Fixing an Atari XEGS

dougtitchmarsh · September 05, 2013, 21:05:33 PM

Anyone any tips on fixing an Atari XEGS with a red screen display?
Took a punt on it on Ebay on a whim. It was listed as for spares as no plug on mains power supply, but with a plug on it still doesn't work.
If it doesn't get fixed it will become a case for a Raspberry Pi or Mini ITX board

TL · September 06, 2013, 20:55:13 PM

Found these links:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/195323-atari-xe-gs-issues-red-screen-of-death/

Atari XE (GS) gives RED SCREEN - anyone know how to fix this?
(read the comments)

http://www.raphnet.net/divers/atari130xe/index_en.php

dougtitchmarsh · September 06, 2013, 22:21:38 PM

Thanks Laird, I saw the Atari Age post last night but the other one is very useful for when I get to looking at it.Â :113:

TL · September 06, 2013, 22:23:25 PM

Quote from: "dougtitchmarsh"Thanks Laird, I saw the Atari Age post last night but the other one is very useful for when I get to looking at it.Â

The XEGS is identical internally to a 65XE, which is worth bearing in mind. And there is very little difference to the other Atari 8-bit models.

dougtitchmarsh · October 06, 2013, 13:12:10 PM

I opened it up today to see if there was anything obvious, alas nothing which was visible to the naked eye. I will have to test the power supply for both 12V and 5V outputs as it looks like they are a source of failure. If all else fails I have a very pretty paperweight, or doorstop.

dougtitchmarsh · October 06, 2013, 15:19:42 PM

Just in case anyone wants to see the inside of an Atari XEGS there are pictures on my blog at http://douglastitchmarsh.com/computing-and-retro-gaming/8-bit-woes/

Carlos · October 17, 2013, 12:57:08 PM

Have you tried trimming the UHF yet?

dougtitchmarsh · October 17, 2013, 20:47:43 PM

I have a very clear display Carl, but it's just red which from my research says it's just bad lol

Carlos · October 17, 2013, 21:31:34 PM

Quote from: "dougtitchmarsh"I have a very clear display Carl, but it's just red which from my research says it's just bad lol

That's me out of ideas.

retromod · December 20, 2013, 14:11:32 PM

the red screen indicates two different problems:

1. CPU is faulty

or

2. memory is bad

I've an 130XE sufferering from the same issue and after some messurements it seems the memory is the root cause. So order new RAM within ebay (I've done in england) and solder it into the machine. It is hard as all XE devices contains soldered ic's.Â to detect the corrupt memory bank simple replace all or let them run for a while and check heat on top of each ram module.