Atari 65XE restoration project part 1

This is my first computer restore project and I am looking forward to learning how to retro bright the plastics , fix a membrane and many more things that need looking at on the 65XE computer. In the future I might look at upgrading to 128k and I will be making a SDMax disk emulator system.

[@DJlegionuk]

If you like the retro repairs I have a 2nd channel just for them. kzbin.info

[@GadgetUK164]

Awesome! Looking forward to part 2! And thanks for the mention :) Big fan of your work too!

[@DJlegionuk]

I think it will be power supply first and then look at the keyboard and cleaning the PCB.

[@buffalodebill7986]

I had the 800 XL and a friend of mine had the 65 XE - we exchanged a lot of software (mainly games) and generally, enjoyed those truly great 8-bit machines from Atari. Pretty much every visit meant we fired up one or the other, grabbed joysticks and shut-off the rest of the world for a few hours. Great times of my sweet childhood, indeed. However, if I were to choose today (or preferably, go back in time and have the option), I'd still go with the 800 XL model, and not only for nostalgia reasons.. It was built better (the whole box felt much sturdier), most of the keyboards put in during its production run were definitely superior to the one(-s) [?] in 65 XE (in my 800 XL I had the Mitsumi KB and oh what a difference it was), the cartridge port was conveniently placed on the top and not on the backside (for comfy, easy access) and the machine had a full-sized PBI port (compared to 65 XE's smaller ECI port - electrically identical, but physically incompatible). I think the slight inferiority of 65 XE stemmed out of business decisions of Atari at that time.. It was to be built as cheaply as possible (copying the design of the ST line) and using as many off-the-shelf components as possible. Also, they merged multiple dedicated TTL components into a single Freddie chip - just to cut the production costs down. Of course, the 65 XE was by no means a bad or inferior machine or so, I have to add - it's only these little details that make me personally prefer the 800 XL. All in all, I still think the Atari 8-bit line of computers was at the top of all 8-bit computers of the era, beating even the fabled C64 - and I'm glad it gets the recognition (and fan-care) even today.

[@TotoGuy-Original]

nice to see atari 65xe repairs! instead of all commodore stuff

[@arfink]

Wooooooooo retro computing! :D

[@DJlegionuk]

i am not having much luck with my arcade projects. Both of my MTC monitors are working with new stuff like multi game, pi 2 jamma ect, but as soon as I go to older PCB the display looks bad, so I have not filmed anything recently. Then I watched the new Ben Heck video with the Atari and saw a uk auction for this and put in a low offer.

[@sh0rttimer]

This was my first computer. Still have it and the box (by some miracle), however, it isn't working.

[@DJlegionuk]

any idea why is does not work ?

[@sh0rttimer]

@@DJlegionuk About a year ago I bought a Scart cable for it and tried hooking it up to my PVM for the first time in close to thirty years. It didn't work and I am not sure why. I need to give it another go, maybe your videos will be my inspiration.

[@DJlegionuk]

@@sh0rttimer Jan Beta has a few more Atari XL videos that could help.