556 replies to this topic

[candle]

Fiberwire:
heh
Sloopy told me, that you have one spare and could ship it over to me for testing, and then Curt was involved
but sure - if you can lend me one for time of development - it will be very helpfull
Ransom:
You don't need any gear for finnished product, hardware will be fixed then, and no jtag programmer will be required
current build, is just to get prototypes done, as this is too much for me to handle

Mimo: end of this week it will be - i tell ya
now i suppose to design electric meter for server rack - nice change after designing computers ;P
time schelude for this is friday (having pcb ready) and i'm drawing schematics...

i'm not taking any more beta testers after this post - whoever may come up - i have more than enough already, and can't expect anyone buying gear for this unless really want it
rest will have to wait for regular preorder thread, and hopefully it won't take 9 months to get this done

[Ransom]

Good enough. I'll be in for one whenever the preorders start, then.

[JamesD]

If you have enough beta testers then I can wait for preorders. Buying a new JTAG isn't a big deal, I'll eventually need it anyway. Buying an 800 has proved to be my problem.

[Ransom]

Don't B&C and/or Best have 800s in stock any longer?

[candle]

JamesD: no more betatesters after post #301 - your was BEFORE

[Almost Rice]

hope that includes people way low on the post count

[venom4728a]

candle, on Wed Feb 1, 2012 1:13 AM, said:

JamesD: its an PBI interface connector
fiberwire: it works like this: you put your 128k axlon board back in the drawer, and use 1mb axlon compatible memory expansion which is already built in

Ok, i'll PM you with details, and if we move forward, i'll post updates in this thread

The PBI Connector will be great, will we only need a 50pin scsi ribbon cable to be able to connect it to things like the IDE+ 2.0?

or better yet an internal ribbon cable running to a 50pin scsi connector mounted out the back or side of the 800?

Robert.

[fibrewire]

Purchase an Atari 800 here

[candle]

all is doable, you need to open that tinbox though
casting prevents anythign to get in or out, and top lid will have to be modified to get anything pass through it

[JamesD]

fibrewire, on Wed Feb 1, 2012 11:53 PM, said:

Purchase an Atari 800 here

He's sold out.

[Faicuai]

candle, on Thu Feb 2, 2012 4:35 AM, said:

all is doable, you need to open that tinbox though
casting prevents anythign to get in or out, and top lid will have to be modified to get anything pass through it

I would recommend considering the unique benefits of the "JM"-800's "anatomy".

If looked at it from the top-front side, there is a cavern-like empty-volume towards the left-side of the machine, which is naturally well cooled/ventilated, which could perfectly store a TROVE of goodies, nicely tucked-inside, with minimal or no ghetto-looking ribbons sticking out, poor-looking cable-spaguetti's, or at least ensuring that these remain inside.

Now, this could be the BOARD OF THE CENTURY, but the trick is how to pick all the signals you need, with minimal dismantling of the machine (a-la-800XL, but with a quite a different system-board config. and distribution). If you have access to a pristine unit, you will notice that its construction and the amount of material devoted to its assembly are in another league, with respect to the XL-series (and not to even mention the XE-series, though).

As for me, I have no problem paying MORE (e.g. increased design and manufacturing costs) in exchange of minimally intrusive implementation and a wider range of integrated functionality (not because of the install work burden, but because of the historical value of the machine).

And if this board (hypothetically) were to combine stuff like [Ultra1MB + SIDE-like storage + VBXE / 80cols + maybe stereo], either from the get-go, or with discrete add-ons to the expansion board (either on its own slot, or using slots), this would render my 800XL to a child's toy, and put the JM-800 back onto the stratosphere, where it belongs.

F.

[candle]

propagation delays with that approach you're suggesting would kill design stability - propably, and would still not give true xl/xe compatibility (cartridge ports wise)

[JamesD]

I have an 800 on the way and I paid a little less than the usual ebay price. Whether or not it works is another matter.

[JamesD]

Any suggestions for a good USB JTAG adapter?
<edit>
I looked back through the thread. I'd need a Xilinx one.
I might try to use my old PC & JTAG programmer first.

Edited by JamesD, Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:48 AM.

[Stormbringer]

This more than makes up for not being able to use a SIDE in the atari800! Looks like ill have to start setting aside some money for a couple of these

[candle]

JamesD: i've decided to limit beta-tester crew to 10 people, thus please don't buy any gear that you wouldn't need
i'll have something to report by the end of this week

[JamesD]

candle, on Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:17 PM, said:

JamesD: i've decided to limit beta-tester crew to 10 people, thus please don't buy any gear that you wouldn't need
i'll have something to report by the end of this week

Ok by me. I wanted the 800 anyway. The only reason I purchased a 130XE was because an 800 wouldn't run everything I wanted to.

[candle]

hopefully that will change soon
i'm eagor to get my hands on these boards, and have them up and running
i feel getting dump when doing nothing

[candle]

pcb house changed status of my order to "done/shipped out", should be delivered in monday i guess

[Ransom]

Woo hoo!

[Stephen]

Sweet - got an 800 and a Xilinx programmer waiting

[sloopy]

Stephen, on Fri Feb 17, 2012 12:27 PM, said:

Sweet - got an 800 and a Xilinx programmer waiting

rollin like a boss, stylin like a mofo... dat shirt... :'D

sloopy.

[rchennau]

Oh sweet Jesus. This will be awesome. I have two 800's. One has a busted cartridge lid but works fine. The other is just fine.

[venom4728a]

I am still waiting for my programmer to arrive, but should be here early next week, USPS website says its in New York out of Customs so the hard part is already past.

time to clear of some desk space and power up one of the 800's

[candle]

mr. mailman came late today!