Atari 800xl - bargain or steer clear?!

[LordVaderUK]

Hi all,

Brand new to the forum, thinking of getting myself an Atari 8 bit to add to my increasing stable of 8 bit computers.

I’ve found an Atari 800XL on sale for £30. It comes with no cables or power supply, and is sold as not working - when connected up it apparently just gives a blank screen.

Does this sound like something that’s easily fixed, or are there a million things that could be the problem. I guess really I’m asking whether I should take a punt for £30 or run for the hills?!

[LordVaderUK]

Wow, over 100 views but no reply. Anyone?

[Champions_2002]

I would ask this question on AtariAge 8 Bit forums, there are more knowledgable people on there about Atari 800 series of computers than on here.

https://atariage.com/forums/forum/12-at ... computers/

[tzok]

Not enough information to give any answer. It can be something trivial, as well as something beyond economical repair. Of course everything can be repaired/rebuild. Some chips may be hard to find, especially now, when borders are closed (and will likely stay closed for next year). Some of these chips have GAL/CPLD replacements. Freddy and Sally are quite easy to replace with available parts, Antic and GTIA seem to be relatively easy to get, hardest to find are PIA and Pokey (yet Pokey recently got a modern replacement - POKEY MAX).

[Hazzardus]

For £30 I'd say go for it...