9 replies to this topic

[Syntaxerror999]

The time will come when we will run out of the 8607, TIA, and RIOT chips and maybe we should start comming up with a solution. Ive looked and found suitable replaements for the 8607... modern chips in the 8605 family do exsist... the TIA is another thing, but we do have the schematics and SOMEONE out there should be able to come up with something... even if its a daughterboard and not an IC chip... but what about the RIOT chip? I have been unable to find a modern equivalent... does one exsist... and if not could a daughterboard consisting of a compatable RAM bank, I/O circuts, and RAM timer be made?

It may seem like a waste of time to develop, but it may be he only thing that keeps the atari alive for another 30 years.

PS what about SARA chips? Is that a documented design?

[CPUWIZ]

Dude, get your numbers right. LOL

6507 = 2600
6502 = many other 8bit systems, including Apple II

[kane]

The 2600 is very robust I think, personally I have had very few 2600s that are not working for any reason, and thats after more than 30 years for most of them. Of course nobody really knows how long the ICs will last, but if there is no shortage of working consoles after 30 years, I wouldn't be suprised if there were still plenty to go around after 60 years.

On a side note, does anyone sell 6507s or TIA spares online or otherwise? Is there any NOS stashes out there?

Edited by kane, Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:59 AM.

[Amstari]

kane, on Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:58 AM, said:

The 2600 is very robust I think, personally I have had very few 2600s that are not working for any reason, and thats after more than 30 years for most of them. Of course nobody really knows how long the ICs will last, but if there is no shortage of working consoles after 30 years, I wouldn't be suprised if there were still plenty to go around after 60 years.

On a side note, does anyone sell 6507s or TIA spares online or otherwise? Is there any NOS stashes out there?

You can get spare parts here: http://www.best-elec....com/index.html

[kane]

Amstari, on Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:29 AM, said:

You can get spare parts here: http://www.best-elec....com/index.html

Great, thanks!

[Syntaxerror999]

CPUWIZ, on Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:37 PM, said:

Dude, get your numbers right. LOL

6507 = 2600
6502 = many other 8bit systems, including Apple II

D'oh! Had to be somewhere and was typing rather quickly and going by memory. hence the reason I refered to the 6532 as the "RIOT" chip and not its number. Proof reading is your friend.

[Mark T]

I ordered spare parts off of zylon to fix up my switchboard

[Hatta]

They reimplemented the entire 2600 on a chip for the Flashback consoles. I think that's as close as you're going to get. I don't foresee anyone fabbing new TIAs to refurbish old consoles or anything like that.

[jdrose]

Interesting thread.

The 6507 and 6532 could probably be emulated with a programmable GAL or even a PIC microcontroller. Not so sure about the TIA.
The ELF Pixie chip has been emulated in hardware so perhaps the TIA could be too?

I suspect if the original components are kept cool, from static and overvoltage they will last a very long time.

There are 1000s of NOS 6507 chips that were used in the Jr. around. Not as many 6532s but still available.
The TIA will probably prove the most difficult chip to find in the future.

[Ethaniel]

How about a PIC chip or whatever they are called? Wouldn't that be enough?