Another one... this time an Atari!

[RobertB]

     It appears that I might be getting another computer, a complete Atari 520ST set-up.  It will be a learning experience; I don't know anything about Atari computers. 

          Trly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

     Atari 520ST obtained!  Here is a photo of it:


          Photo by Judy Ranheim,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

     TOGA member Duncan M. has taken the Atari 520ST system to test out.  Strangely, he wants to give me an Atari 1040ST and keep the 520ST.  Why..... ? 

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug
          The Other Group of Amigoids
          http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
          http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

     Though Duncan still has the Atari 520ST, I've decided that since I'm not going to use it, I will donate it to some worthy person.  If the Atari Party were being held in California this year, it would have gone to someone there.  But with no party this year, I will have to think of another way to give it away.

          Back in California,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

     I have decided to give the Atari 520ST system to new FCUG member, Louis M..  He knows about Atari and will make use of the machine.

          Now all I have to do is pick up the system
          from Duncan in the Silicon Valley,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

TOGA member Duncan M. has taken the Atari 520ST system to test out.  Strangely, he wants to give me an Atari 1040ST and keep the 520ST.

At yesterday's TOGA meeting, Duncan told me that the 520ST had a stuck power switch, similar to what happens to a frozen power switch on a Commodore 64 and a Commodore 128.  Not wanting to wait any longer, I followed Duncan back to his workshop, and he gave me a 1040ST in substitution for the 520ST.  Because the 1040ST had a built-in disk drive, I no longer needed the external Atari drive and power supply and left that equipment with Duncan.  Before I left, Duncan checked out the 1040ST one more time, found that it had the older TOS 1.0 ROMs, and then replaced those with newer TOS 1.4 ROMs (less buggy and with better disk-handling functions).  Today I gave the 1040ST to Louis M., along with the other Atari items (which all came from Judy Ranheim, widow of John Ranheim of the Jason Ranheim Company).

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug
          The Other Group of Amigoids
          http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
          July 28-29 Commodore Vegas Expo v8 -
          http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

[RobertB]

...I followed Duncan back to his workshop, and he gave me a 1040ST in substitution for the 520ST.

I met Duncan a few weekends ago at R.J. Mical's dinner party.  The next day we met again at his workshop, and he wanted to give me the Atari 520ST which he fully repaired and upgraded with more RAM and the newest ROMs.  I told him that it was his to keep.  (What would I do with an Atari 520ST?)  He said he would probably eBay it.

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

     Oh-oh, Duncan wants to give me an Atari 520ST that he has tweeked.  He insists that I take it.  O.K., perhaps I should exhibit it at the May Maker Faire 2018. 

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Juen 10-11 Pacific Commodore Expo NW 2018 - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex
          Aug. 11-12 Commodore Vegas Expo v14 2018 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

[RobertB]

     It's been some time, but there is another Atari 520ST.  This time Jerry Gray, v.p. of the Sacramento Amiga Computer Club, was selling this barebones machine at the April 15-16 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2023.  I texted Duncan about it, and he replied that I should purchase... especially if the price was right.  Yup, the price was cheap, and the machine and external power supply were clean, though some yellowing on the keys.
     Duncan may have an external disk drive for me and will round extra RAM, a VGA adapter, and a SD card drive.

          Will show it off at a future TOGA and SACC meeting,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
          The Other Group of Amigoids - http://togausergroup.org