Who here repairs Atari 65XE?

[AtariSociety]

Here is my sob story.... Purchased a supposed new Atari 65XE on craigslist and when I got her home, she does not work. Was told it was new (and she does look clean) and fully worked. Calls to the seller have done nothing and they ignore emails also. So, they knew it did not work but decided they needed the money more than I or something. Anyway.... I guess I need to bring along small AC Converter and TVs now to test before I pay. hehehe.

 

So, looking for someone here that I can send this to for repair. What I get is no video. I do get some audio though. I can hear the key clicks as I type but no video I get a quick flash of white when I turn it on and then pure black.

 

So, I have to figure out of getting this one repaired makes sense as I have shipping both ways and actual repair so it could be cheaper to just buy a new one from say B&C but, I hate throwing stuff away and this one is so clean in box and all.

 

Let me know if you know anyone that repairs them.

 

tj

 

*I am in northern California by the way.

Edited June 23, 2010 by macsociety

[Havok69]

You bought a 25 year old piece of electronics - it may not be their fault. I wouldn't return your call either; they're not Wal-Mart.

 

Anyways, since you hear the key clicks that is probably good, at least something works. How are you hooking it up? If you're connecting via RF, try using the monitor cable connection and connect via composite or s-video to see if the problem persists.

[+wood_jl]

I definitely wouldn't throw it away. You can use the keyboard/etc on a 130XE. You might buy a working yellowed one and swap out some parts.

 

Even though it's 25 years old, "working" and "not working" are pretty clear distinctions. Some people you just can't trust.

[Spirantho]

Hi Tj,

 

Can you try something for me?

 

Start up the Atari while holding down "Option".

You should now hear clicking from the TV speaker.

When the clicking stops, release "Option" and press "Select". Now press "Start".

You should hear the first 6 notes of Mussorgsky's "Promenade" from "Pictures at an Exhibition", repeated over and over.

 

If you do, the machine is basically working. If you don't, it's not. The 8-bit Ataris have self-tests built into them.

 

Try connecting it with a video cable (a Commodore 64 cable DIN->phono will do also), and try via RF. If you're using RF, try detuning your TV up and down.

 

Let us know how you get on!

[AtariSociety]

Yup, I hear the little song. 8-)

 

This is connected to my Commodore 1702 with rear chroma luma cable direct to 65XE Monitor Port. I have other Atari 8 bit so can do TV or monitor.

 

tj

 

Hi Tj,

 

Can you try something for me?

 

Start up the Atari while holding down "Option".

You should now hear clicking from the TV speaker.

When the clicking stops, release "Option" and press "Select". Now press "Start".

You should hear the first 6 notes of Mussorgsky's "Promenade" from "Pictures at an Exhibition", repeated over and over.

 

If you do, the machine is basically working. If you don't, it's not. The 8-bit Ataris have self-tests built into them.

 

Try connecting it with a video cable (a Commodore 64 cable DIN->phono will do also), and try via RF. If you're using RF, try detuning your TV up and down.

 

Let us know how you get on!

Edited June 23, 2010 by macsociety

[AtariSociety]

You bought a 25 year old piece of electronics - it may not be their fault. I wouldn't return your call either; they're not Wal-Mart.

 

Anyways, since you hear the key clicks that is probably good, at least something works. How are you hooking it up? If you're connecting via RF, try using the monitor cable connection and connect via composite or s-video to see if the problem persists.

 

Havok69, remind me not to buy anything from you.

 

This was sold to me new, tested and working, and was told if I had any issues, to let them know so things can be taken care of.

 

Does that paint a better picture for you?

 

I sell items on eBay all the time As-Is but even then, if my post states it is working, then by golly I feel it should work when it arrives. If I state As-Is, if it arrives DOA, I still work with the buyer on some compromise. I am not at all interested in being an ass at someone else's expense. Now, if I state untested, could blow up when it arrives, buy at your own risk, then sure, I don't feel like I owe them much but I am still nice enough and man enough to respond to the buyer and let them know I am sorry it is not working and depending on what my sale was for, even if as-is, I work with the said buyer.

