Task: Celebrate Christmas with the ‘A Very Retro Computer Yule Log with Atari 8-Bits’ Video Needed: Web Browser Time: 8 hours (or less!) Introduction A modern Christmas internet tradition is to play Yule Log videos on your computer or TV to help set the mood
Read morePrint Atari 8-Bit Computer Text and Graphics to a Modern Printer Using FujiNet (15-30 mins)
Task: Print Atari 8-Bit Computer Text and Graphics to a Modern Printer Using FujiNet Needed: Atari 8-Bit Computer, FujiNet, Web Browser Time: 15-30 mins Introduction Printing text and graphics to an Atari-compatible printer is certainly possible assuming you have a functioning printer with paper and
Read moreTry an Atari 815 Disk Drive using the Altirra 8-Bit Emulator (10-15 mins)
Task: Try an Atari 815 Disk Drive using the Altirra 8-Bit Emulator Needed: Altirra Emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction The Atari 815 dual disk drive was developed for release in 1980 but never made it to market. The 815 featured two single-sided and double-density drives
Read moreExplore the 8-Bit and More YouTube Channel (30-60 mins)
Task: Explore the 8-Bit and More YouTube Channel Needed: Web Browser Time: 30-60 mins Introduction I love watching YouTube videos when I am learning a new Atari 8-bit programming trick or hardware mod. There are so many awesome YouTube channels out there for the Atari.
Read moreDiagnose and Fix an Atari 1050 Disk Drive (30-60 mins)
Task: Diagnose and Fix an Atari 1050 Disk Drive Needed: 1050 Disk Drive Time: 30-60 mins Introduction Everyone hates that dreaded moment when an Atari disk drive won’t boot. Fortunately, there are a number of common issues which are relatively easy to address. I finally
Read morePurchase and Boot an Atari 576NUC+ 8-Bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase and Boot an Atari 576NUC+ 8-Bit Computer Needed: web browser, composite video cable, PS2 keyboard Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction Several industrious folks have been building Atari 8-bit computers in small modern footprints. These feature new circuit boards with original Atari chips. One of
Read morePurchase a New Dust Cover for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer or Video Game Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a New Dust Cover for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer or Video Game Console Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I still have my original faux leather dust cover for my Atari 800. These are nice because they keep dust and debris out,
Read moreExplore FlashJazzCat’s YouTube Channel for Videos about Atari 8-Bit Computer Hardware and Modifications (1-2 hours)
Task: Explore FlashJazzCat’s YouTube Channel for Videos about Atari 8-Bit Computer Hardware and Modifications Needed: Web Browser Time: 1-2 hours (or more!) Introduction One of the most prolific Atari 8-bit computer YouTubers is Jonathan Halliday (aka FlashJazzCat or FJC) who has produced dozens of videos
Read moreFlash the Firmware of Your RetroTINK (10-15 mins)
Task: Flash the Firmware of Your RetroTINK Needed: Web Browser, RetroTINK Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I am a big fan of the RetroTINK device for converting composite or S-Video from your Atari 8-bit computer to HDMI for display on an LED monitor or TV. This
Read morePurchase a New SIO Cable for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a New SIO Cable for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser Time: 5-10 mins Introduction The Atari Serial Input/Output (SIO) technology was used to connect peripherals such as floppy drives and printers. This was quite different than the Apple II which required
Read morePurchase an Atari 65XE or 130XE 8-Bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 65XE or 130XE 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser Time: 15-30 Introduction The Atari XE line of 8-bit computers was released in 1985 and coincided with the release of the Atari ST line of 16-bit computers with similar look. By 1986 and
Read morePurchase an Atari 2600 VCS Game Console (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 2600 VCS Game Console Needed: Web Browser Time: 15-30 mins Introduction The Atari 2600 Video Computer System (VCS) was my first gaming console. We purchased our 2600 in 1980 or 1981 and then upgraded to an Atari 400 computer a year
