Atari XE/800 questions?

[josekortez]

I posted in the March finds about the box of Atari XE/800 stuff I found today and I would like to learn more about these computers, especially the best way to dismantle and/or clean them since the ones I found smell stale from being in an attic/garage/area next to where the family dog slept.

Also, are the two computers compatible and do they require a disk to be inserted in the drive for the cartridge games to play? If anyone can help, it would be appreciated.

[s1lence]

Most of the carts are compatable between the two systems. Some carts are a bit picky, I believe the DP guide says which are incompatable with each other. If I remember correctly it was carts that worked on the XE may not work on the 400, but I could be incorrect.

To clean them its like cleaning any other system, I don't think there are and special screws.

[josekortez]

Thanks, silence. As soon as I get a nap, I'll try to figure out how to clean these computers without destroying them. Doesn't seem to be much online information about either.

[tom]

There is a huge source of information on the Atari 8-bit computer online, as a matter of fact, the Atari 8-bit was responsible for starting many BBSs in the late 70s, early 80s. Also with early internet, eg early 90s, the Atari XL was on many newsgroups, and early WWWs. Loads of info out there, you just gotta search a bit more.

Start with this FAQ:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq/
This FAQ itself contains many more links to useful Atari 8-bit information.

Then read here about the longest lasting 8-bit Computer magazine in the world:
http://www.page6.org/

Go on to Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_8-bit

Then go here for Cartridge compatibility list:
http://my.execpc.com/~krieg/links/8bit.carts

The Atari has the biggest 8-bit Computer Cartridge library in the world (almost 500 at the latest count).

Oh, as for playing carts, just bung 'em in, turn on the machine and away you go, no disk required.

Have fun with the most powerful and best 8-bit computer on the planet.

[s1lence]

Thanks Tom for the links, I knew there was more info out there.