| Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions [message #271539] |
Tue, 15 April 2014 18:11 |
Michael Current
Messages: 103
Registered: December 2011
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Senior Member |
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Archive-name: atari-8-bit/faq
Posting-Frequency: 60 days
Last-modified: April 3, 2014
Welcome to the comp.sys.atari.8bit newsgroup!
Atari 8-Bit Computers
Frequently Asked Questions List
___________ _______________
| ///////// | _____________ | ||||||||||| |
|___________| | | | ||_______|| |
|______/////| |____[---]____| | / _________ \ |
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |LLLLLLLLLLL || | LLLLLLLLLLL L |
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |LLLLLLLLLLL || | LLLLLLLLLLL L |
|__[_____]__| |__[_____]____| |___[_____]_____|
130XE 800XL 800
___________ __---------__
| ///////// | | / _____ \ |
|___________| _____________ | / |_____| \ |
|______/////| |____[---]____| | ___________ |
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |LLLLLLLLLLL || | ========== =|
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |LLLLLLLLLLL || | ========== =|
|__[_____]__| |__[_____]____| |___[_____]___|
65XE 600XL 400
___________ _____________
| ///////// | ___________ | |
|___________| |/// / | | |
|______/////| |// / | /\___________ |=============|
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |/O\ |\/ |LLLLLLLLLLL| | LLLLLLLLLLL |
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |-----------| |LLLLLLLLLLL| | LLLLLLLLLLL |
|__[_____]__| |____O_O_O_O| |__[_____]__| |___[_____]___|
800XE XEgs 1200XL
Additions/suggestions/comments/corrections are needed! Please send to:
Michael Current, michael@mcurrent.name
Library Department, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Copyright (c) 1992-2014 by Michael D. Current, and others where noted. Feel
free to reproduce this file, in whole or in part, so long as the content of
that portion reproduced is not modified, and so long as credit is given to
this FAQ list or its Maintainer, or the author of that section reproduced
when given.
This document is in a constant state of development and comes with no
guarantees. If you see any problems, I need to hear from you!
The latest version of this document is posted to the following Usenet
newsgroups every 60 days:
comp.sys.atari.8bit, comp.answers, news.answers
Known web locations for the latest version of this document:
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq
http://faqs.cs.uu.nl/na-dir/atari-8-bit/faq.html
http://ftp.eq.uc.pt/usenet/usenet-by-group/comp.answers/atar i-8-bit/faq
You may also request my latest working version at: michael@mcurrent.name
UPDATES SINCE PREVIOUS POSTING:
2014.04.03 8.3 Multijoy links
2014.03.20 1.3 added link to 800 keyboard anaylsis by ACML
2014.03.12 3.1.4 when/whether to press STOP on the recorder
2014.03.12 3.1.4 ENTER "C:" ---> LIST "C:", thanks Laurent Delsarte
2014.01.14 6.12 Mosaic 64K Ram Select details
2014.01.11 11.1 Laughton, Gooch
2014.01.10 7.1.8. clarify Zaxxon versions (again!)
2014.01.10 11.1 Stevens Institute of Technology Atari 800 requirement
2014.01.10 11.1 Dale Yocum, Paul Laughton, Fred Thorlin, Bruce Irvine
2014.01.08 7.1.1 Os User's Manual versions, thanks in part: Laurent Delsarte
2014.01.08 1.12 Hardware Manual details, thanks in part: Laurent Delsarte
2014.01.08 4.5 Axiom printer details
2014.01.08 6.12 HardStuff 32K and 64K RAM Boards
2014.01.07 6.5 section now in chronological order
2014.01.07 6.12 Tara Computer Products Atari 32K RAM
2014.01.07 11.1 Atari was at the 'US' Festival
2014.01.07 3.2.5 and elsewhere: ATR8000 details and OS/A+ 4 and MYDOS 3.1
2014.01.07 6.12 Tara Computer Products 48K RAM for the Atari 400
2014.01.03 11.1 K-Razy Shoot-Out was first 3rd-party cartridge
2013.12.24 11.1 various updates related to heads of engineering, R&D
2013.12.15 renumber 6.5-6.14 -> 6.4-6.12, thanks Laurent Delsarte
2013.12.15 renumber 8.11-8.16 -> 8.10-8.15, thanks Laurent Delsarte
2013.12.15 various tweaks of refs to Koala and Illustrator versions
2013.12.08 1.1 OS Rev.10 -> XL/XE OS
------------------------------
Subject: 0.1) Table of contents
0.1) Table of contents
Computers
1.1) What is an Atari 8-bit computer?
1.2) What is the Atari 400?
1.3) What is the Atari 800?
1.4) What is the Atari 1200XL?
1.5) What is the Atari 600XL?
1.6) What is the Atari 800XL?
1.7) What is the Atari 65XE?
1.8) What is the Atari 130XE?
1.9) What is the Atari 800XE?
1.10) What is the Atari XE game system?
1.11) What were the Atari 1400XL, 1450XLD, 65XEP, and 65XEM?
1.12) What are SALLY, ANTIC, CTIA/GTIA/FGTIA, POKEY, and FREDDIE?
1.13) Why do the ANTIC Modes start with "Mode 2", what about 0 or 1?
1.14) What is the internal hardware arrangement of the 8-bit Atari?
1.15) Who designed the Atari 8-bit computers?
1.16) What issues surround NTSC vs. PAL vs. SECAM computer versions?
1.17) What are the pinouts for the various ports on the Atari?
