Gavin1968 Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Hi All, I have been doing more and more with my original Atari 800 and I have a keyboard issue that maybe someone can help me out with. All of the keys work with the exception of the following: 7 8 9 0 CLEAR INSERT DELETE BREAK Those are all the top right keys. Can anyone point me in the right direction to fix this issue without just replacing the keyboard? I am trying to keep this machine all stock since I have owned it since 1981. Thanks, Gavin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Symptom sounds similar to a common 1200xl problem where the keyboard connector ribbon would not make full contact when connected to the board. At least the pattern of keys not working would be similar. Not sure if this will help ya, but good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR> Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 All of those keys share pin one of the keyboard connector. Start tracing for a problem there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) If you have the same keyboard as mine, the ribbon cable connecting to the motherboard ends in individual bare wires that you have to make sure all make it into the proper holes. The ribbon spreads the wires out slightly wider than the motherboard connector too, so they all have to be bent inward slightly to go in the holes. It's a real pain and I had issues when I was working on my 800 recently too, as one wire did not get in it's hole. Since the keys not working on your 800 are all connected to pin 1, it is also very likely that that wire missed the hole if you have removed and re-attached the keyboard recently. The one that wasn't plugged in on my 800 was the one at the opposite end from pin 1 (I forget how many pins the keyboard ribbon has on it). So look at the ribbon/connector too, if your keyboard is the same type. Edited December 31, 2018 by Gunstar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikor Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 write to retronics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrbrevin Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Here is a diagram i found for the 400 - it tallies with what JR> said about pin 1 bear in mind this is reversed looking from the back of the board i couldnt find an official diagram nor one on jerzy szobolas site - this is a homemade one published in a magazine article back in the day hope it helps 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin1968 Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 Got it working, loose solder joint on the keyboard at the ribbon connection. Bad trace too, but I have it working. Thanks all for the suggestions! Gavin 4 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.