Found and bought an Atari ST (1024 FM) tonight for $3! Figured I should grab it up, years ago I bought a 520 FM and never was able to do much with it, considering its lack of memory and single-sided floppy drive.
This one is in good cosmetic shape, apart from the 'Backspace' key steam broken (nothing some crazy glue won't fix) and coming with a generic PC serial mouse with an AM/AT switch on bottom. Still, I'm now wondering if it's dead or alive...
Plugged into the RF connector to my TV set but all I get is a black screen. If I tap on the keyboard, I get a "beep" feedback sound through the TV's speakers if that means anything. I can hear the floppy drive trying to seek, looking for a disk for about a minute, but when it gives up, GEM does *not* load up. Shouldn't be in ROM? The power LED for the floppy stays lit up orange, it never goes out. Shouldn't I see some image on screen?
I tried an old Windows-based program called WDFCopy v0.09 to create a bootable disk, but after inserting it in the ST, it just gives up after a few brief seconds (not certain it created a proper disk though, it's been years since I last tried tinkering with an Atari ST).
Anyhow, I used the Apple IIGS back in the 80's, and tinkered with the Amiga on and off in the 90's but never had a chance to play with the Atari ST. Any chance of getting this one working, or am I out of luck, again? :)
Mitchell Spector wrote: > Found and bought an Atari ST (1024 FM) tonight for $3! > Figured I should grab it up, years ago I bought a 520 FM > and never was able to do much with it, considering its > lack of memory and single-sided floppy drive.
> This one is in good cosmetic shape, apart from the > 'Backspace' key steam broken (nothing some crazy > glue won't fix) and coming with a generic PC serial > mouse with an AM/AT switch on bottom. Still, I'm now > wondering if it's dead or alive...
Its not serial, its an Amiga/Atari mouse.
> Plugged into the RF connector to my TV set but all I > get is a black screen. If I tap on the keyboard, I get a > "beep" feedback sound through the TV's speakers if > that means anything. I can hear the floppy drive trying > to seek, looking for a disk for about a minute, but when > it gives up, GEM does *not* load up. Shouldn't be in ROM?
It is.
> The power LED for the floppy stays lit up orange, it never > goes out.
This can occur if there is no disk in the drive and the desktop hasn't booted.
Shouldn't I see some image on screen?
Yup, a green desktop.
> I tried an old Windows-based program called WDFCopy > v0.09 to create a bootable disk, but after inserting it in the > ST, it just gives up after a few brief seconds (not certain it > created a proper disk though, it's been years since I last > tried tinkering with an Atari ST).
Just use a blank formatted DD disk. The Atari ST doesn't need a boot disk.
> Anyhow, I used the Apple IIGS back in the 80's, and > tinkered with the Amiga on and off in the 90's but never > had a chance to play with the Atari ST. Any chance of > getting this one working, or am I out of luck, again? :)
I would build/buy a video cable to suit composite output. It is better than mucking around trying to tune the TV to as a monitor.
Mark Bedingfield <atari...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote: >Mitchell Spector wrote: [...] >> glue won't fix) and coming with a generic PC serial >> mouse with an AM/AT switch on bottom. Still, I'm now >> wondering if it's dead or alive...
>Its not serial, its an Amiga/Atari mouse.
Ahh, that's what the AM/AT stands for (AMiga/ATari). At the very least it looked like a modified PC serial mouse, underneath the switch I can see "MS" and "PC" embedded in the plastic. Interesting, I have a similar Amiga mouse with the same switch and never realized it was Atari compatible.
>> Plugged into the RF connector to my TV set but all I >> get is a black screen. If I tap on the keyboard, I get a >> "beep" feedback sound through the TV's speakers if >> that means anything. I can hear the floppy drive trying >> to seek, looking for a disk for about a minute, but when >> it gives up, GEM does *not* load up. Shouldn't be in ROM?
>It is.
And if memory serves right, it should just come up on its own after several seconds if there is no boot device found. There's no special key press to boot GEM from firmware, right?
>Shouldn't I see some image on screen?
>Yup, a green desktop.
Yep, I remember that from my Atari 520 ST-FM!
>> I tried an old Windows-based program called WDFCopy >> v0.09 to create a bootable disk, but after inserting it in the >> ST, it just gives up after a few brief seconds (not certain it >> created a proper disk though, it's been years since I last >> tried tinkering with an Atari ST).
>Just use a blank formatted DD disk. The Atari ST doesn't need a boot disk.
If I don't have one available, will it still boot into GEM? (seems to me my 520 ST-FM did if I left it on long enough)
>> Anyhow, I used the Apple IIGS back in the 80's, and >> tinkered with the Amiga on and off in the 90's but never >> had a chance to play with the Atari ST. Any chance of >> getting this one working, or am I out of luck, again? :)
>I would build/buy a video cable to suit composite output. It is better >than mucking around trying to tune the TV to as a monitor.
