modded 800XL

[w1k]

check this

800xl

-installed sio2sd

-ramdisk led

-4x os

-reset button

-switch - 128kb/320kb

-swtich - 320kb - compy/rambo

-stereo (led, switch on/off)

 

-ordered for one new/old atarian

done by Marcel K (svk)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7WrlXyVg_Y

[+orpheuswaking]

That is some nice work. Wish my mods looked like that!

[Sub(Function(:))]

Any chance of a look inside?

[w1k]

here is:)

[Sub(Function(:))]

cool, thanks

[enito]

nice work

[Brian R.]

If that's your video - I'd wish you'd actually talk during the video, say what you're showing and what it does, rather than playing... whatever that noise is.

 

Otherwise I find the video fairly useless.

[w1k]

dont stress smoke grass

[+Stephen]

dont stress smoke grass

Could you maybe post some descriptions of what the stuff is after chilling out with the grass How's the quality over there?

[+Faicuai]

here is:)

 

Well, a big THANKS (first) for taking the time to show us and uncover the inner fabric of this "genetic" experiment, so to speak.

 

I don't doubt for a minute that there is plenty of hard work and dedication in there (by looking at how some cable-runs have been thoughtfully bundled together, sleeves at cable-termination points, etc.)...However, it is this "ghetto-look" of cable-spaghetti / rigatoni & manicotti, hand-splashed glue, holes and plugs all over the place, Christmas-tree like arrays of LEDs, etc. that usually makes me wonder how far should we really go with this carnage of ours.

 

An interesting approach, though, would be to work out the shield panel so you could try retro-fitting while, at the same time, covering the guts of the machine... it would look terrific, though.

[w1k]

???

if you dont like it, dont reply

if youre love trolling, you're welcome

[flashjazzcat]

I think when we put up pictures of our machines, offer our software up for public appraisal, etc, we might reasonably expect a mixed variety of reactions. Surely there isn't a precondition which states: "Only comment if you're going to be complementary", unless this is specifically stated by the OP. As long as criticism is constructive, I don't see how it automatically constitutes trolling. What is the purpose of posting photos of a modded machine if not to attract opinions from onlookers? I've taken modding to fairly extreme lengths, but always with absolutely minimal impact on the outward appearance of the machine, unless the remit (for a machine which isn't mine) demanded otherwise. Even then, case modifications were sympathetically executed, with fittings designed to blend with the original aesthetic of the computer. For my money, the tidiness or otherwise of the innards matters less, as long as it works and is reasonably easy to maintain. Despite this, I'm a fan of upgrades which can "come right out", since one never knows what bigger and better thing is around the corner, or when it might be expedient to revert the machine "back to stock". For this reason, I don't much like to see switches and sockets bolted or glued directly to the (heavily drilled-out) casing, feeling instead that the place for these is on the motherboard itself. It's perfectly possible to build stand-offs and brackets which result in sockets and switches lining up with apertures in the back or top of the casing, while allowing the whole motherboard to lift out with ease. But - that's just my personal preference, although I think it has distinct practical advantages - not to mention the fact the machine's next owner will thank you, should you ever let it go. Something like an SIO2SD LCD in the top of an 800XL case is difficult, though not impossible, to do sympathetically. It's almost possible to make it look like it was part of the original design, although I'd suggest the best route to achieving this goal is via a minimalist approach: fewer or no labels, chome buttons, counter-sunk LCD, etc. Of course one is free to do what one likes with one's possessions, but there's a popular mode of thought which states we are caretakers of these historic machines, and subjective views on what is and isn't a sympathetic modification are always going to conflict. My personal machines - though mostly heavily upgraded - can usually be made stock again with a few hours' work. The only outwardly visible change on my most heavily hacked up machine - the 1200XL - is a PBI connector on the back-side and a widened RF-aperture with a (VBXE) DIN-13 sitting behind it. Doubtless many would question the extensive re-wiring of the motherboard, but I find it hard to see how putting a PBI (which works) on the machine which would have been almost perfect if it had had one in the first place is such a bad thing.

 

Anyway: just saying - lots of competent modding work in evidence there, but don't expect the results to be to everyone's taste.

Edited July 28, 2013 by flashjazzcat

[MEtalGuy66]

Well, Id like to think the way you do, FJC.. and probably even did at one point.. But, in reality.. Im not gonna fool myself into thinking that my stuff will end up anywhere but the landfill, when I die. The generation of people who actually appreciate this hardware enough to waste space in their modern cluttered lives and living arrangements is aging.. and will soon be shrinking as more and more of us succumb to the toxic effects of cholesterol poisoning and various other side effects of processed foods and over prescribed drugs.. My stuff realisticly needs to be kept in a state that will make ME HAPPY for the remainder of my forseeable lifespan.. Noone else.. I wouldnt cut a hole in the top of my 800XL for someone's "upgrade" for the same reason that I would not have a large Metallica logo tatoo'd across my chest. And that is that while I may find it kewl now, chances are that in the future I would probably wish I hadn't done it.

