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Archive for the ‘Atari family’ Category

Unboxing Sic!Cart flash cartridge for ATARI (XE/XL)

June 19th, 2011 No comments
Sic!Cart flash cartridge for Atari

Autopsy:

The Sic!Cart (Super Inexpensive Cart) is a low price Flash Cartridge System for the Atari XL/XE series computers.

Sic!Cart available configurations:

  • Programmed GAL.
  • Sic!Cart with 2Mbit memory.
  • Sic!Cart with 4Mbit memory.

source: atariage.com

Unboxing IDE Plus 2.0 for ATARI (XE/XL)

June 15th, 2011 1 comment
IDE Plus 2.0 interface

Autopsy:

IDE Plus 2.0 is a new IDE host adapter by Simius for Atari (XE/XL) computer.

Some features:

  • Is not much greater than a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
  • Does not require an external power-supply.
  • Contains an XE (CART+ECI) connector, an XL (PBI) connector, a cartridge port, and a connector for a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
  • Contains 96 KB ISP Flash ROM and 32 KB RAM available to the internal PBI BIOS and flashable from the Atari.
  • Contains 512 KB or 1024 KB ISP Flash ROM for SpartaDOS X (or any other cartridge of such type), flashable from the Atari. This ROM can be physically disabled using a dedicated switch. The switch is not installed in the device shown on photos below.
  • Contains a real time clock circuitry to be used with SpartaDOS X. If someone doesn’t want to use it, the module is anyway fully compatible with an external R-Time 8 or internally mounted ARC.
  • A LED flashing during the I/O.

source: atariage.com

 

Atari Lynx II with Carry Bag / Powersupply and Cartridges

November 25th, 2010 No comments
Atari Lynx II with some Cartridges

Autopsy:

Thank to Lynx of Nightfall for your generous donation.

The Atari Lynx has several innovative features including its being the first color handheld, with a backlit display, a switchable right-handed/left-handed (upside down) configuration, and the ability to network with up to 17 other units via its “ComLynx” system (though most games would network eight or fewer players).

from Wikipedia:

The Atari Lynx is a 16-bit handheld game console that was released by Atari Corporation in 1989. The Lynx holds the distinction of being the world’s first handheld electronic game with a color LCD. The system is also notable for its forward-looking features, advanced graphics, and ambidextrous layout. The Lynx was released in 1989, the same year as Nintendo’s (monochromatic) Game Boy.

However, the Lynx failed to achieve the sales numbers required to attract quality third party developers, and was eventually abandoned. Today, as with many older consoles, there is still a small group of devoted fans, creating and selling games for the system.

source: wikipedia

Atari 800XL fix for Expansion Ram 320XL

November 14th, 2010 No comments

I had to make this change to get the Expansion Ram 320XL running on my Atari 800XL:

source: atariage.com

Unboxing expansion Ram 320XL (320kB) for Atari 600/800XL

November 14th, 2010 No comments
Expansion Ram 320XL (320kB)

Autopsy:

The Expansion Ram 320XL is a external plug and play 320kB memory expansion card for Atari 600XL and 800XL machines designed by ctirad a user of AtariAge Forum.

Additionally there is a possibility to disable internal memory and remap it onto card (switchable via jumper), thus one can “fix” many failing XLs without even looking inside. Also, an unexpanded 16kB 600XLs can be upgraded to 320XL without any additional work.

The Expansion Ram 320XL uses banking via bits 2,3,5,6 and 4 of PORTB. As you can see this is compatible with “Atari magazine” expansion rather than a most common RAMBO or Compy shop setup, however I have to say the comaptibility with both old and new software is excellent. There can be only problem with some programs, which does use the separate Antic/CPU banking.

The Installation is very easy. The Atari 600XL users will just plug it into PBI port. For Atari 800XL is a bit more complicated, because Atari decided to remove 5V power from the PBI connector from it. Thus 800XL users will have either to use additional power cable which will fit into joystick port or solder one wire inside atari to make the PBI port powered like on 600XL (look photo).

For more information and price visit the atariage.com.

source: atariage.com

Atari Portfolio

November 5th, 2010 No comments
Atari Portfolio

Autopsy:

from Wikipedia:

The Atari Portfolio is the first PC-compatible palmtop computer, and was released by Atari Corporation in 1989. The Portfolio was licenced from Distributed Information Processing (DIP) based in Guildford, Surrey, England. The original founding member of DIP was Ian Cullimore, fresh from his experiences at helping design the early Organiser products at Psion.

DIP officially stood for “Distributed Information Processing”, although secretly it actually stood for “David, Ian and Peter”, the three founding members of the company, all ex-Psion. The original founder of the company (first called “Crushproof Software”) was Ian Cullimore, and the other two David Frodsham and Peter Baldwin. It was built around an Intel 80C88 CPU running at 4.9152 MHz and ran a variant of MS-DOS called “DIP DOS 2.11″. It had 128 kB of RAM and 256 kB of ROM which contained the OS and built-in applications. The on-board RAM had to be divided between system memory and local storage (the C: drive). The LCD was monochrome without backlight and had 240×64 pixels or 40 characters x 8 lines.

source: wikipedia

SIO Tape Cable for Commodore

November 5th, 2010 No comments

This is a rare SIO Adapter cable. You can use it for connect the Atari 1010 Program Recorder on Commodore 64/128.

