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Idorobots / atari-xe-multicart

A multi-game cartridge for the Atari XE.
MIT License
10 stars 8 forks source link

Does it work for anyone? #39

Open gadiscz opened 1 year ago

gadiscz commented 1 year ago

I tried different eproms, different 8.16kb files and just the menu and it never worked. I tried to put the eprom into another cartridge and the menu appears there at least. So does it work for anyone?

Idorobots commented 1 year ago

Well, I did build one of these back when I made this project and it did work. Main issues I encountered were the PCB thickness of my cart - it was too thin to make a decent connection with the computer. My workaround was to tin the contacts a little bit so that they make a connection. Never had any other problems on a 65XE.

gadiscz commented 1 year ago

I have a different pcb from the same company and it works, even your menu starts there without the game. what can i try do you have your working bin file? I tried different eproms and just the menu. I have two boards made and neither one works.

gadiscz commented 1 year ago

20221223_141608 20221223_141448 20221223_141519

gadiscz commented 1 year ago

I used M2764A where I only have the menu loaded. on another board I can see it, I can see the menu, but not on this cartridge :(

Idorobots commented 1 year ago

Hmm, yeah, looks pretty nice. If the menu loads on another cart board then it should be operational (that part work just like a normal cart does), so it'll be the PCB that's not working. Silly question, but it might very well be my goof up - are the square (oh god) vias between layers all connected? On my prototype I didn't have any way to metalize the via channel, so I went with a short wire and soldered it on both sides to make a connection - perhaps the board file doesn't actually specify these as vias, but instead just one sided pads?

Idorobots commented 1 year ago

The other thing I can think of is that Q1 - AFAIR I went with one of those NPN signal mosfets, but I might have put a bipolar on the schematic which might not be correct. Sorry, it's a bit fuzzy after all these years and I don't have the prototype cart anymore.

gadiscz commented 1 year ago

pcb board is made professionally. the holes are connected. So should I try another transistor?