Task: Purchase a CX85 Numeric Keyboard Board for the 1090 XL Expansion System Replica Needed: Web browser, Atari XL or XE, CX85 numeric keyboard Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction I recently posted about the newly developed 1090 XL Expansion System replica for connecting devices to an
Read morePurchase an 80-Column Board for the 1090 XL Expansion System Replica (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase an 80-Column Board for the 1090 XL Expansion System Replica Needed: Web browser, Atari XL or XE Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction I recently posted about the newly developed 1090 XL Expansion System replica for connecting devices to an Atari XL or XE computer
Read morePurchase a Replica of the 1090 XL Expansion System for the Atari XL and XE 8-Bit Computers (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a Replica of the 1090 XL Expansion System for the Atari XL and XE 8-Bit Computers Needed: Web browser, Atari XL or XE Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction Atari developed the 1090 XL Expansion System as a way to connect a variety of devices
Read morePurchase a RetroHQ Mega7800 Controller Adapter for Atari 7800 (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a RetroHQ Mega7800 Controller Adapter for Atari 7800 Needed: Web browser, Sega Genesis Controller Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction The Atari 7800 was an awesome game console that, had it been released earlier instead of the 5200, could have dominated the market. One of
Read morePurchase an Atari 2600+ (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 2600+ Needed: Web browser Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction The recent history of the company called Atari is one many of us choose to ignore due to poor decisions about what products to develop and market. However, the recent release of a
Read morePurchase a RetroHQ GameDrive SD Card Device for the Atari 7800 (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a RetroHQ GameDrive SD Card Device for the Atari 7800 Needed: Web browser, Atari 7800 Console Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction I have previously posted about the Atari 7800 game console that should have been the successor to the Atari 2600. RetroHQ has developed
Read moreBuild Your Own AtariLab (1-2 hours)
Task: Build your own AtariLab Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, Jumper wires, Breadboard, Arduino Sensor Kit Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction I have previously posted about the wonderful AtariLab kits (see eBay to purchase one) that made it possible to
Read moreAugment an Atari 8-Bit Computer Program with an LED Array Connected Through the Joystick Port (1-2 hours)
Task: Augment an Atari 8-Bit Computer Program with an LED Array Connected Through the Joystick Port Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, Atari joystick, Jumper wires, Breadboard, Atari XL computer, LED Array Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction The goal of this
Read moreUse an Arduino to Read Digital Output from an Atari 8-Bit Computer Joystick Port (1-2 hours)
Task: Use an Arduino to Read Digital Output from an Atari 8-Bit Computer Joystick Port Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, Atari joystick, Jumper wires, Breadboard, 10k ohm resistor, Atari XL computer Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction In a previous post,
Read moreControl a Servo Motor With a Joystick from Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using an Arduino Connected to the SIO Port (1-2 hours)
Task: Control a Servo Motor with a Joystick from Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using an Arduino Connected to the SIO Port Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, SIO cable, Jumper wires, Breadboard, 10k ohm Resistor, Servo Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction
Read moreConnect Your Atari 8-Bit Computer to an Arduino Microcontroller (1-2 hours)
Task: Connect Your Atari 8-Bit Computer to an Arduino Microcontroller Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, SIO cable, Jumper wires, Breadboard, 10k ohm Resistor Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction I have always been interested in non-standard devices connected to and controlled
Read moreCelebrate Christmas with the ‘A Very Retro Computer Yule Log with Atari 8-Bits’ Video (8 hours)
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, lithium grease, isopropyl alcohol 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
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
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