Task: Learn About Scanlines Using PEEK in Atari BASIC Needed: Atari BASIC Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction The Atari 8-bit computers generate the video display one horizontal line at a time, starting at the top of the screen and progressing to the bottom approximately 60 times
Read moreBenchmark Your Atari 8-Bit Computers Using BASIC (15-30 mins)
Task: Benchmark Your Atari 8-Bit Computers Using BASIC Needed: Atari BASIC, the benchmark ATR file, one or more 8-bit computers, SIO2PC or FujiNet Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction During the early 1980s, as home computers exploded on the scene, programmers naturally wanted to know which systems
Read morePurchase and Use an ATR8000 for Booting the CP/M Operating System Using Your Atari 8-Bit Computer (1-2 hours)
Task: Purchase and Use an ATR8000 for Booting the CP/M Operating System Needed: ATR8000, Standard Shugart Floppy Drive and CP/M Disks or a Floppy Emulator, 34-Pin Connector Time: 1-2 Hours Introduction There are several options for booting the CP/M operating system on your Atari 8-bit
Read moreExplore Old Photos of Atari 8-Bit Computer Setups (5-10 mins)
Task: Explore Old Photos of Atari 8-Bit Computer Setups Needed: Web Browser Time: 5-10 Minutes Introduction Many of us grew up with Atari and have fond memories of our systems and setups. I still have my original Atari 800 and 810 floppy drive from the
Read moreRepair an Atari 800XL That Does Not Boot Cartridges by Replacing the GTIA Chip (1 hour)
Task: Repair an Atari 800XL That Does Not Boot Cartridges by Replacing the GTIA Chip Needed: Working GTIA Chip, Atari 800XL, Screwdriver, Chip Lifter Time: About 1 Hour or Less Introduction I acquired a non-working Atari 800XL in 2025 that would boot to a black
Read moreGenerate a Random Number Using the RND and PEEK Commands in Atari BASIC (5 mins)
Task: Generate a Random Number Using the RND AND PEEK Commands in Atari BASIC Needed: An Atari 8-Bit Computer or Emulator Running BASIC Time: 5 Minutes or Less Introduction Generating pseudo random numbers on retro computers has always been an interesting topic, especially for machines
Read moreTrigger the Atari 8-Bit Computer Screensaver (5 mins)
Task: Trigger the Atari 8-Bit Computer Screen Saver Needed: An Atari 8-Bit Computer or Emulator Running BASIC Time: 5 Minutes or Less Introduction Screen burn in was a concern with Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors. This was caused by the phosphor in certain areas of
Read moreExplore the Golden Rules of Using an Atari 8-Bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Explore the Golden Rules of Using an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction The Golden Rules of Using and Atari 8-Bit Computer is another website I was not previously aware of. I love the simplicity of the site and the
Read moreExplore Gury’s Atari 8-bit Forever Portal (15-30 mins)
Task: Explore Gury’s Atari 8-bit Forever Portal Needed: Web Browser Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction I ran across Gury’s Atari 8-bit Forever Portal recently and was surprised I had not seen it before. The Gury site is a well-organized, no-nonsense catalog of Atari 400/800/XL/XE software, spanning
Read morePlay Poker with Your Friends Online Using FujiNet on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Play Poker with Your Friends Online Using FujiNet on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Atari 8-Bit Computer, FujiNet, WiFi Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction I have previously posted about purchasing a FujiNet or FujiNet Pro device for booting games and software as well as networking
Read moreExplore the Atari Protos Website to Learn about Unreleased or Rare Software and Games for Atari 8-Bit Computers and Game Consoles (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore the Atari Protos Website to Learn about Unreleased or Rare Software and Games for Atari 8-Bit Computers and Game Consoles Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction One of the really fun things to do with Atari computers and game consoles is to
Read moreExplore the Atari Basics Website and Sign Up for the Atari Insights Newsletter (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore the Atari Basics Website and Sign Up for the Atari Insights Newsletter Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction I learned recently about the Atari Basics website produced by Mr. John Zielke that provides really wonderful content about all things Atari 8-bit computing.
