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From: Michael Current <mcurrent@carleton.edu>
Organization: Carleton College
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit,comp.answers,news.answers
Subject: Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions
Followup-To: comp.sys.atari.8bit
Date: 02 May 2003 13:14:24 GMT
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Archive-name: atari-8-bit/faq
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Last-modified: April 19, 2003
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 || | =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D|
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |LLLLLLLLLLL || | =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D|
|__[_____]__| |__[_____]____| |___[_____]___|
65XE 600XL 400
___________ _____________
| ///////// | ___________ | |
|___________| |/// / | | |
|______/////| |// / | /\___________ =
|=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D|
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |/O\ |\/ |LLLLLLLLLLL| | LLLLLLLLLLL |
|LLLLLLLLLLL| |-----------| |LLLLLLLLLLL| | LLLLLLLLLLL |
|__[_____]__| |____O_O_O_O| |__[_____]__| |___[_____]___|
800XE XE Game System 1200XL
Additions/suggestions/comments/corrections are needed! Please send to:
mailto:mcurrent@carleton.edu
Copyright (c) 1992-2003 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 FAQ list is in a constant state of development and comes with no
guarantees. If you see any problems, I need to hear from you!
Please refer to the latest version of this FAQ list whenever possible!
Available via these locations and Usenet FAQ archives everywhere:
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Or you can always ask me for a copy at mailto:mcurrent@carleton.edu
**********************************************************************
* For other 8-bit Atari related FAQs please see the "Welcome FAQ": *
* *
* http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/welcome/ *
* *
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**********************************************************************
UPDATES SINCE PREVIOUS POSTING
2003.04.19 8.1 FORTH info, much from Carsten Strotmann
2003.04.06 1.11 Keith Howell's scans of Atari chip datasheets
2003.03.29 11.2 current Atari releases
2003.03.29 new 6.17 Can I attach an ISA card to the Atari?
2003.03.12 10.2 ATABBS info from the author, Rod Roark (thanks Rick Ruhl)
2003.03.12 8.1 QS FORTH info from Winston Smith.
2003.03.11 11.2 Grand Prix Challenge (PS2)
2003.03.03 10.6 Atari810 1.4d
Subject: 0.1) Table of contents
0.1) Table of contents
The 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 are the 6502, ANTIC, CTIA/GTIA, POKEY, and FREDDIE chips?
1.12) What is the internal layout of the 8-bit Atari?
1.13) What issues surround NTSC vs PAL versions of the 8-bit Atari?
1.14) What are the pinouts for the various ports on the Atari?
Video Display
2.1) What video display devices can I use with my Atari?
Mass Storage
3.1) What are the Atari 410, 1010, XC11, and XC12 Program Recorders?
3.2) What other cassette recorders can I use with my Atari?
3.3) How do I run a program from cassette?
3.4) What are the Atari 810, 815, 1050, and XF551 Disk Drives?
3.5) What other floppy disk drives can I use with my Atari?
3.6) What kinds of 5.25" floppy disks can I use with my Atari drives?
3.7) How can I use a hard drive with my 8-bit 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 other printers can I use with my Atari?
MODEMs
5.1) What are the Atari 830, 835, 1030, XM301, and SX212 Modems?
5.2) What other modems can I use with my Atari?
More hardware
6.1) What is the Atari 850 Interface Module?
6.2) What is the Atari XEP80 Interface Module?
6.3) What accessories did Atari produce for their 8-bit computers?
6.4) What "vaporware" computers/peripherals were never released?
6.5) What are the power requirements for my Atari components?
6.6) What graphic tablets were produced for the Atari?
6.7) What lightpens were produced for the Atari?
6.8) What lightguns were produced for the Atari?
6.9) What paddles were produced for the Atari?
6.10) What voice/sound synthesis hardware was produced for the Atari?
6.11) What sound-digitizers/samplers were produced for the Atari?
6.12) What sound-enhancement upgrades were produced for the Atari?
6.13) What MIDI enhancements are there for the Atari?
6.14) What graphics enhancements are there for the Atari?
6.15) What types of memory upgrades are there for the Atari?
6.16) What networking hardware is there for the Atari?
6.17) Can I attach an ISA card to the Atari?
Core software: OS, BASIC, DOS, Modem handlers
7.1) What versions of the Atari Operating System (OS) are there?
7.2) What is the ATASCII character set?
7.3) What is Atari BASIC?
7.4) What are Atari DOS 1, DOS 2.0S, DOS 3, DOS 2.5, and DOS XE?
7.5) What are MyDOS, SpartaDOS, and other popular DOS versions?
7.6) How do I modify Atari DOS to support more than two drives?
7.7) Are there Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for the Atari?
7.8) What should I know about modem device handlers?
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 run only on the 400 and 800 models, and why?
8.5) What programs make use of the Light Gun or a light pen?
8.6) What programs have a track ball mode or support a mouse?
8.7) What programs have a paddle(s) or Koala Pad mode?
8.8) What programs have a CX85 Numerical Keypad mode?
8.9) What programs have a Touch tablet mode?
8.10) What kinds of RAMdisks can be set up on the Atari?
8.11) What programs support a RAMdisk?
8.12) What programs require a RAMdisk?
8.13) What voice/sound synthesis software is there for the Atari?
8.14) What programs support stereo and upgraded sound?
8.15) What games support online action via modem?
8.16) 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 "modern" computers
10.1) What programs can log in to other computers via modem?
10.2) What programs can I use to host a BBS on the Atari?
10.3) How can I read/write Atari disks on an MS-DOS PC?
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 Atari use my PC's HD using SIO2PC or Atari810?
10.7) How can my Atari use my PC's HD, printer and modem using APE?
10.8) How can I connect my 1050 drive to my PC with the APE ProSystem?
10.9) What about interoperating with the Apple Macintosh?
Timeline
11.1) How did Atari get its name?
11.2) What is the History of Atari?
Subject: 1.1) What is an Atari 8-bit computer?
Based in Silicon Valley in the U.S.A., 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.
These machines competed in the marketplace most directly with the likes of the
Commodore 64 series, the Apple II series, the Texas Instruments TI99/4A, and
the Radio Shack Color Computer, among others. Of these, the 8-bit Atari is
most similar to the Commodore 64.
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 the same joystick/controller hardware
port.
The 5200 SuperSystem is actually nearly identical to the 8-bit computers
internally, yet cartridges for the 5200 and the 8-bit computers cannot be
exchanged, primarly due to the physically different cartridge ports.
Here are some of the performance specifications of the 8-bit Atari computers:
(Some of the rest of this section by Bill Kendrick)
CPU: 6502 (MOS Technology)
CPU CLOCK SPEED:
NTSC machines: 1.7897725 MHz
non-NTSC machines: 1.773447 MHz
SCREEN REFRESH RATE:
59.94 times per second (Hz) on NTSC Ataris
49.86 Hz on PAL machines
GRAPHICS MODES:
ANTIC CIO/BASIC Display Resolution Number of
Mode # Graphics # Type (full screen) Colors
---------------------------------------------------------------
2 0 Char 40 x 24 1 *
3 - Char 40 x 19 1 *
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 1 *
F 9 + Map 80 x 192 1 **
F 10 + Map 80 x 192 9
F 11 + Map 80 x 192 16 ***
* 1 Hue; 2 Luminances
** 1 Hue; 16 Luminances
*** 16 Hues; 1 Luminance
+ require the GTIA chip. 1979-1981 400/800's shipped with CTIA
++ Not available via the BASIC GRAPHICS command in 400/800's.
GRAPHICS INDIRECTION (COLOR REGISTERS AND CHARACTER SETS):
Nine color registers are available. Each color register holds any of 16
luminances x 16 hues =3D 256 colors. (Four registers are for player-missile
graphics.
Character sets of 128 8x8 characters, each with a normal and an inverse video
incarnation, are totally redefinable.
PLAYER-MISSILE GRAPHICS: (byte height and OR corrections from Piotr Fusik)
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 INTERRUPTS (DLI's):
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:
All other screen attributes (color, player/missile horizontal position,
screen width, player/missile/playfield priority, etc.) can be ajusted
at any point down the screen via DLI's.
SCROLLING:
Fine scrolling (both vertical and horizontal) can be enabled on any
line on the screen.
SOUND:
Four voices of 8-bit pitch-resolution, 4-bit volume-resolution,
8-distortion sound can be produced. 2 voices (1 and 2, and/or 3 and 4)
can be combined to make 16-bit pitch-resolution. Also 4-bit volume-only
modes can be enabled for digitally sampled sound replay.
A fifth "voice" is produced by the internal speaker on Atari 400/800's
(for keyclick and buzzer) and in the XL's and XE's this was
(fortunately!) rerouted through the normal audio output, and the
keyclick can be disabled.
Subject: 1.2) What is the Atari 400?
Released along with the 800 in 1979, the 400 was the low-end model of the two.
The only 8-bit Atari with a membrane keyboard rather than a full-stroke
keyboard. One of the few 8-bit Ataris lacking a composite monitor port.
Originally released with just 8K RAM, but most were sold with 16K RAM. Atari
sold the Atari 400 48K RAM Expansion Kit, which required a little soldering,
to dealers only.
Only the 400 and 800 8-bit Atari models have four controller (joystick) ports.