Televisions, Monitors, Speakers
2.1) What video display devices and speakers can I use with my Atari?
2.2) What were the Atari XC1411 and XM128 monitors?
2.3) What is artifacting?
2.4) What is HDTV display lag?
Mass Storage: Compact Cassette Players/Recorders
3.1.1) What are the Atari 410, 1010, XC11, & XC12 Program Recorders?
3.1.2) What other cassette recorders can I use with my Atari?
3.1.3) What speed upgrades are there for Atari program recorders?
3.1.4) How do I run a program from cassette, or save to cassette?
Mass Storage: Floppy Disk Drives
3.2.1) What is the Atari 810 Disk Drive?
3.2.2) What is the Atari 1050 Disk Drive?
3.2.3) What is the Atari XF551 Disk Drive?
3.2.4) What were the Atari 815, XF521, and XF351 Disk Drives?
3.2.5) What other floppy disk drives can I use with my Atari?
3.2.6) What is the Percom configuration block?
3.2.7) What can I do to extend the life of my floppy disks?
Mass Storage: High Capacity Devices
3.3.1) What hard disk drives were designed for my Atari?
3.3.2) How can my Atari utilize my other computer's storage devices?
3.3.3) How can I use Secure Digital (SD) cards with my Atari?
3.3.4) How can I use a USB flash drive with my Atari?
Printers
4.1) What are the Atari 820, 822, and 825 Printers?
4.2) What are the Atari 1020, 1025, 1027, and 1029 Printers?
4.3) What are the Atari XMM801 and XDM121 Printers?
4.4) What were the Atari XTM201 and XTC201 Printers?
4.5) What other printers can I use with my Atari?
4.6) How can my Atari utilize my other computer's printer?
Modems and other Networking Devices
5.1) What are the Atari 830, 835, 1030, XM301, and SX212 Modems?
5.2) What other modems can I use with my Atari?
5.3) How can I my Atari utilize my other computer's modem/network?
5.4) What networking hardware is there for the Atari?
5.5) How can I connect my Atari to a high-speed/Ethernet network?
Hardware Interfaces
6.1.1) What is the Atari 850 Interface Module?
6.1.2) What is the Atari XEP80 Interface Module?
6.1.3) What were the 1060 CP/M Module and 1090 XL Expansion System?
6.1.4) How can I use an ISA device with my my Atari?
6.1.5) How can I use a SCSI/SASI device with my Atari?
6.1.6) How can I use a PATA (IDE) device with my Atari?
6.1.7) How can I use a USB device with my Atari?
Hardware/Peripherals
6.2) What are the power requirements for my Atari components?
6.3) What accessories/kits did Atari make for their 8-bit computers?
6.4) What graphics tablets were produced for the Atari?
6.5) What light pens were produced for the Atari?
6.6) What light guns were produced for the Atari?
6.7) What voice/sound synthesis hardware was produced for the Atari?
6.8) What sound-digitizers/samplers were produced for the Atari?
6.9) What sound-enhancement upgrades were produced for the Atari?
6.10) What MIDI enhancements are there for the Atari?
6.11) What graphics enhancements are there for the Atari?
6.12) What types of memory upgrades are there for the Atari?
Core Software: OS, BASIC, DOS, GUIs, Modem Handlers
7.1.1) What is the Atari Operating System?
7.1.2) What other operating systems have been produced for the Atari?
7.1.3) What is the ATASCII character set?
7.1.4) How can my program detect keypresses directly?
7.1.5) How is the Input/Output subsystem of the Atari OS organized?
7.1.6) What is Attract mode?
7.1.7) What is the Atari cassette utilization/filesystem?
7.1.8) What programs run only on the 400 or 800, and why?
7.1.9) How can I run older programs using the Atari Translator?
7.2) What is Atari BASIC?
7.3.1) What is Atari DOS, and what versions did Atari release?
7.3.2) What are RealDOS, SpartaDOS X, and XDOS?
7.3.3) What are MyPicoDOS and Micro-SpartaDOS?
7.3.4) What other 3rd-party DOS versions were released for the Atari?
7.3.5) How do I modify Atari DOS to support more than two drives?
7.3.6) What should I know about filenames and filename extensions?
7.4) Are there Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for the Atari?
7.5.1) What should I know about R: and T: modem device handlers?
7.5.2) What should I know about using fast modems with the Atari?
Software
8.1) What programming languages are available for the Atari?
8.2) What cartridges were released for the Right Slot of the 800?
8.3) What games support 4 or more simultaneous players?
8.4) What programs use a light pen or a light gun?
8.5) What programs are designed for a true trackball controller?
8.6) What programs are designed to work with a mouse?
8.7) What programs use paddle controllers?
8.8) What programs have a CX85 Numerical Keypad mode?
8.9) What programs use: Touch Tablet or KoalaPad/Animation Station?
8.10) What programs support more than 64KiB RAM?
8.11) What programs require more than 64KiB RAM?
8.12) What voice/sound synthesis software is there for the Atari?
8.13) What programs support stereo and upgraded sound?
8.14) What games support online action via modem?
8.15) What programs support Atari computer networking?
Working with Atari files: Compression, File formats, Copying
9.1) How can I work with .arc files on my 8-bit Atari?
9.2) What file formats for entire disks/tapes/cartridges are there?
9.3) How can I copy my copy-protected Atari software?
Interoperating With Newer Computers
10.1) What noncommercial telecommunications programs are there?
10.2) What programs can I use to host a BBS on the Atari?
10.3) How can I read/write Atari diskettes with my other computer?
