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 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 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 moreUse a Multichannel Oscilloscope to Test Multiple Pins of an Integrated Circuit Simultaneously (15-30 mins)
Task: Use a Multichannel Oscilloscope to Test Multiple Pins of an Integrated Circuit Simultaneously Needed: Multichannel Oscilloscope with Multiple Probes Time: 15-30 mins Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction I have previously posted about using
Read moreLabel the 6502 CPU, ANTIC, GTIA, POKEY, and PIA Chips for Easier Troubleshooting Using a Multimeter or Oscilloscope (10-15 mins)
Task: Label the 6502 CPU, ANTIC, GTIA, POKEY, and PIA Chips for Easier Troubleshooting Using a Multimeter or Oscilloscope Needed: Printed Pinouts and Double-Sided Tape Time: 10-15 mins Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction I
Read morePurchase the Sys-Check Device for Diagnostic Testing of the RAM and ROM of Atari XL/XE 8-Bit Computers (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase the Sys-Check Device for Diagnostic Testing of the RAM and ROM of Atari XL/XE 8-Bit Computers Needed: Sys-Check, Atari 8-Bit Computer with PBI Slot Time: 5-10 mins Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction
Read morePurchase an Oscilloscope for Troubleshooting Problematic Atari 8-Bit Computers (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase an Oscilloscope for Troubleshooting Problematic Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: An oscilloscope Time: 30-60 minutes Introduction As I reviewed in my previous post about multimeters, I have been learning how to troubleshoot and repair Atari 8-bit computers. Central to this effort is an oscilloscope
Read morePurchase a Multimeter for Troubleshooting Problematic Atari 8-Bit Computers (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase a Multimeter for Troubleshooting Problematic Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: A multimeter Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction The Atari 8-bit line of computers were well-made and remarkably resilient even after more than 40 years. I have had several dozen 8-bits pass through my hands over
Read moreTips for Troubleshooting a Defective Atari 8-bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Tips for Troubleshooting a Defective Atari 8-bit Computer Needed: web browser Time: 15-30 mins Introduction I have always been impressed with how reliable Atari 8-bit computers are. I have more than a dozen and they all work. What do you do if you get
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