Tacokiller10 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Hi all, Yesterday, I finished restoring a 600XL that belonged to my dad back in the day. After finishing up an inspection and Retrobriting, I became interested in the serial number (which sadly peeled off after removing the yellowing but, I took a picture beforehand). I'm waiting on a power supply to arrive, so I'm using my time to learn more about the 600XL. I've browsed around and have not seen anything similar to my number. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Also, I can provide pictures of the chips and box if needed (which should narrow it down since it's the 1984 Olympics box). Thanks ahead of time for taking the time to read this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Looks like the 17 6 34 are inked on. The 6 is way off compared to the other alignments. the EA lines up with 30 and 3 (my guess they were printed that way) 7YJ EA . . . 30 . . 3 Its the 34th week of 1983. Serial 17630 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) Interesting, I never taken a close look at their labels before, but I have 2 600XLs with white serial# labels: and other with a black serial# label: From the older style label on one of my 800s, 83A is the Atari-Wong plant in Hong Kong, 7YJ must refer to another Hong Kong manufacturing location, EA=NTSC 600XL. The date codes indicate manufacture in both Hong Kong plants at the same time. I did a google search of the FCC ID, and found that 7YJ was used in FCC IDs for the 410/1010/600XL/800XL Edited August 21, 2017 by BillC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 Thanks for the replies! '83 seems right when I look at the picture, but I don't remember any numbers inked on. Maybe they rubbed off? It's no huge deal to me, just a curiosity. Thanks to both of you for the answers. Any tips for when I first boot up? Any fun ideas after the self test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 After you verify it works, look into upgrading the memory to 64K. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Hmm. I thought black labels were CHELCO made units. Crack it open!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Hmm. I thought black labels were CHELCO made units. Crack it open!!! Why does that matter? Aren’t all NTSC 600XL’s fully socketed (unlike 800XL’s)? Admittedly, my Chelco 800XL is my favorite but mostly because of the cool label. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) Hmm. I thought black labels were CHELCO made units. Crack it open!!! That might be so I just looked at my serial number and it was black, and I know mines is a Chelco model because I opened it up. But then again, that's just one of many. Edited August 22, 2017 by The Mr. Video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 After you verify it works, look into upgrading the memory to 64K. Already looking into expanding, super excited about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Hmm. I thought black labels were CHELCO made units. Crack it open!!!Yep, it's a CHELCO, I remember that name was inside the case and on the board. Is that special? I'm pretty new to Atari computers so I've never seen a mention of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 CHELCO units, in my opinion, are more built to tank standards. I have one 800XL CHELCO, out of a dozen samples, and was impressed at how bolted together the thing was. But yes, afaik, all 600XLs are socketed. There are a few motherboard versions and one has a completely diffierent chip layout that I've only seen pictures of. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 CHELCO units, in my opinion, are more built to tank standards. I have one 800XL CHELCO, out of a dozen samples, and was impressed at how bolted together the thing was. But yes, afaik, all 600XLs are socketed. There are a few motherboard versions and one has a completely diffierent chip layout that I've only seen pictures of. Oh okay, that's great to know. I'm glad I have some extra durability. Now, not to sidetrack anybody too much, but I need to troubleshoot my 600xl now. After hooking up my power supply, I booted up with a black screen. (I wasn't expecting it to work immediately after 30 years in storage, but a man can dream.) I used this guide http://atari.boards.net/thread/893/black-screen-problems-fix-checklist. I reseated all main ICs and tried the other steps, still a black screen. From my troubleshooting skills and basic Atari knowledge, I am guessing that it has bad RAM. How close would I be with that assumption? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Quick question: what power supply do you have? There are a number of XL power supplies and some are definitely better than others and one is downright dangerous to use (it can kill a machine when it fails). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) Version #3, it didn't ship with 600s but the voltage and amperage were the same so I figured it didn't matter. I bought it off of Ebay from a reputable seller. My multimeter read a steady 5 volts when I checked it, so it seems to be working fine. Of course, it could have already fried my board, I should probably look into that if #3 is known to be dangerous. Edit: The Ebay seller said it shipped with most 600s and 800s. Part number C061982 if version 3 wasn't clear enough, sorry for that. Edited August 22, 2017 by Tacokiller10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) Version #3, it didn't ship with 600s but the voltage and amperage were the same so I figured it didn't matter. I bought it off of Ebay from a reputable seller. My multimeter read a steady 5 volts when I checked it, so it seems to be working fine. Of course, it could have already fried my board, I should probably look into that if #3 is known to be dangerous. Edit: The Ebay seller said it shipped with most 600s and 800s. Part number C061982 if version 3 wasn't clear enough, sorry for that. Version 3 is clearer than the part#, Atari used the CO61982 part# for 4 different power supplies of which version 3(the INGOT) is the only one not recommended. Edited August 22, 2017 by BillC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Damn... I love my Chelco 800XL but didn't even know there were Chelco 600XLs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Version 3 is clearer than the part#, Atari used the CO61982 part# for 4 different power supplies of which version 3(the INGOT) is the only one not recommended. Thank you for clearing that up. Not recommended as in buy a different power supply then work from there? Why is V3 not recommended and which one is recommended? I should also mention that I am getting a green striped screen on boot after going back inside the case and fiddling around. I can send a picture if necessary. Green lines then it slowly transitions to fast multicolored streaks would be the best I can describe it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) Thank you for clearing that up. Not recommended as in buy a different power supply then work from there? Why is V3 not recommended and which one is recommended? I should also mention that I am getting a green striped screen on boot after going back inside the case and fiddling around. I can send a picture if necessary. Green lines then it slowly transitions to fast multicolored streaks would be the best I can describe it. Version 3(AKA the INGOT) fails more often than other versions and usually outputs high enough voltage to damage chips. When I had one fail in the 80's it was outputting around +8.5VDC and fried the 41256 RAM chips in a RamboXL memory upgraded 800XL. Luckily those were the only chips that needed replacement. Many users simple cut the cable of the INGOT for use with a more modern switching +5VDC power supply. 5VDC/2A power supplies like those used with some routers should be a good substitute. They would only need the DIN7 plug connected properly. Edited August 22, 2017 by BillC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Version 3(AKA the INGOT) fails more often than other versions and usually outputs high enough voltage to damage chips. When I had one fail in the 80's it was outputting around +8.5VDC and fried the 41256 RAM chips in a RamboXL memory upgraded 800XL. Luckily those were the only chips that needed replacement. Oh wow, that's not good. Should I start finding another board to salvage chips from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Oh wow, that's not good. Should I start finding another board to salvage chips from? If your power supply had failed you wouldn't have the steady 5V you reported in post# 14, your chips should be fine. Even when mine failed it only damaged the 41256 chips which are higher density and more susceptible to damage from excessive voltage then the original 4164 chips, if it had still been 64K there might not have been any damage. My recommendation is not to use the Version 3 power supply, replace it with a good quality supply, +5VDC, 1.5A or better. Be aware the minimum current requirements can change if doing a lot of mods or with peripherals which draw power from the SIO or PBI. When upgraded to 64K the 600XL is just as capable as the stock 800XL except for the lack of a monitor port, which can be remedied(the PAL 600XL includes the monitor port). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacokiller10 Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Okay, thank you for all the help! I'll get to replacing the power supply and I will upgrade the RAM while I'm at it. Hopefully, you won't see a post in a few weeks with me asking a dozen questions about everything. Have a great night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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