RAM upgrades

[+kheller2]

 

the early 130XE and 800XE boards were different - from 1985-1987 (maybe also 1988 and 1989) Atari used 130XE boards with 16 RAM chips (8kbytes each) and 800XE boards with 8 RAM chips (8kbytes each); thus if you have such an older 800XE it cannot be upgraded so easily to 128k;

 

From 1988/1989 until 1992 Atari sold the 65XE (EU+US), 130XE (EU+US) and 800XE (only in EU) with the same 130XE board that had space for 4 chips (32kbytes each)

 

 

I don't believe any 65XE (US) NTSC have a 130XE board.

Some 65XE PAL systems were the same as the US 65XE (no ECI)

 

Can we at least all agree that if you have an ECI port, you have a 130XE board (4 socket or 16 socket) and can be upgraded to full 130XE 128K functionality?

 

AFAIK Atari only produced two XE motherboard lines: the 65XE/900XLF (8 sockets, no ECI) and the 130XE (in two RAM socket flavors + ECI).

 

This is why I don't like using the Marketing labels when talking about these systems: What motherboard do you have is way easier.

[+orpheuswaking]

Correct - NTSC 65XE are always 65XE boards, no ECI

And I have seen both in PAL land...

 

The ECI is really the definitive identifier.

[relo999]

The images of both my 800XE and 800XL.
http://imgur.com/a/yxVHW

Edited April 13, 2017 by relo999

[Kyle22]

error, please disregard.

Edited April 14, 2017 by Kyle22

[+kheller2]

error, please disregard.

 

But the notification email I get says otherwise.

[+kheller2]

The images of both my 800XE and 800XL.

http://imgur.com/a/yxVHW

 

 

Looks like a stock PAL/NTSC 800XL and a 4 CHIP 130XE.

Follow the video you posted on upgrading the XE.

 

Should look like this when done: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/109128-130xe-64x4-drams/?p=1330920

[relo999]

So mine doesn't have the faulty GTIA chip? Also what are the markings that you would have one? (than I can add that to the list of things for the first post)

[+kheller2]

So mine doesn't have the faulty GTIA chip? Also what are the markings that you would have one? (than I can add that to the list of things for the first post)

 

There are several threads here about this. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/131365-is-there-easy-test-for-bad-gtia-in-late-model-xe-china/?p=1583894

There are a few test programs that can be run as well.

This is the only physically visual information I found: "Defective layouts are those with a production date from 9040 to 9152 (the number placed on the right side of the symbol AMI)."

[relo999]

I think I can safely say my 800XE has a faulty GTIA going by these results http://imgur.com/gallery/bAOr0

after running this script by Rybags:

10 GR. 9:D=1:FOR X=0 TO 79
20 COLOR C:C=C+D:IF C=15 OR C=0 THEN D=-D
30 PLOT X,0:DR. X,191
40 NEXT X
50 G. 50

[+kheller2]

Looks like you have more soldering to do.

 

Sorry man.

[+orpheuswaking]

Be very careful desoldering anything on the xe board. It's easy to delaminate traces

[relo999]

The guide of my compiled info:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

What are the different models that I could best buy?

400 - 8k of 16k machine and can be upgraded by adding extra memory in the slots of the machine. This was marketed as a gaming machine which it's design to an extend shows as it's a light weight 800.

800 - 8k to 48k machine and can be upgraded by adding extra memory in the slots of the machine.

600XL - 16k, easy to upgrade (if socketed) by popping in new ram chips and soldering a couple/few wires, depending on the method.

800XL - 48k, the most common - almost ALL software will work on a 64k XL...some 1990s (and onwards) demos and games require more ram. almost ALL Taiwan 800XLs are soldered - which makes upgrading harder. 50% of Hong Kong 800XLs have socketed ram.

1200XL - the easiest to upgrade, but easier to buy in the USA than europe. most ICs are socketed which makes installing a 256k wizztronics clone, Ultimate 1mb or the newer Antonia 4mb upgrades much easier. almost all 1200XLs will need a clear pic, UAV or similar upgarde to make video reasonable.

65XE - 48k, an XL with ST styling - many do not have the ECI port.

130XE - 64k, again, an XL with ST styling, but with 128k ram.

800XE - 48k, eastern european crossover from XL to XE range - some (about 30%) of these have a buggy GTIA chip, but if you strike lucky you get a nice "XL" with freddie chip and ECI.

Why upgrade RAM?
To either gain access to 130XE library and to more modern demo's, games, etc.

Different RAM standards and why do they matter?
Plain and simple comparability as some RAM upgrades have different memory adresses, which means some software might not run or not run correctly under a different standard.

 

Can and is it worth it to upgrade my RAM by filling out empty RAM spots on the motherboard on my 65xe or 800xe?
Yes, if you have those slots and if you don't want to go all out on the RAM or keep your machine like it was during the machines production life. Watch out for the faulty GTIA's though. You can check for those buy typing in :

10 GR. 9:D=1:FOR X=0 TO 79
20 COLOR C:C=C+D:IF C=15 OR C=0 THEN D=-D
30 PLOT X,0:DR. X,191
40 NEXT X
50 G. 50

And you should end up with something looking like this:
or using my own computers as an example: http://imgur.com/gallery/bAOr0

This is how you can upgrade:

 

Which RAM upgrade kits are still available? (mainly available for 800XL and later models, unless noted otherwise)

Antonia 4MB http://atariage.com/forums/topic/232856-ram320xe576-order-thread/?hl=%20ctirad(I assume there is a newer location that sells them that I'm not aware of)
(please note, the Antonia has 2 different versions one for the XL line and the other for the XE line)

Ultimate 1MB http://lotharek.pl/product.php?pid=67

​wizztronics 256K http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/wizztronics%202_256.htm

Ctirad 576XE http://atariage.com/forums/topic/232856-ram320xe576-order-thread/?hl=%20ctirad
(No soldering required, up to 576k of RAM and please not "up to" as it requires you atari be on 128k of RAM before slotting it in to get that amount, otherwise you won't get 576k)

Incognito Don't know where it is available
(only for the 800)

Rambo XL 256k https://www.bitsofthepast.com/?product=reimaged-rambo-xl-adapter

(Please note I've excluded older upgrades and self build upgrades for simplicity reasons, otherwise this would become a very long list)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is there more accurate information about ordering a Antonia 4MB and is everything correct?

