|SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE| | Issue #149 | | March 21, 1989 | |Copyright 1989, SPC| |This week in ZMagazine| 512K 800XL Upgrade Dan Schmidt Hard-To-Find Support Updated Super Archiver Paul Gittins Crazy-Eights Robert Buman AtariTech BBS XL Power Supply The Traveler Z*Net Newswire Harold Brewer |THE 512K ATARI 800XL/1200XL| |by Dan Schmidt| CIS: 72347,354 GEnie: D.SCHMIDT4 Courtesy of CompuServe Atari8 | An upgrade for the 800XL/1200XL | |computers that already have a 256K| |RAMBO XL or Claus Buchholz upgrade| I've been using a RAMBO 256K XL for the last year. It has served me well without a hitch. Lately, I have been thinking of setting up a BBS. Between that and an unused set of 8-256K DRAMS, I decided to expand to a half meg. I proceeded by downloading all the information I could find. Needless to say, I found nothing that described upgrading my trusty XL. Finally, I decided to make my own upgrade and here is what I came up with: It uses 1 chip only (not including the 8 DRAMS) You can have access to the entire 448K of RAMdisk, even when you are in BASIC. No switches are needed. Diagnostic ROM is available at any time, even though this upgrade uses this line (PB7) to select the added 256K of RAM. The system remains 100% 130XE compatible in CPU mode. Finally, I have included a patch file for fellow SpartaDOS users, that modifies RD.COM version 3.2 to support this upgrade. Unfortunately, for those without SpartaDOS, you are on your own. I'm sure that any RAMdisk handler that uses a bank select table could be modified without too much trouble. If you don't have a 256K XL yet, either build Claus Buchholz's upgrade or buy a RAMBO XL. They are identical. For those 576XE users that have made it this far, by moving 2 wires in your XE and using this patched RD.COM file, you can also have all 512K of RAMdisk available from BASIC. However, you will have to use your little switch to select 256K mode before attempting a coldstart or your machine will lock up. This switch may be then placed back in 512K mode as soon as the boot load starts and left there until diagnostics is required (i.e. BASIC's BYE command) For more information on RAMdisks and their handlers, call the CHAOS BBS at 517-371-1106 |Parts List| 8-256K Dynamic RAMs--150ns 8-16 pin sockets 1-74S139--Dual 2 to 4 line multiplexer. I have used a 74LS139 with some success also, but I won't recommend it as it is slower, less powerful and may cause the system to lock-up 1-33 ohm, 1/4 watt resistor Hookup wire 2pc 1- heat-shrink tubing Hot-glue gun |Instructions| Open up the computer, disconnect the keyboard and remove the RF shield. The upper metal RF shield will no longer fit with the top bank of RAMS in place. It must either be cut to fit or discarded. Carefully remove the 8 old 256K DRAMs (U9 - U16) from their sockets. Take the 8 new sockets and gently bend pin 15 out on each of them. Solder a socket to the top of each DRAM leaving a small gap for cooling between the DRAM and the socket. Solder each of the socket's legs to the DRAM below, except for pin 15. Take the hookup wire and run it from pin 15 to pin 15 on all the sockets. -Daisy chain- the 8 sockets together leaving about 1 1/2- wire between each. Replace the DRAMs with the new sockets soldered on top of them into their sockets on the PC board. Take the 74S139 and bend out all the pins except for pin 8 and 16. Then clip in half all the pins that you have bent out. Take the hookup wire and connect pins 2, 13, and 8 together. Solder another piece of wire between pins 3 and 12. Take the 33 ohm resistor and clip it, leaving 1/4 inch of lead on either end. Bend one end over sharply then solder that end to pin 6. Put the 74S139 aside for a moment. Take the board and locate U23 (CO14795)--the PIA. If yours is socketed, you can pry it up and bend out pin 17. If it is soldered in, you can either have it unsoldered, or simply cut the trace where it leaves pin 17. Locate R108, a 33 ohm resistor, one of a pair, located immediately below the row of DRAMs on the board. Heat up the innermost end and gently pry it up and out. Straighten the resistor end. I am not sure where this resistor is on the 1200XLs, but it can be located by following the trace leading from pin 15 on the existing DRAMs back to it's origin at the 33 ohm resistor. Now take the 74S139 and solder pins 8 and 16 on the IC to pins 