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 where the Operating System is contained in a plug-in Personality Module (Atari CX801 10K ROM or compatible), and where RAM is contained in one, two, or three plug-in Memory Modules (Atari CX852 8K RAM, Atari CX853 16K RAM, or compatibles). 800 RAM totals of 8KiB, 16KiB, 24KiB, 32KiB, 40KiB, or 48KiB were thus supported by Atari.
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 / Blackboard mode - +12 volt supply on pin 12 of the SIO port - Internal plug-in 400/800 CPU Board (28/56 pin edge connector)
System initialization types supported: - Memo Pad: Turn on computer with no cartridge(s) inserted and no powered disk drive #1. - Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge(s) inserted. - Cassette boot: (boot cassette may or may not require cartridge(s) inserted) 1. Hold down [START] while turning on the computer. (system buzzer sounds) 2. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted. 3. Press [RETURN] on the computer. - Disk boot: (boot disk may or may not require cartridge(s) inserted) Turn on computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
Versions of the Atari 800: o Domestic version for NTSC M television (North America) - 1979-1980 systems shipped with: - 8KiB of RAM as one CX852 Memory 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 Memory 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 Memory 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 - CX801 10K ROM Personality Module - 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 o PAL versions for PAL B/G television (Europe) or PAL I television (UK) - Shipped 1981-1983 - 16KiB RAM (earlier units) or 48KiB RAM (later units) - 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806 - ANTIC PAL 'A' version, C014887 - GTIA PAL version, C014889 - CX801-P 10K ROM Personality Module - Monitor port is Atari 5-pin - Built-in TV connecting cable for TV antenna input - Channel switch on side of computer selects TV output RF channel: 36 (PAL/UK) or 4 (PAL) - "Peritel" PAL version for France has an added internal Peritel Adaptor board CA061034, and added "Peritel" monitor port on the left side of the unit toward the rear. (limited-palette RGB video) - Discussions: http://preview.tinyurl.com/p6myda9 http://atariage.com/forums/topic/191254-peritel-boards/ http://atariage.com/forums/topic/38412-8-bit-video-out/?p=455736 http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=4997.55;wap2 - Pictures: http://msx.fab.free.fr/mpc2/atari/patari80.htm - Rare! See L'Atarien #7 p33 for further reference - 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 Personal Computer System Service Manual - August 1980 - May 1981 - Atari 400/800 Home Computer Field Service Manual FD100001 - June 1982 - Rev. 02 May 1983 - 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.
The 800 was manufactured at Atari's plant at 1173 Borregas, Sunnyvale CA from December 1979 to May 1983 (most units), and late units were made by Atari-Wong Co. in Hong Kong in May-June 1983 (rare). Serial numbers: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/242227-calling-all-800s/ |