Thanks, that should be helpful, but that's assuming the RF modulator is faulty (I've seen that before on other computers, but usually you don't get picture OR sound--in this case I can hear the "beeps" pressing keys which tells me it is tuned in correctly).
>To make a composite cable you just use pins 1, 2 and 13. I will draw a >schematic for you when I get a minute. Bugger it, here you go;
Is pin #2 composite-video and pin #13 ground? I have RGB monitors that work at NTSC/15.75 kHz and could wire a cable, but I'm not likely to find that non-standard DIN-13 connector.
Incidentally, I opened up the Atari ST today to have a look inside. The motherboard is labeled "C070789-001 Revision D/Action D2". Most of the chips are soldered in, but I tried pressing down on the socketed ones. Also unplugged the keyboard and floppy--still just a black screen and the "beep" (or "click") when I reconnect the keyboard and tap keys. Actually it continuously beeps if you have the keyboard disconnected.
Either the RF modulator is faulty or something else is blown. Kind of reminds me of my C64's that won't boot up and just show a black screen (in those cases, I think they have bad RAM). Ah well, if I had a bootable Atari disk I could at least see if it's a video problem or not. I may just give it away or toss it eventually...
Mitchell Spector wrote: > Mark Bedingfield <atari...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote:
>> Mitchell Spector wrote: > [...] >>> glue won't fix) and coming with a generic PC serial >>> mouse with an AM/AT switch on bottom. Still, I'm now >>> wondering if it's dead or alive... >> Its not serial, its an Amiga/Atari mouse.
> Ahh, that's what the AM/AT stands for (AMiga/ATari). > At the very least it looked like a modified PC serial mouse, > underneath the switch I can see "MS" and "PC" embedded > in the plastic. Interesting, I have a similar Amiga mouse with > the same switch and never realized it was Atari compatible.
>>> Plugged into the RF connector to my TV set but all I >>> get is a black screen. If I tap on the keyboard, I get a >>> "beep" feedback sound through the TV's speakers if >>> that means anything. I can hear the floppy drive trying >>> to seek, looking for a disk for about a minute, but when >>> it gives up, GEM does *not* load up. Shouldn't be in ROM? >> It is.
> And if memory serves right, it should just come up on its > own after several seconds if there is no boot device found. > There's no special key press to boot GEM from firmware, right?
>>> I tried an old Windows-based program called WDFCopy >>> v0.09 to create a bootable disk, but after inserting it in the >>> ST, it just gives up after a few brief seconds (not certain it >>> created a proper disk though, it's been years since I last >>> tried tinkering with an Atari ST). >> Just use a blank formatted DD disk. The Atari ST doesn't need a boot disk.
> If I don't have one available, will it still boot into GEM? > (seems to me my 520 ST-FM did if I left it on long enough)
Yes it should, but it can take a while. Initially you should get a white screen.
>>> Anyhow, I used the Apple IIGS back in the 80's, and >>> tinkered with the Amiga on and off in the 90's but never >>> had a chance to play with the Atari ST. Any chance of >>> getting this one working, or am I out of luck, again? :) >> I would build/buy a video cable to suit composite output. It is better >> than mucking around trying to tune the TV to as a monitor.
> Thanks, that should be helpful, but that's assuming the > RF modulator is faulty (I've seen that before on other > computers, but usually you don't get picture OR sound--in > this case I can hear the "beeps" pressing keys which > tells me it is tuned in correctly).
It'd be pretty rare on an Atari.
>> To make a composite cable you just use pins 1, 2 and 13. I will draw a >> schematic for you when I get a minute. Bugger it, here you go;
> I have RGB monitors that work at NTSC/15.75 kHz > and could wire a cable, but I'm not likely to find that > non-standard DIN-13 connector.
Its been a while since I've seen one.
> Incidentally, I opened up the Atari ST today to have > a look inside. The motherboard is labeled "C070789-001 > Revision D/Action D2". Most of the chips are soldered > in, but I tried pressing down on the socketed ones. Also > unplugged the keyboard and floppy--still just a black > screen and the "beep" (or "click") when I reconnect > the keyboard and tap keys. Actually it continuously beeps > if you have the keyboard disconnected.
The constant click is normal. There is a fix iirc using a single resistor. I used to do that when I was fixing ST's, wasn't so annoying;-)
> Either the RF modulator is faulty or something else is > blown.
Possibly the video shifter? Tho I'll ask the obvious and ask if you have tried tuning it?
Kind of reminds me of my C64's that won't boot
> up and just show a black screen (in those cases, I think > they have bad RAM). Ah well, if I had a bootable Atari > disk I could at least see if it's a video problem or not. > I may just give it away or toss it eventually...
All disks are bootable as far as the Atari is concerned. just drop a blank one in. Another problem is that the composite video is derived from the RF modulator, so if it is faulty then composite won't work either.