8 and 16 on U28, a conveniently located chip. Take a wire and solder one end to pin 1 on the 74S139. Attach the other end to the pad where you just removed one lead of R108. Run a wire between pin 4 and the lifted lead of R108, slipping a piece of the heat-shrink tubing over the wire before soldering it to the resistor. Run another wire between the 33 ohm resistor soldered to pin 6 and pin 15 on the newly added row of DRAMs. Use the other piece of tubing to insulate this resistor also. Slide the tubing over the resistors, making sure no wire remains exposed and heat gently with a lighter. Run a wire from pin 11 on the 74S139 to the MMU U3 (CO61618), pin 6 (U14 on the 1200XL). Attach another wire between pin 2 of the 74S139 and pin 17 that you lifted on U23, the 40 pin PIA. Now take a look at the 256K circuitry. One of the chips is a 74LS153. On the RAMBO XLs, they are labeled as IC2. Solder a length of hookup wire between pin 14 on IC2 and pin 14 on the 74S139. Take the new 256K DRAMs and insert them into their sockets on top of U9 to U16. If you had to remove the PC board from the case, replace it now. Leave the keyboard detached for the present. Instead, connect up the power and monitor and see if the computer starts up. If it doesn't start up, re-check your wiring job. Also make sure none of the DRAMs have bent legs and that all are inserted properly. Tack the wires down neatly with the hot glue gun. They can easily be lifted later by running a hot soldering gun over them for a second. Replace the keyboard and the modified RF shield. Plug in the SIO line and reboot. Run the file PATCH_RD.BAS from BASIC. Insert a disk containing SpartaDOS's RD.COM on it into D1:. This file will be modified into a file called RDXL.COM. This is the 512K RAM disk handler program. Load this program as you would RD.COM, to give you 448K of globally accessible RAMdisk. Unfortunately RDXL.COM does not recognize unmodified 128K XEs. Also, 320K XEs are treated as 192K XLs. This RAMdisk handler is primarily for 512K systems, fully supporting both the 512K XL and the 576K XE. The rest of this is for XE owners. Those with 576K XEs who wish to use RDXL.COM and retain their entire 1/2 Meg RAMdisk even from BASIC, should remove U23 (CO14795) and bend out pin 17. Unsolder the wire attached to pin 11 and reattach it to pin 17. Straighten out pin 11 and replace the PIA in it's socket again. Then, find U3 (CO61618), the MMU. Remove the wire soldered to pin 13 and re-attach it to pin 6 on the same chip. When you reboot, you will have to switch your system to 256K mode momentarily as the OS accesses the diagnostic ROM during bootup. As soon as the drive kicks in, throw the switch back again to 512K mode. PORT B - Memory control register Bit: 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 D a b E c d B R D=0 enables diagnostic ROM and upper 256K RAM B=0 enables BASIC ROM R=1 enables OS ROM E=0 enables extended RAM abcd is the 4-bit extended RAM bank# The new RAM is now controlled by bit 7, but only when extended RAM is enabled. Otherwise it controls diagnostic ROM. Here are the bank control numbers in hex, as used by RDXL.COM. 60,64,68,6C 20,24,28,2C 40,44,48,4C E0,E4,E8,EC A0,A4,A8,AC C0,C4,C8,CC 80,84,88,8C 00,04,08,0C (This final set of banks is only used by XE systems.) SpartaDOS and RAMBO XL are trademarks of ICD, Inc., 1220 Rock St., Rockford, IL 61101-1437, USA. Atari 130XE, 800XL and 1200XL are trademarks of Atari Corp. (Editor's note: The program Dan writes about (PATCH_RD.BAS) can be found in CompuServe's Atari8 files in an ARCed file which contains both the BASIC program and this doc file.) |HARD-TO-FIND SUPPORT UPDATED| Courtesy of Weatherman's Wisdom--March 1989 Edition Editor:Lawrence Estep [71450,1050], The Atari Exchange of Louisville, KY, and CompuServe's Atari8 These sources of support are arranged alphabetically by product: Accolade software: Accolade 550 S. Winchester Blvd. San Jose,CA 95128 Activision: Activision Entertainment P.O.Box 3048 Menlo Park, CA 94025-3048 Product Hotline (415) 329-7699 Product Ordering 1-800-345-2888 In Canada: (408) 848-4391 To be included on mailing list, write MAIL LIST [ATARI type] on lower left corner of envelope (type=2600 or 8-bit, etc) Advanced Music System II (AMS II): LOTSABYTES 15445 Ventura Blvd. Suite 10H Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 Atari DOS master disk & docs, etc: Atari Customer Relations P.O.Box 61657 Sunnyvale, CA 94088 attn: DOS 2.5 --OR-- attn: DOS XE (cost is about $10 + $3.50 s/h) (408) 745-2367 AtariWriter (original) printer drivers: Gary Furr P.O.Box 1073 Mountain View, CA 94042 ATR-8000 interface: SWP, Inc. 1000 W. Fuller Fort Worth, TX 76115 (817) 924-7759 AwardWare, PrintPower, etc.: High-Tech Expressions 584 Broadway Suite 1105 New York,NY 10012 (212) 941-9703 ChalkBoard PowerPad: ChalkTalk c/o Practical Atlanta, Inc. 3025 Manning Dr. Marietta, GA 30062 Electronic Arts: Electronic Arts Warranty Cards 1820 Gateway Drive San Mateo,CA 94404 Electronic Arts Catalog Offer P.O. Box 7578 San Mateo,CA 94403-7578 Send a SASE & $.65 for P&H (415) 572-2787 Epyx, Inc. programs: Epyx, Inc. 600 Galveston Dr. Redwood City, CA 94063 (415) 366-0606 Indus GT disk drives: Future Systems, Inc. 9811 Owensmouth, Suite 9 Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 407-1647 Lightspeed C Compiler: Clearstar Softechnologies Omega Soft P.O.Box 140 Rt. 2, Box 135-D Harrells, NC 28444 (919) 532-2359 PERCOM disk drives: Computer Service Land, Inc. 14506-B Lee Road Chantilly, VA 22021 (703) 631-4949 Various replacement parts: B&C Computervisions 3283 Kifer Road Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408) 749-1003 Best Electronics 2021 The Alameda Suite 290 San Jose, CA 95126 (408) 243-6950 American Techna-Vision 15338 Inverness St. San Leandro, CA 94579 WEFAX chip (XR2211): JDR Microdevices 110 Knowles Dr. Los Gatos, CA 95030 1-800-538-5000 |SUPER ARCHIVER| |by Paul Gittins, PAC| Courtesy of CompuServe Atari8 When I got my new 1050 disk drive,I knew that I would be wanting to modify it for high speed and perhaps improve its copying capabilities. It doesn't take long to learn that working with a backup copy is just good sense. The only thing I really had to decide on was just what kind of upgrade I wanted to use. After careful thought and comparison, I decided to give the Super Archiver a try. I called the number given for Computer Software Services and talked with Ron. Just making the order was a special experience because Ron was so good to talk with. He wasn't just interested in taking my order and getting me off the phone. We talked for a few minutes about the Super Archiver and what it would do. His information was very helpful and convinced me to give it a try. I placed the order and asked him to ship UPS Blue. There is a $3.00 charge from UPS for this service, but it is worth it. I placed my order on Tuesday and it arrived Friday of that same week. Not bad considering it was sent from Rochester, New York to Portland, Oregon. The installation involved removing one IC and plugging the Super Archiver module in its place. There were also a couple of pins which had to be lifted and wires soldered to them. The whole process required 6 solder connections and took me about an hour. I could have done it faster, but took my time and was careful. The modification worked as soon as I tried it. The first step was to test the drive with the cover off. The installation includes a speed control pot which slows the drive down for some operations. This needed to be adjusted for the correct speed. All I had to do was watch the screen and turn the little control screw. The software with the package includes all the drive diagnostics to allow you to do this easily. The Super Archiver comes with two copies of the software disk. There is no way it can be copied, so the two copies allow you to use one and save one for emergency use. Ron told me this was done in case one failed. You would have one to use while you notified CSS and they sent you another copy. Naturally, I asked why I couldn't copy the disk and was told that the disk had been physically modified by laser. It was explained that the Super Archiver software was compatible with the original Archiver. (Note--the original Archiver was not produced by CSS.) At any rate, they didn't want to encourage piracy of their product. Yes, you can purchase the Super Archiver software only, for $29.95. The software by itself will dramatically enhance your old Archiver and will also work with the Happy Archiver Emulator. Not only does it work with the Happy, but fixes all the bugs. The software's features include double density, ultra-speed read/write, automatic copying, extra memory support, and too many more to mention. One of