Are there any still up? How would one connect to it?
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Atari 8Bit BBS?
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STE BOOSTER 32MHz project & pre-odering
PRE-Ordering will be very soon once I work out final price for this. Will post back in a couple of days.
For those who don't know of this project. This is a simple 32MHz booster for the STE. Solder in kit. This gives 32MHz boost on the CPU and 32MHz access to ROM without waitstates. The ROM board is sold separately and is dual TOS for 1.62 & TOS2.06.
The image below is the prototype. The final boards is a lot nicer 
And some benchmarks vs a STFM with and without blitter enabled.
Also in case nobody has seen the STFM V2.2 booster, I made the last batch of those last week. There is about 8 left. I am concentrating on STE boosters currently.
Current progress with all my booster work is on my website. http://www.exxoshost.co.uk/atari/last/16mhz/index.htm
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Interesting custom 800
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Capabilities of SpartaDOS 3.2 G
While doing compability tests with SDX 4.48 I tried some with SD 3.2 G and couldn't verify this feature:
What's new in SpartaDOS version 3.2g ************************************ Version 3.2f could only access drive ID numbers from D1-D8. Now, you can access drive D9. ************************************ A filespec that does not contain a drive number, such as D:TEST, will now default to your currently logged drive on the command line. For example, if you are logged to D4: a filespec of D:TEST will be converted to D4:TEST, instead of D1:TEST as it used to be. This change can be very useful when running programs from different drive numbers, since you can access files with D: and they will automatically be taken from whichever drive the program was was started from. You must now be careful however, to always type D1: when you need to access drive 1 specifically. ************************************
It always accesses "D1:" when trying to use the current drive with "D:".
As this is the original distribution disk wherefrom it is taken I wonder if this feature was never realized or if my disk was not updated before sending it out in Summer 1994.
Anybody having hard facts about it?
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Peripheral names
I was thinking about the A8 peripheral names:
400 series: 410
800 series: 810, 815, 820, 822, 825, 830, 835, 837, 850
It's interesting how the naming makes the 410 seem like it's 400 specific. Also, it's obvious that 10=storage, 20=printer, 30=modem, and 50=misc. expansion. Why was 84x reserved? The joysticks were CX40's so maybe 40 was for alternative input devices. Of course, the paddles were CX30's, so....
EDIT: Perhaps the '40s and '80s were being skipped to avoid confusion with the leading number (that is, so there would be no 440, 480, 840, or 880).
Anyway, 50 became disk storage in the 1000 line, because of the problem created by the 410/810 and 60 and 90 became expansion. The 1060 was a CP/M module and the conveniently named 1064 was a RAM upgrade.
Were any other number decades used for something? Obviously the XE naming scheme blew this all up.
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Test Memory Extensions Utilizing SDX 4.47
During the last Winter I experienced some aging problems with XL machines that had been upgraded with different memory extensions in the 1980s. Some were no longer working in reliable manor. Starting the usual procedures to identify the possible reasons didn't work out well in a timely frame. Changing DRAMs and re-wiring sometimes seemed to solve the issues. But there was no reliable test routine serving my needs. So I dug up my tool box and found an old program written by TKS. It helped a lot and I could solve all hardware issues with those old memory extensions efficiently.
Nevertheless, as the program by TKS was written for a different purpose, it was not that convenient in usage when testing memory extensions. The core routine in machine language serves all needs, is fast and probably cannot be done better. But the BASIC program around it in my view needed to be arranged differently to serve the test purpose. So I changed it to my needs, adapted it to SDX 4.47 and made a small SDX boot disk for my needs. I cannot tell if it can test every memory extension but at least it should be able to test all memory extensions controlled by PIA port B. May be it is of some use, so find it attached.
Attached Files
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![Attached File]()
PFSDX.ATR 90.02KB
10 downloads
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How many mods will fit in a 600XL?
How many mods has someone actually squeezed into a 600XL? I love the small size, but realistically I know there is limited real estate inside. It would be great to have everything: U1MB, VBXE, stereo pokey board, u-switch, TK-II or AKI, Rapidus, and I'd have to do the 64k and a/v mods.
Is it doable or do I need to play it safe with a larger model?
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Jaguar Powering Off
I have a bit of an odd hardware issue. I picked up a Jag a good while ago (probably a couple of years) which was faulty. It plays for anything from a few seconds to a few minutes before black screening on most games. However the odd game will play basically forever (I left it on attract mode for about 30 mins or more with no issues).