Early 400 units include the CTIA chip; later units include the GTIA chip,
also present in all later 8-bit Ataris.
The 1982 Atari catalog calls the 400 "The Basic Computer".
The 400 was discontinued in 1983.
During development the 400 was known internally as "Candy."
Subject: 1.3) What is the Atari 800?
Released along with the 400 in 1979, the 800 was the high-end model of the
two. 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. Originally
released with just 8K RAM, many were sold with 16K, later on 48K was standard.
The 800 is also the only 8-bit Atari with a four-slot modular design, where
the first slot holds the CX801 (CX801-P for PAL machines) 10K ROM module, and
the other three slots hold combinations of CX852 8K or CX853 16K RAM modules.
Only the 400 and 800 8-bit Atari models have four controller (joystick) ports.
Early 800 units include the CTIA chip; later units include the GTIA chip,
also present in all later 8-bit Ataris.
The 800 was discontinued in 1983.
During development the 800 was known internally as "Colleen."
Subject: 1.4) What is the Atari 1200XL?
Released as a big brother to the 400/800 in 1982, the 1200XL now uses Atari's
slightly customized 6502C microprocessor, and includes a full 64K RAM. The
1200XL was the first 8-bit Atari with just 2 controller ports. In addition,
the 1200XL includes 4 programmable Function keys and a Help key, 4 LEDs,
built-in diagnostic and graphics demonstration programs, and probably the
favorite keyboard of any 8-bit Atari computer. Clicks previously outputted
through the built-in speaker are now heard from the television or monitor's
speaker. The revised 16K Operating System offers many new features, including
an alternate International Character Set.
The 1200XL was the biggest single step forward in development of the 8-bit
Atari platform, but the corresponding software compatability problems hurt
its popularity.
The 1200XL lacks separate chroma video signal, and also lacks the +5 Volts
power on pin 10 of the SIO port.
The 1200XL was discontinued in 1983.
Subject: 1.5) What is the Atari 600XL?
Released in 1983 as a replacement for the 400, the 600XL is the low-end
version of the 800XL. The 600XL/800XL include most of the features of the
1200XL minus the Function keys and the demo program. But both the 800XL and
600XL 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 600XL has 16K RAM.
The 600XL can be expanded from 16K to 64K with the Atari 1064 Memory Module.
Normally boots with Atari BASIC (Revision B) enabled;
Hold down [Option] on startup to boot without BASIC.
The North American/NTSC 600XL does not include a composite monitor port;
The European/PAL 600XL includes the monitor port, but this lacks the chroma
video signal.
The 600XL was discontinued in 1985.
Subject: 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 Function keys and the demo program. But both the
800XL and 600XL 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.
Normally boots with Atari BASIC (Rev. B, or late models with Rev. C) enabled;
Hold down [Option] on startup to boot without BASIC.
The 800XL lacks separate chroma video signal.
There was a late version of the 800XL in Europe, called 800XLF. The 800XLF
includes a redesigned motherboard (the XE design) and contains FREDDIE
for memory management and has chroma output. BASIC is Revision C.
Though Atari never disclosed sales figures, the 800XL was likely the most-
sold of all 8-bit Atari computer models.
The 800XL was discontinued in 1985.
Subject: 1.7) What is the Atari 65XE?
Released in 1985 as a replacement for the 600XL, the 65XE is the low-end
version of the 130XE. The 65XE is nearly identical to the 800XL in features,
minus the PBI. Many European (PAL) 65XE's include the ECI port, but no North
American (NTSC) 65XE's include the ECI port. All XE computers also include
the FREDDIE memory management chip.
Normally boots with Atari BASIC (Revision C) enabled;
Hold down [Option] on startup to boot without BASIC.
The 65XE was discontinued in 1992.
Subject: 1.8) What is the Atari 130XE?
Released in 1985 as a replacement for the 800XL, the 130XE is the high-end
version of the 65XE. The 130XE offers 128K RAM, plus the FREDDIE memory
management chip, supporting the unique (but rarely used) ability for the 6502
and the ANTIC to independently access RAM banks. In addition, the 130XE
replaces the PBI port with the Enhanced Cartridge Interface (ECI), continuing
the powerful feature of a fast parallel port.
Normally boots with Atari BASIC (Revision C) enabled;
Hold down [Option] on startup to boot without BASIC.
The 130XE was discontinued in 1992.
Subject: 1.9) What is the Atari 800XE?
Unseen and unknown in North America, the 800XE was sold in eastern Europe.
The 800XE is identical in features to the European version of the 65XE,
including the ECI port. The 800XE could also be described as a 64K version of
the 130XE.
Normally boots with Atari BASIC (Revision C) enabled;
Hold down [Option] on startup to boot without BASIC.
Jindrich Kubec writes, "The problematic Chinese 800XEs with GTIA problems were
manufactured in 1992."
The 800XE was discontinued in 1992.
Subject: 1.10) What is the Atari XE Game System?
In a change of marketing strategy, Atari introduced the new XE Game System in
1987. Despite its label, the XEGS is a true 8-bit Atari computer system. It
offers the convenience of a detachable keyboard and built-in Missile Command
game, while offering 64K RAM and full compatibility with the 65XE. It was
packaged with the Light Gun, and the Flight Simulator II and Bug Hunt
cartridges.
Keyboard connected/no cartridge:
boots to Atari BASIC
Keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select] held down at startup:
boots to Missile Command
No keyboard connected/no cartridge:
boots to Missile Command
No keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select] held down at startup:
boots from disk drive
No keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select]+[Start] held down at startup:
boots from tape drive
[Option] held down at startup =3D BASIC on
[Option] not pressed at startup =3D BASIC off
(opposite from all other XL/XE machines)
Andreas Magenheimer writes:
Tip: The confused XEGS Atarian should use the XEGS manager by Mat*Rat
(Mathew Ratcliff). This assumes one knows at least how to boot a disk
with the XEGS...
James Bradford offers:
There is only 1 32K ROM in the XEGS, it has the OS, BASIC (Rev C) and
Missile Command on it.
The XE Game System was discontinued in 1992.
Subject: 1.11) What are the 6502, ANTIC, CTIA/GTIA, POKEY, and FREDDIE chips?
Some of the following text is taken from De Re Atari (Atari#APX-90008), a book
published by Atari through the Atari Program Exchange (APX) and copyright 1982
by Chris Crawford, et al. See http://www.atariarchives.org/dere/ where the
full text of De Re Atari is now available online.
The internal layout of the Atari 8-bit computer is very different from other
systems. It of course has a microprocessor (a 6502), RAM, ROM, and a PIA.
However, it also has three special-purpose (LSI) chips known as ANTIC, GTIA,
and POKEY. These chips were designed by Atari engineers primarily to take
much of the burden of housekeeping off of the 6502, thereby freeing the 6502
to concentrate on computations. While they were at it, they designed a great
deal of power into these chips. Each of these chips is almost as big (in terms
of silicon area) as a 6502, so the three of them together provide a tremendous
amount of power. Mastering the Atari 8-bit computers is primarily a matter of
mastering these three chips.
6502 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
=3D=3D=3D=3D
While the 400/800 models contain a generic 6502B CPU (a faster version of the
original 6502A microprocessor), all of the XL/XE models contain Atari's
customized 6502C chip.
On the Atari, there are two microprocessors, ANTIC and the 6502. To allow
them to coexist, ANTIC must shut off the 6502, a process called DMA. The
6502B supports DMA, but in Atari's implementation, it required 4 chips. The
6502C has an extra line called HALT. It is controlled by ANTIC which uses it
whenever it needs the data/address bus. The HALT line is on pin 35 of the
Atari 6502C and must be pulled high for the chip to work.
ANTIC
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
ANTIC ("Alpha-Numeric Television Interface Circuit") is a microprocessor
dedicated to the television display. It is a true microprocessor; it has an
instruction set, a program (called the display list), and data. The display
list and the display data are written into RAM by the 6502. ANTIC retrieves
this information from RAM using direct memory access (DMA). It processes the
higher level instructions in the display list and translates these
instructions into a real-time stream of simple instructions to GTIA.
Frank Schuster writes (6/1/02):
the patent for the ANTIC processor:
U.S. Patent 4,296,476 October 20, 1981 for a "Data processing system with
programmable graphics generator". Inventors listed: Steven T. Mayer; Jay
G. Miner; Douglas G. Neubauer; Joseph C. Decuir
CTIA/GTIA
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
CTIA ("Color Television Interface Adapter") / GTIA ("George's Television
Interface Adapter") is a television interface chip. ANTIC directly controls
most of GTIA's operations, but the 6502 can be programmed to intercede and
control some or all of GTIA's functions. GTIA converts the digital commands
from ANTIC (or the 6502) into the signal that goes to the television. GTIA
also adds some factors of its own, such as color values, player-missile
graphics, and collision detection.
Early 400/800 models included CTIA, later 400/800 models and all later 8-bit
Ataris included GTIA.
In BASIC, type POKE 623,64 [RETURN] and if the screen blackens, you have the
GTIA chip. If it stays blue, you have the old CTIA chip.
By the way, apparently no CTIA-equipped Ataris were shipped to Europe.
