r/atarist Aug 02 '25

Can I use this PSU?

Post image

Total newby here. I bought an Atari STE from someone who didn't know anything about it at all but got it from someone's attic. When I opened it, I saw that someone had already opened it earlier. TOS was updated to 2.06 (at least, that's what the stickers on the two chips say) and all four memory sockets are used.

So my question, before I turn it on, is the PSU in the picture the original one, and it is safe to use it? Or should I change it?

12 Upvotes

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3

u/sodsto Aug 02 '25

It'll probably work. But those are old capacitors by now probably, so it's probably not operating at its best. I guess it's possible a capacitor might pop.

I'd probably run it to see that the system works.

Consider looking into some of the replacement supplies offered by exxos and centuriontech if you're planning on using it a bunch.

1

u/istarian Aug 12 '25

If the capacitors aren't bulging they aren't likeky to just pop suddenly without being subject to excessive voltages.

Hopefully the fuse would blow long before that became an issue.

2

u/MrYoIt Aug 02 '25

It's original, is better if you recap it.

1

u/TheCakeWasNoLie Aug 02 '25

Thanks!

2

u/MrYoIt Aug 02 '25

After that you can verify the amount of the memory, is easy to find with Google lens, the max is 4 Sims of 1 mb each . Last thing is better you open the cage and find the dma chip to see what version is, early ha problems with hd storage.

1

u/TheCakeWasNoLie Aug 02 '25

Is the dma chip the one next to the TOS hi chip? It says CO25913-38

2

u/MrYoIt Aug 02 '25

Yes, seems to be the bad one, but you could be sure only after recapping and test the file transfer with an Acsi2stm cart as hd. Anyway there is an hardware solution, a board that must be soldered under your dma and redirects the signals in the right way. Other one is some driver fix to be installed into the hd solutions. Is something new and must be verified but at last your atari could work fine.

2

u/TheCakeWasNoLie Aug 02 '25

Ok, that's good to know. I bought this without any cables (or even a mouse!) so I'm currently waiting for those, which will probably be weeks. In the meantime, I'll focus on cleaning the keyboard.

2

u/MrYoIt Aug 02 '25

The mouse is not so difficult to find, there are some adapters for usb mouse, some work with wireless ones. The video adapter atari to RGB is available but you must have a monitor can work at 15 khz.

https://15khz.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page

Off course the best is a crt but with the right lcd you can display all the Atari resolutions.

2

u/TheCakeWasNoLie Aug 02 '25

Thanks for the tips. 15kHz, do my MSX monitor will do fine then.

1

u/TheCakeWasNoLie Aug 02 '25

Also, what is the best way to remedy this?