8-bit Atari 800XL restoration + ultra mod project

docentore

Hi all,

some time ago I bought an excellent computer from one of the boardsies.

I decided to restore it and modyfy it a bit.

Things to do:
1. Get rid of yellow discolouration
2. Install s-video output.
3. install memory extension to blowing 1mb
4. Install hard drive (already ordered)
5. Build / buy SD reader and built it in
6. Build stereo module
7. Find SNES controller and mod it to work with Atari (Xbox controller would be overkill, me thinks;))

Things done so far:
1. Played Montezuma, River Raid, Lone Raider and Zybex!
2. Installed SIO2USB interface which allows to my PC work as drive.

Pics to follow!

longshotvalue

i used to own a couple of these, i wonder where thay are now..


One word tough DROPZONE:D

docentore

Few pictures:


USB in 1983 computer? Sounds as ridiculous as installing nuclear reactor in car from this era! "Its a time machine Marty, everything is possible"


FT232 chip connected to SIO connector.


New gadget - cartridge programmable from Atari level, which can also work as EEPROM writer

Dr Bob

docentore wrote: »

Hi all,

some time ago I bought an excellent computer from one of the boardsies.

I decided to restore it and modyfy it a bit.

Things to do:
1. Get rid of yellow discolouration
2. Install s-video output.
3. install memory extension to blowing 1mb
4. Install hard drive (already ordered)
5. Build / buy SD reader and built it in
6. Build stereo module
7. Find SNES controller and mod it to work with Atari (Xbox controller would be overkill, me thinks;))

Things done so far:
1. Played Montezuma, River Raid, Lone Raider and Zybex!
2. Installed SIO2USB interface which allows to my PC work as drive.

Pics to follow!

I love Montezuma's revenge , great game! Zybex is brilliant as well.
Bit of rescue on fractalas or Encounter is always welcome too!
see if you can get hold of the drunk chessboard demo , its amazing considering its running on an 8 bit machine
I've the old SIO2PC cable , and a copy of APE which is a great way to play disk images on it.
I'd say the sio2usb is handier to use though.

docentore

luas_dublin wrote: »

I love Montezuma's revenge , great game! Zybex is brilliant as well.
Bit of rescue on fractalas or Encounter is always welcome too!
see if you can get hold of the drunk chessboard demo , its amazing considering its running on an 8 bit machine
I've the old SIO2PC cable , and a copy of APE which is a great way to play disk images on it.
I'd say the sio2usb is handier to use though.

It is. It is actually SIO2PC but with USB instead RS232. SIO2USB is the interface to use USB flash memory sticks.

I'm actually thinking about finding / buying 65XE or 130XE and have both modded. The later version is easier in terms of memory expansion.
www.atariage.com is great source of ideas, but also a even bigger source of my credit card bills

Stoner

Hey I found that Cartridge game, it's Super Cobra, boxed with instructions, if you want it let me know:)

Pyongyang

That's some great work there. I remember you telling me you were planning this project. Great to see you are getting it going, looking forward to the finished article.

docentore

@Stoner: PM sent

@Pyongyang: I got distracted and pulled from this important project by my college and work commitments I got another Atari, its 65XE. I have two Atari's to mod now!
I'm waiting for two different IDE interfaces to be posted to me. I'm going to order 2x 1mb memory extension as well. Once I have them I will update the log.