Mr Oni Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 it works fine if you put a cartridge in it. But in basic the keys function wrong and when you try to run a program it says Run error or something like that. Control and clear does not clear the screen for example. I tried to see if it would work with a basic cartridge from my 400 but it does the same thing. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Have you tried Keyboard & RAM tests in the self test? (Hold Option on powerup with no SIO drives attached, or BYE in basic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 28, 2018 Author Share Posted April 28, 2018 Thanks i have very little experience with Atari computers ill check that now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 28, 2018 Author Share Posted April 28, 2018 Ok so it did the test and one of the ram chips i take it is bad as it is white? and also the keyboard test the shift and control keys dont work. Do you think the ram chip could affect the keyboard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR> Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 (edited) Ok so it did the test and one of the ram chips i take it is bad as it is white? and also the keyboard test the shift and control keys dont work. Do you think the ram chip could affect the keyboard? Shift and control only light up in the test if you press them along with another key, so they're probably fine. Bad RAM is a common problem. Time to open her up. If you're lucky some or all the chips will be socketed. If they are, try reseating all the socketed chips. Edited April 28, 2018 by JR> 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyper68 Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 (edited) Ok so it did the test and one of the ram chips i take it is bad as it is white? and also the keyboard test the shift and control keys dont work. Do you think the ram chip could affect the keyboard? As far as i know the RAM test would show RED for bad RAM the White one is the one the Atari is checking at any given time and also Control and Shift only show as working when pressed in combination with another key i.e. Control + A, Shift + A Also Control + 1 and Break do not work in the Self-Test program so don't worry about those. Edited April 28, 2018 by Vyper68 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR> Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 (edited) I wasn't paying attention....Vyper68 is correct, the white block is the one being tested (it loops) red would be bad ROM or RAM. Re-seating chips would still be a good next step if they are socketted. Did you boot the computer with the OPTION key held down? The RAM under the BASIC ROM doesn't get tested if you don't. Edited April 28, 2018 by JR> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 29, 2018 Author Share Posted April 29, 2018 I wasn't paying attention....Vyper68 is correct, the white block is the one being tested (it loops) red would be bad ROM or RAM. Re-seating chips would still be a good next step if they are socketted. Did you boot the computer with the OPTION key held down? The RAM under the BASIC ROM doesn't get tested if you don't. Yes i did ok so no bad ram. Im not a tech so i'll have to wait to have it opened up is there a serial number maybe that would let me know if the board chips are socketed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 29, 2018 Author Share Posted April 29, 2018 forgot i swapped it this morning with a working 800xl so redoing tests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 29, 2018 Author Share Posted April 29, 2018 forgot i swapped it this morning with a working 800xl so redoing tests Still nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 29, 2018 Author Share Posted April 29, 2018 figured out the break key is broke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyper68 Posted April 29, 2018 Share Posted April 29, 2018 figured out the break key is broke If you tried the Break Key in the Self-Test it does not register and that is normal, that does not mean it is not working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 29, 2018 Author Share Posted April 29, 2018 If you tried the Break Key in the Self-Test it does not register and that is normal, that does not mean it is not working. it wont stop a program Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyper68 Posted April 29, 2018 Share Posted April 29, 2018 Do you have a spare POKEY chip you can swap in if your keyboard is not being read properly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1050 Posted April 29, 2018 Share Posted April 29, 2018 it wont stop a programAnd that depends on the program where it can be shut off by design. BASIC has the break key working and will error out when pressed while running something simple like 10 PRINT "hello world" 20 GOTO 10 RUN that and then press the break key. If it doesn't stop that program then your break key really doesn't work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted April 30, 2018 Author Share Posted April 30, 2018 And that depends on the program where it can be shut off by design. BASIC has the break key working and will error out when pressed while running something simple like 10 PRINT "hello world" 20 GOTO 10 RUN that and then press the break key. If it doesn't stop that program then your break key really doesn't work. Thats the program i tested it with lol the only one i know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1050 Posted April 30, 2018 Share Posted April 30, 2018 Ah, a programmer! Positively no good then, resume with Vyper68 in post #14 and change out U24 and U25 for new 4051 chips as a last ditch effort before moving on to keyboard jack connection problems or mylar issues. It could be any of those, possibly more, but we are getting there and trying the most often to fail points to hopefully get to the real issue asap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted May 10, 2018 Author Share Posted May 10, 2018 (edited) Ah, a programmer! Positively no good then, resume with Vyper68 in post #14 and change out U24 and U25 for new 4051 chips as a last ditch effort before moving on to keyboard jack connection problems or mylar issues. It could be any of those, possibly more, but we are getting there and trying the most often to fail points to hopefully get to the real issue asap. i am not a tech so this isnt easy i shall purchase those chips first and then a new keyboard. i tried opening up the computer but it has a giant metal piece covering everything which im taking is the Rf shield. the cable on the keyboard says Rev C Edited May 10, 2018 by Mr Oni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1050 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Giant metal thing not much of a problem, it's two pieces held together by tabs around the outside of it. Use a needle nose pliers to straighten the tabs and then lift top piece clear of bottom piece. I seem to remember a couple of philips screws too. Any problems just let us know in your time frame, we are here to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyper68 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 i am not a tech so this isnt easy i shall purchase those chips first and then a new keyboard. i tried opening up the computer but it has a giant metal piece covering everything which im taking is the Rf shield. the cable on the keyboard says Rev C I live in the UK and have PAL 800XL's so most of the chips on my Atari's are not in sockets which means a lot of desoldering - do you know if you motherboard is completely socketed now you know how to pop the RF shield off and have a neb inside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 (edited) if you mean "how do i know if an XL for sale is socketed?" you don't. but you can have a reasonable guess. look at label underside, where's your Atari made? Taiwan: mainly soldered, socketed are likely less than 25% Hong Kong: mainly socketed, soldered are likely less than 25% Edited May 11, 2018 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Oni Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 if you mean "how do i know if an XL for sale is socketed?" you don't. but you can have a reasonable guess. look at label underside, where's your Atari made? Taiwan: mainly soldered, socketed are likely less than 25% Hong Kong: mainly socketed, soldered are likely less than 25% Taiwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyper68 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 if you mean "how do i know if an XL for sale is socketed?" you don't. but you can have a reasonable guess. look at label underside, where's your Atari made? Taiwan: mainly soldered, socketed are likely less than 25% Hong Kong: mainly socketed, soldered are likely less than 25% I was just thinking if the OP is not familiar with soldering and replacing the 4051 might be a bit intimidating and should maybe see if someone can repair his PCB. Just a thought... BTW even though we live in England my brother is a Patriots fan and for my sins I’ve always been a Bears fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 (edited) I was just thinking if the OP is not familiar with soldering and replacing the 4051 might be a bit intimidating and should maybe see if someone can repair his PCB. Just a thought... BTW even though we live in England my brother is a Patriots fan and for my sins I’ve always been a Bears fan did that rivalry arise from super bowl XX by any chance? i discovered Boston sports from Cheers on channel4 - early 1983 my son is Philly fan of almost 20 years, so he's quite happy that the Eagles finally won a title. Edited May 11, 2018 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyper68 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 did that rivalry arise from super bowl XX by any chance? i discovered Boston sports from Cheers on channel4 - early 1983 I remember watching NFL on Channel 4 in the early 80's - Those days watching Walter Payton and the "Refrigerator" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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