 

That is the way I do business but maybe your response to me is an ad for how you do yours.

 

As for what I have done with my machine before I posted a couple weeks back, I tried connecting it to both my TV that has Atari on it now and also my Commodore 1702 that has proper monitor style cable. Both do the same thing. I even removed the board from the 65XE and inspected it for anything obvious but not being a component level tech, could not see anything obvious on why it fails.

 

Thomas

[Havok69]

 

Havok69, remind me not to buy anything from you.

 

This was sold to me new, tested and working, and was told if I had any issues, to let them know so things can be taken care of.

 

Does that paint a better picture for you?

 

I sell items on eBay all the time As-Is but even then, if my post states it is working, then by golly I feel it should work when it arrives. If I state As-Is, if it arrives DOA, I still work with the buyer on some compromise. I am not at all interested in being an ass at someone else's expense. Now, if I state untested, could blow up when it arrives, buy at your own risk, then sure, I don't feel like I owe them much but I am still nice enough and man enough to respond to the buyer and let them know I am sorry it is not working and depending on what my sale was for, even if as-is, I work with the said buyer.

 

That is the way I do business but maybe your response to me is an ad for how you do yours.

 

As for what I have done with my machine before I posted a couple weeks back, I tried connecting it to both my TV that has Atari on it now and also my Commodore 1702 that has proper monitor style cable. Both do the same thing. I even removed the board from the 65XE and inspected it for anything obvious but not being a component level tech, could not see anything obvious on why it fails.

 

Thomas

 

Well, you did leave out the bit about if you have issues to contact them. The way you painted it first was you were another whiny CL buyer with unrealistic expectations...

 

 

That's a whole different story - sorry if I came across as harsh, I didn't mean to - at least not too much!

 

And don't buy anything from me! It's all mine, you can't have it!!!

[AtariSociety]

 

Havok69, remind me not to buy anything from you.

 

This was sold to me new, tested and working, and was told if I had any issues, to let them know so things can be taken care of.

 

Does that paint a better picture for you?

 

I sell items on eBay all the time As-Is but even then, if my post states it is working, then by golly I feel it should work when it arrives. If I state As-Is, if it arrives DOA, I still work with the buyer on some compromise. I am not at all interested in being an ass at someone else's expense. Now, if I state untested, could blow up when it arrives, buy at your own risk, then sure, I don't feel like I owe them much but I am still nice enough and man enough to respond to the buyer and let them know I am sorry it is not working and depending on what my sale was for, even if as-is, I work with the said buyer.

 

That is the way I do business but maybe your response to me is an ad for how you do yours.

 

As for what I have done with my machine before I posted a couple weeks back, I tried connecting it to both my TV that has Atari on it now and also my Commodore 1702 that has proper monitor style cable. Both do the same thing. I even removed the board from the 65XE and inspected it for anything obvious but not being a component level tech, could not see anything obvious on why it fails.

 

Thomas

 

Well, you did leave out the bit about if you have issues to contact them. The way you painted it first was you were another whiny CL buyer with unrealistic expectations...

 

 

That's a whole different story - sorry if I came across as harsh, I didn't mean to - at least not too much!

 

And don't buy anything from me! It's all mine, you can't have it!!!

 

I figured "and fully worked" from my 1st post was enough and I did not want to bore with too many details but I know what you mean.

 

Now, if you have a TT030 for $50, I may still chance buying from you.

 

 

tj

[Marius]

The fact that you hear keyclicks is almost a prove to me that this machine is working.

 

Are you sure it is the right video signal? Are you using NTSC atari on NTSC screen? Are you sure it isn't a PAL atari?

 

As soon as you hear keyclicks this means that the computer did get through it's boot and that basic is also working.

