5 replies to this topic

[8bitguy1]

If you could have only one 8bit machine, with any of the more common mod's what would it be?




I ask, to help solve my desk real estate problem.  Right now I usually run 2 8bits, a 130XE upgraded to 320kb with SIO2USB (the Abbuc one) and Spartados X, as well as a stock 800XL with SIO2PC and APE.  But I also have a few others in the closet, plus I have an SIO2SD and one of Lothareks 1MB memory mods (uninstalled, it scares me a little).  So I ask if you had to build one machine for maximum compatibility for games, LW, demos, etc....what would be the machine and the mod's?

[flashjazzcat]

To my way of thinking, the ultimate machine for compatibility would probably be an XE with a switchable Compy mod so ANTIC extended mode could be restored when needed (not an issue for me, but I could understand it being desirable for compatibility). The 1MB memory mods are great, but I'm not aware of any way of restoring ANTIC extended mode with those fitted. INTSDX is also very desirable providing you don't want to use internal MyIDE, 32-in-1 OS, or anything else that requires a custom OS. I'd have VBXE in there also, mainly because I can't get the XE's s-video output up to the standard of the XL (although I might actually have cracked that problem). I'd probably avoid internal IDE devices, etc, for compatibility reasons. Maybe have one of my SIO2SDs in an XM301 case!

I have two very nice main machines of very similar spec: a 1MB (Lotharek) 65XE with INTSDX and VBXE, and a 1MB (Lotharek) 800XL with INTSDX and my UltraVideo 1.0 s-video mod. I use the XE most of the time. For storage I use SIO2SD occasionally, but most of the time I just use my SIO2PC cable with AspeQt.

[8bitguy1]

I'm patiently waiting on another build for those VBXE's but it scares me even more then the 1MB Lotharek mod.  I am also waiting for an XMM301 case (already ordered) so I can put my SIO2SD into it, I've read the doc on your (Flashjazzcat's) site, so hopefully I'm not getting in over my head.  The separate ANTIC access is important to me I think, but I'm not sure about the internal SDX (can it be turned off) or is it better to modify my actual SDX cart with pass through for the latest version of SDX?    I really liked the KMK/JZ interface but mine is buggy and unreliable these days so APE it is for now....

[flashjazzcat]

The KMK/JZ interface will be what I'll go for if I can only lay my hands on one. MyIDE has so far been like a round of the Japanese game show "Endurance". Good luck with the XM301/SIO2SD. You'll have to post a photo of the finished product.

INTSDX can be turned off with a jumper (which you could wire to a switch). You can also reboot with the "COLD /N" command, and this will turn off SDX. INTSDX is by far the most convenient way of using SDX, in my opinion. The 1MB upgrade is pretty complex, but the XL prototype unit I installed was much simpler and neater, and as far as I know there's a similar version in the pipeline for the XE.

[Fox-1 / mnx]

130XE, 320KB, BlackBox, SIO2PC.

That's about all I need.

[mimo]

1200xl, MegaHz 1 meg RAM upgrade, multi OS, S-video mod, PAL ANTIC, SDrive_NUXX (one day I will finish all this:roll:)

600XL, Simple Stereo,Covox, 1 meg RAM, VBXE,Multi OS, SDrive_Nuxx (one day Candle will finish this for me )