Tag: banked memory

Replaces the Atari 400's internal RAM board with either 48 KB or 1056 KB of modern memory.

Both product pages reported five boards in stock on 2026-07-27. Either installation requires disassembling the computer and soldering four jumper wires beneath the main board. A machine previously fitted with Atari's 48K RAM Expansion Kit may already have those jumpers. The 1056K board does not require the plastic-housing modification described in the older Atari kit instructions.

Replaces the Atari 800's plug-in memory modules with either 48 KB or 1056 KB of modern RAM.

Both current pages exposed active ordering on 2026-07-27, and the 1056K listing reported four boards in stock. Installation does not require soldering, but the computer's top cover and existing memory modules must be removed. Both supplied boards have a marked keyboard-facing orientation; reversing either one can damage the computer or memory board.

Adds 1 MB of banked RAM to an Atari 1200XL or 800XL with a 30-pin SIMM and custom refresh and bank-selection logic.

The archived article provides the circuit discussion, 1200XL connection table, SIMM pinout, and software notes but describes the 800XL only as having similar connection points. It is an advanced historical wire-and-perfboard build. The author reports that the SpartaDOS cartridge does not function with this configuration and that ordinary SpartaDOS and much commercial software see only a 320XE-style subset; MYDOS 4.5.1M or newer needs the documented page sequence.

Adds a vintage 1 MB banked-memory board to an Atari 800XL or 1200XL with several selectable PIA banking configurations.

Only archived installation instructions and the used market were verified. Installation requires the original Newell board or a faithful equivalent, memory devices, extensive motherboard wiring, isolated IC pins, and model-specific changes; a 1200XL also needs three address-trace changes. The recommended banking method preserves OS control and ANTIC banking but repurposes other PIA bits and may require BASIC and diagnostic switches. The top RF shield may no longer fit.

Uses a 1 MB 30-pin SIMM and GAL controller to add switchable Compy Shop or Newell/RAMBO banked memory to Atari XL and XE computers.

The Polish project page publishes a schematic, GAL JEDEC file, utilities, parts list, full 800XL and Freddie-equipped 800XLF instructions, startup tests, and timing troubleshooting. Installation is highly invasive and may require trace cuts, lifted or bent IC pins, motherboard timing changes, and RAS-delay tuning for a particular machine. The page groups the 600XL and 1200XL with older 800XL memory-control hardware but does not provide separate step-by-step guides for those models. No explicit project license was verified.

Documents period DIY memory conversions that give an Atari 400 48 KB plus a banked 16 KB or an Atari 800 a 288 KB SuperRam configuration.

These are historical, invasive board-level modifications rather than current kits. Both require extensive disassembly, trace cuts, soldering, stacked or perfboard logic, and staged electrical testing. The authors release the instructions for public use with attribution. The Atari 800 text lists six 41256 DRAMs, while human review found only one 41256 in its rough circuit sketch. The contradiction remains unresolved: do not treat the Atari 800 parts list or sketch as an authoritative build package without reconstructing and checking the circuit.