 

I have never had an atari which video did not work, but the rest of the system did... and I have seen a LOT of atari computers.

 

I'm not saying it is impossible, but I think something else is going wrong there.

 

Good luck,

Marius

[Havok69]

Are you sure it is the right video signal? Are you using NTSC atari on NTSC screen? Are you sure it isn't a PAL atari?

 

That's a good point - is there an easy way to identify a PAL vs. NTSC model?

[AtariSociety]

The fact that you hear keyclicks is almost a prove to me that this machine is working.

 

Are you sure it is the right video signal? Are you using NTSC atari on NTSC screen? Are you sure it isn't a PAL atari?

 

As soon as you hear keyclicks this means that the computer did get through it's boot and that basic is also working.

 

I have never had an atari which video did not work, but the rest of the system did... and I have seen a LOT of atari computers.

 

I'm not saying it is impossible, but I think something else is going wrong there.

 

Good luck,

Marius

 

The bottom label states:

 

Atari 65XE

 

Serial # A1511005656

 

Nothing about Pal or NTSC. I am not sure if my Commodore 1702 even does PAL but I do know the monitor works perfect on my stock Atari 800 and Atari XEGS when connected to it.

 

Manual that came with the system is in USA lingo and the TV box and cable all look stock RF to me.

 

How can I tell if she is PAL or NTSC?

 

I do have an Amiga 1080 Monitor also that is connected to my Amiga 1000. I "think" the A1080 can do PAL as well as NTSC but the cable for that one is not for an Atari so not sure I could connect it it using my Atari to Commodore 1702 cable.

 

Or, does the 1702 do PAL also?

 

I would also think when connected to the TV, even if it was PAL unit, would I not get some scrambled video at least?

 

tj

Edited June 23, 2010 by macsociety

[Havok69]

I've got a 1702 also - it's either NTSC or PAL; not both.

[Spirantho]

It's weird that it's working properly, though...

 

What happens when you connect pin 1 (luma) or pin 5 (chroma) to the composite input on your monitor (not at the same time)?

Also what happens when you put a game cartridge in - try one which uses hardware sprites as soon as it turns on.

It's possible the GTIA is kaput, but I'd expect it not to work then.

Try checking the values of pins 1, 2, 4 and 5 with a multimeter (reading Voltage compared to ground).

Does the monitor sync correctly or is it out of sync? If it's synced I'd say the GTIA is working OK. My knowledge of Atari 8-bits isn't too great, but if (as it appears from the schematic) the Select and Option buttons are connected directly to the GTIA, then we know that the GTIA is at least mostly working.

 

I may be wrong on this, but I think if you touch a composite video cable from your monitor to the luma pins on the GTIA, you should get some kind of image. Pin 24 (LUM3) is probably best. If you don't get anything the GTIA isn't outputting anything (or the output is grounded).

 

I'd also like to know the voltage from ground to pin 28 (the oscillator).... but I think that's probably ok given the select and option buttons work.

 

Of course if you do do anything, standard disclaimers apply - it ain't my fault, in other words.

 

One way or another though, your Atari is working. It just needs a little help in showing it. If you're getting as far as you are doing, I'd say the really awkward parts are working, so I reckon it's fixable.. probably just one dead capacitor or something!

First thing I would do though is switch out the GTIA, but unless you're fairly au fait with a soldering iron that may be tricky on an XE...

Second thing would be to replace transistor Q3.

[AtariSociety]

Multi-Metering components is beyond my scope I am afraid. Maybe one day I should take an electronics class if they teach basic testing and reading for schematics, etc... Last time I did stuff like that was high school 1982 or so. I just don't remember how to do that stuff.

 

A member here tells me they can try and repair for $25 + shipping both ways so I may just take them up on it.

 

tj

 

It's weird that it's working properly, though...

 

What happens when you connect pin 1 (luma) or pin 5 (chroma) to the composite input on your monitor (not at the same time)?