10.4) How can I read/write MS-DOS PC disks on my Atari?
10.5) How do I transfer files using a null modem cable?
10.6) How can my other computer utilize my Atari disk drive?
Timeline
11.1) What is the history of Atari's 8-bit computers platform?
To do?
- SIO bus
- Atari Cartridge
- Boot cartridge/disk/cassette formats
- Cards for the 800 card slots
- The Integrater with smallDOS Operating System by ADS replaces the
Atari CX801 ROM board. See Antic v2n3 Jun83p15
- MEM/EX by Prairie Physics
- Commercial telecommunications programs
- Remove unwanted sections - pruning
- re-standardize $ vs US$
- rough memory map, including Axlon, Mosaic, 130XE banking
- programs supporting Axlon or Mosaic banked memory
Mosaic list: RAMbrandt
- How can I run CP/M on the Atari?
- Mass Storage: Re-Writable Cartridges
------------------------------
Subject: 1.1) What is an Atari 8-bit computer?
Based in Silicon Valley in the USA, the company known as Atari produced a line
of home computers from 1979 to 1992 often referred to collectively as the
"Atari 8-bits," the "8-bit Ataris," the "400/800/XL/XE series," etc.
The computers included the 400, 800, 1200XL, 600XL, 800XL, 65XE, 130XE, 800XE,
and the XE game system.
Notable home computers that were introduced before the Atari 400/800:
1977: Apple II, Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 (Model I), Commodore PET
Notable home computers that were introduced after the Atari 400/800:
1979: Texas Instruments TI-99/4
1980: Commodore VIC-20, TRS-80 Color Computer, Osborne 1, Sinclair ZX80
1981: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A, IBM PC, Sinclair ZX81, Acorn BBC Micro
1982: Kaypro II, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
1983: Coleco Adam, MSX
1984: Apple Macintosh, Amstrad CPC
1985: Atari ST, Commodore Amiga
1987: Acorn Archimedes
In marketing their computers to the public, Atari always had to contend with
their company history and reputation as a maker of video games. While the
8-bit Atari computers in their heyday were technically quite comparable if not
superior in the worlds of home and business personal computing, they also live
up to the name "Atari" with a huge library of video games which were often
outstanding for their time.
The 8-bit Atari computers do not use the same cartridges or floppy disks as
any other Atari platforms, such as the 2600 Video Computer System (VCS), the
5200 SuperSystem, the 7800 ProSystem, or the ST/TT/Falcon computers. All of
these but the 5200, however, do share (essentially) the same joystick/
controller hardware port.
While the 5200 controller ports are different, the 5200 hardware platform is
very closely related the 8-bit Atari computers, including use of the same
custom chipset (SALLY/ANTIC/GTIA/POKEY). Differences include a fixed 16KiB of
RAM, fixed 32KiB ROM cartridge size, a physically different cartridge port,
and a much smaller 2KiB operating system.
Here are some of the hardware performance specifications of the 8-bit Atari
computers:
6502 MPU:
MOS Technology MCS6502A or equivalent (most NTSC 400/800 machines)
Atari SALLY (late NTSC 400/800, all PAL 400/800, and all XL/XE)
CPU CLOCK RATE:
1.7897725MHz (NTSC machines)
1.7734470MHz (PAL/SECAM machines)
FRAME REFRESH RATE:
59.94Hz (NTSC machines)
49.86Hz (PAL/SECAM machines)
MACHINE CYCLES per FRAME:
29859 (NTSC machines) (1.7897725MHz / 59.94Hz)
35568 (PAL/SECAM machines) (1.7734470MHz / 49.86Hz)
SCAN LINES per FRAME
262 (NTSC machines)
312 (PAL/SECAM machines)
MACHINE CYCLES per SCAN LINE
114 (NTSC machines: 29859 cycles/frame / 262 lines/frame;
PAL/SECAM machines: 35568 cycles/frame / 312 lines/frame)
COLOR CLOCKS per MACHINE CYCLE
2
COLOR CLOCKS per SCAN LINE
228 (2 color clocks/machine cycle * 114 machine cycles/scan line)
MAXIMUM SCAN LINE WIDTH = "WIDE PLAYFIELD"
176 color clocks
MAXIMUM RESOLUTION = GRAPHICS PIXEL
0.5 color clock
MAXIMUM HORIZONTAL FRAME RESOLUTION
352 pixels (176 color clocks / 0.5 color clock)
MAXIMUM VERTICAL FRAME RESOLUTION
240 pixels (240 scan lines per frame)
GRAPHICS MODES:
ANTIC GTIA AtariOS Display Resolution Colors
Mode # Mode # Mode # Type (full screen) (Color Registers)
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
(See a separate section in this FAQ list for a discussion of the "missing"
ANTIC Modes 0 and 1.)