the things I enjoyed most about using this product was the ease of copying most programs. After booting the program, the first command is simply -C- (for copy). The prompt -insert source disk- (press start) is followed by a neat display as the entire disk is being read. You can see the sector map of each track as it is read and watch the copy protection techniques as well. It is important to note that that copies are not -broken- but are in fact duplicates of the original disk. Since the program supports memory upgrades, it is possible to make most disks in one pass. I use a 320K 130XE or a 256K 800XL and have had only a couple of disks require more that one pass. These were very full disks! So far, I have been able to copy everything I tried except some Electronic Arts disks with a large number of short sectors per track. The ad for the Super Archiver clearly states this. In addition, I have learned more about disks and tracks and sectors and such than I would have guessed. The neat thing is that there is a lot of untapped potential in this product for me. Not only do you have a very good copying device here, but a very useful disk analysis tool. Did I forget to mention the built-in disassembler? Like I said, there is a lot more to this than meets the eye. While it is easy to use for the person with limited knowledge, there is plenty here for the most advanced users as well. I now own three modified 1050 drives and the Super Archiver has become my favorite. I have really enjoyed using the product and am constantly learning more about it. If there is anything I could fault, it is the documentation. It is not the fancy glossy stuff you get with some things and can be hard to understand at times. If you look, it is all there, but you may have to read a bit. I talked with Ron about this and he explained that they spent most of the effort on the product and its quality. If you consider the price at $69.95 and all the features, it is well worth it. As the old saying goes: -A bargain at twice the price-. If you have a 1050 drive, I strongly suggest giving this product serious consideration. |CRAZY-EIGHTS| |by Robert Buman| Courtesy of: Spectrum Atari Group of Erie and GEnie's Atari 8-bit SIG Welcome to the new, LUXERIOUS office of the SAGE library. We mentioned last month how the building we previously occupied was suddenly demolished when a massive wrecking-ball happened to drop in. I didn't invite it. I moved out soon after; too much noise. A benevolent millionaire, who also happens to be an 8-bit Atari fanatic, read of my situation on a local BBS and has given me free use of his fabulous yacht during the winter months. The S.S. Polywog has been converted into the S.S. Crazy Eights. I've set up house in the lower-level. It's a good place: as long as I stay down there I can imagine I am floating out on Misery Bay rather than hanging in this storage facility. My pals on the SAGE board of directors are especially happy, knowing that I can get into very little trouble in a boat that is nowhere near water. We have another of our many reasons why the '8-bits' are better than the '16-bits' for you in this issue, so hang in there. |GENIE'S TOP 100 FILES LIST| Let's talk about some of the more popular 8-bit public domain software out there. GENIE (General Electric Network for Information Exchange) provides a large collection of Atari P.D. software to its subscribers, which contains some of the best stuff going around. Not long ago, while purusing my printout of their 8-bit P.D. library a file called TOP100.TXT caught my attention. It seems that the crew of the Atari Round Table came up with this great idea to post a list of the 100 most downloaded files! I found it interesting and, as club librarian, quite useful. You might too. On the surface, the text file is nothing more than library file descriptions listed in order of most accesses. In fact the format is exactly the same as is used for library directories. Looking a little closer reveals some less obvious facts. If you have already downloaded the file, make a printout of it and follow along with me as I point out some interesting statistics. |EAGER TO ARC| The top-five files on the list are all archiving programs. This is understandable since many files found on GENIE (and other similar services) need to be unARCed before they can be used. The number one most downloaded