+xucaen Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 My 800xl arrived today! I'm surprised at how clean it is. It came with a tv switch box, 3 games (Asteroids,Pac Man, Pole Position) and a TAC-2 joystick. I ran the memory tests and everything seems ok. Played all 3 games and they all work. Picture and sounds are clear and crisp. I feel very fortunate I found it. I can't wait to get Star Raiders. :-) 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
256 colors Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 (edited) Looks nice and clean is it PAL/NTSC? my setup just needs a 1050 and 1010 Edited July 4, 2018 by 256 colors 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Excellent! And that TAC-2 is highly sought after by discerning retro-gamers. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+xucaen Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share Posted July 4, 2018 Looks nice and clean is it PAL/NTSC? my setup just needs a 1050 and 1010 It's NTSC. I plan on getting the Ultimate Cart and a SIO2PC. But I'd also like to build a small collection of game cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I think that I was watching that one too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) Excellent! And that TAC-2 is highly sought after by discerning retro-gamers. I'm not sure why. They weren't very durable and I went through half a dozen of these joysticks back in the day. They were good for about 2 months but it was always the same problem, shaft broke and issues with buttons. The ZipStick and Competition Pro were the joysticks to have. Edited July 5, 2018 by shoestring 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 I'm not sure why. They weren't very durable and I went through half a dozen of these joysticks back in the day. They were good for about 2 months but it was always the same problem, shaft broke and issues with buttons. Really? They're dead simple inside and built like tanks. I use mine all the time and have for years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80s_Atari_Guy Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 I found the TAC-2 to be one of THE most over-rated Joysticks I have ever used. There is no feedback, like you get with a nice micro-switch Joystick, so you never know if you've registered a move. The fire buttons are even worse, and feel awful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Great! Since they're so undesireable, just send them to me. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) Yes. Maybe I was just too rough with them as a 12yr old kid But some of those c64 games required fairly rough movement of the joystick.. especially the sports related games (Summer games , World Games, Track & Field, Hypersports... Etc) Edited July 5, 2018 by shoestring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Epyx 500xj was my secret weapon on Decathlon... against opponent with bathandle wico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Nice system yes the Ultimate cart is a must! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+xucaen Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 I just received a composite cable from Best and I noticed something that didn't show up when using RF. The picture is clear but with scrolling lines... Until it warms up then there lines go away. I'm guessing capacitors need replacing our maybe solder joints need reflowing? I don't want to rush should that myself... I already have 3 2600 boards that I'm waiting to do the caps. I'm amateur at soldering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 (edited) I doubt it's a problem with caps in the machine. Check the power supply first. Edited July 6, 2018 by shoestring 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+xucaen Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 I doubt it's a problem with caps in the machine. Check the power supply first. Maybe it's a good idea to just replace the power supply and save myself the torment later should it fail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Bad AC filtering in a power supply can cause what you've described. Is there a buzzing sound associated with that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+xucaen Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 Bad AC filtering in a power supply can cause what you've described. Is there a buzzing sound associated with that ?I hear a buzz over the TV speakers until the unit warms up then the sounds and picture clear up. Here is a photo of my power supply. I read on Best Electronics that the repairable power supplies have 4 screws on the bottom underneath removable pads. Mine doesn't have them. So I'm thinking it might be worth it to pick up a new power supply... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR> Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 I would stop using that power supply immediately. Those have been known to damage systems due to their high voltage failure mode. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 I think that the signs are there that this power supply will probably fail at some point. I would replace it if I were you; better safe than sorry. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Agree with last two comments. The "rolling lines" described is a symptom of AC ripple making its way into the DC circuit because of failing components inside the PSU. Cut off the chord from the end of the supply that plugs into the back of the Atari and keep it as a spare for a new supply ( that's what I do ). Then toss the rest of the supply in the bin. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Epyx 500xj was my secret weapon on Decathlon... against opponent with bathandle wico My brother preferred the Wico and I bought an Australian made joystick ( Star Cursor ). Never went back to the Tac-2 after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlazer Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 (edited) Stop using it immediately! Google search “ingot atari power supply” and read about it! Edited July 9, 2018 by tjlazer 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlazer Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Highly recommend this one, I use this with my 800XLhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/XL-XE-Power-Adapter-1-5A-Orig-New-Atari-Ver-4-The-Box-CO61982/140957761006?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D52935%26meid%3Dcf7ce1bdebfb41548669fa79a3aa501f%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D140966936256%26itm%3D140957761006&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
256 colors Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Personally i wouldn't trust any type of PSU the age of 30 years or over the technology has moved on a lot since then I recommend https://lotharek.pl//productdetail.php?id=176 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 That's a nice supply. I'm looking around for a power supply for an NTSC 800 that I've recently acquired. It's proving a little difficult though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.