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From: jhs@MITRE-BEDFORD.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.micro.atari8
Subject: Re: quick repair/replacement of 800XL for tax time...
Message-ID: <8603031551.AA12825@mitre-bedford.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 3-Mar-86 10:56:35 EST
Article-I.D.: mitre-be.8603031551.AA12825
Posted: Mon Mar  3 10:56:35 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Mar-86 04:03:29 EST
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Organization: The MITRE Corp., Bedford, MA
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To: Jackson at ucb.berkeley.edu
Sorry, but I couldn't seem to get a direct reply thru so I am posting this.

Well, 800XLs are selling for $60 to $100 these days.  You might try
Computer Direct for a $90.00 price; they are in Barrington, IL and phone
number is (312) 382-5050; address is 22292 N. Pepper Rd., Barrington IL 60010.
Lyco at 1-800-233-8760 is another source.  Also, one of the local K-Marts out
here (Somerville, MA) had 800XLs (2 of em) for $60.00 last I heard.  Other
K-Marts may have them, as do a lot of the toy stores at $99.95 or so.

For service, you might try American TV in San Leandro, CA.  They are at (415)
352-3787, and they seem to be decent folks for mail order purchases anyway.

Just a hunch... you might try taking the case apart (6 screws on the bottom)
and wiggling the ribbon cable that comes from the keyboard over to the
motherboard.  It just might be dirty and making a poor contact or something.
If it's like mine, the ribbon cable is just pushed into the socket.  If you
pull it out and clean it, the extra piece of stiff clear plastic is helpful in
stiffening the cable while you push it carefully back into the connector.
I would suggest alcohol on a Q-tip for cleaning the cable contacts.
However, ALWAYS test solvents on a non-critical place before using them!!!
(Translation:  I haven't tested this solvent on this material!!!!)
While you have it open, a general cleaning with a compressed air source
(even if that's your lungs) might help.  It could be as simple as a little
dust here and there.

Good luck.  If you don't mind, I would like to know what you use to do your
taxes on the 800XL.  I just got the computer and don't have much software for
it yet.  A tax package would be useful, I should think.

						Regards,
						John Sangster
						jhs at mitre-bedford.arpa