I want to get into ST computers.....what do I need?

[chairmonkey4406]

What do I need to first get into ST computers? What model should I get? What peripherals/games should I get? Thanks a lot.

[+Sauron]

What are you looking to do with it exactly?

[chairmonkey4406]

mostly just to play games.

[doncleth]

You need an Atari 1040STe with an Atari SC1435 colour monitor. That's what I have. :-)

[jens]

Or a 1040 STfm instead of the STe. It#s said to be more compatible to some games.

[MasterMotorola]

I'd recommend:

 

- STFM (most common) or STE (rarer but better graphics & sound)

- SC-1224 monitor or Commodore 1702 monitor or colour TV

- atari joystick and mouse (can't forget those)

 

Thrift stores usually have monitors and joysticks, everything else you can get off eBay or by posting a wanted ad.

 

Good luck!

 

Steve

[chairmonkey4406]

thanks a lot this really helps!

[+FujiSkunk]

Hiho, digging up an old thread here...

 

I recently completed a trade that gave me a cool stash of Atari ST hardware. Together with an ST that I found at a thrift store a while back, I am now the happy owner of both a 520ST and a 1040STe, plus an SF314 floppy drive and an SC1224 monitor.

 

Question #1: Does anybody recommend any websites on where to go to get familiar with the ST (FAQs, tutorials, etc.)?

 

Question #2: I found Gemulator Explorer, which is supposed to allow Windows boxes to read and write Atari ST floppies, but does anybody know how to get similar functionality out of a linux box? I'm assuming it's a matter of enabling kernel support for the right disk format and file system, but Google hasn't been as helpful as I would like. As is, I can get an Atari ST floppy to read, but it takes a good five minutes or so (no exageration) before it finally reads enough to display a directory.

 

Question #3: I do not have an Atari mouse, but I do have a Sega Genesis mouse, which also uses the 9-pin port. Might they be compatible, by some miracle?

 

Question #4: Any place on the web that has a good stash of Atari ST software, assuming I figure out a way to get that software onto an ST floppy?

 

If these have been answered elsewhere (and I'm sure they have), feel free to point me to the right thread.

 

Thanks, y'all!

[Rybags]

The ST floppy filing system is virtually the same as the old FAT12 used back in the early DOS days.

 

The only problem with ST floppies is that the format is just different enough to make reading the disks from many PCs a problem.

 

The best way to transfer 720K disks is to either format them on a PC first (preferably a low-density drive, but they are kinda rare now), or to use a utility on the ST which makes 100% PC compatible disks.

[Gunstar]

Chances that the Sega mouse will just plug-n-play is small, but not impossible. But, chances are VERY good that with a couple of wire swaps internally on the Sega mouse that it could be made to work with the ST. Amiga mouses are the same, they will work, but a couple wires need to be swapped basically. And, if the Sega mouse doesn't quite work right and you want to know how to adapt it, there's also a small chance that the Sega mouse might be just like an Amiga mouse and there are instructions online for converting Amiga/ST mice to each system, that might also work with the Sega mouse. If not, I'm sue it CAN be done, but you may have to experiment with swapping wires to different pin assignments.

[Paolo]

as for st related websites, I would recommend www.atari-forum.com.

A lot of people from there are here as well

[+FujiSkunk]

The ST floppy filing system is virtually the same as the old FAT12 used back in the early DOS days.

 

The only problem with ST floppies is that the format is just different enough to make reading the disks from many PCs a problem.

 

The best way to transfer 720K disks is to either format them on a PC first (preferably a low-density drive, but they are kinda rare now), or to use a utility on the ST which makes 100% PC compatible disks.

1015385[/snapback]

 

I have plenty of double-density disks, but I think I'm fresh out of drives that can only do double-density. I guess I'll do some more digging and see what I find.

 

Thanks for the tips, everyone, I'm off to do my homework!

[Rybags]

I'm fairly sure you can buy (or maybe build) adaptors to allow a PS2 type mouse to be used on an ST or Amiga.

[Womble76]

I'm fairly sure you can buy (or maybe build) adaptors to allow a PS2 type mouse to be used on an ST or Amiga.

1015930[/snapback]

 

You can buy them

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Atari-ST-PeST-PS2-Mo...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

They actually have built in software to translate the signals as its not just a wiring issue.

 

Building one would be a headache.

 

You can format DD drives on modern floppy drive, even under XP but you have to do it at the DOS prompt and its a non standard command - I have it at home, cant find it online for some reason. Its mentioned in the forums tho.

[+Mitch]

You can format DD drives on modern floppy drive, even under XP but you have to do it at the DOS prompt and its a non standard command - I have it at home, cant find it online for some reason. Its mentioned in the forums tho.

1016142[/snapback]

 

FORMAT A: /T:80 /N:9

 

 

Mitch

[tjlazer]

Just get a 1040ST with SC1224 monitor, the best and cheapest solution for US buyers.