Edited April 14, 2017 by relo999

[dkerfoot]

I think creating a RAM Upgrade sticky is a great idea. I struggled with the same thing. Very hard to figure out all the pros/cons and even to know what is available, if like me you aren't a constant reader here...

To be complete, you could also include official ram upgrades for the 400/800 and also Incognito. Likewise the 600XL is easy to upgrade (if socketed) by popping in new ram chips and soldering a couple/few wires, depending on the method.

Perhaps also the Citrad RAM 320XL?

[+kheller2]

How dare you not mention the Rambo ...

https://www.bitsofthepast.com/?product=reimaged-rambo-xl-adapter

[relo999]

I've added the 400 and 800 and mentioned the incognito, although I don't know where to buy them.

From what I can make out the Citrad RAM 320XL isn't available anymore, although I'm not sure.

Edit:
@kheller2 Didn't know it existed, but I've added it

Edited April 14, 2017 by relo999

[JoSch]

I always was under the impression that the 800XL had 64kb, not 48kb.

[relo999]

It is 64k, the 48k was just me messing up being half awake now and rushing against the edit deadline. Ditto for the 130xe, which obviously has 128k not 64k.

[relo999]

Updated the first post with the guide. If anything is missing, wrong or incomplete post it and I'll edit it.

[+CharlieChaplin]

65XE - 64k RAM

800XE - 64k RAM

800XL - 64k RAM

1200XL - 64k RAM

XEGS - 64k RAM

(XL/XE computers do have 64k RAM, with two exceptions: 600XL has 16k RAM, 130XE has 128k RAM.)

 

512k DIY SRAM-Extension by HiasSoft: http://www.horus.com/~hias/atari/#sram512k

512k SRAM-Extension by mega-hz: http://mega-hz.de/Angebote/512K/512k.html

(price: 39 Euro plus shipping; he also builds-in the extension if required...)

512k SRAM-Extension by tf_hh: write him a pm via AA

 

All three extensions are more or less the same, they offer the same functions, the same RAM (512k XRAM) and the same compatibility: a) no switches: 576k RAM with Compyshop and Rambo banks available at the same time (no sep. Antic acces then), b) with one or two switch(es): 320k RAM Compyshop comp. (with sep. Antic access), c) with one or two switch(es): 320k RAM Rambo compatible, d) with one or two switch(es): 64k RAM, XRAM off;

 

I do own two of these 512k SRAM extensions by mega-hz and since I did not install any switches, I do have 576k RAM always available and the program can simply use the required banks/mode (Compyshop or Rambo) automatically. Most programs simply work without any user-invention, except those programs that do require sep. Antic access and those programs that do require more than 576k RAM (e.g. 1MB XRAM / 1088k RAM). Luckily there are not so many programs, that require sep. Antic access or more than 576k RAM, so I do not really need a 1MB, 4MB or 16MB extension. Games that do require 1MB are often available as ROM/cart., so I bought the cart or flashed the ROM on an Atarimax or my Ultimate Cart and thus they run fine on 64k computers. But thats just my personal/subjective preference...

[JoSch]

tf_hh also made the superb Syscheck II, which plugs in any ECI/PBI port and doubles as a (Rambo?) 512K extension. It should be noted that, the RAM extension can't be used with an 130XE or a 16KB 600XL.

Edited April 15, 2017 by JoSch

[+KlasO]

tf_hh also made the superb Syscheck II, which plugs in any ECI/PBI port and doubles as a (Rambo?) 512K extension. It should be noted that, the RAM extension can't be used with an 130XE or an 16KB 600XL.

 

It CAN be used with the 130XE. Jürgen has posted a correction somewhere and I'm using the SysCheck II on my otherwise unmodded 130XE and I get 512K. Not to mention that you also get an O/S switcher with the SysCheck. I can definitely recommend the SysCheck.

Edited April 15, 2017 by KlasO

[JoSch]

Ok, I stand corrected. That was my last information.

What about 16k 600XL?

Edited April 15, 2017 by JoSch

[relo999]

I've added it.

I've added this as an example as a self build upgrade.
512k DIY SRAM-Extension by HiasSoft

I assume the syscheck II is also only available via PM?

Also where would one go to get a Incognito or a Antonia 4MB?

Edited April 15, 2017 by relo999

[dkerfoot]

From what I can make out the Citrad RAM 320XL isn't available anymore, although I'm not sure.

One of the challenges is that most of these upgrades go through multiple production periods. Someone announces they will build a batch if there is sufficient interest, orders come in, a certain number are made and then they are out of production until another batch is announced, sometimes years later by an entirely different person.

 

This is what makes understanding what is available so difficult for newbies.

[+KlasO]

Ok, I stand corrected. That was my last information.

What about 16k 600XL?

 

As far as I know, the SysCheck requires the 600XL to be upgraded to 64K for the 512K expansion to work.

 

Edit: I ran a quick test on a 600, and the ram expansion doesn't work. The O/S switcher works, but my imagination isn't vivid enough to imagine what a 16K machine can be used for.

Edited April 15, 2017 by KlasO