Atari 800XL motherboard restoration and system overview (Pimp My Eight, episode 6, part 1)

[@tiemanowo]

I just found your channel in search for Atari related content and I really like your videos. Also really like yours "workbench". Wide, plenty of space and shelf in front for stuff.

[@ZathrusGizmo123]

Amazing video! I really enjoy your attention to detail in your soldering work! Very clean work area. Seeing the antistatic mat and you using the wrist strap is awesome to see. Thanks for doing this restoration and video!

[@davidcady6315]

The computer of my childhood ;-) A brilliant machine, in every way.

[@gozgeek]

Love this! To save you time in the future, almost no one replaces the caps on the Atari 8-bits. The computers don't suffer from the same issues as other computers from the time period. And you're lucky, your machine is socketed! A majority of the 800XLs were not.

[@thebyteattic]

Cheers!

[@user-wn4nl7bp9h]

That were two observations that I made myself today as well when I opened up my atari 800XL The caps are still ok and all IC's socketed. joy!

[@poduck2]

It isn't the computer that suffers issues, it is the caps. All electrolytic caps have a finite lifespan. That lifespan can actually be increased by using the device, but not indefinitely. Replacing them now will prevent them from exploding and leaking all over the board, often destroying the motherboard in the process.

[@3vi1J]

Excellent series. I was more a Commodore guy, but you make the Atari stuff really interesting too. Love the Sally replacement - keep making these cool preservation projects!

[@thebyteattic]

Thank you!

[@MichaelDoornbos]

Great video. I've been looking for one of these for a while.

[@thebyteattic]

Cheers!

[@hansford71]

Great video, i recently purchased an 800XL. Your attention to detail is very impressive!

[@thebyteattic]

Thank you!

[@gian78567]

Ciao! Hope all is well.I love your job! That's what I should do with my 800xl ...USB power supply also needed. will start with that and see if it turns on. The video to scart...also needed...thanks

[@thebyteattic]

Good luck!

[@The411]

UPDATE: You're a genius sir! This mod is working (as far as I have tested) 100% on a 1987 Atari 7800. Interestingly, Alien Brigade had graphics glitches with the LS version of the 74 flip flop, So, I tried the HC version and the glitches are gone. The NOR gate is still LS. Maybe Jan Beta should try an HC'74 in there? THANKS!! Edit: it also fits nicely over Maria but the Shield needs trimmed.

[@thebyteattic]

Interesting, thanks for the feedback! I'll add it to the documentation as a suggestion for people who get the flicker.

[@poduck2]

I'm sure you have figured it out by now that the 5 pin DIN port was not s-video. S-video was not a thing in the early '80s. It was meant for the composite monitors of the day. There is audio and video that comes from that, and it was normally broken out to RCA outputs; one for video, the other for audio. The video can be upgraded, but the best signal you will get without an upgrade will be from that monitor port split out to RCA cables.

[@gamedoutgamer]

Great job. The rf shield also provides structural rigidity to the computer and for that reason is desirable to keep in the machine.The PIA chip is not custom afaik. Can still be bought new today for about $2. Agree that the tape near the keyboard connector is unsightly. Not all 800XL's have that tape, only it seems the ones with the keyboard type yours has which is the most common SCCO 'Stackpole' variant. The Alps keyboard types have a very pretty red resistor pack in that area. Cheers.

[@thebyteattic]

Thanks!

[@PG-gs5vb]

Tbh, I have yet to see an Atari 8-bit computer with faulty capacitors and I've seen a lot of them. Perhaps there are a few that need it but generally, recapping is a bit of a needless work here.

[@The411]

Would there be any chance this may replace the Sally in an Atari 7800?

[@thebyteattic]

Is there a chance? Sure thing! Have I tested it on a 7800? Nope, not yet. So no guarantees.

[@The411]

@@thebyteattic Cool, thanks. I've ordered the PCB and the IC's. I'll report back. With a YT video of it. If anyone has a suggestion of a particularly timing sensitive game I can test with. I'm using a Concerto Multi-cart so HB, hacks and demos can all be tested.