2 0 Char 40 x 24 3 *
3 - Char 40 x 19 3 *
4 12 ++ Char 40 x 24 5
5 13 ++ Char 40 x 12 5
6 1 Char 20 x 24 5
7 2 Char 20 x 12 5
8 3 Map 40 x 24 4
9 4 Map 80 x 48 2
A 5 Map 80 x 48 4
B 6 Map 160 x 96 2
C 14 ++ Map 160 x 192 2
D 7 Map 160 x 96 4
E 15 ++ Map 160 x 192 4
F 8 Map 320 x 192 3 *
F 1 + 9 Map 80 x 192 16 or 8 **
F 2 + 10 Map 80 x 192 9
F 3 + 11 Map 80 x 192 16 ***
+ GTIA Modes require GTIA chip or FGTIA chip (not available with CTIA chip)
++ Supported by the XL/XE OS (not the 400/800 OS)
* 2 of the 3 available color registers share the same color/hue in this mode
** GTIA: 16 luminances of one color/hue
FGTIA: 8 luminances of one color/hue
*** 16 colors/hues all sharing the same luminance
GRAPHICS INDIRECTION (COLOR REGISTERS AND CHARACTER SETS):
Nine Color Registers are provided:
- Background (used in all graphics modes)
- Playfield 0-3 (at least one used in all graphics modes except GTIA 1&3)
- Player-Missile 0-3 (used in GTIA Mode 2; Players-Missiles discussed below)
Each color register holds both a color/hue setting and a luminance/brightness
setting. In most graphics modes, each of the available color registers may
hold any one of 16 colors/hues combined with any one of 8 luminance/brightness
settings, for a total palette of 128 possible colors.
In GTIA Mode 1 only, with the GTIA chip only, the 16 available colors/hues can
each be combined with 16 different luminance/brightness settings, for a total
palette of 256 possible colors.
Character sets of 128 8x8 characters, each with a normal and an inverse
video incarnation, are totally redefinable.
PLAYER-MISSILE GRAPHICS:
The Atari term for "sprites" where a sprite is a graphical video display
object handled independendly from the memory bitmap of the video display.
Four 8-bit wide, 120 or 240 byte high single color Players, and four
2-bit wide, 120 or 240 byte high single color Missiles are available.
A mode to combine the 4 Missiles into a 5th 8-bit wide Player is also
available, as is a mode to OR colors or blacken out colors when Players
overlap (good for making three colors out of two Players!) Players
and Missiles have adjustable priority and collision detection.
DISPLAY LIST:
Screen modes can be mixed (by lines) down the screen using the Display
List - a program which is executed by the ANTIC graphics chip every
screen refresh.
DISPLAY LIST INTERRUPTS (DLIs):
Other screen attributes (color, player/missile horizontal position,
screen width, player/missile/playfield priority, etc.) can be adjusted
at any point down the screen via DLIs.
SCROLLING:
Fine scrolling (both vertical and horizontal) can be enabled on any
line on the screen.
SOUND:
Sound is monaural/monophonic (one channel output).
Up to 4 separate simultaneous voices can be produced, configured as one of
the following:
- 4 voices, each with one of 256 unique frequencies/pitches
- 2 voices, each with one of 65,536 unique frequencies/pitches
- 1 voice with one of 65,536 pitches and 2 voices with one of 256 pitches
Each voice may be produced with one of 8 available "noise" settings/
polynomial-counter combinations, commonly called "distortion" settings.
(There are actually only 6 distinct combinations of 3 poly-counters
offered, but one of the poly-counters has 2 available settings itself,
resulting in 2 additional noise settings for the total of 8 available.)
Each voice may be produced at one of 16 volumes.
Direct control of the position of the speaker cone is also available, with
4-bit (16 position) resolution. Known as "volume only mode" on the Atari.
A fifth "voice" is produced as a separate signal by the internal speaker
on the Atari 400/800. This is typically used only for keyclick and
buzzer. In XL/XE systems these sounds are output as part of the normal
monaural audio output signal.
VERTICAL BLANK INTERRUPTS (VBIs):
A software routine may be designed to execute as a VBI. There are two
varieties of VBI: Immediate and Deferred. An Immediate VBI completes
execution within the vertical blank time, which is the time allotted for a
CRT display to shut the electron beam off at the lower-right of the
display and reposition it back on the top-left of the display to commence
drawing of the next frame. A Deferred VBI routine completes execution
between the initiation of one vertical blank and the next.
Atari 8-bit computers were supplied with the proprietary Atari Operating
System contained in Read Only Memory (ROM) as an integral feature of the
computer. The Atari OS is described elsewhere in this FAQ List.
------------------------------
Subject: 1.2) What is the Atari 400?
Introduced in January 1979 alongside the Atari 800 and shipped that fall, the
Atari 400 was the reduced feature set version of the new Atari personal
computer system.
The 400 is the only 8-bit Atari with a membrane keyboard rather than a full-
stroke keyboard, and is one of the few 8-bit Atari computers lacking a
composite monitor port. Controller Jacks #1-3 on the 400 are the only ones on
any 8-bit Atari that do not support a light pen / light gun. The 400 was
originally released with just 8KiB RAM, but most were sold with 16KiB RAM. As
of June 1983 Atari released the 48K RAM Expansion Kit for the 400, installed
through Atari service centers or offered as a kit through the Atari Program
Exchange (APX).
Features unique to the 400/800 models relative to other Atari computers:
- Television (TV) connecting cable, not designed to be removable, emerges
directly from center of rear of computer case
- Four controller (joystick) ports
- Internal speaker for keyclicks and system buzzer
- Memo Pad mode
- +12 volt supply on pin 12 of the SIO port
Boot options
- Memo Pad: Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered disk
drive #1.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
- Cassette:
1. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
2. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
3. Press [RETURN] on the computer.
- Disk: Turn on computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Versions of the Atari 400:
o "DOM" Domestic version for NTSC television
- 1979-1981 systems shipped with:
- 8KiB of RAM
- Atari BASIC Programming Language cartridge CXL4002
- Atari BASIC (Wiley Self-Teaching Guide) book C014385
- Atari 400 Operator's Manual C014768 (CO14768)
- 1981-1983 systems shipped with:
- 16KiB of RAM
- The Basic Computer Owner's Guide C017711
- Most units: 6502 MPU (MOS Technology MCS6502A or equivalent), C014377
Late units: 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC NTSC version, C012296
- Early units: CTIA, C012295
Most units: GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- No Monitor port
- Switch (unlabeled) on back of computer selects TV output RF channel:
2 or 3
- TV Switch Box supplied with computer
- Early units have the Atari 400/800 OS Rev.A/NTSC version built-in on
ROM, while most units have the Atari 400/800 OS Rev.B/NTSC version.