Read morePurchase a Trak-Ball Controller for your Atari 8-Bit Computers and the 2600 Video Game Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a Trak-Ball Controller for your Atari 8-Bit Computers and the 2600 Video Game Console Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction One of my favorite games for the 2600 and the 800 was Missile Command. In fact, this was one of the first
Read morePurchase and Install a 64K RAM Upgrade for an Indus GT Floppy Drive (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase and Install a 64K RAM Upgrade for an Indus GT Floppy Drive Needed: Web Browser, Screwdriver Time: 30-60 mins Introduction The Indus GT is the Cadillac of Atari 8-bit computer floppy drives. I have previously posted about some of its features and some
Read moreWatch Curt Vendel’s Exhibit Presentation at VCF-East (30 mins)
Task: Watch Curt Vendel’s Exhibit Presentation at VCF-East Needed: Web Browser Time: 30 mins Introduction I was able to attend the Vintage Computer Festival (VCF) East in Wall, New Jersey in 2019. This was a special VCF because it celebrated the 40th anniversary of Atari
Read moreUpgrade an Atari 400 to 48K of RAM (1-2 hours)
Task: Upgrade an Atari 400 to 48K of RAM Needed: 48K/52K RAM Card for Atari 400, soldering iron Time: 1-2 hours Introduction As I have previously posted, the Atari 400 is a stylish computer but limited by RF video, a membrane keyboard, and only 16K
Read moreUpgrade an Atari 400 to Composite Video with the Super Color CPU Card (1-2 hours)
Task: Upgrade an Atari 400 to Composite Video with the Super Color CPU Card Needed: Super Color CPU Card and cables, soldering iron, Dremel or drill Time: 1-2 hours Introduction The Atari 400 was my first computer. It is an aesthetically pleasing computer but limited
Read morePurchase a 3D Printed Case for your SIO2PC (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a 3D Printed Case for your SIO2PC Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction I have previously posted about the SIO2PC which is a very handy device for connecting your Atari or floppy drive to your PC for writing and reading files. This
Read morePurchase and Assemble a SpartaDOS X Cartridge (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase and Assemble a SpartaDOS X Cartridge Needed: SpartaDOS X cartridge circuit board, battery, and cartridge shell Time: 15-30 mins Introduction I have previously posted about SpartaDOS and its modern successor SpartaDOS X (SDX). This is an incredibly powerful and flexible DOS for interacting
Read morePurchase an Evercade Retro Handheld Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase an Evercade Retro Handheld Console Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Playing Atari games on modern handheld devices has a lot of appeal. I have been particularly excited about the cartridge-based Evercade handheld device which was released in 2020. I got one
Read moreRun the CP/M Operating System on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer using FujiNet and RunCPM (15-30 minutes)
Task: Run the CP/M Operating System on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer using FujiNet and RunCPM Needed: Web browser, FujiNet, DT-80 cartridge Time: 15-30 mins Introduction CP/M was one of the early operating systems available for computers with 8080 and Z-80 processors. It was developed by
Read moreFlash the Firmware of a FujiNet for the Atari 8-Bit Computers (5-10 mins)
Task: Flash the Firmware of a FujiNet for the Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: Web browser, FujiNet, microUSB cable Time: 5-10 mins Introduction I have previously posted about the revolutionary FujiNet SIO peripheral emulator and network device for Atari 8-bit computers. This is still a work
Read moreUpgrade an Atari 600XL to 64K of RAM (1-2 hours)
Task: Upgrade an Atari 600XL to 64K of RAM Needed: 64K RAM board from Lotharek, soldering iron, wire Time: 1-2 hours Introduction Many Atari 8-bit computer fans love the 600XL given its small footprint. It is perfect if you don’t have a lot of desk
Read morePurchase and Install an Ultimate Atari Video (UAV) Board for Better Composite Video from an 800XL (1-3 hours)
Task: Purchase and Install an Ultimate Atari Video (UAV) Board for Better Composite Video from Your 800XL Needed: Web browser, soldering iron, UAV board Time: 1-3 hours Introduction As I have previously reviewed, all of the Atari 8-bit computers have a monitor port that outputs
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