Clay Halliwell provides this tidbit:
A bit of trivia: CTIA 400/800s artifact in blue/green, GTIA 400/800s
artifact in green/blue, and all XL/XEs artifact in red/blue.
Jerry Jessop explains why French Ataris produce fewer colors:
I will tell you why it only has monochrome out, because it's SECAM and a
SECAM GTIA was never produced. The PAL GTIA is used in France and the Lum
outputs are run into an onboard encoder to produce a "psudo" color depending
on the Luminance output, composite only. This is why a SECAM VCS or 800 has
nowhere near the same number of colors (16) availible as a PAL or NTSC unit
(256).
The FGTIA was never completed as the market size did not warrant the =
expense.
The largest SECAM market is not France but the Soviet Union (former) and in
80-84 sales of these items there were not possible.
Frank Schuster writes (6/1/02):
..here a summary of Atari patents covering technical parts of the GTIA /
CTIA or at least the steps of development to it. I found them by following
the references made in the "newest" patent 4,324,401 which at the end
stands for the GTIA.
U.S. Patent 4,324,401 April 13, 1982 for a "Method and system for
generating moving objects on a video display screen". Inventors listed:
David R. Stubben, Lyle V. Rains. References: 4,116,444; 4,107,665
U.S. Patent 4,189,728 February 19, 1980 for an "Apparatus for generating a
plurality of moving objects on a video display screen utilizing
associative memory". Inventor listed: David R. Stubben. References:
4,116,444; 4,045,789
U.S. Patent 4,116,444 September 26, 1978 for a "Method for generating a
plurality of moving objects on a video display screen". Inventors listed:
Steven T. Mayer; Ronald E. Milner. References: 4,016,362; 3,793,483
U.S. Patent 4,107,665 August 15, 1978 for an "Apparatus for continuous
variation of object size on a raster type video screen". Inventors listed:
Steven T. Mayer; Ronald E. Milner
U.S. Patent 4,045,789 August 30, 1977 for a "Animated video image display
system and method". Inventor listed: Stephen D. Bristow. References:
3,793,483
U.S. Patent 4,016,362 April 5, 1977 for a "Multiple image positioning
control system and method". Inventors listed: Stephen D. Bristow; Steven
T. Mayer. References: 3,793,483
U.S. Patent 3,793,483 February 19, 1974 for a "Video Image Control System
for Amusement Device". Inventor listed: Nolan K. Bushnell
POKEY
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
POKEY (means "POT and KEY" as in the paddles and keyboard) is a digital
input/output (I/O) chip. It handles such disparate tasks as the serial I/O
bus, audio generation, keyboard scan, and random number generation. It also
digitizes the resistive paddle inputs and controls maskable interrupt (IRQ)
requests from peripherals.
All four of these LSI chips function simultaneously. Careful separation of
their functions in the design phase has minimized conflicts between the chips.
The only hardware level conflict between any two chips in the system occurs
when ANTIC needs to use the address and data buses to fetch its display
information. To do this, it halts the 6502 and takes control of the buses."
The USPTO granted U.S. Patent 4,314,236 to Atari on February 2, 1982 for an
"Apparatus for producing a plurality of audio sound effects" - POKEY.
Inventors listed: Steven T. Mayer, Ronald E. Milner
FREDDIE
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
The 65XE/130XE/800XE/XEGS contain a small additional LSI called FREDDIE, a RAM
address multiplexer. According to James Bradford, "FREDDIE is a type of
memory controller. It takes the address and clock from the CPU and
multiplexes it with the appropriate timings and signals to use DYNAMIC memory.
FREDDIE also buffers the system clock crystal and divides it down then feeds
that to GTIA. The XEGS has a FREDDIE but it doesn't have the extended RAM.
Even if it did, you would still need the chip that does the REAL bank
switching. It is a small 16-pin chip (Atari/Best Electronics catalog number
CO25953: rev9/page 42). It gets RAS from FREDDIE, the bank select bits from
PIA, A14, A15 and the 6502 halt signal to control which bank of 8 chips RAS
goes to. A14 and A15 then go to FREDDIE for the address range of the extra
memory bank (or normal address range with no bank switching). The ANTIC/6502
select bits in combination with the 6502 halt line, control the switching of
the PIA bank number bits to A14/A15 and which bank of memory RAS goes to. Why
people say FREDDIE does the bank switching is beyond me. An 800XL can look
like a 130XE with that 16-pin chip installed (That's right NO FREDDIE) and an
extra 8 RAM chips."
And more recently James Bradford has written:
FREDDIE is just a memory decoder and timer. It replaces several chips in the
800XL. The small chip near FREDDIE does all the bank selection. CO25953.
One line from FREDDIE, Ras (or is it cas?) goes to this chip, Halt and the
bank /processor select lines go into this same chip and ras (cas?) comes out.
A pin for each bank. If I remember correctly, refresh also goes into this
small chip. It would be quite easy to make an 800XL work just like a 130XE
with this chip since Ras (Cas?) is required by ALL dynamic RAM.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Technical data sheets and schematics for the ANTIC, GTIA, and POKEY chips are
available on Curt Vendel's web site, thanks to permission from Hasbro's Atari
Interactive Division's release of this data. See the TIFF scans:
http://www.atari-history.com/articles.html
Keith Howell has converted the hi-res TIFFs into clean HTML:
http://www.howell1964.freeserve.co.uk/Atari/800XL/Atari_800XL.htm
Subject: 1.12) What is the internal layout of the 8-bit Atari?
ASCII art by Thomas Havemeister.
->
+---------------------------------------+
| +------------+ |
| | CPU (6502) | +-------+
| +------------+ <- | I/O- |
| | +----------|release|
| +-+ | +-------+
| +---------+<- |p| | |
| | MMU |-----| | | <-+---------+-|----------+----------+
*-| memory- | |r| *---| PIA | | (trigger)|Controller|=3D=3D=3D=3D\
| |managment|-----|-+--------| (6520) | |+---------| Ports |=3D=3D=3D=3D/
| +---------+<- |o| -> | +---------+-|-+ <--> +----------+
| | | | ||| | |
| +-----+ |c| | <-+---------+ ||| |(lightpen)
| | RAM |<-A/D | | *---| ANTIC | ||| | |
*---|8-128|-------|e|----|---|(2nd CPU)|---------------+ |
| |Kbyte|->D | | -> | +---------+ ||| +---------------
| +-----+ |s| | || ||| |
| | | | <-+---------+-|||--------+(screen)
| +-------+ |s| *---| GTIA |-|+| | |
| | Atari |<-A | |----|---| /CTIA | | | | +----------+ +-----------+
| | BASIC |------|o| -> | +---------+ | | | | summary |=3D=3D=3D| =
modulator |
*--|8 Kbyte|->D | | | | | | |connection|=3D=3D=3D| =
^^^^^^^^^ |
| | ROM | |r| | <-+---------+ | | | +----------+ +-----------+
| +-------+ | | +---| POKEY |-|-|-+ |(sound) |
| | |--------| |-|-|--------+ |
| +-------+ |b| -> +---------+ | +----------+ |
| |AtariOS|<-A | | | | | |
*--|10/16Kb|------|u| +--|----------+ | tv/monitor
| | ROM |->D | +----------------- | | | **********
| +-------+ |s| | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| +-+ +-+ | | |
| | | | | |
+--------------*---|------------*---| | | |
| | | | | | |
+-----------+ +-----------+ +------------+
|ParallelBus| | Cartridge | | Serial |
|Interface/ | | Slot | |Input/Output|
| Enhanced | | ROM | | (SIO) |
| Cartridge | +-----------+ +------------+
| Interface | | |
+-----------+ | |
| | |
- memory expansion -cartridge with - disk drive
- Z80 card programs - printer
- 80 char card (games , dos ) - modem
NOTES
* RAM: 400/800: 8K, 16K or 48K standard
600XL:16K standard
1200XL/800XL/65XE/800XE/XEGS: 64K standard
130XE:128K standard
* ROM: 400/800:10K OS, 1200XL:16K OS, all others:16K OS + 8K Atari BASIC
* CPU: 400/800:6502B, all others:6502C
* 800 includes two Cartridge Slots, all others include one
* early release 400/800 have CTIA instead of GTIA
* 400/800 have 4 Controller Ports, all others have 2
* PBI is on 600XL/800XL only
* ECI is on 130XE/800XE/many PAL 65XE only
* Some late XE's use a 68B21 for PIA; PIA is 6520/6520A on all others
The following are most of the team who originally designed the 400/800.
Credit for providing this information for the FAQ goes to:
Doug Neubauer (by way of James Finnegan), Jerry Jessop, Scott Emmons
VLSI HARDWARE:
Jay Miner - Creator and System architect, VSLI manager
Steve Mayer - Also one of the creators - Partner in "Cyan Engineering"
Lawrence D. Emmons - Also one of the creators - Partner in "Cyan Engineering"
Joe Decuir - ANTIC and system and creator
???A French guy - ANTIC logic designer
George McLeod - CTIA and GTIA logic design
Doug Neubauer - POKEY logic design
Mark Shieu - POKEY chip design
Steve Stone - POKEY layout design
Steve Smith - Technician for ANTIC and GTIA
Delwin Pearson - Technician for POKEY
Subject: 1.13) What issues surround NTSC vs PAL versions of the 8-bit Atari?
