Back to Browse

Repairing a smashed-up Atari 400 computer

155.6K views
Jun 14, 2025
1:37:26

I've had this smashed Atari 400 for a number of years and it's never worked correctly. Let's dig in to this old 8-bit computer and figure out what's wrong with it and fix the broken case. 0:00 Intro 2:34 Teardown 15:02 Bench testing and troubleshooting 1:17:35 What is the minimum needed for a working Atari 400? 1:21:01 Atari Super SALT Diagnostic Cart 1:32:02 Fixing the broken case -- Links The service manual I used: https://www.retromaniek.pl/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/400_800sm.pdf Information on the replacement keyboard: https://forums.atariage.com/topic/362226-a-bkey-and-a-not-a-bkey-400-keyboard-replacements/ Atariage thread on the Super SALT carts: https://forums.atariage.com/topic/194736-super-salt-diagnostic-carts/ Adrian's Digital Basement ][ (Second Channel) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbtwi4wK1YXd9AyV_4UcE6g Support the channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adriansdigitalbasement My GitHub repository: https://github.com/misterblack1?tab=repositories -- Tools Deoxit D5: https://amzn.to/2VvOKy1 http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1602/.f O-Ring Pick Set: (I use these to lift chips off boards) https://amzn.to/3a9x54J Elenco Electronics LP-560 Logic Probe: https://amzn.to/2VrT5lW Hakko FR301 Desoldering Iron: https://amzn.to/2ye6xC0 Rigol DS1054Z Four Channel Oscilloscope: https://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/1000z/ Head Worn Magnifying Goggles / Dual Lens Flip-In Head Magnifier: https://amzn.to/3adRbuy TL866II Plus Chip Tester and EPROM Programmer: (The MiniPro) https://amzn.to/2wG4tlP https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33000308958.html TS100 Soldering Iron: https://amzn.to/2K36dJ5 https://www.ebay.com/itm/TS100-65W-MINI-Digital-OLED-Programmable-Soldering-Iron-Anti-static-Structure/113382669853 EEVBlog 121GW Multimeter: https://www.eevblog.com/product/121gw/ DSLogic Basic Logic Analyzer: https://amzn.to/2RDSDQw https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Logic-DSLogic-Basic-Analyzer-16Ch-100MHz-4Ch-400MHz-Xilinx-Spartan-6-FPGA/202543965672 Magnetic Screw Holder: https://amzn.to/3b8LOhG https://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-magnetic-parts-tray-90566.html Universal ZIP sockets: (clones, used on my ZIF-64 test machine) https://www.ebay.com/itm/14-16-18-20-24-28-32-40-pin-IC-Test-Universal-ZIF-Socket-Fs/303206721971 RetroTink 2X Upconverter: (to hook up something like a C64 to HDMI) http://www.retrotink.com/ Plato (Clone) Side Cutters: (Order Five) https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-5-10PCS-Micro-Scissor-125mm-PLATO-170-Electronics-Cutter-Side-Cutting-Pliers/163458746184 Heat Sinks: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32537183709.html Little squeezy bottles: (available elsewhere too) https://amzn.to/3b8LOOI --- Instructional videos My video on chip removal without damage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQVjwPsVFd8 --- Music Intro music and other tracks by: Nathan Divino @itsnathandivino

Download

1 formats

Video Formats

360pmp4227.0 MB

Right-click 'Download' and select 'Save Link As' if the file opens in a new tab.

Repairing a smashed-up Atari 400 computer | NatokHD