o "PAL" and "UK" versions for PAL B/G or PAL I television, respectively
- 16KiB RAM
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC PAL version, C014887
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- No Monitor port
- Switch (unlabeled) on back of computer has no effect
- TV output: RF channel 4 ("PAL" version) or 36 ("UK" version)
- Atari 400/800 OS Rev.A/PAL version built-in on ROM
- The Atari 400 Computer Owner's Guide C060200 (CO60200)
Rare variation of the 400:
o At least some of the few Atari 400 units (PAL) sold by Atari in France
have been reported to include a built-in SCART/Peritel cable. PICTURES???
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62346& ;st=25
Additional Manuals:
- Atari 400-800 Home Computer Field Service Manual FD100001
- Atari 400/800 PAL-UK field service manual FD100002
Power: Used with an external 9 volt AC transformer power supply rated for at
least 19 watts: Atari CA014748 or equivalent.
Atari marketing used the trademark, The Basic Computer, as an alternative name
for the 400 from 1981-1982.
The 400 was made in the USA (early production) and Hong Kong (later
production).
Production of the 400 ended in May 1983.
------------------------------
Subject: 1.3) What is the Atari 800?
Introduced in January 1979 alongside the Atari 400 and shipped that fall, the
Atari 800 was the full feature set version of the new Atari personal computer
system. The 800 is the only 8-bit Atari with a Right Cartridge slot, in
addition to the Left Cartridge slot as present on all 8-bit Ataris. The 800
was originally released with just 8KiB RAM, many were sold with 16KiB, and
later on 48KiB was standard.
The 800 is the only 8-bit Atari with a four-slot modular design, where the
first slot holds the CX801 (NTSC) or CX801-P (PAL) 10KiB ROM module
(containing the Atari Operating System), and the other three slots hold
combinations of Atari CX852 8KiB or CX853 16KiB RAM modules (or compatible).
Slots must be filled from front to back.
Features unique to the 400/800 models relative to other Atari computers:
- Television (TV) connecting cable, not designed to be removable, emerges
directly from center of rear of computer case
- Four controller (joystick) ports
- Internal speaker for keyclicks and system buzzer
- Memo Pad mode
- +12 volt supply on pin 12 of the SIO port
Boot options
- Memo Pad: Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered disk
drive #1.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
- Cassette:
1. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
2. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
3. Press [RETURN] on the computer.
- Disk: Turn on computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Versions of the Atari 800:
o "DOM" Domestic version for NTSC television
- 1979-1980 systems shipped with:
- 8KiB of RAM as one CX852 RAM Module
- 410 Program Recorder
- Educational System Master Cartridge CXL4001
- Atari BASIC Programming Language cartridge CXL4002
- Atari BASIC (Wiley Self-Teaching Guide) book C014385
- Atari 800 Operator's Manual C014769 (CO14769)
- 1980-1982 systems shipped with:
- 16KiB of RAM as one CX853 RAM Module
- Atari BASIC Programming Language cartridge CXL4002
- Atari BASIC (Wiley Self-Teaching Guide) book C014385
- BASIC Reference Manual C015307
- The Atari 800 Home Computer Owner's Guide C060057 (CO60057) REV.1
(17 pages)
- 1982-1983 systems shipped with:
- 48KiB of RAM as 3 CX853 RAM Modules (slot compartment screwed shut)
- The Atari 800 Home Computer Owner's Guide C060057 (CO60057) REV.A
(13 pages)
- Most units: 6502 MPU (MOS Technology MCS6502A or equivalent), C014377
Late units: 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC NTSC version, C012296
- Early units: CTIA, C012295
Most units: GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Channel switch on side of computer selects TV output RF channel: 2 or 3
- TV Switch Box supplied with computer
- Early units have the Atari 400/800 OS Rev.A/NTSC version on internal
CX801 Operating System Module, while most units have the Atari 400/800
OS Rev.B/NTSC version.
o "PAL" and "UK" versions for PAL B/G or PAL I television, respectively
- 16KiB RAM (earlier units) or 48KiB RAM (later units)
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC PAL version, C014887
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Channel switch on side of computer has no effect
- TV output: RF channel 4 ("PAL" version) or 36 ("UK" version)
- Atari 400/800 OS Rev.A/PAL version on internal CX801-P Operating System
Module
- The Atari 800 Home Computer Owner's Guide C060497 (CO60497)
4 different types of 800 keyboards were nicely documented by ACML here:
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105170
Additional Manuals:
- Atari 400-800 Home Computer Field Service Manual FD100001
- Atari 400/800 PAL-UK field service manual FD100002
Power: Used with an external 9 volt AC transformer power supply rated for at
least 19 watts: Atari CA014748 or equivalent.
Rare variation of the 800:
o At least some of the few Atari 800 units (PAL) sold by Atari in France
have been reported to include an 8-bit DIN monitor port. PICTURES, ANYONE???
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62346& ;st=25
The 800 was made in the USA.
