Task: Make Floppy Disks Double-Sided Needed: floppy disks, notcher Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction When floppy disks first came on the scene they were single-sided and had a single notch or hole on the right side that you could cover with tape to write-protect the disk.
Read moreExplore Disk Operating System (DOS) Versions (30-60 mins)
Task: Explore Disk Operating System (DOS) Versions Needed: DOS ATR files Time: 30-60 minutes Introduction I remember vividly the excitement of getting my first Atari 810 disk drive and the magic of the disk operating system (DOS). Since we got our 800 and 810 around
Read moreInstall the Happy Board for the 1050 Disk Drive (45-60 mins)
Task: Install the Happy Board for the 1050 Disk Drive Needed: 1050 Disk Drive & Happy Enhancement Time: 45-60 minutes Introduction The Atari 810 disk drive could read and write single-density disks with about 90k of data. Atari’s followup drive was the 1050 that was
Read moreMake New Floppy Disks (15-30 mins)
Task: Make New Floppy Disks Needed: Atari computer, disk drive, floppy disks, and DOS Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction I am a big fan of cartridges but understand and accept that the floppy disk is important and useful. I still have all of my floppies from
Read moreClean an 810/1050 Disk Drive Head (15-30 min)
Task: clean an Atari 810/1050 disk drive head Needed: Phillips-head screwdriver, Q-tip, alcohol Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction I started out back in the early 80s with an Atari 400 computer and a 410 cassette recorder for storing programs. Working with the 410 was tedious and
Read more