Problems with my Atari PC1

Mike,

Here are the Atari PC-1 Multi-mode Video Port settings

EGA Mode:

SW1 OFF
SW2 ON
SW3 OFF
SW4 OFF

CGA Mode:

SW1 ON
SW2 OFF
SW3 OFF
SW4 ON

Mono Mode:

SW1 ON
SW2 OFF
SW3 ON
SW4 ON

Do you have the Atari version of MS-DOS??? You should get a copy if you don't as you'll want the utils like Turbo to put the computer into 8mhz mode (4.77 on power up)

Also you'll want to run MDA.COM to properly setup for your amber monitor for proper 80X25 mode.

I also recommend that you look at getting the 8087 math co-processor which will help the system run better. (If you do install one you'll need to move W3 and jumper pins 1-2. You can also look around for some DRAM chips and upgrade the PC-1 to a full 640K...

Now if you're really handy, the PC1 does have a full ISA 8bit bus, just done in a weird PCB header setup, but its easy to tap the pins, build a simple board with an 8bit ISA slot, then you could put an NE2000 nic in there and use the old DOS netx and ipx and boot up a Netware client and hook up to a Windows computer on your network running Netware IPX/SPX transport and running file/print sharing and you could then map your PC1 to a network drive.... I wouldn't count on getting a TCP client running, though if I recall I think SUN used to have a DOS TCP client and there are a few others, but you'll need to do some VERY serious memory management which is NOT easy on anything below a 386 which was the 1st Intel processor designed for expanded memory usage, so don't hope to run HIMEM and EMS as they wont work since you're maxed at 640k....

Its very cool though to see GEM running and its worth looking around for an EGA monitor on Ebay so you can see in color.

Best of luck with your next box.... PS: Take the case off, remove or tape the label, shoot a thin coat of grey primer and then spray on flat or semi-gloss white (or flat white with a clear coat of semi-gloss) and that'll give you a new looking PC-1.

Curt