got my Atari 600XL today in the mail.. but...

[Atari-Collector]

The Atari 600XL (64K upgraded) I bought on the evil auction site arrived today, and seems to work ok, except for the power LED.. the first time I turned it on the RED power LED was on,

 

But after then, I tried a few cartridges I bought from another seller, and noticed the LED no longer lights whether that's a cart in the 600XL or not. 3 of the 6 cartridges I bought do not work, the others seem to be ok so far (the lot was sold as untested so no recourse for the dead carts) I have tried cleaning them with rubbing alcohol, with no change, planing on picking up some contact cleaner on my way back from the doc tomorrow, but for the price, 3 working carts still isn't too bad except the 2 I wanted the most are amount the dead.

 

So what would make the power LED go out? just a fluke timing? btw, when it was booted with the 3 bad carts, the self-test screen came, and I did run them and they all passed.

 

thanks for any help

 

 

[Bryan]

You probably have one of the mylar sheet type of keyboards. The LED's socket must make good contact with the mylar sheet in order for the LED to function. The metallic paint has probably oxidized pretty badly (turned black) and is making the LED flaky.

[Marius]

Some cartridges need more than the stock 16K in the 600XL.

 

A lot of original (older) Atari titles don't need that. But quite a few of the XEGS carts do not want to run on 16K.

 

Perhaps that is the issue with the carts?

 

Do you have more than one Power Supply? You also could try that one too.

 

I saw Bryan already responded about the LED.

[Atari-Collector]

The non working carts are AtariWriter, PAC-MAN, and BASIC (yes I know the 600XL has BASIC built in and it works)

This 600XL was upgraded to 64K, and the seller even sent along the original 16K chips in a parts bag.

 

Cosmetically, it's in very nice shape, no signs of abuse.

 

I also bought a XF551 floppy drive from the same person, it was shipped separately, so I hope I will be here tomorrow or friday..

 

fyi, my original Atari was an 800 (tank case), so the 600XL is a bit different to me

[Marius]

hmm all these carts should work without any problem at all in that 600XL (16K or 64K)

 

Did you do selftest from Basic (typing BYE) or did you do Selftest by holding option while switching the atari on?

 

With the option-method ramtest can also test the RAM-area that otherwise is occupied by the Basic ROM ($a000-$bfff -> 8K)

 

You'll notice that there will be 8 more squares on the screen then. Probably nothing wrong with the memory, but it might ... and if yes, that might also explain the issues with the cart. Btw: did you test the carts on your 800 too?

[Brian R.]

Have you tried each of the "dead" carts several times? Sometimes a cleaning isn't enough. Repeated inserts and removals will sometimes get a cart that appears to be dead working again. I've had that happen before.

 

A 600XL was my first computer. Didn't do much with it, played PacMan, Star Wars Arcade on cart and typed in BASIC programs that I saved on my 1010 recorder. But I always wished my computer had the 64K instead of just 16, or that it was an 800XL and I just hadn't noticed.

 

Back then I remember hearing about the magical memory expansion unit, the 1064, but never saw it until it popped back into my head many years later and the Internet allowed me to see an image of it.

 

But my memories of the 600XL were fond enough that even though I now have an 800XL, I bought a 600XL when the chance arose. I've even thought of getting the 1064 just to do now what I couldn't do nearly 30 years ago...

 

(expanding the memory internally is beyond my skill level)

[Atari-Collector]

hmm all these carts should work without any problem at all in that 600XL (16K or 64K)

 

Did you do selftest from Basic (typing BYE) or did you do Selftest by holding option while switching the atari on?

 

With the option-method ramtest can also test the RAM-area that otherwise is occupied by the Basic ROM ($a000-$bfff -> 8K)

 

You'll notice that there will be 8 more squares on the screen then. Probably nothing wrong with the memory, but it might ... and if yes, that might also explain the issues with the cart. Btw: did you test the carts on your 800 too?

 

The self test comes up on it's own with the non-working cartridges plugged in.

I did try booting it once holding the option key down recalling hearing something about a test once..

 

I don't have an 800, that's what I had as a kid and foolishly sold...

[Atari-Collector]

Have you tried each of the "dead" carts several times? Sometimes a cleaning isn't enough. Repeated inserts and removals will sometimes get a cart that appears to be dead working again. I've had that happen before.