Production of the 800 ended in May 1983.
------------------------------
Subject: 1.4) What is the Atari 1200XL?
Introduced in December 1982 and shipped in March 1983, the Atari 1200XL was
intended to be the first in a new generation of computers to replace the Atari
400/800. Innovations relative to the 400/800 include a full 64KiB of RAM and
a significantly revised and expanded 14KiB Operating System.
The 1200XL is the only 8-bit Atari computer to feature two LED indicator
lights (L1, L2). Normally they are both <OFF>. L1 <ON> means the keyboard is
disabled. L2 <ON> means the new International Character Set is selected.
Keyboard enhancements introduced with the 1200XL include the new [HELP] key as
well as four programmable functions keys ([F1], [F2], [F3], [F4]). Clicks and
system beeps output through the built-in speaker on the 400/800 are heard from
the television or monitor speaker on the 1200XL. The toggle action of the
[Caps/Lowr] key was altered compared to the 400/800. The key auto-repeat rate
is user-alterable. The Reset key is directly wired to the SALLY 6502 reset
line.
1200XL Function key effects, redefinable:
[F1] Cursor up [SHIFT]+[F1] Cursor to upper-left corner (home)
[F2] Cursor down [SHIFT]+[F2] Cursor to lower-left corner
[F3] Cursor left [SHIFT]+[F3] Cursor to start of physical line
[F4] Cursor right [SHIFT]+[F4] Cursor to end of physical line
1200XL Function key effects, non-redefinable:
[CONTROL]+[F1] Keyboard enable/disable (console keys unaffected)
[CONTROL]+[F2] Screen DMA (ANTIC) enable/disable
[CONTROL]+[F3] Key click sound enable/disable
[CONTROL]+[F4] Domestic/International character set toggle
Additional 1200XL Operating System enhancements compared to the 400/800 OS:
- Text screen fine scrolling is available
- The Resident Diskette Handler can read/write disk sectors having variable
length from 1 to 65536 bytes.
Default = 128 bytes (matching the 400/800 static value)
- The Resident Diskette Handler can write a sector to the disk without a
read-verify operation always following it.
- Universal OS for both NTSC and PAL systems (including independent values
for cassette timings and for keyboard auto-repeat functions)
A few features from the 400/800 are lacking in the 1200XL. Most prominently,
the 1200XL has only 2 controller ports, and no Memo Pad mode.
With the 1200XL Atari made an apparent decision to preclude peripherals from
drawing their power from the computer via the SIO bus:
- The 1200XL lacks +12V on SIO pin 12, as was available on the 400/800.
- On the 1200XL the +5V/Ready line (pin 10) on the SIO port supplies enough
current for the Ready ("Computer On") function but not enough current for
peripherals designed to use the line as their power source.
("FIX": Replace 100 Ohm resistor R63 with a 0 Ohm to 1 Ohm resistor, or a
jumper wire.)
Boot options
- "ATARI" rainbow logo/graphics demo screen: Turn on computer with no
cartridge inserted and no powered disk drive #1.
- Press [HELP] from the "ATARI" logo screen to access Self Test program.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
- Cassette:
1. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
2. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
3. Press [RETURN] on the computer.
- Disk: Turn on computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Box: "A Step Into the Future" or "The Next Logical Step"
Versions of the Atari 1200XL:
o "DOM" Domestic version for NTSC television
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC NTSC version, C012296
- GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Lacks the chrominance video signal on pin 5
- Switch Box jack for RF output for TV
- Channel switch on back of computer selects TV output RF channel: 2 or 3
- TV Switch Box and TV connecting cable both supplied with computer
- Most 1200XL units have the Atari XL/XE OS Rev.A built-in on ROM, while
rare units, possibly only as a result of authorized repairs, have
XL/XE OS Rev.B.
Manuals:
- The Atari 1200XL Home Computer Owner's Guide C061418
- 1200XL Home Computer Field Service Manual FD100217
Power: Used with an external 9 volt AC transformer power supply, input power
31 VA; shipped with Atari CA017964.
The 1200XL was made in the USA from January 1983 to May 1983, and in Taiwan
from April 1983 to July 1983.
By analyzing 1200XL serial numbers, Karl Heller estimates that fewer than
120,000 units total were produced, and possibly fewer than 100,000. See the
"1200XL Owners List" thread on AtariAge:
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107234
Scott Stilphen mentioned this 1200XL easter egg on 10 Feb 2006:
On 1200XLs, if you select 'all tests', when it gets to the keyboard test
it'll type out the programmer's name.
1200XL visual tour: http://www.atari800xl.eu/public/1200xl/
------------------------------
Subject: 1.5) What is the Atari 600XL?
Introduced in June 1983 alongside the 800XL, 1400XL (never shipped), and
1450XLD (never shipped), and shipped that fall, the Atari 600XL was the
low-end machine in the new range of computers that would replace the Atari
400/800/1200XL.
The 600XL/800XL include most of the features of the 1200XL, minus the 4
Function keys, the 2 LED lights, and the "ATARI" logo screen. In addition,
the 600XL/800XL offer the Parallel Bus Interface (PBI), providing fast
parallel access to the heart of the computer.
Available current on the +5V/Ready line (pin 10) on the SIO port of the
600XL/800XL matches that on the 400/800, restoring compatibility with SIO
peripherals designed to draw power from that line which would not work on the
1200XL.
The 600XL has 16KiB RAM. The Atari 1064 Memory Module expands the 600XL from
16KiB to 64KiB RAM. The 600XL has the Atari XL/XE OS Rev.1 and Atari BASIC
Rev. B built-in on ROM.
