800XL versus 1200XL keyboard?

[+Larry]

I know very little about 1200XL's, since I've never owned one, but I was wondering about putting an 800XL MB in a 1200XL case and using the 1200XL keyboard. Anyone ever done this? I'm aware of several obstacles to this particular mod, but it still seems feasible. -Larry

[Almost Rice]

Metalguy has, but he used a 130xe instead. The 1200xl MB is almost the same as the 800xl functionally except for the PBI.

[ataridano]

I've got 2 1200XLs so if you have any questions let me know (not that I could tell you too much). As I understand it, the additional function keys on the 1200XL are also mapped on the other XL/XE machines, so I think the toughest thing would be actually getting the cartridge connector and other plugs/ports to line up correctly. And of course the missing PBI slot.

[Rybags]

Sockets with compatible spacing are freely available still, so it would be a fairly simple job to just make an extender, and run ribbon cable from the existing socket for the cartridge.

[+Larry]

Thanks for the inputs, but my main concern is still the keyboard connector. Does anyone have a picture or two of the 1200XL keyboard connector(s)? That would be a real good start. Thanks. -Larry

[MEtalGuy66]

Larry. Beileieve it or not, the most time consuming thing is cutting the holes out in the 1200XL case for all the ports to be in the right place. To do a good job at this takes time.

 

But here is something else to consider: There is a major fundamental difference in the 1200XL keyboard when compared to the other XL/XE machines.

 

The 800XL,600XL, 65XE,130XE,800XE all have a 24 wire keyboard connector. The 1200XL has a 15 wire keyboard connector and has MORE KEYS!

 

The reason fir this is that the 1200XL has the two 4051 decoders built into the keyboard mech, itself. This is pretty much unique to the 1200XL. The XE game system has the decoders built into it's keyboard enclosure, but not the keyboard mech itself (actually uses a normal 65xe/130xe keyboard.) The small extra circuit board inside the XEGS keyboard enclosure contains the 2 4051 decoders, which allow the XEGS's external keyboard to work with a 15-pin cable to the machine.

 

So. Heres what you have to do to make a 1200XL keyboard work with an 800XL or 130XE..

 

Theres 2 different approaches:

 

1) remove the decoders from the 1200XL keyboard and rewire the cable for the 24-pin scheme to go up to the 800XL/130XE.

 

2) remove the decoders from the 800XL or 130XE motherboard and rework it to accept the 15-wire scheme.

 

I prefer option 1, and heres why: The 1200XL keyboard cable isnt long enough to reach the proper place on a 130XE or 800XL motherboard even if you DID rework the motherboard correctly, you'd still have to lengthen the 1200XL keyboard cable. There is also the issue of the dampning resistors which are on different sides of the decoders, electriclally in the 1200XL design, versus the other machines, and this makes it alot easier to do option 1 and have it come out right. I can show you what I mean, about this, but if you get the schematics for both machines, you can fairly easily see what I mean.

 

So here is my reccomendation: remove the two 4051 ICs from the 1200XL keyboard, and follow my wiring diagram on where to hook the wires. The 1200XL keyboard will work flawlessly on the 800XL or 130XE. (yes including the f1-f4 keys.)

 

Let me know if you decide to do it, and I'll send you the diagram.

[Beetle]

And for those with a defective 1200XL keyboard : Try this :http://www.retrobits.net/atari/keyboard.shtml . Mine works again!

Edited January 2, 2007 by Beetle

[+Larry]

Thanks much Ken & Beetle for the keyboard info. -Larry

[Curt Vendel]

Why not just use a full 1200XL, upgrade the OS, mod the SIO line and is it as is, why you would want to wedge an 800XL in there is beyond me. You'll have to hack the living sh*t out of the case for the connectors, you loose the side cartridge port and then will have to hack a hole in the top of the case for carts, just use a standard 1200XL and do a few upgrades to it. Unless you have a need for a PBI device then there is no point in putting an 800XL MB inside of a 1200XL case.

 

My advice - don't do it.

 

 

 

Curt

 

I know very little about 1200XL's, since I've never owned one, but I was wondering about putting an 800XL MB in a 1200XL case and using the 1200XL keyboard. Anyone ever done this? I'm aware of several obstacles to this particular mod, but it still seems feasible. -Larry

[Urchlay]

My advice - don't do it.

 

That'd be my vote, too, if we were voting. There weren't all that many 1200XLs made in the first place, I die a little every time I hear of one being destroyed...

 

Beetle's fake 1450XL doesn't count as destruction in my book, though. It's just an upgrade...

[Gunstar]

Why not just use a full 1200XL, upgrade the OS, mod the SIO line and is it as is, why you would want to wedge an 800XL in there is beyond me. You'll have to hack the living sh*t out of the case for the connectors, you loose the side cartridge port and then will have to hack a hole in the top of the case for carts, just use a standard 1200XL and do a few upgrades to it. Unless you have a need for a PBI device then there is no point in putting an 800XL MB inside of a 1200XL case.

 

My advice - don't do it.

 

 

 

Curt

 

I know very little about 1200XL's, since I've never owned one, but I was wondering about putting an 800XL MB in a 1200XL case and using the 1200XL keyboard. Anyone ever done this? I'm aware of several obstacles to this particular mod, but it still seems feasible. -Larry

 

The only reason I can see in doing it is becuase you want a PBI but in the 1200XL case with it's keyboard. I think it would be much, much easier to do the mods you suggest and also the 1200XL PBI mod to get the PBI. If the PBI isn't the main issue, I see no reason at all to swap out motherboards and go through all that trouble other that to do it becuase you can (which I'm pretty sure is the only reason MetalGuy66 does these mods).

 

Larry, if your basing your reasoning here on the rumors of 1200XL "incompatiblities," those have always been very overated, and the fact is, those "incompatiblities" were mostly with the 800, and the 800XL has those SAME "incompatibilities." The 1200XL has a couple monor things that could be changed, like said above, putting in a newer XL OS or a 32-in-1, and jumping one resister for power to the SIO port like the 800XL.

Edited March 31, 2007 by Gunstar