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Topic for newbies or veterans returning to Atari


Philsan

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Just one more thing. Which computer of 800XL, 130XE and XEGS is the most durable? Are any of them cheaply made?

 

Go with the 800XL.

 

If Atari was to release only two 8-bit machines they could have just gone with the 800 and the 800XL and skipped the rest.

 

However, I'm glad they brought out the other ones, because every Atari 8-bit computer looks cool in its own way.

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From what I've seen, I'd say the Atari 800 is the most durable and the 800XL is a close second. Since the 800XL includes 64K and the enhanced graphics chipset, that would give you a machine that's both durable and has the later features of the Atari 8-bit series.

 

As for using the machines, here's some good starting info.:

 

https://archive.org/stream/The_Easy_Guide_to_Your_Atari_600XL_800XL#page/n45/mode/2up
https://archive.org/stream/The_Easy_Guide_to_Your_Atari_600XL_800XL#page/n173/mode/2up

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The RAM 320XE/576 external upgrade works with 130XE not with 800XL. A version for 800XL will come out eventually.

 

But why someone would need more than 64KB or RAM?

In my games selection I have 20 games that need 128KB and 10 games that need 320KB.

Some of them need more than 64KB to run from disk drive/modern storage devices. They need only 64KB if they run from cart.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I did mean a flash cart or SD card in a flash cart combo but I'm a fan of options. Just got an 800xl- I have game controllers, power, and video taken care of now so I'd like to get my software library playing. I'm not collecting original carts and floppy disks, but would love to play the games in a quick load and easy switch between games. I'd prefer not having to have a laptop tethered to it and a cart solution looked like the best. If a cart also gives speed or memory expansion built in, even better. How is "The!Cart" for instance? If that is from 2013, maybe there is a better or newer one?

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If you want 100% compatibility, SIO2SD is the best solution. You simply put games on a SD card and you load them selecting them on screen.

Cart solutions are faster, but cannot load multi-disk games (Side2 cart apart, together with U1MB internal mod).

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As Philisan says, go for SIO2SD, most PC's have built in card readers or any pound shop / equivalent does them for USB, load up the SD and away you go or SIO2USB and use the PC as the storage but then its hardwired. There some wonderful Flash cart collections but 90% of stuff is single load games with disk loading games needing special by hand conversions to cart.

 

Paul...

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  • 2 weeks later...

I prefer 800XL too, but if you want 128KB (and more memory with a plug and play external expansion) and s-video without doing any hardware mod, 130XE is the right choice.

I would not buy an XEGS.

I actually opted for the XEGS simply for it being a "newer machine" with newer parts and because of the ease of hooking it up to any modern TV. I am not a tinkerer or modder, so I am going all stock for my machine. From what I have read, the XEGS is the only one that has the phono RCA/composite video output, right? Or do any of the other units come with stock phono composite outputs?

 

I guess the other reason I bought the XEGS is the fact I can detach the keyboard and just hook up the main unit for some family gaming on the fly. This is my first foray into Atari 8 bit, so if I enjoy the XEGS, I can see myself going down the road of your recommendations and buying a 130 XE or 800 XL. :)

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I actually opted for the XEGS simply for it being a "newer machine" with newer parts and because of the ease of hooking it up to any modern TV. I am not a tinkerer or modder, so I am going all stock for my machine. From what I have read, the XEGS is the only one that has the phono RCA/composite video output, right? Or do any of the other units come with stock phono composite outputs?

 

I guess the other reason I bought the XEGS is the fact I can detach the keyboard and just hook up the main unit for some family gaming on the fly. This is my first foray into Atari 8 bit, so if I enjoy the XEGS, I can see myself going down the road of your recommendations and buying a 130 XE or 800 XL. :)

Congratulations! If I am not wrong the XEGS is the only A8 with a phono monitor video jack and phono audio jack. I agree with you on the fact it's easier to connect to TV, you don't need a specific cable. XEGS has a nice design, so enjoy it!

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  • 4 weeks later...

I just bought an 800 from Ebay which did not survive shipping- so here is some advice:

 

The insides of the 800 are durable, but the plastic case really isn't. The issue is that the inside of the 800 is heavy, but the old plastic is brittle. This is not a problem with any of the newer systems: certainly not with 800xl or 130xe. So make sure the shipper uses sufficient padding and gets insurance. Mine had a big crack in the cover and all of the stressed areas fell apart including the internal plastic standoffs, the hinges for the front cartridge cover and top cover grill.

 

Also, I do not recommend that you ever try to take apart the top cover (I mean try to remove the plastic from the metal shield, removing the cover is ok). I tried it to fix the cracked plastic, but the standoffs are so brittle and weak and they will break if you try to remove the screws. For the same reason be gentle with the main screws on the bottom (but should be ok to remove).

