. Worst Input Port Location, Ever!

[matt!]

Calm down, dear, it's only a photograph

[jens]

What's odd is that the warranty sticker is intact - you'd have to break it to upgrade the memory.

Atari Dealers had replacement warranty stickers to use them after upgrades and such.

I know people who have a bunch of them even today.

[Willsy]

I detect some yellowing of the plastic on a couple of the pictures, so I would say the machine is used, not new. But a very nice find nvertheless. Best of luck with it!

[matt!]

I think these things yellow (uniformally) if they've been opened, let alone used. So I would say it's been opened but never used.

[AB Positive]

Yes, if you end up not needing it, I'm sure there's lots of people that might be interested.

 

...

 

[simonsunnyboy]

What's odd is that the warranty sticker is intact - you'd have to break it to upgrade the memory.

Atari Dealers had replacement warranty stickers to use them after upgrades and such.

I know people who have a bunch of them even today.

 

Hehe! Perfect to spoil those Collectors

[StirFryKitty]

Sorry I've been away for a few days. Had an unexpected trip to Texas. So, on the topic of hooking it up to a TV to determine if it is 4-meg...I'm hesitant to do anything that might degrade the value, including opening the cables, hooking it up, etc. Any thoughts?

[Mirage]

You don't have a spare generic RF cable lying around (I know, some people don't, I have a whole box of them). I believe it's just a standard RCA cable.

[tjlazer]

The machine is clearly used and has pen marks on it, so it's safe to hook it up and test it out. That will not degrade the value one bit; actually it will increase the value as you will know if it works and if it has 4MB in it.

 

You can buy a Atari ST to composite cable on eBay for the thing, and that way you can hook it up to any TV/LCD with a Composite video input. (just checked and there are not for sale at this time) You will have to go the RF route. Get one of these...

 

Did it come with an Atari ST Language disk? If not I can send you one, that will increase the value.