atari8warez Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 (edited) Ok, we are half way there already.... Identified the offenders... One in the main bank, another in the extended... Next step will hurt me deeply when I see those MT4254s dismembered..... no matter how bad they are Edited October 10, 2012 by atari8warez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Ok, so I jumped the gun and posted wrong photos . In fact these are the real bad chips, not that it will matter as all the chips will be replaced, nevertheless knowing which ones were really the faulty ones is nice. Apparently I was looking at BANK 0 test screen when I was waiting for the results for BANK 1. Anyway, it's all figured out now so it's time to put an order for the parts and get on with removing the 16 undesirables.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 That was nice and fast I have never had a machine with that extended RAM test in it before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 (edited) The extended RAM test isn't in the computer. It's a little trick I played..... I created a test disk with Prosystem and my SIO2PC/10502PC Dual interface using my laptop. Connected the ATARI to the 1050 with test disk in it. First round of test was done with the built-in ram test as the computer did not boot from the 1050 but went straight into self-test. Once I identified the bad chip in Bank 0 and piggybacked it with a good one I re-booted the 130XE and this time the computer loaded the test program from the 1050 then I was able to re-test BANK 0 and test BANK 1 (extended RAM) with the RADON memory test program. This is the kind of ramtest software Atari should have had in their computers to start with. Edited October 11, 2012 by atari8warez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Ah - I see. Pretty cool setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King_Salamon Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Holy heck! I was at work when you posted the question as to when I shipped it and now that I'm home and about to send you the tracking number etc... You not only have it but you've been working on it. Like I said... This thing is soooo new that it was worth getting fixed. Not to mention that I had some software waiting to be played on it too! Seems like time has been rough on this system and its not caused from wear but the fact that the ram is pretty much a ticking time bomb on these units. So I guess all we do now is wait for the ram to arrive and then they can be replaced? I'm hoping everything else on there is in good shape? Thanks again for taking care of this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 The motherboard looks in pretty good shape (and I hope it will be the same by the time i finish fiddling with it ), the Pill upgrade seems to work, as when I enabled it (flicking the switch) it did disable writing to 16K of RAM (simulating ROM) as indicated by the memory test software, The only thing I found on the motherboard is whoever did the soldering of the Pill left the flux residue on board. I will clean that before I put the machine back together. I threw that black tape covering the Pill chip away and replaced it with clear and tougher plastic. And did some desoldering tonight. Still quite a few to go, but there is progress...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Jefferson Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 The pill is not really worth it anymore as almost all software is available in cracked form now. You might think about removing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 (edited) I thought about the same thing, but that will leave an empty hole behind the case (if the switch is also removed) besides I am not sure if King wants that upgrade, maybe he can chime in and tell us later tomorrow. Edited October 11, 2012 by atari8warez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King_Salamon Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 I'd say remove the mod but leave the switch on the back of the case... I figure a non-functioning switch will look better than a hole on the back. But the mod is something I have no use for. Of course, I don't want you to do any extra work that you don't need to or feel the need to do. Thanks again for taking care of this unit! Oh... I don't think I ever asked about the cost of the ram... what do I owe you for that? I don't think I ever asked... lol. I've always been concerned with getting this thing fixed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I would say that if the Pill is not affecting anything being in place leave it the way it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King_Salamon Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 either way, I have no use for it so like orpheus said, if it's not hurting anything you can leave it alone. Doesn't matter to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Jefferson Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Until the day you accidently leave the switch in the wrong position and can't figure out why your games won't work. It's your device though, you can do what you like with it. Perhaps the switch can be put to good use with a Stereo Pokey board... On my 800XL with Stereo board, I wired the RF channel switch for that function (since the RF modulator has been removed anyhow.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 @king_salamon I can see Shawn's point, leaving the switch in the wrong position reduces your RAM and as he said may cause trouble with software, besides there is a chip that is also connected to the ECI, a malfunction on that chip could also adversely affect your computer's performance for nothing since you're not going to be using that upgrade. It's no big deal for me to remove 5 extra wires after desoldering 256 pins and soldering another 256 in their place. What's 5 solder points compared to 512 - lol. The switch can be left in it's place. Anyway, you decide what you want to do and I am fine either way. As for the Ram prices, I will be shopping for them tomorrow and let you know the total price including the sockets and shipping. I've already seen 4164's (64K x 1) for $1.80 each, same vendor also have 41256's (256 x 1) for $0.80 each, sockets are far less. I will get you the 41256s, that requires me to do some wiring to connect their A8 pins to the ground, but those chips are not only less expensive they will also ease a future memory upgrade should you wish to get one later. I am also planning to buy a chip or two extra as a spare for you in case one of them turn out bad, or go bad later. It would be a simple matter of popping the bad one out and pop the good one in. You would also be able do simple diagnostics yourself using a test program and the extra chip with the piggybacking method to identify the bad one. Anyway, I am almost done with the desoldering and things look good so far, no damage to traces and a fairly clean desoldering work. Will post a photo later, the rest is easy and the timing will largely depend on the parts arrival. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Joey, your 130XE is now fixed and good as new. I will be shipping it back to you tomorrow morning. Ray 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King_Salamon Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 Awesome stuff! Thanks again for the work! In about a week I should be playing on my XE! Woo hoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 (edited) Hopefully will be sooner, I am shipping it with Expedited Parcel service which surprisingly is less expensive than Regular Parcel!!... I can not comprehend the ways Canada Post works!!... Edited October 26, 2012 by atari8warez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King_Salamon Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 Wow! And I agree 100% on the mysteries of Canada Post! The pricing and even some of the speeds of shipping to the US have amazed me (and frustrated me) over the last few years! Time for bed... thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 And I can go watch a movie now .... goodnight.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w1k Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Ok, we are half way there already.... Identified the offenders... One in the main bank, another in the extended... Next step will hurt me deeply when I see those MT4254s dismembered..... no matter how bad they are interesting self-test what a rom is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 interesting self-test what a rom is it? It's not a ROM it is this an executable that I ran from 1050. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w1k Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 do you have xex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 (edited) do you have xex? No, but I have an ATR. I think the program can test up to 576K and the RAM under BASIC and OS. Written by Glenn K. Smith I just checked my 130XE with U1MB and the first 576K tested OK We need to extend this to 1MEG. Radon.zip Edited January 31, 2013 by atari8warez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnder Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Hey atari8warez for that Radon mem test, how do I start the actual test? I loaded the .atr file with my MyIDE-II and all it does is stay on the title screen (blue background)... I tried pressing every button on the keyboard and all the function buttons but to no avail, other then reset which of course resets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Westphal Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I'm Glad you got the m-board fixed. Best electronics has them brand new, on sale for $69.99 plus ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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