The Atari 800XL is an 8-bit home computer manufactured by Atari, a US company, between 1982 and 1985. The computer was competing with the Commodore 64, but failed to beat the dreaded opponent.
To expand the collection, I wanted to buy an Atari 800XL and... the opportunity wasn't long in coming. On Facebook Marketplace I found an interesting ad, so this vintage Atari computer entered my collection in June 2021.
The computer was supposed to be working, but the first test, at the seller's house, was problematic! All the details in this article. In short... the seller had to give me a discount for the purchase of the computer, which was not working as promised.
In addition to the retro computer Atari 800XL, in the lot there was a floppy disk drive Atari 1050.
Startup screen
The start screen of the Atari Basic is very simple: it only shows the inscription READY.
If the Atari 1050 floppy disk drive is connected, the computer automatically attempts to boot from disk, loading its contents.
Always with floppy disk drive connected, holding down the OPTION When you turn it on, the computer does not load BASIC. In this case, there is more memory available to run some programs and games that, if the BASIC were in memory, would not start correctly.
When the Atari 1050 floppy disk drive is not connected to the computer, holding down the OPTION when switched on, the self-test of the computer starts. Through the self-test, it is easy to verify the correct functioning of the Atari 800XL.
Technical characteristics of the Atari 800XL
CPU: MOS 6502C, 1.77 MHz (PAL) / 1.79 MHz (NTSC)
ROM: 24 KB
RAM: 64 KB (expandable up to 128 KB)
Graphic:
- GTIA (Graphic Television Interface Adaptor): PAL OKI C014889, NTSC OKI C012295 and C014805
- ANTIC (Alphanumeric Television Interface Controller): PAL C021698, NTSC C021697
Text mode: 5 modes, from 20 columns x 12 lines to 40 columns x 24 rows
Graphics mode: 256 colors, 16 graphics modes, maximum 320 x 192 pixels
Audio: POKEY (POtentiometer KEYboard Integrated Circuit): C012294, 4 voices
Keyboard: mechanical, QWERTY 62 keys
Software included in ROM: Atari Basic
I/O Ports:
- 1 Audio/Video
- 1 Cartridge slot
- 1 Peripheral Port (SIO)
- 1 parallel BUS
- 2 Joystick Ports
Emulate the Atari 800XL
It is possible to emulate the Atari 800XL retro computer on a common Windows PC, via ALTIRRA. In this way, it is possible to try to start programs and games, as well as program the retro computer, in a simple and convenient way... without even owning it!
Power supply
The power supply of the Atari 800XL home computer is external.
Output: 5V, 1.5A.
Papers
Collection entry date: 04/06/2021.