Boot options
- Atari BASIC: Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered
disk drive #1.
- Self Test program: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on the computer with
no cartridge inserted and no powered disk drive #1.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
- Cassette:
1. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
2. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
3. Press [RETURN] on the computer.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC enabled: Turn on computer with boot disk inserted
in powered disk drive #1.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC disabled: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on
computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Box: "Feature For Feature, Your Best Value"
Versions of the Atari 600XL:
o "DOM" Domestic version for NTSC television
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' NTSC version, C021697
- GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- No Monitor port
- Switch Box jack for RF output for TV
- Channel switch on back of computer selects TV output RF channel: 2 or 3
- TV Switch Box and TV connecting cable both supplied with computer
o "PAL" and "UK" versions for PAL B/G or PAL I television, respectively
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' PAL version, C021698
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Lacks the luminance video signal on pin 1
- Lacks the chrominance video signal on pin 5
- T.V. jack for RF output for TV
- No TV RF Channel select switch
- TV output: RF channel 4 ("PAL" version) or 36 ("UK" version)
- RF Cable for TV connection supplied with computer
Rare variations of the 600XL:
o Some late-model 600XLs were sold with 64KiB RAM. These may have only
appeared in Canada. The box had a round gold foil sticker reading:
"64k Memory -- Now with a full 64k of memory built-in."
5 different types of 600XL/800XL keyboards were nicely documented by Beetle
here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105170
Manuals:
- The Atari 600XL Home Computer Owner's Guide C061530
(English for USA; 21 pages)
- Atari Computer 600XL C061946
(English/German/Spanish/Italian/French/Dutch for Europe; 61 pages)
- Atari Computer 600XL and Atari Computer 800XL Connection Instructions for
PAL TV Systems C061947
(English/German/Spanish/Italian/French/Dutch for Europe)
- Atari Computer 600XL Connection Instructions for NTSC TV Systems C062228
(English/French/Spanish for Canada/Mexico)
- Atari 600XL Computer Field Service Manual FD100610
The 600XL was made in Hong Kong and Japan.
Production of the 600XL was discontinued by July 1984.
The Atari 600XL was utilized by Exidy as an embedded system in their
Max-A-Flex coin-operated arcade conversion system (configurable to play:
Astro Chase, Boulder Dash, Bristles, or Flip and Flop). See:
http://www.myatari.co.uk/issues/jan2003/maxaflex.htm
------------------------------
Subject: 1.6) What is the Atari 800XL?
Introduced in June 1983 alongside the 600XL, 1400XL (never shipped), and
1450XLD (never shipped), and shipped that fall, the Atari 800XL was one of the
new range of computers that would replace the Atari 400/800/1200XL.
The 600XL/800XL include most of the features of the 1200XL, minus the 4
Function keys, the 2 LED lights, and the "ATARI" logo screen. But both the
600XL and 800XL have the Atari BASIC language built-in. In addition, these
two systems offer the Parallel Bus Interface (PBI), providing fast parallel
access to the heart of the computer.
Available current on the +5V/Ready line (pin 10) on the SIO port of the
600XL/800XL matches that on the 400/800, restoring compatibility with SIO
peripherals designed to draw power from that line which would not work on the
1200XL.
The 800XL contains 64KiB RAM, and has the Atari XL/XE OS Rev.1 or Rev.2 and
Atari BASIC Rev. B or Rev. C built-in on ROM.
Boot options
- Atari BASIC: Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered
disk drive #1.
- Self Test program: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on the computer with
no cartridge inserted and no powered disk drive #1.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
- Cassette:
1. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
2. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
3. Press [RETURN] on the computer.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC enabled: Turn on computer with boot disk inserted
in powered disk drive #1.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC disabled: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on
computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Box: "More Memory Means More Power"
Versions of the Atari 800XL:
o "DOM" Domestic version for NTSC television
- Produced by Atari, Inc.
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- Earlier units: ANTIC NTSC version, C012296
Later units: ANTIC 'E' NTSC version, C021697
- GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Lacks the chrominance video signal on pin 5
- Switch Box jack for RF output for TV
- Channel switch on back of computer selects TV output RF channel: 2 or 3
- TV Switch Box and TV connecting cable both supplied with computer
- Atari XL/XE OS Rev.1 (early units) or Rev.2 (most) built-in on ROM
- Atari BASIC Rev. B (most) or Rev. C (late production) built-in on ROM
- Made in Hong Kong and Taiwan
- Some internal pics:
http://atarinside.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=74
o "PAL" and "UK" versions for PAL B/G or PAL I television, respectively
- Produced by Atari, Inc. (earlier units) and Atari Corp. (later units)
- Later units: "800XLF" motherboard
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- Early units: ANTIC PAL version, C014887
Most units: ANTIC 'E' PAL version, C021698
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Later units: FREDDIE memory management chip introduced
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Earlier units: Lacks the chrominance video signal on pin 5
- Later units: Pin 5 is connected as on the 800
- Switch Box jack for RF output for TV
- No TV RF Channel select switch
- TV output: RF channel 4 ("PAL" version) or 36 ("UK" version)
- RF Cable for TV connection supplied with computer
- Atari XL/XE OS Rev.2 built-in on ROM
- Atari BASIC Rev. B (earlier units) or Rev. C (later units) built-in on
ROM
- Visual tour: http://www.atari800xl.eu/public/800xlpal/
- More internal pics:
http://atarinside.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=73
- Made in Hong Kong (earlier units) and Taiwan (earlier and later units)
o SECAM version for SECAM television (France)
- Produced by Atari Corp.