AtariMax free replacement 8mbit cartridge

September 3rd, 2010 No comments
AtariMax cartridges (1MBit / 8MBit)

Autopsy:

I bought one month ago a AtariMax 8MBit Cartridge for Atari that had the wrong label on it, it is a 1mbit in place of a 8mbit.

This is a free replacement 8mbit cartridge from Steven J.Tucker (AtariMax).

Many Thanks Steven.

source: atarimax.com

Unboxing Atarimax Multi-Cart for Atari 8-bit

August 3rd, 2010 1 comment
Atarimax Maxflash Multi-Cart for Atari 8-bit.

Autopsy:

The Atarimax Maxflash Flash Cartridge System for Atari 8-bit Computers is a high quality, professionally produced cartridge creation suite for the Atari 400/800/XL/XE series computers.

Maxflash Studio Demostration:

source: atarimax.com

Testing the SIO2SD interface for Atari

July 31st, 2010 No comments

Fixed the SIO2SD Firmware Crash.

The SIO2SD is a device that allows you to load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD/MMC cards.

Atari Disk Drive 1050 Boxed + Floppy Disk

July 12th, 2010 No comments
Atari Disk Drive 1050 Boxed

Autopsy:

from atarimuseum Homepage:

The Atari 1050 disk drive was Atari’s replacement to the Atari 810 disk drive. The new Atari 1050 disk drive matched the new high-tech, low profile line of Atari XL home computer systems. The original Atari 810 could hold single density data (88K out of 100K diskettes) which was standard.

The new Atari 1050 disk drives were DUAL-DENSITY disk drives and could use the older Atari 810 diskettes, but could also hold data in a new Enhanced Density mode of 127K. Although the standard for disk drives was 180K, this additional storage was welcomed by Atari users who bought the disk drives.

The only downside to the disk drives were their new version of Atari DOS: 3.0 which had compatibility problems with its earlier version: 2.0s Atari would later fix this problem with a very well designed and accepted and one of the most popular Atari versions of DOS:  2.5.

Up to 4 Atari disk drives could be “daisy-chained” together. Using Atari’s unique SIO bus (Serial I/O), each drive would connect to the next, forming a chain in which data was transferred. Although slower then other I/O buses used on other computers, Atari’s SIO bus was a simple and convenient way for the non-computer literate to more easily add components onto their Atari computer systems (other brands of computers required internal cards, ribbon cables, complicated jumper block settings which were geared more towards the computer hobbyist crowd instead of the common individual with little computer knowledge).

The disk drive electronics and its mechanism were done by Tandon, the case design was done by Tom Palecki, formerly of Atari’s Industrial Design group. Tom was also responsible for the design of the Atari 1055 3.5″ disk drive which was never released by Atari, Inc. due to its sales in 1984.

source: atarimuseum.com

Atari 1010 Program Recorder (Tape drive) Boxed

July 11th, 2010 No comments
Atari 1010 Program Recorder Boxed

Autopsy:

from atarimuseum Homepage:

The Atari 1010 Program Recorder was the replacement to the Atari 400/800 lines Atari 410 Program recorder. The new 1010 was stylish and simplistic to use. Although no faster then any other standard tape recorder/Program Recorder, the Atari 1010 was a reliable little unit and was very popular in European markets where money was tight and the majority of software was available on Tape Cassettes.

What made the Atari Data/Program recorders unique from all other cassette decks used on other home computers was its ability to tie into the Atari Audio Summation Circuitry. The Atari 410, 1010 and the Atari XC11 & XC12 Data/Program recorders all worked through the Atari SIO (Serial I/O) bus, a data communications bus very similar to today’s USB (Universal Serial Bus). The Data/Program recorders could all be controlled by the Atari computer and also channeled their audio into the SIO bus and into the Atari computer where it would be heard through a connected Television or Computer Monitor.

The Data/Program recorders also were Dual Track systems and could load data while also playing audio/music tracks simultaneously. This meant that while another section of a program was loading, the recorder could give the user instructions, information or play a soundtrack to occupy the users time while the program loaded. This system was used extensively in Atari’s unique and unparalleled line of educational software.

source: atarimuseum.com

Atari Pro Line Joystick Boxed

July 11th, 2010 1 comment
Atari Pro Line Joystick Boxed

Autopsy:

Standard 7800 joysticks, compatible with the 2600 and 8 Bit Computer series. Marketed as advanced controllers, featuring independently functioning buttons (7800 only). Long, narrow design.

source: atariage.com

Atari 130 XE (Keyboard Fixed)

July 11th, 2010 No comments

The functions keys (Start / Option / Select / Reset..) of my Atari 130 XE not making good contact, i have fixed this problem with a good clean-up and graphite of a pencil.

Atari 130 XE Boxed + Cartridges Games

July 11th, 2010 No comments
ATARI 130 XE

Autopsy:

from old-computers Homepage:

The Atari 130-XE was first shown at the Winter Las Vegas Consumer Electronic Show in 1985 (with the Atari 130 ST), it has the same characteristics as the Atari 800 XL except its added memory (128 KB instead of 64 KB for the 800 XL).

The extended memory can be used as a RAM disk, or can be accessed by bank switching routines. It was an attempt to extend the life of the old XL series, but Atari abandoned it pretty quickly to concentrate on promoting the ST series, which uses the same case style.

source: old-computers.com