So I have had my Commodores and MSX machines, but I've always been curious about other retro systems in general and especially the Atari ones. Apart from a very brief ownership of a 1040STfm I've never owned or used anything Atari. So last night after a few beers I finally gave in and bought a 520STe from an auction site.
Having never owned an Atari and not knowing anyone who ever owned one, I have no clue where to start. My main interest will be watching demos on real hardware, maybe playing some games and tinkering with the hardware.
What are the must have demos and games? Must have upgrades? Which items to get from Exxos web store?
Re: Help, I just bought an Atari STE!
Posted: 04 Jun 2021 11:51
by rubber_jonnie
Probably start with a PSU re-cap, then as it's an STE you can check how much RAM is installed and upgrade up to 4MB by changing the SIMMs.
My usual suggestions are to drop in either a Goex or Gotek to replace the floppy drive so you can use SD cards or USB sticks to run .ST disk image files from, and if you want a hard drive, my personal favourite is the Ultrasatan from Lotharek.
Other hard drive solutions are available, such as the Gigafile or the STM2ACSI project that you can build yourself.
Re: Help, I just bought an Atari STE!
Posted: 04 Jun 2021 12:01
by Steve
Also search on YouTube, lots of stuff to see. Joy of sticks is pretty good for Atari content.
Re: Help, I just bought an Atari STE!
Posted: 04 Jun 2021 14:34
by Laupert
rubber_jonnie wrote: 04 Jun 2021 11:51
Probably start with a PSU re-cap, then as it's an STE you can check how much RAM is installed and upgrade up to 4MB by changing the SIMMs.
Will do. I'm assuming it comes with the standard 512.
rubber_jonnie wrote: 04 Jun 2021 11:51
My usual suggestions are to drop in either a Goex or Gotek to replace the floppy drive so you can use SD cards or USB sticks to run .ST disk image files from, and if you want a hard drive, my personal favourite is the Ultrasatan from Lotharek.
Other hard drive solutions are available, such as the Gigafile or the STM2ACSI project that you can build yourself.
Thanks. I will probably start with a Gotek, but definitely look into a hard drive solution. I'd like to keep the internal floppy drive if it's still working. Is an external Gotek an option?
Re: Help, I just bought an Atari STE!
Posted: 04 Jun 2021 14:48
by rubber_jonnie
Laupert wrote: 04 Jun 2021 14:34
Thanks. I will probably start with a Gotek, but definitely look into a hard drive solution. I'd like to keep the internal floppy drive if it's still working. Is an external Gotek an option?
Yes, I have an external Gotek. It is also possible to wire up a switch allowing you to make the external drive appear as internal and vice versa.
Re: Help, I just bought an Atari STE!
Posted: 04 Jun 2021 15:49
by Darklord
Don't forget the Ultasatan as well.
Mass storage, very nice...and you can keep your floppy. :)
MonSTer STE is an excellent solution that adds 10MB of RAM and IDE on your STE. Couple that with 4MB on board and you will have a really cool STE. It also has a space for alternative TOS and you can add TOS 2.06 and EmuTOS (even the 512KB version).
Also NetUSBee will give you a Network port and 2 USB 1.0 ports via the cartridge port.
I think they are must have.
Re: Help, I just bought an Atari STE!
Posted: 05 Jun 2021 08:41
by Laupert
MegaSTEarian wrote: 05 Jun 2021 07:31
MonSTer STE is an excellent solution that adds 10MB of RAM and IDE on your STE. Couple that with 4MB on board and you will have a really cool STE. It also has a space for alternative TOS and you can add TOS 2.06 and EmuTOS (even the 512KB version).
Also NetUSBee will give you a Network port and 2 USB 1.0 ports via the cartridge port.
I think they are must have.
I love this as it seems I won't need any external boxes and power supplies. Thanks :)
Re: Help, I just bought an Atari STE!
Posted: 14 Jun 2021 20:15
by mst
Laupert wrote: 04 Jun 2021 11:27
So I have had my Commodores and MSX machines, but I've always been curious about other retro systems in general and especially the Atari ones. Apart from a very brief ownership of a 1040STfm I've never owned or used anything Atari. So last night after a few beers I finally gave in and bought a 520STe from an auction site.
Having never owned an Atari and not knowing anyone who ever owned one, I have no clue where to start. My main interest will be watching demos on real hardware, maybe playing some games and tinkering with the hardware.
What are the must have demos and games? Must have upgrades? Which items to get from Exxos web store?
You can try one of my very low cost manufactured hard disk units (now it reaches 650 KB/s reading and 385 KB/s writing),