Read moreConnect Your Atari 8-Bit Computer to a Live Bulletin Board System or BBS (30-60 mins)
Task: Connect your Atari 8-Bit Computer to a Live Bulletin Board System or BBS Needed: Atari 8-bit computer or modern device, modem / FujiNet / Telnet / Altirra / web browser, internet connection, and terminal software Time: 30-60 minutes Guest Author: Rob Sherman from the
Read morePurchase Caverns of Mars for the Atari 2600 (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase Caverns of Mars for the Atari 2600 Needed: Caverns of Mars Cartridge, Atari 2600 / 2600+ / 7800 / 7800+ Time: 10-15 mins Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction I am not a
Read moreRead the Book “Adventure” on the Atari 2600 by Jamie Lendino
Task: Read the Book “Adventure” on the Atari 2600 by Jamie Lendino Needed: Web browser for ordering Time: 3-6 hours to read Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction Jamie Lendino is one of my favorite
Read moreBuild a Retro Atari Stream Deck for Launching Games on Your PC (2-4 hours)
Task: Build a Retro Atari Stream Deck for Launching Games on Your PC Needed: Pro Micro microcontroller with Atmega32U4 chip, wires, Kailh mechanical switches, micro-USB cable, soldering iron and solder, 3D printer and filament for case, Arduino IDE software for programming Time: 2-4 hours Disclosure:
Read morePurchase a Retro Base LED for Adding Some Colorful Bling to Your Atari 800XL and 130XE 8-Bit Computers (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a Retro Base LED for Adding Some Colorful Bling to Your Atari 800XL and 130XE 8-Bit Computers Needed: Web Browser for Purchase and LED Light Strip Time: 5-10 minutes Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying
Read moreBuild an A8PicoCart for Booting Software on an Atari 8-Bit Computer from a Raspberry Pi Pico Clone (30-60 mins)
Task: Build an A8PicoCart for Booting Software on an Atari 8-Bit Computer from a Raspberry Pi Pico Clone Needed: A8PicoCart circuit board, Raspberry Pi Pico Clone, 3D-printed case, soldering iron Time: 30-60 minutes Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn
Read morePurchase a 3D Printer for Designing and Printing Parts for Atari 8-Bit Computers and Game Consoles (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase a 3D Printer for Designing and Printing Parts for Atari 8-Bit Computers and Game Consoles Needed: 3D Printer Time: 30-60 minutes Introduction Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. The number of uses for 3D
Read moreDiagnose and Repair a Faulty Non-Maskable Interrupt (NMI) Signal on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (1-2 hrs)
Task: Diagnose and Repair a Faulty Non-Maskable Interrupt (NMI) Signal on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Oscilloscope, Multimeter, Soldering Iron, Desoldering Iron, Hot Air Rework Station Time: 1-2 hours Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction
Read moreDiagnose and Repair the Crystal Clock Oscillator Circuit in an Atari 8-Bit Computer (1-2 hrs)
Task: Diagnose and Repair the Clock Oscillator Circuit in an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: oscilloscope, clock circuit components, soldering iron, desoldering iron, hot air rework station Time: 1-2 hours Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction
Read moreAdd HDMI Video Output to Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using the LumaCode GTIA-dizer and RGBtoHDMI Devices (15-30 mins)
Task: Add HDMI Video Output to Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using the LumaCode GTIA-dizer and RGBtoHDMI Devices Needed: Atari 8-bit computer with GTIA chip in a socket, GTIA-dizer board, RGBtoHDMI board, Raspberry Pi Zero, microSD card Time: 15-30 minutes Disclosure: Note that as an eBay
Read moreWatch My YouTube Video on the Diagnosis, Repair, and Modification of Vintage Computers (45 mins)
Task: Watch My YouTube Video on the Diagnosis, Repair, and Modification of Vintage Computers Needed: Web browser Time: 45 minutes Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction I prepared a presentation on the diagnosis, repair, and
Read moreWatch the Ataventure Demo by DMA for the Atari 2600 (5-10 mins)
Task: Watch the Ataventure Demo by DMA for the Atari 2600 Needed: Ataventure binary, Atari 2600 with SD-card device or Stella emulator Time: 5-10 minutes Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction The Atari 2600 VCS
Read more