program is ARCX12.COM with a whopping 2422 downloads to its credit. Thats over twice the number of the number two file, ARC12.ARC with a mere 1130 downloads! >From number six and on, most of the categories are represented with only a couple not included. So what library do you think was MOST represented? Take a wild guess...if you said -Games- you are absolutely right! I actually went through the list and counted libraries. Library number 10, Atari Amusements, had 19 out of 100 files. Second was library number 16, Disk Tools, with 18 files. Oh, and let's not forget picture files! There were a number of them on the list, Koala format and ASCII format and Print Shop format. But what KIND of picture files, you ask? Well, I can answer you by telling you what library came in third place. It was library 19, ADULT Graphics with 15 files! Pretty good artwork I have to admit. In fact, now that I think about it I've downloaded most of those picture files! Some people who upload files are frequent uploaders. Which uploader has the best track record for uploading -winners-? The name that popped up most often was MARTY.A with 10 of the most popular library files. Congratulations, Marty! By the way, can I swap disks with you??? There were 14 people (if my finger math serves me right) who had multiple uploads in the top 100. One file on the list made me laugh. That file? Why, -TOP100.TXT-, of course! Now how did that get on it's OWN LIST? Hmmmmmm. Ok, I think I know: this list must be an ongoing project and I only recently stumbled in on it. Here's a short sampling of files found on the list, and a brief CRAZY-EIGHTS summary of why it's popular: ALFCRUNCH12.ARC: how can you resist a file that sounds like a candy-bar? Besides the description says -must get this-. WARGAMES86.BAS: Everybody wants to be Matthew Broderick! SEVEN NUDES.ARC HOTGIRL.PIC RATEDXXX.PSF: They sort-of speak for themselves! WHEELOF.ARC: Will Vanna turn the letters? Besides, the description says -THE BEST-. FINAL THOUGHTS: A tip-of-the-hat goes out to the hard-working gang of co-sysops who makes the Atari 8-bit roundtable a fun place to hang out and browse: DARLAH, MARTY.A and CRAIG.S.THOM. Watch for future updates to TOP100, if they choose to continue it. It could be interesting to see what recent arrivals make the list. Last month I said I wanted to make CRAZY EIGHTS your favorite newsletter column. I also would like to make it GENIE's most POPULAR DOWNLOAD FILE EVER!! (HINT-HINT). Oh well, I can dream, can't I? |FAN MAIL/HATE MAIL| This month we received E-mail on the SAGE BBS from fellow SAGE member Earl Hill. Earl wants to add to our ever-growing list of reasons why our 8-bit computers are better than the 16-bitters: REASON #9: ST computers only have three graphics modes. The 8-bit computers have over a dozen! You know, Earl, you're right--The 8-bit machines have SO MANY graphics modes I keep losing my place when I'm counting them! Earl is a long time 8-bitter who has crossed the border into ST country. Never forget your roots, Earl. Earl will be receiving a dozen labels each with a COLORFUL SAGE LOGO lovingly printed there-upon. They look much better on 5 1/4- disks, Earl. You can receive these COLORFUL COMplimentary COMmemorative COMputer labels too! Send us your COMments or add your ideas to our -8-bits are better- list. If we quote from your mail, a dozen complimentary labels will be sent to you, provided you give us your address. Now here's ours: CRAZY EIGHTS C/O SAGE PO BOX 10562 ERIE PA 16514 On GENIE you can direct comments to -LAKE31- Thanks for reading. |ATARITECH BBS XL POWER SUPPLY| |by The Traveler| Courtesy of CompuServe Atari8 The power supply for the Atari XL/XE computer is notorious for its ability to -fry- itself at the time that it is SURE to cause the most aggrevation. Not to mention the aggrevation when you open the power supply with the intention of repairing it. The transformer is -potted---a thick, waxy material is poured into the power supply, making it impossible to repair. An inexpensive alternative power supply is easy to make. |What You Need| Soldering Iron and Solder Wire Cutters and Stripper Heat Shrink Tubing DC Supply--Radio Shack # 277-1022 5-Pin DIN Plug--Shack # 274-003 Instead of the 5-pin plug, you can substitute the power supply cable with the 7-pin power plug from the bad power supply--this is preferred. |How to Build