If you have problems with programming or playing your 8mbit cartridge in some or all systems you can do the following.
1) Return it for a free exchange.
E-mail
classics@atarimax.com or PM me here and I will send you my address for the exchange. If you send only the cartridge it should cost $1 or so for First Class Mail.
2) Add a filter capacitor to the cartridge yourself.
If you can get your cartridge open without damaging the shell (some are hard to open, grrrr) and are handy with a soldering iron follow these instructions to apply the fix to your cartridge.
Note that the PLDs used in the flash cartridges are static sensitive devices. Do not solder on the cartridge while it is attached to the Atari or any other low resistance path to ground.
A] Open the case and remove the PCB. The black cartridge cases used are the OSS style cases with 4 pegs. These are brand new cases, so some are very hard to get open the first time.
If you have any fear you will damage the casing trying to get it open, or it seems like it just wont come open, please send it in for an exchange instead.
B] Turn the board over so the side with the PLCC chip sockets is facing up.
C] Locate the empty layout shown in picture #1. It is at the very top edge of the PCB in the center. There is a silkscreen glyph that looks like this between the pads
---[____]---
D] In this location, solder a small electrolytic capacitor, leaving enough leads sticking out so that the capacitor can lay flat. There is not enough clearance in the cartridge case to install it upright.
The (+) lead of the capacitor should to the to pad on the left, the marked (-) lead to the pad on the right.
10uf and 22uf are common values that come in small sizes, they work well. If you dont have one on hand, a few Radio Shack part numbers that should work are:
272-1025: $0.99 (10uf 35v Electrolytic Capacitor)
272-1026: $0.99 (22uf 35v Electrolytic Capacitor)
Larger farad values will work but may not fit in the cartridge casing.
After installing the capacitor, re-assemble the cartridge and re-run the diagnostic tests.