Contributors to this section:
Wayne Booth, Graham Thornton, Brent Buescher Jr., Thomas Richter, Jindroush
Some quick definitions first:
NTSC standard: Abbreviation for "National Television Standards Committee"
TV signal standard used in North America, Central America, a number of South
American countries, and some Asian countries, including Japan.
525 lines per frame
60 half-frames per second (interlaced) =3D 60 Hz
Complete frame refreshed 30 times per second
PAL: Acronym for "phase alternation by line"
TV signal standard used in the United Kingdom, much of the rest of western
Europe, several South American countries, some Middle East and Asian
countries, several African countries, Australia, New Zealand, and other
Pacific island countries.
625 lines per frame
50 half-frames per second (interlaced) =3D 50 Hz
Complete frame refreshed 25 times per second.
PAL-M: A modified version of PAL, used in Brazil.
SECAM: Acronym for "systeme electronique couleur avec memoire"
TV signal standard used in France, eastern European countries, the former
USSR, and some African countries.
625 lines per frame
50 half-frames per second (interlaced) =3D 50 Hz
Complete frame refreshed 25 times per second.
Now then, how do the differences among 8-bit Atari computers designed for the
different world television signal standards affect users trying to use
software written elsewhere in the world?
The 50Hz vertical refresh frequency of PAL machines translates into more
vertical blank interrupt (VBI) time for demos and other computation-intensive
graphics software, when compared to the time available for VBIs on NTSC
machines with the faster 60Hz refresh frequency. So PAL demos and games that
won't work on NTSC machines are usually returning from a VBI too late. Some
also attempt to use more vertical resolution ("longer" display lists) than an
NTSC display can handle.
Note that the reverse is also true. Software using VBIs will run more slowly
on a PAL Atari than on an NTSC Atari.
Replacing the NTSC ANTIC chip in an NTSC Atari with a PAL ANTIC changes the
screen refresh rate to 50Hz, allowing most of the PAL-only European software
to run on a North American NTSC Atari. However, make sure your display device
can support a 50Hz PAL signal first! North American Atari users can also
obtain and use real European PAL Atari machines, with the same caveat
concerning the display device.
Bottom line:
Software written for NTSC machines (North America) will (almost) always work
on PAL machines (Europe), but software designed on PAL machines won't
necessarily work on NTSC machines.
Jindroush contributes: (2/26/02)
Could there be a program which runs on NTSC Atari and not on PAL Atari?
Yes, if it uses some precise timing copy protection (probably based on
vblank timing). Examples of these are Transylvania and The Quest by
Penguin Software.
Thomas Richter mentions another NTSC vs PAL issue:
Another point is that the popular pseudo-colors used in the ANTIC-F
(Graphics 8) mode are not colorful at all when displayed on a PAL TV, because
of differences in the color encoding for the TV. The schematics of
the XL computers include however a hack how to change the PAL version to
the NTSC version (the PAL versions include two crystals, one with 5/4th of
the frequency of the other. One is used for the system clock, the other for
the color clock), but I never dared to apply it.
Subject: 1.14) What are the pinouts for the various ports on the Atari?
Controller Port (4 on 400/800, 2 on all others):
1 2 3 4 5
o o o o o
o o o o
6 7 8 9 CX22 trackball meanings from Steve Wallace:
1. (Joystick) Forward Input X Direction
2. (Joystick) Back Input X Motion
3. (Joystick) Left Input Y Direction
4. (Joystick) Right Input Y Motion
5. B Potentiometer Input
6. Trigger Input / Light Pen Input. Port 4 only on 400
7. +5V
8. Ground
9. A Potentiometer Input
Serial I/O (SIO) Port (all machines):
2 12
o o o o o o
o o o o o o o
1 13
1. Clock Input 8. Motor Control
2. Clock Output 9. Proceed
3. Data Input 10. +5V/Ready (not on 1200XL)
4. Ground 11. Audio Input
5. Data Output 12. +12V (400,800 only. 1400XL/1450XLD?)
6. Ground 13. Interrupt
7. Command
Cartridge Slot ("Left" slot on all machines; "Right" slot on 800 only):
A B C D E F H J K L M N P R S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1. ~S4(Left) R/~W late(Right) A. RD4(Left) B02(Right)
2. A3 B. GND
3. A2 C. A4
4. A1 D. A5
5. A0 E. A6
6. D4 F. A7
7. D5 H. A8
8. D2 J. A9
9. D1 K. A12
10. D0 L. D3
11. D6 M. D7
12. ~S5(Left) ~S4(Right) N. A11
13. +5V P. A10
14. RD5(Left) RD4(Right) R. R/~W
15. ~CCTL S. B02
Monitor Jack (all but 400, N. American 600XL, XE Game System, SECAM systems):
3 1
5 4
2
1. Composite Luminance
2. Ground
3. Audio Output
4. Composite Video
5. Composite Chroma (not on 800XL,1200XL; grounded on 600XL)
Monitor Jack, SECAM systems: (thanks Jer Sobola)
V
5 1
3
4 2
6
1 +12V DC 5mA max
2 Audio 1 output
3 Audio 2 output
4 Video output
5 GND
6 +5V 100mA max
Amplitude Audio 2 is about 6 times closer than Audio 1
Power Adapter Plug (all but 400,800,1200XL,1400XL,1450XLD):
7 6
3 1
5 4
2
1. +5V
2. Shield
3. Ground
4. +5V
5. Ground
6. +5V
7. Ground
Parallel Bus Interface (PBI) (600XL and 800XL only):
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
1. GND ground 2. External select
3. A0 Address output 4. A1
5. A2 6. A3
7. A4 8. A5
9. A6 10. GND
11. A7 12. A8
13. A9 14. A10
15. A11 16. A12
17. A13 18. A14
19. GND 20. A15
21. D0 Data (bidirectional) 22. D1
23. D2 24. D3
25. D4 26. D5
27. D6 28. D7
29. GND 30. GND
31. Phase 2 clock output 32. GND
33. NC Reserved 34. Reset output
35. (IRQ) Interrupt request 36. Ready input
37. NC 38. External decoder output
39. NC 40. Refresh output
41. Column address output 42. GND
43. Math pack disable input 44. Row addr strobe
45. GND 46. Latch read/write out
47. NC (+5V on 600XL only) 48. NC (+5V on 600XL only, used to power 1064)
49. Audio input 50. GND
Enhanced Cartridge Interface (ECI) (130XE, 800XE and many PAL 65XE only):
A B C D E F H
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A. Reserved 1. ~EXSEL
B. ~IRQ 2. ~RST
C. ~HALT 3. ~D1XX
D. A13 4. ~MPD
E. A14 5. Audio
F. A15 6. ~REF
H. GND 7. +5V
Keyboard Port (XE Game System only):
1 8
o o o o o o o o
o o o o o o o
9 15
1. KR2 Keyboard Response 8. K2 Keyboard Scan
2. K3 Keyboard Scan 9. Ground
3. K4 Keyboard Scan 10. Not Connected
4. K5 Keyboard Scan 11. Ground
5. KR1 Keybaord Response 12. Not Connected
6. K0 Keyboard Scan 13. Trigger 2
7. K1 Keyboard Scan 14. 5 VDC
15. 5 VDC
Subject: 2.1) What video display devices can I use with my Atari?
Contributors to channel output variations list:
Jon Levy, Rene de Bie, Sysop Fox-1
Most 8-bit Atari computers put out video signals in two places:
1) Radio-Frequency (RF) signal, either one VHF channel, or two VHF channels
selectable by a switch on the computer. Variations depend primarily on the
part of the world that the particular version of the computer was desgined =
for.
Most North American computers: VHF channels 2-3 switch-selectable.
channels 3-4 switch selectable also reported
European computers: VHF channels 3-4 switch-selectable,
or no switch (what channel?) both reported
UK computers: VHF channel 36, no switch,
or channels 38-39 switch selectable both reported
Australian computers: VHF channel 1 (400/800: channels 1-2 selectable)
Any further clarifications would be appreciated!
Accessories needed:
a) RF Cable. (RF=3Dradio frequency--video and audio signals in the same =
line)
On the 400/800 models, the RF Cable does not detach from the computer.
The output end of the cable is an RCA male connector.
b) TV Switch Box. Includes an RCA female connector for RF signal input from
the Atari, input connector(s) for your TV attenna and/or cable TV =
company,
and 75- and/or 300-ohm VHF output connector(s) for connection to the VHF
input on the television. (Radio Shack carries a suitable TV Switch Box.)
2) A proprietary 5-pin DIN Monitor Jack, which includes two video signals:
a) Composite video.
b) Y/C Video, also known as S-Video:
separate composite luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) signals.
Exceptions among the computer models:
-the 400 and North American 600XL lack the Monitor Jack.
-the XE Game System includes an RCA-style jack in place of the Monitor Jack,
providing a plain composite video signal only.
-the Monitor Jack on the 600XL, 800XL and 1200XL lacks the separate =
chrominance
signal. (But it exists internally, and can be restored to the monitor jack
via hardware modification.)
The pinout for the Atari Monitor Jack is in the pinouts sections of this FAQ
list.
