exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Someone on the Atari Forum hacked the NETUS.TOS to ignore the USB tests, and I tried the new binary out on the TT with the NetUSB-Lite.

Most of the time the Network Read/Write tests complete correctly but the MAC address is always wrong and consistently the same wrong address.

Now and again there are bursts of incorrect reads from the Read/Write tests. They are not just flipped bits but usually completely different values which couldn't just happen from a few bits flipping, so it must be reading old (or new) data off the bus somehow.

It's interesting that it's reading the wrong MAC address given that the only thing that other programs have been able to read correctly has been the MAC address!

I've no idea how the MiNT ne2knet.xif driver is working and I'll never know as it's closed source for some unknown reason.

Looks like the 800XL arrived at the local delivery hub twice. The first notification was half 5 last night... not it apparently arrived again at 8am this morning... So no delivery today.

stephen_usher wrote: 19 Dec 2025 10:53 Looks like the 800XL arrived at the local delivery hub twice. The first notification was half 5 last night... not it apparently arrived again at 8am this morning... So no delivery today.

Very annoying!

My brother was expecting a package yesterday and when it arrived it was addressed to a few doors down.

Off he went to drop it off and see if the neighbour had his, but was told they didn't have it.

Some hours later the neighbour appeared with his package having opened it!

Luckily what was inside was unopened but feels intrusive nonetheless.

Hope it comes soon 👍

Actually, it's now suddenly out for delivery. Who knows when though.

Knowing what some of these couriers can be like, they'll arrive when you're either taking a shower or are otherwise engaged (usually in the bathroom).

Hope it arrives at a suitable time anyhow.

stephen_usher wrote: 19 Dec 2025 11:54 Actually, it's now suddenly out for delivery. Who knows when though.

I'll believe it when I see it in your hands 😁

It's arrived!


The PSU, cables and book weren't mentioned in the listing.

First thing to test is the PSU, to make sure that it's not gone rogue.

stephen_usher wrote: 19 Dec 2025 13:25 It's arrived!


IMG_4827.jpeg


The PSU, cables and book weren't mentioned in the listing.

First thing to test is the PSU, to make sure that it's not gone rogue.

I don't think that PSU is the dreaded 'ingot' type, however they are potted and pretty much impossible to repair if bad. I have one of these, and though I don't use it any more, I'm fairly confident it will work just fine, it's been very reliable.

Definitely best to check though.

Looks like you have UHF, Composite and SIO cables there so everything you need really.

The A8's are great machines, as good as the C64 IMHO and were a big part of computing for me BITD. 1050 drives are good and there are others around, plus there are still upgrades for the drives around.

I tend to use an SDriveMax these days but I also have Fujinet, Incognito Gold (In my 800) and a Side3 cart. Also cheap and handy are the A8 Pico carts.

Some great games and SW on these.

Yeah, the PSU checked out OK.

The composite cable has a strange colour code, so it was fun working that out.

The machine powers up into diagnostics, does a memory test and the last 7 blocks are red.

So, good, it's faulty! :-) More fun.

stephen_usher wrote: 19 Dec 2025 13:53 Yeah, the PSU checked out OK.

The composite cable has a strange colour code, so it was fun working that out.

The machine powers up into diagnostics, does a memory test and the last 7 blocks are red.

So, good, it's faulty! :-) More fun.

Yeah, going straight into diags isn't a good sign, but at least it's pointing at the RAM. Standard IC's so should be an easy fix. It's worth checking the keyboard and sound whilst diags are up.