It| Cut off the plug of the power supply. Remove approximately 3/4 of an inch of the outer insulation of the wires. You should see four colored wires inside the supply. Remove approximately 3/4 of an inch of the outer insulation of the wires. You should see four colored wires inside the cable. Cover the yellow and white wires each with a short piece of shrink tubing and shrink them over the ends of the wire. These are the -5 Volt and +12 Volt wires--you will not need either of these. Next, strip about 1/8 inch of insulation from the red and blue wires These will be soldered to the plug. Be sure to slip the outside cover of the plug over the wire BEFORE soldering, and short pieces of shrink tubing over the blue and red wires (but don't shrink it yet!). Also a larger piece over all four wires would be recommended. Solder the blue wire to pin 3 on the plug. Solder the red wire to pin 1 on the plug. Be sure that you look carefully at the plug--the pins are NOT numbered consecutively! Pinout (Solder Side): 2 4 5 1 3 After soldering the wires in place, slip the shrink tubing down over the wires. Put the metal shield over the plug and crimp it to the wire. Finally, slip the outer cover into place. That's it! Instead of the 5-pin plug, you may wish to use the cable from the old power supply with the 7-pin plug on the end. This is the best way, for this reason: Atari purposely put a 7-pin plug on the power supply so that it could NOT be plugged into the 5-pin video jack, which would very likely damage the computer. The 5-pin plug will fit into the 7-pin jack, but you loose the fail-safe feature built in. To use the old cable, strip back about 1/4 inch of insulation from each of the wires of the old power supply cable. Use a multitester to check continuity in the wires--the wire with the white stripe should be connected to pins 1, 4, and 6 of the old power plug and the other wire to pins 2, 3, 5, and 7. 7-pin Pinout (pin side): 2 5 4 3 1 7 6 Solder the red wire to the wire with the stripe (pins 1, 4, and 6) and the blue wire to the other wire (pins 2, 3, 5, and 7). Be sure to cover the wires with shrink tubing. |Additional Notes| You may have noticed that this power supply (for the Coleco Adam!) is rated at 0.9 Amps, while the Atari power supply is rated at 1.5 Amps! The power supply works on my 800 XL with my 576K mod, and runs a P:R: to boot! The reason is that the +5 volt line is the only one used--the +12 volt and -5 volt lines are not used. This allows more power to go to the +5 volt line. Also, the 800XL only draws about 1 Amp, including the RAM upgrade and the P:R: I have connected to the system. While I would not specifically recommend using this power supply on a BBS, I have used it on my 800XL and P:R: running continuously for several weeks with no problems! It is more than adequate for normal use, and for around $7.00 for the parts--compared to about $20 for a new Atari power supply--you can't beat the price! If you have any questions about this or any technical questions about Atari 8-bit computers, you can call the AtariTech BBS at (813) 539-8141 or write to: AtariTech BBS P.O. Box 7974 Clearwater, Florida 34618. We have many files on easy-to-build hardware projects, memory upgrades, fixes and mods. |Z*NET NEWSWIRE 8-BIT VERSION| |by Harold Brewer| -Atari is still manufacturing the 850 Interface Module, and it is available through dealers or through Atari Customer Relations at: (408) 745-2367.- -A lot of people think that it is discontinued since the 850 was very difficult to get for a few years, but there are plenty now!- This was found on GEnie written by Dan McNamee--Atari Technical Support Lee Jones of Gromor-Systems is interested in starting an Atari gardeners' user group. Possible areas of endeavor could include production/accumulation/use of software for gardeners/farmers, a group BBS, and a periodically released group diskette. For more information, please write to: Lee Jones c/o Gromor-Systems Route 1, Box 76-B Pleasantville, TN, USA 37147-9801 | Syndicate Publishing Company | | P.O. Box 74, Middlesex, NJ 08846 | | (201) 968-8148 | |Copyright 1989 All Rights Reserved| CompuServe: 71777,2140 GEnie: ZMAGAZINE Source: BDG793 ZMagazine Headquarters BBSes: Centurian BBS--(314)621-5046 (618)451-0165 Chaos BBS--(517)371-1106 Shadow Haven--(916)962-2566 Stairway to Heaven--(216)784-0574 The Pub--(716)826-5733