The typical Atari Monitor Cable includes the male 5-pin DIN connector on one
end, and two RCA male connectors on the other end. One of the RCA connectors
will carry the monophonic sound signal, and the other will carry the composite
video signal. Color composite monitors were common in the mid-80's, but these
days many televisions have an RCA female composite video input connector which
works fine with the Atari.
You may find an Atari Monitor Cable where the video signal carried on the
second RCA connector is not the composite video signal, but the composite
luminance signal. These cables are for use with monochrome composite video
monitors (usually green or amber).
The ideal Atari Monitor Cable includes 3 RCA male connectors on the output
end, carrying the sound signal, the composite luminance signal, and the
composite chrominance signal. Only the best composite monitors include
separate chrominance and luminance inputs. Commodore produced many fine
monitors of this type, popular with Atari users.
Lonnie McClure provides this information on suitable Commodore monitors:
1701, 1702, 1802, CM-141, 1080, 2002, 1902, 1902A*, 1084**, 1084S**
* The 1902A used a DIN connector for chroma/luma, which makes cabling a
bit more of a problem. The composite and audio connectors are standard
RCA jacks, however.
** The 1084 and 1084S had more than one version. Some used the a DIN
connector for chroma/luma connections, like the 1902A, while some used
standard RCA jacks.
The 1902 and 1902A are very different in appearance. The original 1902
shares the same slightly rounded front case design as the 1080 and 2002,
while the 1902A is has a rather square case design, and was manufactured
by Magnavox (as were some of the 1084 and 1084S versions).
The separate composite chrominance and luminance signals that the Atari puts
out comprise what the world has since come to call Y/C video or S-video.
S-video connectors are normally Mini4. It is possible to build a cable, or
purchase several adapters, that can allow you to utilize the separate Y/C
signals generated by the Atari with a television (or other display device)
that provides a standard S-video Mini4 input jack. This is the ultimate
display option for the 8-bit Atari. Clarence Dyson has a nice page about
such a project at http://www.wolfpup.net/atari/svideo.html .
Adapters also exist that will take in composite video or s-video, and output a
conversion of the signal as a standard VGA video signal. These are often
known as a "VGA converter" or "Scan doubler." With such a device, the 8-bit
Atari can be used with a standard PC VGA monitor. One such adapter is the
Cheese Video Box, from TV One, http://www.tvone.com/. An earlier popular
device was the JAM!! from AIMS Lab.
A Euroconnector ("SCART" in the UK; "Peritel" in Europe) socket is generally
present on European televisions and video systems, rather than "s-video"
connectors as seen in North America. The Euroconnector includes composite
video, audio, and separate RGB video signals. It should be possible to
interface the Atari's composite video signal (along with the audio signal)
through a Euroconnector, though I haven't actually seen reports of people
doing this.
Subject: 3.1) What are the Atari 410, 1010, XC11, and XC12 Program Recorders?
The Atari Program Recorders provide storage and retrieval of programs
and data on cassette tape. In addition to the digital track that stores
computer data, a second audio track is provided to play music or voice
as the program runs.
Data transmission rate: 600 bits per second.
Data storate capacity: 100,000 bytes per 60-minute cassette.
Track configuration: 4 track, 2 channel (digital data and audio track)
410 Program Recorder
- early Japan version had a carrying handle
- most versions made in Hong Kong
- 410a--Taiwan version
- built-in SIO cable - must end SIO daisy chain
- power - plugs directly into wall
1010 Program Recorder
- Chelco version has Stop/Eject, then Pause buttons
- Sanyo version has Pause, then Stop/Eject buttons
- two SIO ports
XC11 Program Recorder
- has a built-in SIO cable and one SIO port
XC12 Program Recorder
- built-in SIO cable - must end SIO daisy chain
- Information on the Turbo 6000 Baud Interface and the Chaos Loader:
http://www-user.tu-chemnitz.de/~sgl/atari/turb6000/turb6000.htm
Subject: 3.2) What other cassette recorders can I use with my Atari?
Firstly Atari themselves put out several models beyond the 410/1010/XC11/XC12,
generally only known in eastern Europe:
XCA12 Program Recorder -in same case as XC12...Poland
CA12 Program Recorder -in same case as XC12...Poland
image: http://romualdl.multimania.com/images/atari/ca12.jpg
XL12 Program Recorder -XC12 w/slight changed design. Czech/Slovak/Poland
XC13 Program Recorder -XC12 which was "T2000 ready". Czech/Slovak/Poland
For more information on the Turbo 2000 (T2000) and SuperTurbo modifications to
Atari program recorders, with speeds up 9600 baud, see
http://jindroush.atari.org/
Unlike other microcomputer systems of the time, it was very unusual to use
anything but Atari brand program cassette recorders. One third-party product
released was the:
Compu-Mate, by General Electric (GE, G.E.)
Includes external interface module, a power cord/adapter, and SIO cable.
No second SIO port - must be at end of SIO chain.
Subject: 3.3) How do I run a program from cassette?
To run an Atari BASIC program from cassette:
1. Place the cassette in the recorder.
2. Press REWIND of FORWARD, if necessary, to bring the tape to the position
where the program is located.
3. Boot the computer to the Atari BASIC READY prompt.
4. There are several possibilities for the next step, depending on how the
program was saved, and whether you want to run the program or just load
it into RAM. Enter one of the following four commands:
a. CLOAD loads programs saved with CSAVE
b. LOAD "C:" loads programs saved with SAVE "C:"
c. ENTER "C:" loads programs saved with LIST "C:"
d. RUN "C:" loads&runs programs saved with SAVE "C:"
] Relative efficiency of the three cassette tape recording techniques:
] CSAVE/CLOAD - most efficient - fastest saves/loads - tokenized files
] SAVE "C:"/LOAD "C:" - middle efficiency - middle speed - tokenized files
] LIST "C:"/ENTER "C:" - least efficient - slowest - straight ATASCII
5. The computer will "beep" as a signal for you to press PLAY on the recorder.
6. Press the RETURN key on the computer keyboard, and the program will load
into the computer.
7. Press STOP on the recorder when loading has finished.
8. Unless you entered RUN "C:" above, now enter the command: RUN
To run an Atari BASIC or machine language program from cassette upon startup:
1. Place the cassette in the recorder
2. Press REWIND of FORWARD, if necessary, to bring the tape to the position
where the program is located.
3. Turn on the computer while holding down the START key.
But if your computer has Atari BASIC built-in and you're running a machine
language program, hold down both the START key and the OPTION key.
4. The computer will "beep" as a signal for you to press PLAY on the recorder.
5. Let go of the START/OPTION button(s).
6. Press the RETURN key on the computer keyboard, and the program will load
into the computer.
7. Press STOP on the recorder when loading is complete and the program is
running.
Subject: 3.4) What are the Atari 810, 815, 1050, and XF551 Disk Drives?
Section includes contributions by Andreas Magenheimer, TXG.
The Atari Disk Drives provide storage and retrieval of programs
and data on 5.25" floppy disks.
=3D=3D> Atari 810 --- a 5.25" floppy disk drive
The least common denominator for the Atari. One mode of operation:
1) Single-Sided, Single-Density--
FM 40 tracks x 18 sectors/track x 128 byte/sector =3D 90K capacity
19.2Kbps transfer rate. 288RPM.
The 810 includes a 6507 microprocessor.
Shipped with DOS 1 (very early) or DOS 2.0S
earlier MPI version- push button door opening for disk access
later Tandon version- lift door, like a garage door disk access
two SIO ports
accessories from Atari:
CX8100 Atari 810 Blank Diskettes (5 per box)
CX8111 Atari 810 Formatted Diskettes II (5 per box)
CX8202 Atari 810/815 Blank Diskettes (5 per box, certified for double density)
Third-party upgrades for the 810:
810 Archiver -- copy many copy-protected programs
Happy 810 -- Happy Backup, Warp Speed 52Kbps, 18 sector buffer
810 Fast Chip by Binary 10%-40% faster
810 Turbo by Neanderthal Computer Things (NCT) -- double-density
see: http://www.qnet.com/~dons/810T.html
=3D=3D> Atari 815 Dual Disk Drive --- dual 5.25" floppy disk drives in one =
unit
Were produced (all hand-built), but are very rare. One mode of operation.
Per drive:
1) Single-Sided, Double-Density--
MFM 40 tracks x 18 sectors/track x 256 bytes/sector =3D 180K capacity
19.2Kbps transfer rate. 288RPM.
The 815 includes a 6507 microprocessor.
Shipped with DOS 2.0D
MPI mechanism version- push button door opening for disk access
Tandon mechanism version- lift door, like a garage door disk access
accessories from Atari:
CX8202 Atari 810/815 Blank Diskettes (5 per box, certified for double density)
Stephen Knox writes (12/28/02):
I believe the story on the 815s was Atari didn't want to release them due to
severe QA problems with the drive but they had so many preorders they had to
release something. I think they filled the preorders and then cancelled the
model - Most of them got returned due to problems.
=3D=3D> Atari 1050 --- a 5.25" floppy disk drive
Same as the 810, plus Dual-Density capability. Two modes of operation:
1) Single-Sided, Single-Density, 90K, 810 compatible
2) Single-Sided, Dual-Density, otherwise known as "Enhanced Density" because
it is not true double-density--
MFM 40 tracks x 26 sectors/track x 128 bytes/sector =3D 128K capacity
19.2Kbps transfer rate. 288RPM
The 1050 includes a 6507 microprocessor.
