Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by rubber_jonnie »

alexh wrote: 26 Mar 2025 14:57 Nice. I've been looking for a 130XE for a while at a sensible price. I find it cool that they look like miniature Atari-ST's.

I dunno about you but I tend to mainly choose items for my collection based on nostalgia (having owned or wanted to own) but for some reason I never knew 8-bit Atari computers existed at the time.
Well I may have a 130XE coming as part of this, so I'll let you know.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by rubber_jonnie »

So the case is going to need a soak in the bath, it's very grimy!!!

However, I have checked and it does have a full set of RAM cards installed to the grand total of 48K :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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JezC
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by JezC »

Great result @rubber_jonnie - I consider myself very envious!
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by rubber_jonnie »

JezC wrote: 26 Mar 2025 16:56 Great result @rubber_jonnie - I consider myself very envious!
:)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well, this is a good start :)

IMG20250327093559.jpg

This is UHF to the TV BTW, I need to sort a composite cable for it, then it can go via my Retrotink.
As far as I can tell the only obvious issue is the keyboard which mostly doesn't work, however I'm sure I'll figure it out once I get it apart.

Since it needs a damn good clean, it was getting dismantled anyway :)
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Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Built in a tank factory I reckon:

IMG20250327100743.jpg
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Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PhilC
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by PhilC »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 27 Mar 2025 10:13 Built in a tank factory I reckon:
Oh they are definitely well built. Only thing to survive the apocalypse will be cockroaches and Atari 800s
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: 27 Mar 2025 11:13
rubber_jonnie wrote: 27 Mar 2025 10:13 Built in a tank factory I reckon:
Oh they are definitely well built. Only thing to survive the apocalypse will be cockroaches and Atari 800s
For sure, though the odd 400 might make it too :)

Can't believe it, I took the case apart to wash it, and now I'm missing a lid spring!!!

They were both there too :(
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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HigashiJun
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by HigashiJun »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 27 Mar 2025 11:15 For sure, though the odd 400 might make it too :)

Can't believe it, I took the case apart to wash it, and now I'm missing a lid spring!!!

They were both there too :(
Ouch...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Finding this was lucky - Atari 800

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Keyboard is fixed :)

IMG20250327115124.jpg

It's horrible I have to say, there is a mylar film and a PCB, and the film has carbon tracks and a contact pad where it has about 10 contacts that join the PCB and Mylar together.

I gently peeled off the mylar, carefully cleaned the carbon pads, then cleaned the PCB. On reassembly I put a thin strip of foam where the plastic bar goes and presses on the 10 contacts for extra pressure and it's all going great.

Lunch break now so going on a spring hunt. I can say for sure it wasn't in the bathwater as I was very careful when draining it. Both came off and one was in the bath and very obvious.
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Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...

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