 

This 800 did not originally power on- the issue was contact corrosion of the power switch and cover switch (there is a switch which prevents the 800 from turning on if the cartridge cover is open). On the other hand, this was the only problem with the electronics- it worked fine after cleaning the corrosion. Even the keyboard was fine.

 

Advantages of the 800: it has an internal speaker for key clicks. You don't have to hold down "option" for games to run. The keyboard is vastly nicer than any of the later ones, though I have to say that the placement of the Atari key and caps-lock key are kind of annoying (too close to the too small right shift key). It has four joystick ports. "Memo-pad" built in. Easy to replace the RAM since it's on cards.

 

Lotharek's sio2sd works fine with it. It's kind of funny seeing a 35 year old computer interfacing with such a modern technology peripheral.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

So I have my 800xl Ultimate 1MB set up with a SIO2SD and need a few pointers.

A lot of the titles (games) I have tried loading seem to have jumbled graphics. I have tried holding down 'option' to load them but no luck. Some work some don't. Can't get M.U.L.E. to work at all. Got it working on the stock 800 but not the XL. Some versions of it just say 'Remove Cartridge' and other start with jumbled graphics and then crash. Is there a difference between .atr and .xex files? (Yes I am that new to the Atari) is there a transfer speed I should be looking at? Topdrive? what is that? So many questions and I thank you for your patience.

 

On the subject of the U1MB, it appears to have some DOS in it. Is that Sparta DOS or some other variety? I was able to get into the set up and see there are options for setting the system to be StockXL, UMeg and Sparta. The basic manual I found doesn't contain a lot of info. I want to figure out how to understand this very interesting machine.

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So I have my 800xl Ultimate 1MB set up with a SIO2SD and need a few pointers.

A lot of the titles (games) I have tried loading seem to have jumbled graphics. I have tried holding down 'option' to load them but no luck. Some work some don't. Can't get M.U.L.E. to work at all. Got it working on the stock 800 but not the XL. Some versions of it just say 'Remove Cartridge' and other start with jumbled graphics and then crash. Is there a difference between .atr and .xex files? (Yes I am that new to the Atari) is there a transfer speed I should be looking at? Topdrive? what is that? So many questions and I thank you for your patience.

 

On the subject of the U1MB, it appears to have some DOS in it. Is that Sparta DOS or some other variety? I was able to get into the set up and see there are options for setting the system to be StockXL, UMeg and Sparta. The basic manual I found doesn't contain a lot of info. I want to figure out how to understand this very interesting machine.

I unfortunately don't have direct answers to your questions. However, I do know that there are a ton of great books and docs here:

 

https://archive.org/search.php?query=atari%20800&and[]=mediatype%3A%22texts%22

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The RAM 320XE/576 external upgrade works with 130XE not with 800XL. A version for 800XL will come out eventually.

 

But why someone would need more than 64KB or RAM?

In my games selection I have 20 games that need 128KB and 10 games that need 320KB.

Some of them need more than 64KB to run from disk drive/modern storage devices. They need only 64KB if they run from cart.

 

Hi Philsan, is it possible to say what those 128K and 320KB games are (only if its easy)....I just searched through things marked as 320K and I've never realised there was so many porn animations of the Atari. I stopped looking as my wife or daughter are wandering around and will think I'm a pervert :)

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Hi Philsan, is it possible to say what those 128K and 320KB games are (only if its easy)....I just searched through things marked as 320K and I've never realised there was so many porn animations of the Atari. I stopped looking as my wife or daughter are wandering around and will think I'm a pervert :)

OK, but only to save your reputation!

128KB: The Gooonies, E-Type, Mario Bros, International Karate Enhanced Edition, Treasure Island Dizzy, Amaurote, Alien 8, Gato, TLC, Barnyard Blaster, Tower Toppler, Klony 2010, Deflektor, Speed Up!, Crownland, Battlezone. Desert Falcon, Getris,

320KB: Airball, Bomb Jack, Commando, Crime Buster, Midi Maze, Mean 18+

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The RAM 320XE/576 external upgrade works with 130XE not with 800XL. A version for 800XL will come out eventually.

 

 

An 800XL version was actually released a long time ago. It plugs into the PBI port. I still have one of these on my 600XL. It works quite well. Was called the RAM320XL. You need to solder a single wire internally for power in an 800XL or grab power from joystick port. In a 600XL it is not required since 5V is already connected on PBI bus.

 

I have a cased version and I like it but if someone is timid when it comes to internal mods I'd be willing to sell it if I can get enough cash for an internal upgrade. In a 600XL you don't even need to do an 64K upgrade first, it replaces internal RAM.

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Thank you, reputation intact :)

 

LOL Where are you digging up the porn? All I found were pirated rips of the bigger XEGS cartridges that get squeezed into extended RAM, most of them noted by Philsan. I was hoping to run some cool demos but I'm in NTSC-land and apparently the Xanth demos are about it over on this side of the pond and I'm too cheap to find/build a PAL machine.

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