MGI's 65XE

[mgi]

Thanks! I have now a simple 512kb external pack which goes into the cartridge slot:

1.jpg.f48e26c3b63aa825b7085e93d42096ad.jpg

Is there any difference between the internal memory i.e. 64/128kb and the external one? I know that Lotharek is also working on external version of the Ultimate 1MB: https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=315

[rubber_jonnie]

Thanks! I have now a simple 512kb external pack which goes into the cartridge slot:

1.jpg.f48e26c3b63aa825b7085e93d42096ad.jpg

Is there any difference between the internal memory i.e. 64/128kb and the external one? I know that Lotharek is also working on external version of the Ultimate 1MB:
https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=315

I've run with U1MB for a long time now, though the SYS-CHECK 2.2 card I have can run as 512KB of external RAM, I just haven't used it. I suppose I should try on my stock 600 & 800XLs.

The external U1MB looks a long way off, but it could be a great product.

[mgi]

How often do you need the 1MB? I know there are demoscene products which do require 1MB, I am aware of one game maybe?
Most of the demos I have seen could do with just 512KB but as I said, I only started my journey and most of my time was invested in trying to understand why the screen looks so bad :)

[rubber_jonnie]

How often do you need the 1MB? I know there are demoscene products which do require 1MB, I am aware of one game maybe?
Most of the demos I have seen could do with just 512KB but as I said, I only started my journey and most of my time was invested in trying to understand why the screen looks so bad :)

Not often, but I leave it turned on usually and that covers anything I might want to run.

[rubber_jonnie]

And we're fixed:

PXL_20230615_163757824.jpg

More pics later.

One small issue, @PhilC's repaired pin broke off as I pushed it into the socket 😕 so I had to make a repair, but I'm not 100% happy with it as it seems rather fragile so I'll make it better.

At least we know the GTIA is bug free.

[mgi]

That’s amazing! Big big thanks!

[rubber_jonnie]

That’s amazing! Big big thanks!

No worries, I just need to figure out a permanent fix for the broken pin, as it has snapped off flush with the chip body. I'll come up with something.

[PhilC]

That’s amazing! Big big thanks!

No worries, I just need to figure out a permanent fix for the broken pin, as it has snapped off flush with the chip body. I'll come up with something.

Oh boo! That’s annoying, hopefully you can get a good blob of solder on it

[rubber_jonnie]

No worries, I just need to figure out a permanent fix for the broken pin, as it has snapped off flush with the chip body. I'll come up with something.

Oh boo! That’s annoying, hopefully you can get a good blob of solder on it

Pretty sure I have a plan, so nothing to worry about.

[rubber_jonnie]

Ok, so this is the plan.

I have taken the GTIA from my own 600XL and have fitted it to your machine, and that is what I will return to you. I'm currently doing some burn in testing before I clean the rework area and reassemble it.

I just don't have confidence that the soldered pin will survive a trip through the post back to you, hence why I'll give you the complete IC.

I'll repair the GTIA from @PhilC and that will go in my 600XL, which is far less likely to get bounced around any time soon. Both ICs pass the bug test, so it doesn't matter to me really, as long as it works at the end of the day.

Here's some more pics as promised:

The broken off pin after plugging in :(

PXL_20230615_163147228.jpg

The GTIA cleanly removed:

PXL_20230615_162400161.jpg

And the good/bad ICs:

PXL_20230615_162911208.jpg

Note the date codes - the good one (On the left) is week 48 of 1984, the bad one (On the right) is week 19 of 1991.