Edited July 30, 2013 by MEtalGuy66

[MEtalGuy66]

That said...

 

Here is how to do a PROPER ramdisk control ass-rig:

 

Oh, and Faicuai:

If this has too much of a "Ghetto-Look" for you, then I suggest you go get the largest, most irregularly shaped Atari joystick you can find, and sodomize yourself with it..

 

And maybe afterwards, you'll feel better about the whole thing... ;-)

Edited July 30, 2013 by MEtalGuy66

[flashjazzcat]

That said...

 

Here is how to do a PROPER ramdisk control ass-rig:

 

Heh... that's what I'm talkin' about.

[+Faicuai]

 

(...)

 

 

 

 

If this has too much of a "Ghetto-Look" for you, then I suggest you go get the largest, most irregularly shaped Atari joystick you can find, and sodomize yourself with it..

 

(...)

 

Boy, gotta give credit where credit is due...

 

By looking at the appearance, color and texture of the above "stroke of genius", I now understand your preference for smaller machines: seems more of an anatomical choice!

 

Just do yourself a favor and, PLEASE, do not forget to flip those switches in the right position, as you proceed. We don't really want to loose you (or whatever is already left from you).

 

On a personal note, I do thank you for considering keeping that stuff with you, and away from humanity, as a whole. Now that I think about it, it is flat enough to fit in the coffin...

 

Enjoy!

[MEtalGuy66]

See?...

 

I told ya you'd feel better afterwards.. ;-)

[Subby]

er, considering where the above was going, (figuratively and literally) I'm not quite sure I should follow this, but then again I've never been accused of being the sharpest tool in the shed...

 

My philosophy on modding is simple.

Back-in-the-day, if these mods had existed, would I have done them to my Atari?

Hellz yes!

I woulda wrung every bit of performance I could out of that machine with every toy I could.

So it's simple, would I have done it then, then do it now. Because to me that is the point, having the fun now that I had then. And also, having the fun now that I couldn't have then.

 

And besides, now I cheat, I have spares.

[Mathy]

Hello guys (m/f)

 

 

It's called Bios4config and developed by HARdwareDoc. You can switch between a maximum of 16 OS, Mono and Stereo (if present), etc. Check out this page (there's a Google Translate button on the page).

 

Sincerely

 

Mathy

[+Faicuai]

See?...

 

I told ya you'd feel better afterwards.. ;-)

 

Absolutely... (for avoiding your carnage, that is)...

 

Your experience and knowledge on these matters seems evident.

 

I am more of the "conservative" / "straight" type, though (sorry to disappoint you):

 

 

 

At this point, you have convinced me: the original mod (posted at the beginning, above) truly is a Rembrandt next to your "back-street" dream, though.

 

Enjoy!

[+bob1200xl]

My issue with any upgrade is: can you resolve a problem on your system? If the RAMBO goes south, can you make it whole again? Can you even narrow it down to a particular module?

 

If you are lucky, your system will never break.

 

If it does - who are you going to call?

 

Bob

[Mathy]

Hello Bob

 

One of the advantages of being a member of the ABBUC is that we have a special Atari 8 bit computer repair service. Also known as tf_hh. But we also have FloppyDoc for repairing floppy drives. And there's always at least a few people (often including tf_hh and FloppyDoc) on meetings that can fix Atari stuff.

 

Sincerely

 

Mathy

[Fletch]

This is certainly a situation of preference. I have both modded and stock machines and frankly I prefer them stock. That being said, I think it depends on what you do with your machines. I am more of the nostalgic type. I like to play an occasional old favorite game, or use an old utility for entertainment purposes. Over the past year, I have been returning my modded Atari's back to stock. I just prefer them that way.

 

However, I know many of you do real work on your trusty 8-bit and the stock versions just cannot keep up with what you want or need it to do. I am awed by the software and hardware projects that many of you continue to create. If those projects require an updated Atari 8-bit then so be it.

[+bob1200xl]

Yes, there are people out there that can fix things. The question is how much effort will be required? Unless a modification is well-known, you may be in for a long session with a scope and soldering iron. Nearly impossible, in many cases.

 

Just fixing a stock 130XE (which has no IC sockets) is hardly worth it. At least you have some place to clip your logic analyzer.

 

Bob

 

 

 

 

Hello Bob

 

One of the advantages of being a member of the ABBUC is that we have a special Atari 8 bit computer repair service. Also known as tf_hh. But we also have FloppyDoc for repairing floppy drives. And there's always at least a few people (often including tf_hh and FloppyDoc) on meetings that can fix Atari stuff.

 

Sincerely

 

Mathy