Greetings Atarians,
I've acquired a couple of slightly defective STacy units. I have not received them yet but I know that the keyboards need new mylars and don't work. While I'm waiting for them, I've got a couple of questions.
1. Is there any way to connect a MegaST keyboard to the STacy?
2. Does anyone know of working boosters for the STacy other than the well-documented PAK? I'm interested in the exxos 16Mhz booster in combination with Alan's MonSTer. Should that combo work? I'm not afraid of soldering and am well equipped and skilled in desoldering components.
Project Ideas
LCD
I'm interested in a replacement LCD for the STacy. I know that the Darklord had a go at it but I want to explore all options. I will look into a suitable panel that can sync to 15khz for ST-Low (yeah, I know, good luck with that). Another option is to find a suitable panel and scandoubler.
Another option is to fit internal ET4000 and use it for 1024x768x256 as a portable Atari workstation.
Battery
I will look into a cheap and viable battery solution from existing high capacity laptop batteries to adapt to the STacy.
3D-Printed Parts
Since I have a 3D printer, I will try to replicate all the missing plastic parts and covers.
You will not be able to post if you are still using Microsoft email addresses such as Hotmail etc
See here for more information viewtopic.php?f=20&t=7296
See here for more information viewtopic.php?f=20&t=7296
Project STacy (STaceX, TOS 2.06 & others)
-
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:27 am
Re: Project STacy
please keep us posted on developments and share any knowledge... this looks like an interesting project 

____________________________________________________________________________________
Atari 2600 Jr - Atari Mega ST - Atari Mega STe - Atari TT - Atari Falcon - SH205 - Megafile 20
Atari 2600 Jr - Atari Mega ST - Atari Mega STe - Atari TT - Atari Falcon - SH205 - Megafile 20
Re: Project STacy
Alan won't fix monster to support my boosterAtarian Computing wrote: ↑Wed Aug 30, 2017 6:57 pm 2. Does anyone know of working boosters for the STacy other than the well-documented PAK? I'm interested in the exxos 16Mhz booster in combination with Alan's MonSTer. Should that combo work? I'm not afraid of soldering and am well equipped and skilled in desoldering components.

My V1.5 booster would likely work in the stacy, , its not as fast as the PAK, as mostly its using a 020 or 030. Though you would likely have better compatibility with software as V1.5 uses the original 68000.
I talked to darklord a couple years ago about this, he has been looking for something for a long long time. If anyone is likely to know of any solutions then its him.Atarian Computing wrote: ↑Wed Aug 30, 2017 6:57 pm I'm interested in a replacement LCD for the STacy. I know that the Darklord had a go at it but I want to explore all options.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
-
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:27 am
Re: Project STacy
Oh, I wasn't aware of incompatibility with the MonSTer. It's a real shame then.
Are there any other viable solutions for alt-ram upgrades?
I've contacted Darlord and he just replied to me. I'll wait until I get the machines to start playing with them.
Are there any other viable solutions for alt-ram upgrades?
I've contacted Darlord and he just replied to me. I'll wait until I get the machines to start playing with them.
Re: Project STacy
YesAtarian Computing wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2017 6:59 pm Oh, I wasn't aware of incompatibility with the MonSTer. It's a real shame then.

I was building my own alt-ram board and IDE, though I don't have time to work on it anymore. Even so, I lost motivation a lot, because its annoying having to re-invent the same thing again and again.Atarian Computing wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2017 6:59 pm Are there any other viable solutions for alt-ram upgrades?
My efforts are all going into the STF remake where proper addon cards for alt-ram etc will be done on that machine instead. Once all that work is completed I may adapt some designs to fit original hardware, but I just always find to many bugs in the motherboard all the time, 90% of the time is debugging random faults on the motherboard and its just got to tiresome now. For people who want all the upgrades a new motherboard is the way to go. Design everything properly from the start.
I don't know of anyone else making alt-ram boards, its not hard to do, just I dont have time to work on everything

https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
-
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:27 am
Re: Project STacy
I decided to look into utilizing the unused expansion port on the STacy. It seems to be essentially the same as the Mega Bus connect but it's a DIN41612 72 way 3 row connector that cannot be found anywhere.
This would have the following benefits:
Since there are no connectors available, what would be the best way to proceed? Populate the connector holes with male header strips? Use a ribbon cable with Mega Bus connector at the end? Would the ribbon cable even work? This guy seems to make them work: http://kc-und-atari.idylle-am-waldrand. ... ste_3.html
Whaddaya think guys?
This would have the following benefits:
- Better placement of expansion cards through ribbon cables
- More expansion card options
- No need to remove the STacy's CPU
Since there are no connectors available, what would be the best way to proceed? Populate the connector holes with male header strips? Use a ribbon cable with Mega Bus connector at the end? Would the ribbon cable even work? This guy seems to make them work: http://kc-und-atari.idylle-am-waldrand. ... ste_3.html
Whaddaya think guys?
-
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:27 am
Re: Project STacy
I managed to wire a Mega ST keyboard to the STacy using Bama's guide on Atari-Forum: http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 27#p293227
I edited the picture a bit.
I edited the picture a bit.
-
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:27 am
Mega Bus -> 68K Adapter
So the Mega Bus has INT3, INT5, and NMI but the 68K CPU has IPL0,IPL1, and IPL2. Do these signals get connected at all? If so, how, and is there circuitry required? Thanks.
Re: Mega Bus -> 68K Adapter
These signals are routed to a 74LS148 (U39) which does the 8 to 3 encoding to IPL[0..2].
Rodolphe
Rodolphe
Working ones : MegaSTE (68020) / TT030 / Falcon with AB040 & Eclipse / 1040STF
Need testing : Falcon with CT2
Need testing : Falcon with CT2
-
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:27 am
Re: Mega Bus -> 68K Adapter
Ok, I see. Thanks. I'm a total noob though. Would I need to connect the IPL signals to the INT lines so the 74LS148 can process them?
Or do they get used at all? As in in the case of MonSTEr with Mega ST adapter.