Not sure if this exactly matches your symptoms, but the monitor DIN socket uses an input on one of the pins to detect which type of monitor (if any) is in use. If there is a fault on this input circuit, the computer will only work in the high resolution mode.
A few more: Atari Hardware HxC Floppy Emulator -> http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/ YouTube channels Vretrocomputing -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4S3PerB8tmodN-tpGQthA Added :wink: Hello there. Can my website address be altered please? I've just bought this address you see : ht...
The first ST machines (with external PSU, external FDD) only had a boot loader ROM. These loaded TOS from floppy. All versions since are in ROM and are present at start-up. If, when you power on or reset the system (assuming a standard unexpanded system), TOS will look for a boot sector on any inser...
Thanks Mark. Would this be the correct type of extender cable? https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Retro-Atari-ST-Floppy-Power-Data-Cable-Extender-29cm-for-Gotek-Drive-Mounting/122356848063?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D52962%26meid%3Dae6d98e387a043578497693b2f7d03bc%26pid%3D100675...
Most games will run on a 512K byte or 1M byte system, no need for 4M bytes. However, as the cost of 4M bytes is not that much now, you are better off going with 4M bytes. Even more so if you intend on getting a modern solid state storage device (or even a real HDD). How to actually expand, or fit ex...
The Atari STE does not understand PS/2 or USB. The STE is an evolution of the ST model which was released in 1985, long before PS/2 and USB became common. The PS/2 interface is named after the IBM computer that was released in 1987. USB was designed in 1996. There are some modern adaptors that can t...
Hello Phil / Lardo Welcome to Atari-Forum :-D Yes, the PSU has to come out before you continue the battle with the metal screening shield. Remove the metal cover that is on top of it. It then comes out as a module (the metal bit as well as the PCB all comes out as one unit) so as long as you don't t...
Thanks all for quick and informative replies. I actually have a new Benq monitor that does 15khz to arrive very soon. What i need to clarify is would it work for my specific model (ie no modulator) MCSWITCH (ATARI Monochrome & Color to VGA ADAPTOR. Or ATARI Monochrome to VGA ADAPTOR with Audio ...
Any TV or TV frequency monitor that has analogue RGB inputs (such as SCART supporting RGB) should be able to display the Atari low and medium resolution modes. If you have a VGA monitor that can display TV frequency signals (horizontal frequency of 15625Hz and vertical frequency of 50Hz) then it may...
Electrolytic capacitors have a limited life. The manufacturers rate them at a specified number of hours when run at their rated maximum working temperature (often 85C, longer life types are rated for 105C). How long they actually last is variable, as it depends on a number of factors. The main reaso...
Get a piece of card. Write a story on it that takes up at least a few paragraphs. That's how the CPU sees it in memory. Now cut the card in half so you have left and right pieces of equal size. That's how the data is stored in a two ROM configuration. This is the low byte and high byte data (as the ...
Hi Winfryd You've got some lifted and damaged tracks and pads. I can see some in the photo of the underside of the board: IMG_7028.JPG The damage I can see is indicated by the red coloured arrows. With any luck, you have not destroyed the plated through hole connections. So what I suggest is the fol...
Here I am talking about using the high-res. monochrome mode. With LCD monitors, it appears to depend on how tolerant the design of circuitry is to out of specification VGA signals. This applies also to the more complex CRT monitors. Some years ago when I tried a number of my ST's with the variety of...
It is always a good idea to visually check the board for any problems. Pay particular attention to the more fragile components like the crystals. Sometimes socketed DIL ICs move slightly in their sockets. And in doing so, the electrical contact between the pins and the contacts in the socket becomes...
Do you have a multimeter? Have you tested the +5V supply voltage? If the +5V output from the PSU is a little low, the machine may work correctly, but if it has many expansions and peripherals connected, by the time the +5V gets to some of those expansions and peripherals, it may drop a little to far...
I saw an Acorn BBC micro on the BBC TV programme (broadcast on U.K. television). Then at secondary school there were three computers, two of which were beeb's (both model B's I think, they both had 5.25" 40 track floppy drives, running what I now know is DFS). I took computer studies and used t...
On the subject of batteries and cells. All PCB mounting NiCad types used for memory backup or for RTC chips should be renewed every FIVE years. This is recommended by the battery manufacturers. Non-rechargeable Lithium 3V 'coin' cells (used for memory backup) normally have a life of around ten years...
When you power on an Atari ST, the OS tries to find a boot file on an attached floppy drive. After a while if it can't find a boot file, it will start the GEM Desktop. If the OS can't detect a floppy disk drive, it does not bother looking for a boot file and goes straight to the desktop. Unmodified ...