Shipped with DOS 2.0S, DOS 3, or DOS 2.5
DIP switches: Black & white left: Drive 1
Black right, white left: Drive 2
Black left, white right: Drive 3
Black & white right: Drive 4
Third-party upgrades for the 1050 (all add a true SSDD 180K capability):
US Doubler (ICD) SS SD/ED/DD UltraSpeed (US) 54Kbps, sector skewing
Happy 1050 SS SD/ED/DD Warp Speed 52Kbps, 36 sector buffer,
Happy Backup. also read/write 180K 5.25" MS-DOS floppies
I.S. Plate (Innovated Software) SS SD/ED/DD Ultra/Warp (USD/Happy clone)
Hyper Drive (Chaos! Computers) SS SD/ED/DD Warp Speed 52Kbps (Happy clone)
Super Archiver (CSS) SS SD/ED/DD UltraSpeed 54Kbps (US Doubler clone)
Super Archiver II(CSS)SS SD/ED/DD UltraSpeed 54Kbps (US Doubler clone)
Cheer-Up 1050 SS SD/ED/DD Warp Speed 52Kbps (Happy clone)
Speedy 1050/Mini-Speedy SS SD/ED/DD Warp Speed 78,000Baud (Happy clone),=20
8kbytes
(Klaus Peters) Track/Cache buffer, built-in DOS and/or HSS-Copy;
Super Speedy 1050 SS SD/ED/DD Warp Speed 96,000Baud (Happy clone),192K RAM
SuperMax 1050 SS SD/ED/DD UltraSpeed 52Kbps (US Doubler clone)
Lazer 1050 SS SD/ED/DD Warp Speed and UltraSpeed 54Kbps
Engl-Turbo-1050 SS SD/ED/DD Turbo Speed approx. 70,000 Baud (uses
(german Turbo) Sector skewing that differs from USDoubler)
Rich Mier professes:
You've been plugging and unplugging the SIO cable with the 1050 power pack
plugged in, right? That's a no-no. Most of the time it's Okay, but about 1
in 10, 20 times, it will blow out 'U-1'. It's a CA/LM 3086 I.C. at the right,
rear of the main board. A 14 pin DIL chip. Actually it is an array of 5
transistors.
Unplug the power pack from the 1050, then unplug the SIO cable. Power can be
ON on the CPU. The problem has to do with the secondary winding of the Power
Pack. Remember, the problem only occurs 1 out of 10 - 20 times that you do
it, not all the time.
It doesn't really matter if the 1050 Transformer has power on or off, it
'Might' happen if plugged into the 1050. It is really bad on 810's.
One thing, if the system has been turned off for, oh say, 5 - 10 minutes it
won't matter. By then all the capacitors should be bled(sc?) to 0 volts.
=3D=3D> Atari XF551 --- a 5.25" floppy disk drive. Four modes of operation:
1) Single-Sided, Single-Density, 90K, 810 compatible
2) Single-Sided, Enhanced-Density, 128K, 1050 compatible
3) Single-Sided, Double-Density, 180K, Percom & other 3rd parties compatible
4) Double-Sided, Double-Density--
MFM 80 tracks x 18 sectors/track x 256 bytes/sector =3D 360K capacity
Writes "backwards" to the second side of the disk, when compared to a two-
sided "flippy" disk with SSDD 180K format on each side
High speed 38400 bps burst mode usable only with SpartaDOS X, SuperDOS 5.1,
TurboDOS, DOS XE, and patched SpartaDOS 3.2.
Rotaton rate: 300RPM. Since all other Atari-specific drives run at 288RPM,
this results in rare compatibility issues. Specifically, these commercial
disks do not load in, and can be damaged by, the XF551:
- Flight Simulator II (subLOGIC)
- Blue Max (Synapse)
- Bank Street Writer (Broderbund). Conflicting reports about this one.
8040 cpu + external ROM or 8050 cpu with internal ROM
Shipped with DOS 2.5 or DOS XE.
DIP switches: Both dips down: Drive 1
Left down, right up: Drive 2
Left up, Right down: Drive 3
Left and Right up: Drive 4
Chinon-built XF551-cannot read/write/format backside if no timing hole
Mitsumi-built XF551--can read/write backside if to timing hole, if formatted
Third-party upgrades for the XF551:
CSS XF Single Drive Upgrade--3.5", 720K floppy drive replacement
also read 720K 3.5" MS-DOS disks
see =
http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/XFsingdrup.htm
CSS XF Dual Drive Upgrade--add 3.5" drive w/o losing the 5.25" drive
also read 720K 3.5" MS-DOS disks
see =
http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/XFdualdrup.htm
CSS XF551 Enhancer--overcomes sensor for index hole, create flippy disks
see =
http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/XF551enh.htm
CSS XF Update--replace drive OS, adds UltraSpeed
see =
http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/XFupdate.htm
Hyper-XF-OS--avaiable for 5.25" or 3.5" floppy versions; uses sector skewing
and UltraSpeed (but no track buffer!); can use disk partitions
(2 on 5.25", 4 partitions on 3.5") with mixed Densities (S/E/D)
or standard 360kbytes (5.25") / 720kbytes (3.5"); can
theoretically read/write ST/PC 720k disks (software is missing!)
OS created by Stefan Dorndorf/Germany;
XF-Speedy--replaces the 8040 CPU with a 65C02 + ROM + Memory
Subject: 3.5) What other floppy disk drives can I use with my Atari?
Major contributors to this section: Glenn M. Saunders, Tomasz M. Tatar,
James Bradford, Konrad M. Kokoszkiewicz, Don Schoengarth, Andreas Magenheimer
SS=3DSingle-Sided SD=3DSingle-Density, 90K/disk side
DS=3DDouble-Sided ED=3DEnhanced-Density, 128K/disk side
DD=3DDouble-Density, 180K/disk side
Printer port=3Dhas a standard DB25 parallel printer port,+ maybe a print =
buffer
Master=3Dincludes drive controller, can add additional,non-Atari-specific =
drives
Top transfer rate=3D19.2Kbps unless stated otherwise
Floppy disk drives designed for the 8-bit Atari computers:
Atari 810 SS SD
Atari 1050 SS SD/ED
Atari XF551 DS SD/ED/DD, 38.4Kbps burst mode
Access Unlimited ATAR88-1 SS SD master
Access Unlimited ATAR40-1 SS SD/DD master
Amdek AMDC I SS SD/DD uses flippy Amdisk III 3" disk/carts,printer =
port,master
Amdek AMDC II SS SD/DD dual drives, printer port, master
AS SN-360 DS SD/ED/DD
Astra 1620 SS SD/DD dual drives
Astra 2001 SS SD/DD dual drives
Astra Big-D DS SD/DD dual drives
Astra The One DS SD/DD, printer port
B&C 810 SS SD, optional Happy Warp Speed 52Kbps
Concorde C-221M SS SD/DD master
Concorde C-222M DS SD/DD master
CSS Floppy Board, for the Black Box, master, support PC 720K and 1.44MB 3.5"
drives, support PC 1.2MB and 360kB 5.25" drives,
also read/write 5.25" and 3.5" MS-DOS disks
see: http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/floppy.htm
High-Density Disk Interface (HDI) a PCB master,connect up to 4 standard drives
Indus GT SS SD/ED/DD, Synchromesh mode usable with SpartaDOS X
and DOS XL only. 72Kbps under SpartaDOS X, 37Kbps under DOS XL. Z-80 cpu
RAM-Charger--expansion card contains 64K RAM + software, for CP/M support
KARIN MAXI DS SD/ED/DD/QD
L.E. Systems LEDS5-01 SS SD/DD master, 134.4Kbps, 800 only
CP/M expansion: 4MHz Z80, 64K RAM
L.E. Systems LEFDC-04 SS SD Four drives, copies a disk in 22 secs, 800 only
L.E. Systems LEFDC-08 SS SD Eight drives, copies a disk in 22 secs, 800 only
LDW Super 2000 SS SD/DD, 19.2Kbps or 67Kbps
image: http://romualdl.multimania.com/images/atari/super2000.jpg
LDW CA2001 SS SD/DD, 19.2Kbps or 38.4Kbps "California Access"
image: http://romualdl.multimania.com/images/atari/ca2001.jpg
LDW CA2002 DS SD/ED/DD,19.2Kbps,70Kbps w/SpartaDOS. "Calif. Access"
Micro MainFrame MF-1681 SS SD/DD, printer port, 4K to 54K printer buffer,
hard disk firmware included, master, Z-80 CPU w/ 16K to 64K RAM for CP/M,
TRSDOS, MaxiDOS A, and OASIS. see: http://www.qnet.com/~dons/mmf.html
Micro MainFrame MF-1682 dual drives version of MF-1681
Percom RFD40-S1 SS SD/DD, master
Percom RFD40-S2 SS SD/DD dual drives, master
Percom RFD44-S1 DS SD/DD, master
Percom RFD44-S2 DS SD/DD dual drives, master
(80-track RFDs hinted at =
http://www.atarimagazines.com/v1n2/newproducts.html
Percom AT88 SS SD, master
Percom AT88-S1 PD SS SD/DD, printer port, master
Percom AT88-S2 PD SS SD/DD dual drives, printer port, master
Rana 1000 SS SD/ED/DD, stand alone disk formatting
RCP 810 SS SD
San Jose Computer Special Edition 810 SS SD, optional Happy Warp Speed 52Kbps
SWP ATR8000 4MHz Z80, 16K RAM, RS232, master, printer port
or 4MHz Z80, 64K RAM, RS232, master, printer port, CP/M 2.2
options: 128K or 256K CO-POWER-88 with MS-DOS; CP/M-86
TOMS 720 DS SD/ED/ID/DD/QD/ID printer port, MYDOS 4.50 on ROM, 70Kbps
- SS/SD - 40 tracks, 18 sects, 128 bytes =3D 90 KB
- SS/ED - 40 tracks, 26 sects, 128 bytes =3D 130 KB
- SS/ED - 40 tracks, 18 sects, 256 bytes =3D 180 KB
- SS/ID - IBM S-9 - 40 tracks, 9 sects, 512 bytes =3D 180 KB
- DS/DD - 40 tracks, 18 sects, 256 bytes =3D 360 KB
- DS/QD - 80 tracks, 18 sects, 256 bytes =3D 720 KB
- DS/ID - IBM D-9 - 40 tracks, 9 sects, 512 bytes =3D 360 KB
- known as Toms-Turbo Drive, Turbo format and speeder is compatible
with german Engl-Turbo-1050; (tools will work with both drives);
TOMS 710 DS SD/ED/ID/DD/QD/ID printer port, MYDOS 4.50 on ROM, 67Kbps
one more format: double sided, 80 tracks, IBM (720 KB)
also TOMS Navigator on ROM (like Norton Commander);
known as Toms-Turbo drive; Turbo format and speeder is compatible
with german Engl-Turbo-1050; (tools will also work with both drives);
Trak AT-1 SS SD/DD master.upgrade: printer port+4K/16K buffer
Trak AT-D1 SS SD master, printer port, 4K print buffer.upgrade:16K
Trak AT-D2 SS SD/DD master, printer port, 4K print =
buffer.upgrade:16K
Trak AT-D4 DS SD/DD, printer port, print buffer
Trak Champ SS SD master
Trak Champ2 SS SD/DD master
Trak AT-S1 SS SD/DD slave
XFD601B DS SD/ED/DD 70kbps,Top Drive,Synchromesh,UltraSpeed,XF551 compat.
