Home of DIY Atari 8-Bit Hardware Upgrades
XEP80-II
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A Brand New Atari XEP80 reproduction with a twist. Now possessing an optional display timing corrected HDMI video output via an inexpensive 3rd party converter module, thus correcting the over scan issues of the original. It also has a built-in automatic video switcher to allow one HDTV monitor to be used for both the stock 40 column and the XEP 80 column video via the HDMI converter. Low power CMOS is used through-out, thereby decreasing power consumption by more than half as compared to the original Atari XEP80, doing away with the need for a separate power adapter by extracting power directly from the same joystick port where it also gets its serial communications for 80 column output. The Atari's audio output is integrated into the HDMI stream, and it can even accommodate a stereo source as well. |
576NUC+
Compact 4.5" x 4.5" (11.43 cm square) Alternative Atari 8-Bit Motherboard
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The smallest ever Atari 8-Bit motherboard based on the original Atari VLSI chip set, incorporating all off-the-shelf components, not reliant on any 3rd party upgrades in order to function out of the box.
To greatly expand its input/output capabilities, a 576NUC+ specific FujiNet daughter board is available, giving it network and SD Drive access. |
1088XEL
Standard Mini-ITX Form Factor 6.69" x 6.69" (17 cm square) Alternative Atari 8-Bit Motherboard
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Sub-Page(s):| XEL-CF Drive | XEL-CF Rapidus | Accessories | Archives
A Brand New Atari 8-Bit motherboard based on the original Atari VLSI chip set, incorporating some of the most popular hardware upgrades that have arrived on the scene over the last few years (i.e., U1MB, UAV, Dual Pokeys for Stereo Sound). Meant to be housed in one of a multitude of the very popular Mini-ITX cases. And also provides for an internal Compact Flash HDD via an MPBI (Mini Parallel Bus Interface) expansion port in conjunction with a XEL-CF Drive upgrade board. Note: System has been designed for standard PS/2 keyboard and mouse as input devices. |
1088XLD
1050 Form Factor Alternative Atari 8-Bit Motherboard
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Sub-Page(s):| RGB2VGA-XLD | ARROW2JOY-XLD
A Brand New Atari 8-Bit motherboard based on the original Atari VLSI chip set, incorporating U1MB, UAV, IDE Interface, and MIDI ports, as well as a built-in MIDI Stereo Synthesizer. Designed to drop into a stock Atari 1050 Floppy Drive case, with minimal modification of the case, thus creating a brand new and powerful XL styled 8-Bit computer featuring all the bells and whistles one could wish for. Note: System has been designed for standard PS/2 keyboard and mouse as input devices. |
TransKey-II
Single -or- Dual PS/2 Keyboard Interface for the 8-Bit Atari
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Sub-Page(s):| Device Compatibility | Installation | Archives | Manual
This is a modern re-do of the 1990's TransKey device. Now offered in two different versions. One for the XEGS (as pictured), and the other intended to piggyback the Pokey chip for internal installation in the 400/800, XL and XE computer systems. It has also been integrated into the 1088XEL and 1088XLD Atari 8-Bit motherboard projects. Note: For the internal Pokey piggyback version (not shown), connection of the PS/2 keyboard(s) is made easy through the use of a satellite connector board having standard Mini-DIN PS/2 connector(s). |
TK-II-STEREO
Dual POKEY Stereo Audio with U-Switch and Dual PS/2 Keyboard Interface for the 8-Bit Atari
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Built on top of the TK-II technology, utilizing the same PS/2 to Atari firmware as it's keyboard only predecessor, thus enabling interface of one or two PS/2 keyboards to the 8-Bit Atari computer. Add to that a 2nd sound generation channel (via 2nd Pokey chip), and stereo/mono electronically controlled switching. Making it a 3-in-1 solution comparable to Candle's no longer available Simple Stereo board which also incorporated the AKI (Atari Keyboard Interface) for PS/2. Note: Connection of the stereo audio and the PS/2 keyboard(s) is made easy through the use of a satellite connector board having a 3.5mm audio headphone style jack, and standard Mini-DIN PS/2 connector(s). |
GTIA Video Gate
Video Over Scan Eliminator and Accessory Support Signal Break-Out
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A GTIA piggyback board that corrects the over scan problem when viewed on modern HDTV's or high quality monitors, and also serves as a break-out for several commonly used signals for TK-II, Stereo, and U1MB upgrades. It has also been integrated into the 1088XEL and 1088XLD Atari 8-Bit motherboard projects. Note: Hardware design is in flux -- not ready for prime time (firmware is solid). |
JOY2PIC
A Microchip PIC Programmer for your 8-Bit Atari
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Use your A8's joystick port to turn your computer into a powerful PIC MCU programmer. Now offered in two different versions. One aimed at ICSP - In Circuit Serial Programming of PIC MCUs (as pictured), and the other also sports an 18-pin Zero Insertion Force socket for re-flashing individual PIC chips out of circuit (also has ICSP capabilities).
