Hardware Sprites and Upgrading to "E"

[cbmeeks]

I've never really been into Atari ST. No real reason other than I didn't have one as a kid. Now I have six (trying to get at least one of them to work!).

 

Anyway, am I correct in that *none* of the Atari ST's had hardware sprite support?

 

I read that the "E" (Extended?) was an enhanced version of the ST. Increasing the color count to 4096 and adding a blitter. But I don't think it added hardware sprites?

 

So, can a 1040ST (or even 520ST) be upgraded to an STe?

Thanks!

 

[Zogging Hell]

The answers are no (for the hardware sprites) and no (for upgrading an earlier ST to an 'E'). You can do some mods to get an STFM pretty close in capibility, but no software will see it as an 'E'.

[+DarkLord]

Just go with the STe - its a great machine!

[cbmeeks]

I would love to. I just don't own one.

 

Got one you want to sell?

 

I just replaced a bad capacitor on the ONLY Atari ST power supply I have and my 520 STfm works! First time I have ever used an ST. I should be ashamed.

 

Next, I'm going to build an S-Video converter so that I can use my NON-Modulator Atari ST's. Including a 1040 STf I have. I did something similar for the Amiga.

 

If I can get it to work, I may have some boards made. I'd like to figure out how to use the monochrome VGA too but that's another topic.

[mons2b]

Good job! I actually put a STFM power supply into a STE and brought that back to life years back. Theres a place that actually makes new power supplies for the STs and they are a lot more technologically advanced., ie less likely to fail in a way that will zap your motherboard. Cant recall the name but uncle google will find them for you.