XFD602B dual DS SD/ED/DD 70kbps,Top Drive,Synchromesh,UltraSpeed,XF551 compat
While any standard "slave" drive will work with "master" drives listed above,
the following are slave drives marketed specifically to Atari users:
Access Unlimited ATAR88-A1 SS SD slave
Access Unlimited ATAR40-A1 SS SD/DD slave
Concorde C-221S SS SD/DD slave
Concorde C-222S DS SD/DD slave
Percom RFD40-A1 SS SD/DD slave
Percom AT88-A1 SS SD/DD slave
RCP 100 DS SD/DD, slave
RCP 200 DS SD/DD dual drives, slave
Subject: 3.6) What kinds of 5.25" floppy disks can I use with my Atari drives?
Russ Gilbert writes:
If you're talking standard computer store, you can't use those 5 1/4" disks. I
mean you can't use high density disks. They must be double density to use
with the 1050. Almost all double density 5 1/4" disks have a hub ring, high
density disks don't have the hub ring.
RHamiIton5 elaborates: (5/12/01)
The Atari 8 drives do not have write heads and circuity which can handle the
type of oxide coating used on the high density floppy media; they cannot write
reliably to them. The hub ring has just become a sort of marker to distinguish
the high density from the standard double density diskettes.
Way back in your apple days of '79-'82, most disks were hubless and only the
really premium brands offered hubs to prevent slippage and out of round
problems; you could even buy little kits for adding you own hub rings.
When the home computer swell really hit around '83 and price wars began, hub
rings became common on good disks and eventually became standard down to
include most generic bargain diskettes.
The introduction of high density 5.25's required a different coercivity (=3D
magnetizability) to get more bits in a smaller space and suitable electronics
to do it. These disks were produced hubless; was it a differentiating label or
just unnecessary because of stronger mylar construction? Anyone?
Subject: 3.7) How can I use a hard drive with my 8-bit Atari?
Atari never produced hard drives for the 8-bit Atari, but a variety of options
have been produced over the years. No common DOS version was written with
drives the size of hard drives in mind, and very few 8-bit Atari users have
owned hard drives for the Atari. Yet, if you're serious about it, a hard
drive can make a tremendous addition to your system!
A couple of these options are hard drives designed specifically for the 8-bit
Atari computers; the rest are interfaces designed to let you attach an
industry standard SASI, SCSI, or IDE type hard drive. Customized software
(OS, DOS) is often involved as well.
Larry White contributed to some of these descriptions.
=3D=3D> Corvus hard drive (10 megabytes)
Attaches via joystick ports 3 & 4 on the Atari 800 only.
See: http://www.atari-history.com/corvus.html
=3D=3D> SupraDrive Atari Hard Disk, by Supra, later K-Products. 10MB or 20MB.
includes external Hard Disk Interface
Some limitations on drive type and size and total number of drives in sys.
Attaches via PBI, or ECI with adapter.
See: http://www.atarimagazines.com/v5n6/Supradrivefor8Bit.html
Maybe still available from Bob Klaas?
=3D=3D> BTL Hard Disk System
BTL 2001 Connector for 600XL/800XL PBI
BTL 2002 Connector for 130XE/800XE/65XE ECI
BTL 2004 SASI Hard Disk Adapter
See: http://www.atarimagazines.com/v5n12/BTLHardDisk.html
=3D=3D> Multi I/O (MIO) interface, by ICD. Includes:
- Parallel printer interface
- Serial interface, for modem or serial printer. will handle 19.2Kbps
- 256K or 1 MB RAM, for RAMdisk or printer spooler
- SASI/SCSI interface, supports up to 8 controllers.
Limited to drives with 256-byte sectors.
Attaches via PBI, or ECI with adapter.
=3D=3D> CSS Black Box interface
RS-232 Serial Modem Port (19.2Kbps) w/ hardware flow control,
Parallel Printer Port,SASI/SCSI Hard Disk Port, Operating System Enhancements,
optional 64K printer buffer. Supports drives with 512-byte sectors.
PBI/ECI device. Available: http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/black.htm
=3D=3D> SmartIDE project by Bob Woolley
Uses 256 of the normal 512 byte sectors. Point-to-point wiring project.
Articles and software at http://www.wolfpup.net/atari/atari.html
=3D=3D> IDE Hard Drive Interface 1.0
By Konrad M. Kokoszkiewicz (Draco) and Jacek Zuk
PBI device. Logical sector length: 256 or 512 bytes
Availability???
=3D=3D> Fine Tooned Engineering (FTe) Multi I/O II (MIO II) interface
An IDE interface. Several exist, but it was never really released
=3D=3D> msc-IDE Controller
created by Steve Birmanns and Matthias Belitz
* real device for the parallel-port (PBI/ECI) of the Atari XL/XE
* up to 240 partitions per harddisk supported
* emulates D1: until D9: of disk devices (access to 9 partitions at one time)
* full bootable from any partition (with standard XL-OS)
* write protectition capability
* supports master/slave configuration
* more than 30 KB/s file access with SPARTA-DOS 3.2 gx (reading)
* more than 10 KB/s file access with SPARTA-DOS 3.2 gx (writing)
* software partially supports CD-ROM and ZIP drives.
Sold out.
http://www.birmanns.de/atari/
=3D=3D> Gary Morton's BadSector"A" Project
Wants to connect his IDE drive to the SIO bus.
http://www.alma.demon.co.uk/Atari/AtariProjects.html
=3D=3D> MyIDE interface and software by Mr.Atari, Sijmen Schouten
Point-to-point wiring project. Different units for 800 and XL, including a
cartridge version for the XL.
http://home.wanadoo.nl/mr.atari/
=3D=3D> SIO2IDE, by Marek Mikolajewski (MMSoft)
The SIO2IDE is a simple interface that allows you to attach any IDE Disk
Drive to your 8-bit Atari computer. Latest interface version has the
following main features:
* ATARI side:
- uses standard Atari SIO at a speed of 19200 baud
- works with Atari High Speed SIO (US and Happy) at a speed of 52000 baud
- emulates Atari disks D1: to D8:
- can be used with any Atari DOS and OS
- can be used without any problems with other SIO devices (disk drivers,
printers, modems, SIO2PC, second SIO2IDE etc)
- can be easy installed inside your Atari with 2.5' laptop HD
- is easy to configure via special fdisk.com utility software
(changing disks sequence and active directory)
* IDE device side:
- all IDE ATA/ATAPI devices can be used: Disk Drives (2.5' and 3.5'),
CD-ROMs, Compact Flash cards etc.