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MOUSETARI
A PS/2 to ST/A8 Mouse Interface Chip
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Enables use of a more modern PS/2 Mouse on your ST or A8 system. Works through the standard A8 joystick port, and provides electronic switching to redirect it's output to either joystick port1 or joystick port2. It can be used externally, meant to be plugged into a joystick port, or integrated internally as was done for the 1088XEL and 1088XLD Atari 8-Bit motherboard projects. Note: This is a firmware download offering only, and thus requires the user to integrate the required hardware into their own design. |
MIDI
A MIDIMATE Compatible Interface for your 8-Bit Atari
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Sub-Page(s):| 3D Printed Cases |
Modern day alternatives for the no longer manufactured Hybrid Arts MIDIMATE MIDI-to-SIO interface. Several versions available. The SIO2MIDI (pictured) is for stand-alone connection to any Atari factory made 8-Bit computer system, whereas the MIDI XEL or MIDI XEL II were intended for inclusion into the 1088XEL custom computer system. None of these should be used with the 1088XLD which already has MIDI built-in. Note: All of these interfaces use the cassette motor drive signal to enable them and place them onto the SIO bus. This will interfere with either a cassette drive or any other hardware that is using the same method of connecting itself to the SIO (i.e., RVERTER). |
SDrive-Simple
A minimalistic SDrive for Internal Installation in either your Stock 8-Bit Atari or the 576NUC+
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Two versions have been created, both based upon the modern SDrive-MAX firmware.
The SDrive-Simple-II board is intended for internal installation, mounting directly above the SIO Jack in a stock Atari computer. It will require modding skills to cut out the SD Card slot in the back of the case, as well as some soldering to interface to the required SIO signals. Whereas the 576NUC+SDrive is a drop-in daughter board meant to easily install in the ultra compact 576NUC+ computer without any additional soldering or case modding required (there is a custom 3D printed case design with STL downloads available). |
 A majority of the Projects by Michael St. Pierre are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Based on work shown at www.AtariBits.com and www.AtariAge.com Please don't take this licensing aspect too seriously, because I certainly don't. i fully accept the reality that my work might be cloned in whole or in part, with credit for the original basis possibly never materializing, and/or the new variant never being shared with the world as the original was. This is part of life and the way of certain individuals, but more often than not people will do what is right, exceed expectations, and rise to the occasion. |
I Don't Want Your Money & Please Don't PM Me
Nothing shown on this website is for sale by AtariBits. Although you might see an occasional BUY button to purchase bare PCBs from OSH Park, rest assured that none of that money goes to AtariBits. Furthermore, anyone can choose to produce and sell products based on these files. All I ask is that credit is given where credit is due (credit: AtariBits, or Michael St. Pierre, or Mytek), but that's entirely voluntary - so in other words it would be nice if you did. DISCLAIMER: In no event will AtariBits or its founders be liable for any personal injury loss of use, loss of profit, interruption of business, or any indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages of any kind (including lost profits) due to use of the designs being freely distributed on this website. And there are no guarantees that the designs available here are absolutely "bug-free", so build or buy these at your own risk. Bottom line: These are all experimental designs and should not be considered as anything other than that. I am not expecting or coercing anyone to spend their hard earned money to build any of these projects. The only reason I have released this stuff, is so that others can hopefully glean something of value for use in their own endeavors, while possibly adding a new twist of their own. I always appreciated when other people had done the same. - Michael |