 

A 600XL was my first computer. Didn't do much with it, played PacMan, Star Wars Arcade on cart and typed in BASIC programs that I saved on my 1010 recorder. But I always wished my computer had the 64K instead of just 16, or that it was an 800XL and I just hadn't noticed.

 

Back then I remember hearing about the magical memory expansion unit, the 1064, but never saw it until it popped back into my head many years later and the Internet allowed me to see an image of it.

 

But my memories of the 600XL were fond enough that even though I now have an 800XL, I bought a 600XL when the chance arose. I've even thought of getting the 1064 just to do now what I couldn't do nearly 30 years ago...

 

(expanding the memory internally is beyond my skill level)

Yes, I've repeated inserted and retried the bad cartridges with not change, the one thing I do notice it during the boot, the a low pop-like sound sort of like the sound you hear from loading a floppy by much faster. and on the dead carts there's some extra pops in there.. I'll try some more cleaning on them later, maybe use the brite-boy cleaner I use on my model train tracks. Think of it as an extra course rubber.. http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/attachments/thumbs/325000/Peco_RailCleaner.jpg

 

I plan on using it for games, and if I can get Atari-Writer to work, I'd like to do some writing on it too. I've here there's a way to get a telnet termail going so I though I may they that and call a few telnet bbs'.

[BillC]

Have you tried each of the "dead" carts several times? Sometimes a cleaning isn't enough. Repeated inserts and removals will sometimes get a cart that appears to be dead working again. I've had that happen before.

 

A 600XL was my first computer. Didn't do much with it, played PacMan, Star Wars Arcade on cart and typed in BASIC programs that I saved on my 1010 recorder. But I always wished my computer had the 64K instead of just 16, or that it was an 800XL and I just hadn't noticed.

 

Back then I remember hearing about the magical memory expansion unit, the 1064, but never saw it until it popped back into my head many years later and the Internet allowed me to see an image of it.

 

But my memories of the 600XL were fond enough that even though I now have an 800XL, I bought a 600XL when the chance arose. I've even thought of getting the 1064 just to do now what I couldn't do nearly 30 years ago...

 

(expanding the memory internally is beyond my skill level)

The internal 64K RAM upgrade isn't very difficult, replace 2 ICs, bend up 3 IC pins, unsolder an of a resistor, and solder in 3 jumper wires. Instructions are available at:

http://atrey.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~pavel/atari/600xl64Ka.html

[Defender II]

Open the dead carts and see if the chips are socketed, if so, remove and reseat them. After you open the carts you can use a popsicle stick to depress the spring-door and slide back the dust-cover and then lift out the PCB. Use a large pink eraser to clean the contacts on both sides. Don't use a white ink eraser because it is too rough and will damage the contacts. If the ROMs don't look original post a picture of them and the PCBs.

Edited May 17, 2014 by Defender II

[RickR]

On the dead carts, I think they just need a slightly more aggressive cleaning. I've had many cartridges that don't work,even after the q-tip/alcohol method. I next move up to the "Barkeep's Friend" mixed with water, and scrub with a soft toothbrush.

 

I'm not too sure about the LED. All I can say is that it sounds like your machine is working just fine. If possible, maybe just ignore that flaw?

 

I think the 600XL with the RAM upgrade would be pretty cool. I love that tiny case. Great choice.

[atari8warez]

You probably have one of the mylar sheet type of keyboards. The LED's socket must make good contact with the mylar sheet in order for the LED to function. The metallic paint has probably oxidized pretty badly (turned black) and is making the LED flaky.

 

I second that, my 600XL had that exact problem, the metallic paint on the mylar sheet was totally black under the LED socket and in many other places on the sheet. I ended up replacing the whole keyboard.

[Marius]

I think the 600XL with the RAM upgrade would be pretty cool. I love that tiny case. Great choice.

 

Yes! I upgraded my 600XL with Hiassoft 512K SRAM upgrade. My 600XL is now a beast of a machine with 576K in Total. I built a DS1307 RealTimeClock in and an OS Selector switch. It's one of my most favorite machines. That SRAM upgrade is very good: stable and reliable, and easy to make (and cheap!)