> Found and bought an Atari ST (1024 FM) tonight for $3! >Figured I should grab it up, years ago I bought a 520 FM >and never was able to do much with it, considering its >lack of memory and single-sided floppy drive.
> This one is in good cosmetic shape, apart from the >'Backspace' key steam broken (nothing some crazy >glue won't fix) and coming with a generic PC serial >mouse with an AM/AT switch on bottom. Still, I'm now >wondering if it's dead or alive...
> Plugged into the RF connector to my TV set but all I >get is a black screen. If I tap on the keyboard, I get a >"beep" feedback sound through the TV's speakers if >that means anything. I can hear the floppy drive trying >to seek, looking for a disk for about a minute, but when >it gives up, GEM does *not* load up. Shouldn't be in ROM? >The power LED for the floppy stays lit up orange, it never >goes out. Shouldn't I see some image on screen?
Hello,
You could have some loose chips and possibly the memory chips. I would take off the cover and just press down on all of the chips and then try it again. I had one do the same thing and this worked for me.
Mark Bedingfield <atari...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote: >Mitchell Spector wrote: >> If I don't have one available, will it still boot into GEM? >> (seems to me my 520 ST-FM did if I left it on long enough)
>Yes it should, but it can take a while. Initially you should get a white >screen.
Never see anything but a black screen. Something isn't right then.
>> Either the RF modulator is faulty or something else is >> blown.
>Possibly the video shifter? Tho I'll ask the obvious and ask if you have >tried tuning it?
Nope! I did notice a small metal cage with a liftable top cover. Is there a potentiometer under here that might help? So I just twist it a bit and see if a picture appears, or is there more to it than that?
>All disks are bootable as far as the Atari is concerned. just drop a >blank one in. Another problem is that the composite video is derived >from the RF modulator, so if it is faulty then composite won't work either.
Well RF video would be passable enough to get started with, at least to test things out. I tried pressing down on the socketed chips like someone here mentioned (only two or three in this case) but that didn't seem to do anything. Could the video shifter be the problem, or is bad RAM more likely?
Mitchell Spector wrote: > Mark Bedingfield <atari...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote:
>> Mitchell Spector wrote: >>> If I don't have one available, will it still boot into GEM? >>> (seems to me my 520 ST-FM did if I left it on long enough) >> Yes it should, but it can take a while. Initially you should get a white >> screen.
> Never see anything but a black screen. Something isn't right then.
>>> Either the RF modulator is faulty or something else is >>> blown. >> Possibly the video shifter? Tho I'll ask the obvious and ask if you have >> tried tuning it?
> Nope! I did notice a small metal cage with a liftable top cover. Is there > a potentiometer under here that might help? So I just twist it a bit and see > if a picture appears, or is there more to it than that?
Easier than that, I mean tuning the TV;-)
>> All disks are bootable as far as the Atari is concerned. just drop a >> blank one in. Another problem is that the composite video is derived >>from the RF modulator, so if it is faulty then composite won't work either.
> Well RF video would be passable enough to get started with, at least > to test things out. I tried pressing down on the socketed chips like > someone here mentioned (only two or three in this case) but that didn't > seem to do anything. Could the video shifter be the problem, or is bad > RAM more likely?
Bad RAM in my experience is not that likely. I've only ever had one Atari with bad ram and that was a 130XE. Shifter would be my first thought if the audio was working. Then again there is plenty between the shifter and the modulator than could be at issue. The vast majority of faults I see with ele\ctrical gear is capacitors. But I'd try tuning the TV and/or an AV lead first. It'd be better to eliminate the obvious.
Mark Bedingfield <atari...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote: >Mitchell Spector wrote: >> Mark Bedingfield <atari...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote:
>>> Mitchell Spector wrote: >> Nope! I did notice a small metal cage with a liftable top cover. Is there >> a potentiometer under here that might help? So I just twist it a bit and see >> if a picture appears, or is there more to it than that?
>Easier than that, I mean tuning the TV;-)
How do I do that? All I can do is set the TV to channel 3 or 4 (and of course the 3/4 switch on the Atari itself).There's an auto-tuner built in to my TV set, no fine tuning dial like on sets you'd have in the 1970's. I'm using a coaxial cable with coax-to-RCA adapter to give the least RF video noise. Also tried an old fashioned RF switcher box from my Atari 2600...no difference.
>Bad RAM in my experience is not that likely. I've only ever had one >Atari with bad ram and that was a 130XE. Shifter would be my first >thought if the audio was working. Then again there is plenty between the >shifter and the modulator than could be at issue. The vast majority of >faults I see with ele\ctrical gear is capacitors. But I'd try tuning the >TV and/or an AV lead first. It'd be better to eliminate the obvious.
Quick question: what is the video shifter and where can I find it? :)