Also what happens when you put a game cartridge in - try one which uses hardware sprites as soon as it turns on.

It's possible the GTIA is kaput, but I'd expect it not to work then.

Try checking the values of pins 1, 2, 4 and 5 with a multimeter (reading Voltage compared to ground).

Does the monitor sync correctly or is it out of sync? If it's synced I'd say the GTIA is working OK. My knowledge of Atari 8-bits isn't too great, but if (as it appears from the schematic) the Select and Option buttons are connected directly to the GTIA, then we know that the GTIA is at least mostly working.

 

I may be wrong on this, but I think if you touch a composite video cable from your monitor to the luma pins on the GTIA, you should get some kind of image. Pin 24 (LUM3) is probably best. If you don't get anything the GTIA isn't outputting anything (or the output is grounded).

 

I'd also like to know the voltage from ground to pin 28 (the oscillator).... but I think that's probably ok given the select and option buttons work.

 

Of course if you do do anything, standard disclaimers apply - it ain't my fault, in other words.

 

One way or another though, your Atari is working. It just needs a little help in showing it. If you're getting as far as you are doing, I'd say the really awkward parts are working, so I reckon it's fixable.. probably just one dead capacitor or something!

First thing I would do though is switch out the GTIA, but unless you're fairly au fait with a soldering iron that may be tricky on an XE...

Second thing would be to replace transistor Q3.

[Rybags]

Running luma only to a composite input should be fine, you'll just get a B&W display.

 

Running chroma only will do nothing, all the sync signals travel along with the luma.

 

Running direct off a GTIA Luma pin is maybe not the best idea - they'll be outputting around 5 Volts where most monitors are expecting probably under 2 Volts.

Also, the Sync will be missing so you'd be able to get a display (if you knocked the voltage down) but it'd be unrecognisable.

Edited June 24, 2010 by Rybags

[lbaeza]

Hi there

 

Just move the Commodore 1702 back switch to the another position...

 

Regards

[tjlazer]

Try the other RCA cables one at a time with the chroma/luma or front composite inputs and see if it works.

[tregare]

Running luma only to a composite input should be fine, you'll just get a B&W display.

 

Running chroma only will do nothing, all the sync signals travel along with the luma.

 

Running direct off a GTIA Luma pin is maybe not the best idea - they'll be outputting around 5 Volts where most monitors are expecting probably under 2 Volts.

Also, the Sync will be missing so you'd be able to get a display (if you knocked the voltage down) but it'd be unrecognisable.

 

 

IIRC, 1.7V P-P

[AtariSociety]

A little online research and I would say mine is usa ntsc as this web site below shows PAL units have no TV switch and mine does.

 

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq/section-8.html

 

tj

[AtariSociety]

A little online research and I would say mine is usa ntsc as this web site below shows PAL units have no TV switch and mine does.

 

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq/section-8.html

 

tj

 

Have decided to mail the system to KJMANS Atari Sales & Service in Oregon for repair. Went past my level so just want it working and running well now. 8-)

 

tj

[+bob1200xl]

Where are you located? I'm in Alameda...

 

 

Bob

 

 

 

A little online research and I would say mine is usa ntsc as this web site below shows PAL units have no TV switch and mine does.

 

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq/section-8.html

 

tj

 

Have decided to mail the system to KJMANS Atari Sales & Service in Oregon for repair. Went past my level so just want it working and running well now. 8-)

 

tj

[AtariSociety]

Grass Valley. About an hour north east of Sacramento.

 

tj

 

Where are you located? I'm in Alameda...

 

 

Bob

 

 

 

A little online research and I would say mine is usa ntsc as this web site below shows PAL units have no TV switch and mine does.

 

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq/section-8.html

 

tj

 

Have decided to mail the system to KJMANS Atari Sales & Service in Oregon for repair. Went past my level so just want it working and running well now. 8-)

 

tj