Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!ames!dftsrv!hq!bernstei From: bernstei@hq.af.mil (T.L.Bernstein) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit Subject: Re: Games For The 1200XL Message-ID: Date: 16 Jan 90 17:21:53 GMT References: <1254@ariel.unm.edu> <115200062@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> Sender: bernstei@hq.af.mil Organization: Air Force HQ, The Pentagon Lines: 27 In-reply-to: tle33710@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu's message of 10 Jan 90 02:46:00 GMT In article <115200062@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> tle33710@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu writes: 1. Not all 400/800 software will run on it! I'm not sure, because I never owned one, but I think the 1200XL (minus function keys) is really just an 800XL or 130XE etc without the extra RAM to load in a new operating system: hence, you cannot use a translator. I hope this has been of help. If I'm wrong, I'd be interested to know. The upshot of this is is that you should be able to run ALL (I think--using the above knowledge) XE game carts, but only MOST 400/800 carts. ------ I believe the above statement to be incorrect. I used to be an Atari enthusiast, and my father still owns several of the 8-bit models. If I remember correctly, the 1200XL was originally planned as a replacement for the 800, with new ROMS. Unfortunately not all software was compatable with the new OS and the product did VERY poorly. To correct this problem, Atari came out with a translater disk which makes the 1200 act like an 800. I am not sure which software works and which doesn't, but it would definately be worthwhile to get the translator -- I suggest calling Atari, as it used to be free. As for the newer models, they replaced the 1200; this time Atari made sure they were compatible with the original. -- Terry --