- "SECAM ROSE" motherboard
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' PAL version, C021698
- FGTIA, C020120
- FREDDIE memory management chip
- Monitor port is Atari SECAM 6-pin
- No Switch Box jack
- No TV RF Channel select switch
- Internal color/monochrome switch
- TV cable (Monitor port to SCART/Peritel) supplied with computer
- Atari XL/XE OS Rev.2 built-in on ROM
- Atari BASIC Rev. C built-in on ROM
- Visual tour: http://www.atari800xl.eu/public/800xlsecam
- More internal pics:
http://atarinside.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=15
- Made in Taiwan.
5 different types of 600XL/800XL keyboards were nicely documented by Beetle
here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105170
Manuals:
- The Atari 800XL Home Computer Owner's Guide C061859
- Atari Computer 800XL C024450 (international; 64 pages)
- Atari Computer 600XL and Atari Computer 800XL Connection Instructions for
PAL TV Systems C061947 (international)
- Atari 800XL Computer Field Service Manual FD100740
Production of the 800XL was discontinued by 1985.
------------------------------
Subject: 1.7) What is the Atari 65XE?
The Atari 65XE was introduced, alongside the 130XE, in January 1985.
The 65XE does not include the PBI port as on the 600XL/800XL, but later
production 65XE machines include the similar (though physically incompatible)
Enhanced Cartridge Interface (ECI).
The 65XE offers 64KiB RAM, and has the Atari XL/XE OS Rev.2, Rev.3, or Rev.3B
and Atari BASIC Rev. C built-in on ROM.
Boot options
- Atari BASIC: Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered
disk drive #1.
- Self Test program: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on the computer with
no cartridge inserted and no powered disk drive #1.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
- Cassette:
1. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
2. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
3. Press [RETURN] on the computer.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC enabled: Turn on computer with boot disk inserted
in powered disk drive #1.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC disabled: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on
computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Versions of the Atari 65XE:
o NTSC version for NTSC television
- Most units: No ECI
Late units: NTSC 130XE motherboard (including ECI, but only 64KiB RAM)
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' NTSC version, C021697
- GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- TV Channel Select Switch on back of computer selects RF channel: 2 or 3
- TV Switch Box and TV Video Cable both supplied with computer
- Most units: Atari XL/XE OS Rev.2 built-in on ROM
Late units: Atari XL/XE OS Rev.3 built-in on ROM
o PAL and UK versions for PAL B/G or PAL I television, respectively
- Early units: No ECI
Most units: PAL 130XE motherboard (including ECI, but only 64KiB RAM)
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' PAL version, C021698
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- No TV Channel Select Switch
- TV output: RF channel 4 (PAL version) or 36 (UK version)
- TV Video Cable supplied with computer
- Early units: Atari XL/XE OS Rev.2 built-in on ROM
Most units: Atari XL/XE OS Rev.3 built-in on ROM
- UK version also shipped in: Atari 65XE Home Computer Outfit
o Arabic Atari 65XE Najm for PAL television in Arabia
- Reportedly widely sold in Saudi Arabia and Egypt
- "65XEN" motherboard
- ECI port
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' PAL version, C021698
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- No TV Channel Select Switch
- TV output: RF channel 4 (probably?)
- TV Video Cable supplied with computer
- Atari XL/XE OS Rev.3B (Arabic localized OS) built-in on ROM
- Visual tour: http://www.atari800xl.eu/public/65xearab
- Another analysis (Polish):
atarionline.pl/v01/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=11842 83958
&archive=&start_from=20&ucat=6&ct=wynalazki
- More info (Polish): http://atariki.krap.pl/index.php/Arabski_65XE
- Prototype NTSC Arabic 65XE:
http://www.savetz.com/vintagecomputers/arabic65xe/
(The 65XE was not marketed in France.)
Manuals:
- Atari 65XE Personal Computer Owner's Manual C072018
The 65XE was made in Taiwan (common) and China (late production).
------------------------------
Subject: 1.8) What is the Atari 130XE?
The Atari 130XE was introduced, alongside the 65XE, in January 1985.
The 130XE does not include the PBI port as on the 600XL/800XL, but it does
include the similar (though physically incompatible) Enhanced Cartridge
Interface (ECI).
The 130XE offers 128KiB RAM, and has the Atari XL/XE OS Rev.2 (most) or Rev.3
(late production) and Atari BASIC Rev. C built-in on ROM.
Boot options
- Atari BASIC: Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered
disk drive #1.
- Self Test program: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on the computer with
no cartridge inserted and no powered disk drive #1.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
- Cassette:
1. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
2. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
3. Press [RETURN] on the computer.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC enabled: Turn on computer with boot disk inserted
in powered disk drive #1.
- Disk, with Atari BASIC disabled: Hold down [OPTION] while turning on
computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Versions of the Atari 130XE:
o NTSC version for NTSC television
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' NTSC version, C021697
- GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- TV Channel Select Switch on back of computer selects RF channel: 2 or 3
- TV Switch Box and TV Video Cable both supplied with computer
o PAL and UK versions for PAL B/G or PAL I television, respectively
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC 'E' PAL version, C021698
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- No TV Channel Select Switch
- TV output: RF channel 4 (PAL version) or 36 (UK version)
- TV Video Cable supplied with computer
o SECAM version for SECAM television (Fr
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