Atari 800XL Display Problem

[thegamezmaster]

Hello, have a weird problem with my 800XL. When you turn it on you see the cursor and when the ready comes up, the unit starts putting semi colons on the screen. One after one and doesn't stop unless you turn off the machine. But the unit will play carts fine. Anyone else have this happen or have any suggestions as to what the problem is and how to fix? Thank you.

[thegamezmaster]

Guess I titled this wrong. Should have put keyboard problem. Ran the self test and when I try to test the keyboard the first "S" on the very top row flashes and beeps and that's it. I'm guessing the keyboard is bad? Are these things repairable? If so how? Thank you

[tpugmire]

Do the keys actually register being pressed? I fixed my keyboard a long time ago, but I had entire sections of the keyboard not responding.

[thegamezmaster]

In the self test mode or regular mode?

[tpugmire]

Regular mode.

[thegamezmaster]

A few do but most don't.

[tpugmire]

Ok, that's actually good. There is a good guide to fixing these keyboards out there that I used to fix mine. I'll see if I can find it and post it here.

[tpugmire]

Ok, that was easy. This is for a 1200xl, but it's pretty much the same thing. One thing I found that was quite helpful is that if you can't find a circuit writer pen, a car window defogger kit works just as well and you can find them at pretty much any auto parts store. Hope this helps.

 

http://www.retrobits.net/atari/keyboard.shtml

 

Also, as a last resort, Best Electronics has replacement keyboards. Last time I checked, anyway.

[thegamezmaster]

Thanks for the help!

[thegamezmaster]

Don't know where to buy the conductive paint pens do you? Thanks.

[tpugmire]

Some Radio Shack stores carry them, but not all. It's probably best to call first.

[thegamezmaster]

Thanks for the tip and help. Much appreciated.

[thegamezmaster]

Been reading about refurbishing the mylar keyboards and searched and found there are nickel paint pens and silver paint pens with about a $12 price difference. Anyone ever use the nickel paint pen and how did it worK? Thanks for any input.