Lauren Tyler Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 When I booted up Pole Position, none of the joysticks responded. Neither the joysticks I got with it or the Pro-Lines I have for my Atari 7800. What do I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) check the joystick i/o port themselves for bent or missing pins, check joystick i/o port solder connection to the pcb, check the inline chokes and caps, check PIA(sitcks/up down left right) check pokey(paddles/driving) check GTIA(trigger/fire button) you didn't mention any keyboard issues but if their are any let us know what's working and what's not... Edited May 12, 2020 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 PIA for joysticks actually. GTIA has the fire buttons. Pokey does paddles & part of the keyboard controllers. Do a quick Basic program to test them: 10 ? STICK(0) , STRIG(0), STICK(1) , STRIG(1) 20 GOTO 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StickJock Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) Don't the joystick pins go to the PIA chip? The paddle pins go to the Pokey, and the Trig pins go to the GTIA, right? Edit: Looks like Rybags beat me to it! Edited May 12, 2020 by StickJock Rybags posted while I was typing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) looks like you all need to refresh you screens, edits take some whole minutes, only new posts update and alert... will it be okay if I make bullet points and improve legibility or should I hold off and leave the mess the way it is? I went ahead and put the bullet points in, sure hope what was there in between passed the editors bureau. Edited May 12, 2020 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Tyler Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) I don't have the BASIC cartridge for my 800XL. My Genesis controllers and my Pro-Lines work fine on my Atari 7800. How would I go about checking the PIA and GTIA. Someone said it might be the 6520 chip is bad. If that's the case I'll scream. EDIT: I've tried powering on my 800XL without a cartridge but nothing happens. Edited May 12, 2020 by Lauren Tyler No BASIC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) 800XL should come up to the READY prompt when no cartridge is inserted and no disk drive or other SIO device are there... that is Basic... but if it has a modified OS in it the option key held during power on to turn off basic could be reversed... so hold option down and turn on 800XL you should see either READY or SELF TEST @Lauren Tyler *edit* I just refreshed and see your edit... nothing at all when nothing is connected? Not good remember to let the power be off for about 11 seconds between turning off and turning back on. Edited May 12, 2020 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Tyler Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 I've ordered another one which should be here by Thursday. We'll see how that goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Hey, wasn't there an issue with a certain type of Genesis controllers and the Atari? I'd do a search of the threads and not use the genesis controller at least until were sure about which ones are ok... just something rattling around the ole noggin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Tyler Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 I tried the Atari 2600 joysticks that came with it as well as my Pro-Lines. My Pro-Lines work fine on the Atari 7800 and in 2600 mode, but the ones that came with it don't work too well. Nevertheless, I have a feeling that there's an issue with the computer itself. (Unless Pro-Lines don't work on the 800XL?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Pro-Line is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Tyler Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 I was going to check the PIA chip, but there's a metal frame that I can't get off. Is there a special trick to removing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwilove Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 A genesis controller (gamepad) will work fine. There's more and more games modified so that two buttons can work with it. Harvey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) Nope, just a screwdriver, socket or wrench, and some smooth hobby pliers for the tabs.... depends on the Genesis controller... I have some that get hot, looks like Mytek has a solution for it, requires a little solder iron work. I prefer not to stress the Atari or the Controller, but it's great that you have no issues. I find it works better after his mod. Edited May 12, 2020 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 800XL should be easy - first thing is detach the keyboard ribbon carefully, second up do the small screw between the joystick ports, which will allow removing the board from the case. I'd advise to check if the PIA is socketed first, if so pry up slightly at each end then reseat which might clear oxide which prevents conduction. But if no stick direction is working at all I'd suspect it's just partly fried. The only thing you'd expect to generate sufficient oxide would be a liquid spill and that'd likely stop Basic selection working as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leech Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 4 hours ago, Lauren Tyler said: I've ordered another one which should be here by Thursday. We'll see how that goes. So now we know where all the 800xls are going! Good luck, and if there is oxidation, deOxit is awesome for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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