[atari8warez]

 

Yes! I upgraded my 600XL with Hiassoft 512K SRAM upgrade. My 600XL is now a beast of a machine with 576K in Total. I built a DS1307 RealTimeClock in and an OS Selector switch. It's one of my most favorite machines. That SRAM upgrade is very good: stable and reliable, and easy to make (and cheap!)

I have an U1MB in my 600XL coupled to my laptop via one of my SIO2PCs and I love this setup, all the functionality I can ask from an 8 bit Atari with the smallest available footprint on my desk.

[Marius]

I have an U1MB in my 600XL coupled to my laptop via one of my SIO2PCs and I love this setup, all the functionality I can ask from an 8 bit Atari with the smallest available footprint on my desk.

 

Unfortunately most 600XL sold here in Europe (perhaps also in other locations of the world) have terrible keyboards. There is only one 600XL keyboard that is of good quality (that is the version where the CONTROL and CLR and Arrow keys are in Inverse Video; and not just outlined). On 800XL the keyboard quality is much better. So a while ago I took one of my 800xl keyboards apart, and installed it in my 600XL ... what an improvement. I still type better on a 800XL... that is because of the space behind the spacebar where my wrists can rest. On the 600XL there is no room for that. But besides that... it's an awesome machine. And the PAL 600XL has a colorful composit video output so there is nothing to wish for (My televisions I use for a8 don't have Svideo, and are still tube tv sets (CRT))

[Atari-Collector]

 

Unfortunately most 600XL sold here in Europe (perhaps also in other locations of the world) have terrible keyboards. There is only one 600XL keyboard that is of good quality (that is the version where the CONTROL and CLR and Arrow keys are in Inverse Video; and not just outlined). On 800XL the keyboard quality is much better. So a while ago I took one of my 800xl keyboards apart, and installed it in my 600XL ... what an improvement. I still type better on a 800XL... that is because of the space behind the spacebar where my wrists can rest. On the 600XL there is no room for that. But besides that... it's an awesome machine. And the PAL 600XL has a colorful composit video output so there is nothing to wish for (My televisions I use for a8 don't have Svideo, and are still tube tv sets (CRT))

Mine has the CLR, CONTROL and arrows in inverted style..solid white background . I just have to get in the mood to open it to check the LED...

[Atari-Collector]

I finally got in the mood to attack that bad cartridges. Took one apart, cleaned it with contact cleaner and a briteboy and even reseated the two ICs. No change, and also re-flowed all the solder points adding solder as needed.. Still dead.. I haven't done anything with the other two, but I expect that same when I do..

 

It's either very bad luck getting 3 out of 6 bad, or just a bad seller passing of bad ones with good to clear them out. No idea which it right, but I do know I won't buy anything listed as "un-tested" again.. But I paid $25(US) for the bunch, so figuring it as 3 carts, I got a ok deal I guess..

 

as a foot note, while trying the cart the power LED came on for the first couple tries then flicked out.. So that I figure I just a loose connect and fixable.

[Marius]

Did you also try to clean the cartslot on the 600xl?

 

Some carts only seem to work when I pull them back a bit.

 

Still interesting btw .. If the working carts are the same type and the non working carts are different it still can be an issue in the Atari. If you have a mmu problem for instance.

[Atari-Collector]

Did you also try to clean the cartslot on the 600xl?

Some carts only seem to work when I pull them back a bit.

 

Still interesting btw .. If the working carts are the same type and the non working carts are different it still can be an issue in the Atari. If you have a mmu problem for instance.

Yes, cleaned the slot on the 600xl also, I tried the full in all the way to just barely in. They are all Atari made cartridges, cosmetically they all look fine.

I'm thinking I'll just download the disk image files of the dead carts and write them to a floppy.. at least I'll be able to use them.

[Marius]

What are the titles that do work?

 

And what is the behavior when you plug in a non working cart? Black screen? Red screen? Something else?

Edited May 19, 2014 by ProWizard

[Atari-Collector]

What are the titles that do work?

 

And what is the behavior when you plug in a non working cart? Black screen? Red screen? Something else?

Working are Centipede CXL4020, Dig Dug RX8026 and Joust RX8044

 

not working are Pac-Man CXL4022,Atari Writer RX8036, BASIC CXL4002

they all do the same thing. first a blue screen, and only a signal white block in the upper left and a fast ticking sound for a few seconds, then a green screen that has the self test options. I can run the tests from that point, if i reset the system it just start over same as a cold boot.