When the game black screens if you quickly power down and back on again the console will black screen before it finishes the cart check (as the Jaguar logo is appearing). I never see a red screen, so I dont think its connector related -- although I have resoldered the cart connector as I was socking the boot rom anyway.
Is there anything like this known to be an issue? I'll start having a probe around the voltage lines...
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HSC13 Round 9 Poll
Just about the only player not to have a game played this season is Dope so here is his 5 game selection. If you haven't added your 5 to the list (jdh!) then please do so
Poll closes after the current round (extended until Thursday 26th 10pm UK time)
Dope's Game Selection
1. Bruce Lee
Classic platformer
2. Draconus
Highly rated platformer - you can transform between two characters.
3. Satans Hollow
HSC favourite, intense shooter
4. The Lone Raider
Played fairly recently but still a goodie
5. Mr. M
Never heard of it, never played it so I'm going to vote for it!
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Atari 8-bit Ads Blog
As some of you already know, I started writing a blog about ads related to the Atari 8-bit home computers. Basically I want to create an index of print ads, as well as when and where they were published. It also give me a chance to flip through old magazines, research and write a little about our favorite hobby and to enjoy the art and content of the ads.
If you are interested, you can find it here:
Hope you enjoy it.
Bill
Attached Thumbnails
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Dropin version of LHE's S-Video Mod
I received these beauties back from manufacturing today, and I'm curious if anyone (besides myself) would be interested in a dropin version of Longhorn Engineers mod? I'd actually like to contact Electronic Sentimentalities and ask if I could get a hold of his schematic. Maybe allow him to sell these for a small royalty fee if I could use his design.... Just thinking out loud there.
Anyways, If I sold these, would anyone be interested? Currently these boards are a hybrid between SMD and DIP. I'll likely change the DIP version of the CD4050 to SOIC. Probably leave the diode through-hole since SMD diodes are more expensive than DIP style diodes. All criticism welcome.
Oh also, there are no Values on the board due to manufacturing error. I used DirtyPCB's new site so some errors were expected.
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Jaguar Development Computer $300
So one of the cases Rosewill had was red (stonewolf) but it looks like they discontinued it. This case is called Stonealloy and is orange but you could easily either paint the grill red or place an acrylic piece behind it instead, as that's what I would do. Throw together a decent system for probably right around $300 (cheaper than a Jaguar and Skunkboard) with 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM and the free JagBuntu on there and you'd have a somewhat modern Atari Jaguar Development Computer! 
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Monster 6502 (made from discrete transistors)
Now this is just insane! But also too cool not to share.
And to think us poor Atari folk worry about where we are going to put the latest hardware upgrade. can you imagine if our 6502 (sally) had been built like this!!!
- Michael
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New SuperCharger game Starfleet Simulation
New SuperCharger game:
Mission Scenario: Destroy the industrial complex powering the Gravitic mine.
You are on Trek to Gamma Hydra and picked up a distress signal from a Cargo Freighter trapped in space by a Gravitic mine hidden in a Moon.
You StarShip is being pulled down to a crash landing on the surface.
This game achieves visual effects that seem unreal but the watercolor artwork on the cover is actually a screenshot from a real Atari playing the game - here's a video play through of the game being beaten:
The ROM
I plan to release the ROM next year for anyone who wants to wait to play.
Starfleet Simulation is $30. This release includes a high quality color cardboard manual, cover insert and a full graphic label on the cassette with artwork from the game.
This game is being sent out free to everyone who ordered one of these other SuperCharger games and had to wait on a production delay 
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Easy Chrominance/Luminance fix for PAL 800XL
I'm a little confused about the various fixes for the composite video for the 800XL (I'm UK based with PAL).
Are there simple instructions (minimal soldering?) anywhere for this fix?
I just see black and white on my TV with svideo and the "other" setting which works in colour is very blurry.
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I need help with ( hopefully ) 7800 Prototype Games
OK. I have this 7800 chip reader, and on the pokey it says 7800 tester 87. I used my Atarimax maxflash programmer + 7800 dumping adaptor, and created 5 " 64k super game " .BIN files. Can someone look into them and tell me what they might be? They do not execute on a real 7800, but in the code, there might be some text giving a clue to what they are. I realize the chips might be bad or the reader is the wrong kind. Two of them tried to execute, but were garbled. BOB D., Do you want to take a look? Let me know what you find. Thanks!
