[ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ]
Single Page
Top Document: Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Document: 1.5) What is the Atari 600XL?
Next Document: 1.7) What is the Atari 65XE?
-
Search the FAQ Archives
Single Page
Top Document: Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Document: 1.5) What is the Atari 600XL?
Next Document: 1.7) What is the Atari 65XE?
1.6) What is the Atari 800XL?
Released in 1983 as a replacement for the 800 and 1200XL, the 800XL is the
high-end version of the 600XL. 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. The 800XL
contains 64K RAM.
Boot options:
Atari BASIC (Rev. B or Rev. C, see below)
- Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered disk drive.
Self Test program
- Hold down [OPTION] while turning on the computer with no cartridge
installed and no powered disk drive.
Cartridge
- Turn on computer with cartridge inserted.
Cassette
1. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
(System buzzer sounds.)
2. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder.
3. Press [RETURN] to load and run cassette program.
Disk, with Atari BASIC enabled
- Turn on computer with disk inserted in powered disk drive.
Disk, with Atari BASIC disabled
- Hold down [OPTION] while turning on computer with disk inserted in
powered disk drive.
Box: "More Memory Means More Power"
Versions of the Atari 800XL:
o NTSC (North America) version, produced fall 1983 to summer 1984 by
Atari, Inc.
- Monitor port lacks the chrominance video signal on pin 5
- TV Channel switch: 2 - 3
- Atari BASIC Revision B
- Made in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
o PAL (Europe) version, produced fall 1983 to summer 1984 by Atari, Inc.
- Monitor port lacks the chrominance video signal on pin 5
- No TV channel switch
- Atari BASIC Revision B
- Visual tour: http://www.atari800xl.eu/public/800xlpal/
- Made in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
o PAL (Europe) version, produced fall 1984 by Atari Corp.
- "800XLF" motherboard
- FREDDIE memory management chip
- Earlier production: Monitor port lacks the chrominance signal on pin 5
Later production: chrominance signal is present on Monitor port pin 5
- No TV channel switch
- Atari BASIC Revision C
- Made in Taiwan.
o SECAM (France) version, produced fall 1984 by Atari Corp.
- "SECAM ROSE" motherboard
- FREDDIE memory management chip
- FGTIA; PAL ANTIC
- Monitor port has unique pinout, 6 pins instead of 5;
includes composite video but not chrominance nor luminance signals
- No TV jack
- No TV channel switch
- Internal color/monochrome switch
labeled for some reason as "50Hz / 60 Hz" here:
http://arklif.free.fr/atari/800xl/Atari-800XL-plan-Compresse.jpg
- Atari BASIC Revision C
- Visual tour: http://www.atari800xl.eu/public/800xlsecam
- Made in Taiwan.
Rare variations of the 800XL:
o Some late-distribution 800XLs were sold with 128K RAM.
5 different types of 600XL/800XL keyboards were nicely documented by Beetle
here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105170
Production of the 800XL was discontinued by 1985.
Top Document: Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Document: 1.5) What is the Atari 600XL?
Next Document: 1.7) What is the Atari 65XE?
Single Page
[ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ]
Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer:
Michael Current <michael@mcurrent.name>
Last Update October 22 2009 @ 05:22 AM