>> 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.

>> Something like this;

>> http://tinyurl.com/5fftyf

>     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;

>> http://members.optusnet.com.au/~startreks/stcct.html

>     Is pin #2 composite-video and pin #13 ground?

>     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.