78Proto#1.bin 64KB
6 downloads
78Proto#2.bin 64KB
7 downloads
78Proto#3.bin 64KB
14 downloads
78Proto#4.bin 64KB
7 downloads
78Proto#5.bin 64KB
7 downloads
Attached Files
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![Attached File]()
78Proto#2.bin 64KB
8 downloads
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XE Monitors?
Hello, I was just wondering if there were any Atari XE badged monitors? I saw a pic on the internet that looked like a red Atari logo on a monitor... Thanks!
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Japanese Atari 2600 book
Has this been discussed yet? I went to a shop called Beep in Akihabara today and was surprised to find this book.
Attached Thumbnails
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SIO2BT Help
Hi,
I recently received an SIO2BT plug and modified XE ROM from Marcin. I'm trying to get it to work and experiencing difficulties.
I'm using a Mac as my file server. I loaded up RespeQT for the Mac, which is modified to work with Bluetooth and mounted a disk. When I have the Bluetooth on my Mac search for new devices and then turn on the Atari (130XE) with the SIO2BT it sees the SIO2BT but I'm unable to pair no matter what I do.
Is the correct PIN to use to pair with "1234"?
Does distance between the Mac and the Atari make a difference? They're about 10 feet apart.
So, I wondered if I needed to load the software that modifies the Atari OS first in order to get the devices to pair and then maybe everything would work from that point on. However, I can't seem to find a way to do that. I have the virtual .ATR files from Marcin. The only virtual drive hardware I have is SIO2PC/USB (AtariMax) and AtariMax MyIDE II. And of course I have a real 1050 and 810. I thought that maybe by using the 810 or 1050 I could boot the little program that modifies the OS from a real disk and have the SIO2BT as the second drive connected to the SIO pass-through on the real drive.
I can't seem to figure out how to get the .ATR file XBIOS4BT_700.atr onto a real disk so I can boot from my 810, patch the OS and have the SIO2BT work as drive 2. I tried putting the file on an SD card and use it in the MyIDE II to copy to the 810 disk (configured as drive 2) but I can't even figure out how to do that.
Ok, don't laugh if this is stupid question and I'm missing something obvious.
I don't want to put the modified ROM chip in the XE if I can possibly avoid it.
Any help would be appreciated. I'm trying to get this working so I can discuss it intelligently on the upcoming Antic podcast.
thanks!
Randy
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Season 5 - The New HSC - Week 19 = Breakout
Breakout
~ WEEK 18 ~
PADDLE WEEK #1
CLARIFICATION: No use of CHEATS, emulation advantages, bugs, cart frying or other variables that gives you an unfair advantage in this HSC. Please assume you have to follow the game difficulty and mode for the playing week/s. There cannot be any game enhancements or favorite settings to play in the 2600 HSC, unless you are given authorization to do so by your humble yet strict MODERATORS! Jacob/BAZ.
Breakout
Released By: Atari 1978
Programmed by: Brad Stewart
Left Difficulty: B
Right Difficulty: B
Game Mode: Game 1 (Default)
The HSC Record for Breakout: _________ (Breakout has never been played !??)
Set the HSC record for (+1) bonus!
Post your scores right here in this thread, and we will add them to the list. Remember to play the game with the recommended game mode and difficulty settings as shown above so that your scores will be consistent with everyone else.
The deadline for posting scores is Midnight (11:59:59 PM EST) the evening of Sunday, May 29th, 2016
bonus: The Pressure's On - Play Breakout Game 5 / Difficulty A. (+1)
Complete a breakout & post your time for another (+1) bonus.
Plus, the top 3 bonus times earn extra points!
1st place: +3
2nd place: +2
3rd place: +1
For a maximum of 5 extra bonus points available this week.
Breakout High Scores
(Scoring is +1 point for last place and up from there)
(Scoring MAX points or beyond is considered ROLLAGE)
(Pics of scores over 98% MAX points are sufficient to show ROLLAGE)
Bonus Scores
Overall Standings Through Week 18 (Stay Frosty)
Top 24 make the Bracket Challenge at the end of the season!
Prizes will be available this year & bracket winners will get to choose a game for next season 
[TBA]
SEASON 5 CONTINUES! EXTRA INFO:
Overall the NEW High Score Club Season 5 will last THROUGH August 2016.
There will be special weeks -- rounds with multiple games.
Bracket Challenge to follow -- TOP 24 players matched up in single-elimination tournament!
Prizes also awarded to winners of special challenge!
Attached Files
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