jhs@MITRE-BEDFORD.ARPA (06/28/86)
I need expert advice from some 800 gurus. I have just acquired a non-functioning Atari 800. I was told that it has a bad memory chip or two and that is probably all that is wrong. It also lacks a power transformer and TV connection box. The case is is pretty good condition, with only one non-obvious scratch I can find. (1) What is an 800 in this condition worth? (What would be a fair "donation" to send the organization that gave it to me? What would an 800 enthusiast be willing to pay for it?) (2) Does anybody know where to get a replacement power transformer and TV switch box? What should I pay for them? (3) Does anyone have advice on the best way to fix the memory? In particular, can I readily use the 65K chips I took out of my 800XL to replace the old style RAM? Or will I run afoul of competition between RAM and ROM trying to respond to bus signals? What's in there now is a 16K module plus a "RAMCRAM" 32K module. (4) Has anyone tried to solve the problem of making an 800 act like a 800XL? I was thinking along the lines of putting in a switch or something to select normal 800 operation or certain features anyway of 800XL operation such as using the second PIA to switch in BASIC and maybe to control memory mapping a la 130XE and Newell board. (5) What memory expansion or other upgrade gadgets are available for the 800? I have been thinking in terms of the 800XL until I acquired this new toy. I imagine there must be a lot of older upgrades I have never heard of. (6) Is anyone out there eager to get another 800, either before or after I fix it? If so, get in touch and let me know what you would be willing to pay for it either way. Phone is (617) 235-8753 at home, (617) 271-1515 at work. Mail address is John H. Sangster, 9 Bellevue Rd., Wellesley Hills MA 02181. -John Sangster jhs@mitre-bedford.arpa
paone@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU (Phil Paone) (06/30/86)
I don't think you want to hear this, but 800s with power supplies were recently selling for about $60.00 in working condition. Sarge