Introduced in June 1983 alongside the 600XL, 1400XL (never shipped), and
1450XLD (never shipped), and first shipped late that year, the Atari 800XL
would replace the Atari 800 while maintaining compatibility with the earlier
model. Small quantities of 800XL computers shipped in the U.S. late in 1983,
before mass shipments commenced worldwide late winter/early spring, 1984.
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.
System initialization types supported:
- 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. (disables BASIC)
- Cassette boot: (boot cassette may or may not require BASIC or cartridge)
1. - With BASIC or with cartridge (cartridge disables BASIC):
Hold down [START] while turning on the computer.
- With no cartridge and without BASIC:
Hold down both [START] and [OPTION] 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 BASIC or cartridge inserted)
- With BASIC or with cartridge (cartridge disables BASIC):
Turn on computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
- With no cartridge and without BASIC:
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 Domestic version for NTSC M television (North America)
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC NTSC 'E' version, C021697
- Substituted in earlier units: 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
- 14KiB Operating System ROM
- Early units: XL OS Rev.1, C062024
- Most units: XL OS Rev.2, C061598
- Atari BASIC (8KiB ROM)
- Most units: Atari BASIC Rev. B, C060302
- Late units: Atari BASIC Rev. C, C024947
- Some internal pics:
http://atarinside.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=74
o PAL versions for PAL B/G television (Europe) or PAL I television (UK)
- Late unit motherboards (9/84 revision): "800XLF"
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC PAL 'B' version, C021698
- Substituted in earlier units: ANTIC PAL 'A' version, C014887
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- 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 B version) or 36 (PAL G/PAL I versions)
- RF Cable for TV connection supplied with computer
- 14KiB Operating System ROM
- Early units: XL OS Rev.1, C062024
- Most units: XL OS Rev.2, C061598
- Atari BASIC (8KiB ROM)
- Most units: Atari BASIC Rev. B, C060302
- Late units: Atari BASIC Rev. C, C024947
- Visual tour:
http://www.atari800xl.eu/hardware/computers/pal-atari-800xl.html
- More internal pics:
http://atarinside.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=73
o SECAM version (France)
- Motherboard: "SECAM ROSE"
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC PAL 'B' version, C021698
- FGTIA, C020120
- 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
- 14KiB Operating System ROM: XL OS Rev.2, C061598
- Atari BASIC Rev. C (8KiB ROM), C024947
- Visual tour:
http://www.atari800xl.eu/hardware/computers/secam-atari-800xl.html
- More internal pics:
http://atarinside.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=15
5 different types of 600XL/800XL keyboards were nicely documented by Beetle
here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105170-600800xl-keyboard-variants/
Manuals:
- The Atari 800XL Home Computer Owner's Guide C061859 (22 pages)
- Atari Computer 800XL C024450 (international; 64 pages)
- Atari Computer 600XL and Atari Computer 800XL Connection Instructions for
PAL TV Systems C061947 (international)
- Atari Home Computers Connection Instructions for SECAM Television Systems
C025342 (EN, FR) (1984)
- Atari 800XL Computer Field Service Manual FD100740
- REV. 01 February 1984
- REV. 02 June 1985
The 800XL was made by Atari-Wong Co. in Hong Kong from November 1983 to April
1984 (NTSC/PAL units), by Chelco Sound (Hong Kong) Limited from January to May
1984 (NTSC units with 7YJ serial numbers), and by Atari Taiwan Manufacturing
Corp. from March 1984 to April 1985 (NTSC/PAL/SECAM units). Serial numbers:
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/132201-800-xl-serial-numbers-secampalntsc/ |