The day I got my 800XL, it broke down

[invisible kid]

Unfortunately I'm not handy in troubleshooting hardware. What would be the worst case scenario in terms of hard to get/ship/install part? Also, I guess Atari users there are rare or non existent, and there won't be any local help.

[_The Doctor__]

It was whispered to me that many an Atari item walked from factory floors to homes in Japan, there may be more Atari's floating around Tokyo than one might think. It is rumored that there could be much hardware stowed in different places and resting, to be found or awoken when such people and places rediscover their Atari nests. Maybe asking around could start such things to be uncovered/rediscovered.

 

I'd suggest a syscheck from tf hh

 

I'd check delay line, clock, and the 4050.

 

can't hurt to check the electrolytic caps either.

 

Make sure the Atari is the correct one for your video system in use.

[Mclaneinc]

Sadly the person isn't into electronics so probably better that they don't tinker too much in case it gets worse..

[invisible kid]

As others have said, there is a risk of doing damage when trying to fix this stuff. But also that is the way you learn. I think a lot of folks learned a lot of the lessons when they were younger, with simpler/cheaper stuff. For those of us who didn't, we tend to make the same learning mistakes on harder to find/more expensive stuff!

 

Common strategies: 1. Just give some of the suggestions a try and see where you end up. 2. order a 2nd unit, and if that one works either keep the first for parts or sell it. If it doesn't work, maybe you can get one working system from both sets of parts.

Edited September 30, 2021 by invisible kid

[Sugarland]

Yes there are two possible options. Get another 800XL and sell this one. Or stick to emulation.

[manterola]

I guess main problem is shipping and lack of substancial Atari user base in Japan. Otherwise the problem has the potential to be very easy to solve. 

I am sure someone around here in the forum would sell you another 800XL. 

Just out of curiosity, where did the 800XL come from? 

 

[bfollowell]

 

36 minutes ago, manterola said:

Otherwise the problem has the potential to be very easy to solve.

 

 

Yes, I agree with this. Compared to some units I've seen repaired, this one doesn't look too bad. I mean, it has audio and video, even if they're scrambled. It's those that don't do anything at all, and give no indication of life other than maybe a power LED that can be hard.

 

[_The Doctor__]

Practice on cheep chinese throw away electronic/printed circuit boards first...etc.

Edited October 1, 2021 by _The Doctor__

[ojanhk]

Most of the chips are socketed on this board, so if financially possible getting a second working 800xl and swapping chips could be of great help. It doesn’t really requires electronic skills. 

[Beeblebrox]

@kurosawa6502  how are you getting on? Any joy?