- supports PC file systems, FAT16 and FAT32
- supports CD file system, ISO9660
- supports ATR disk images (SD, DD up to 16MB)
- supports directory change (multiconfig)
- is easy to configure, many text configuration files (sio2ide.cfg) can
be stored in different directories
- disk configuration can be checked by special checkfs.exe PC utility
NOTE: checkfs.exe does NOT work with HDD connected via USB port
- standard disk utilities can be used (defrag.exe, scandisk.exe etc)
* USB port side:
- interface works as Mass Storage Class device (removable drive)
- no drivers are needed for Windows 2K, ME, XP
- driver for Win98 is included in this SIO2IDE package
http://www.atari.cuprum.com.pl/sio2ide.htm
=3D=3D> Nathan Hartwell's IDE projects
http://www.magelair.com/
Subject: 4.1) What are the Atari 820, 822, and 825 Printers?
The following printers were produced by Atari and styled to match the 400/800
computers.
Atari 820 Printer:
- 40-column impact printer
- 5x7 dot matrix
- 40 characters per line, upper & lower case alpha
- horizontal and vertical alphanumeric characters
- 6507 microprocessor, 6532 RAM I/O chip, 2K ROM
- 40 characters per second
- uses Standard Roll Paper/adding machine paper
Atari 822 Thermal Printer: ( =3D Trendcom Model 100 )
- 37 characters per second
- 10 characters per inch
- 40 characters per line, upper/lower case and point graphics
- 5x7 dot matrix
Atari 825 80-Column Printer ( =3D Centronics 737 )
- 3 character sets:
monospaced 7x8 dot matrix at 10 characters per inch
monospaced condensed at 16.7 cpi
proportionately spaced Nx9 dot matrix at avg of 14 cpi (N=3D6..18)
- all characters can be elongated (printer double width)
- characters per line: 80 at 10 cpi; 132 at 16.7 cpi
- speed: 50 cps at 10 cpi; 83 cps at 16.7 cpi; 79 cps avg. proportional
- print buffer: 1200 dot columns
- paper: roll, fanfold, or cut sheets
- requires Atari 850 Interface Module or equivalent
Subject: 4.2) What are the Atari 1020, 1025, 1027, and 1029 Printers?
The following printers were produced by Atari and styled to match the XL
series computers.
Atari 1020 Color Printer:
( =3D Commodore 1520 / Oric MCP40 / Tandy/Radio Shack CGP-115 /...; made by =
ALPS)
- 4-color graphics: (black, red, blue, green). optional 8-pen rainbow package
- alphanumberics and X,Y plotting capability
- 10 cps (40-column mode)
- 20, 40 and 80-column modes
- horizontal and vertical alphanumerics, English and International chr sets
- water soluble ink pen technology
- 4-pen barrel print head
- microprocessor
- paper: standard roll paper (40 column width)
- AtariGraphics cassette software included
Atari 1025 80-Column Printer: ( =3D Okidata ML80 )
- 40 cps (80-column 10 cpi mode)
- 5 cpi expanded (40 col), 10 cpi (80 col), 16.7 cpi condensed (132-col)
- 5x7 character dot matrix
- buffer: 132 chrs at 16.7 cpi, 80 chrs at 10 cpi
- paper: roll,fanfold,single sheets. optional:roll paper holder, tractor feed
Atari 1027 Letter Quality Printer: ( =3D Mannesmann Tally Riteman LQ.)
- fully formed characters, prestige elite 12)
- 12 characters per inch (80 columns)
- 20 characters per second
- single sheets or roll paper
Atari 1029 Programmable Printer ( by Seikosha)
- 7-pin dot matrix, same as Commodore MPS-801
- Released for Europe & Canada (not USA)
- Rich_N_Feymus says:
I think its a SEIKOSHA GP500, but not 100% sure. However, the
Commodore MPS-801 ribbons should be much easier to find.
- The Tandy DMP 110 is another model reported to be the same as the 1029.
Subject: 4.3) What are the Atari XMM801 and XDM121 Printers?
The following printers were produced by Atari and styled to match the XE
series computers.
Atari XMM801 Printer: ( =3D SHINWA CP80 )
- 80 columns, dot matrix
- friction feed or pin feed
- pica 10 cpi, double width pica 5 cpi, elite 12 cpi,double width elite 6 cpi,
condensed 16.5 cpi, double width condensed 8.25 cpi
- Ribbon: Commodore 1526 and the Mannesman-Tally Spirit 80
Atari XDM121 Printer:
- 80 column, daisy wheel--letter quality
- underlining, subscripts, superscripts
- friction feed paper
- Ribbon: Silver Reed CF130, Olivetti ET201,ET221,Nu-Kote NK136
Subject: 4.4) What other printers can I use with my Atari?
Some third-party printers were marketed for use with the Atari 8-bit
computers:
Alphacom 42 + Atari interface cartridge
- requires 850 Interface or equivalent
- thermal
- 4 1/2" width paper
- supports complete ATASCII character set
Axiom AT-100 / GP-100AT (=3D Seikosha GP-100A )
- built-in Atari interface, cable and connector, 2nd SIO port for daisy-chain
- dot matrix
- early model 30-cps, later version 50 cps
- Graph-AX graphics software package
Axiom GP-550AT (by Seikosha)
- built-in Atari interface, cable and connector, 2nd SIO port
- dot matrix
- 86 cps draft, 43 cps NLQ
- Graph-AX graphics software package
Axiom GP-700AT (by Seikosha)
- built-in Atari interface, cable and connector, 2nd SIO port
- 4 hammer print heads, 4-color ribbon cartridge
- 25 colors
- 50 cps
- Graph-AX graphics software package
Epson HomeWriter 10
- plug-in cartridge interface for the Atari
- 80 column dot-matrix printer
- draft quality printing at 100 cps and near letter quality at 16 cps
General Electric GE 3-8100 / TXP 1000
- GE Printer Interface Module for Atari
- dot-matrix
- 50 cps draft, 25 cps NLQ
Okidata Okimate 10 Personal Color Printer
- available Plug 'n Print Interface for Atari
- a thermal printer.
- single-sheet or tractor-feed paper.
- 26 colors
- 240 words per minutes
Beyond the above printer models, most any "industry-standard" line printer can
work well with the Atari. For many years, most printers marketed for home use
could be classified into one of two categories: parallel or serial interface.
Parallel line printers are much more commonly used than serial line printers,
with the Epson MX/FX/LX series defining the market.
The most common way to use an industry standard printer with the Atari has
been to attach it through the 15-pin 8-bit parallel port of the Atari 850
Interface Module or equivalent (such as the ICD P:R: Connection). One gotcha
here is that the 850's parallel port is DB15, where the PC world ended-up
standardizing on a DB25 configuration. So you need to find or build a cable
that provides the DB15 connector for the Atari end (and Centronics-type
parallel connector on the printer end) when attaching a standard parallel
printer to the Atari through an Atari 850 or equivalent.
Many 3rd-party disk drives for the Atari (along with the XEP80 Interface
Module) do include a DB25 parallel printer port, rendering the need for an
Atari-specific printer cable unnecessary.
The Atari 850 Interface Module and equivalents also provide standard DB9
serial RS232C ports, permitting use of standard serial line printers with the
Atari. But this is much less common than parallel, both in the Atari world
and in the industry at large.
Some folks have connected more modern inkjet and laser printers with parallel
connections to the 8-bit Atari with success. Graphics printouts from the
Atari may be less than ideal (look for a printer with an Epson MX/FX/LX
printer series emulation mode), but these types of printers should work fine
for plain text output if they can handle simple line print jobs. Anyone want
to contribute their experiences to be included here?
Bob Woolley wrote on Sun, 14 Apr 2002:
I use HP LaserJet 4Ps on my Ataris. They are one of the last front panel
selectable cheap printers - from which you can select your default fonts,
etc. The newer laser printers can only set fonts and operating modes thru
the interface, not impossible, but not as easy as selecting on the panel.
This does allow you to print just about any point size of the internal
fonts in the printer on your Atari.
Either way, you really have to do a little work to get properly formatted
output from a word processor. I have managed to use the proportional font
setting with AtariWriter and printer driver creation utilities to get good
results.
Mathy van Nisselroy provides an AtariWriter printer driver for the HP LaserJet
here: http://www-users.rwth-aachen.de/mathy.van_nisselroy/stuff.htm
Modern printers designed for home markets now tend to provide USB connectors.
Subject: 5.1) What are the Atari 830, 835, 1030, XM301, and SX212 Modems?
A MODulator/DEModulator translates digital information from your computer into
acoustic tones that can be sent and received, from modem to modem, via
standard telephone lines.
Atari produced several modems for use with the 8-bit Atari computers:
Atari 830 Acoustic Modem: ( =3D Novation 'CAT' )
- a stand-alone, acoustically coupled, frequency shift keying (FSK) modem
- up to 300 bits per second
- Bell 103/113 modem compatible
- requires Atari 850 Interface Module or equivalent
Atari 835 Direct Connect Modem:
- 300 bps
- Bell 103/113 modem compatible
Atari 1030 Direct Connect Modem:
- 300 bps
- Bell 103/113 modem compatible
- built-in ModemLink software.
- 2 SIO ports
Atari XM301 Modem:
- 300 bps
- Bell 103/113 modem compatible
- with XE Term disk software
- permanent SIO cable, must be at end of SIO chain
- draws its power from the computer via SIO
Atari SX212 Modem:
- SIO & DB25 RS232 serial ports, must be at end of SIO chain
- 1200 baud
- Bell 103/113/212A modem compatible
- rarely with SX-Express! disk software.
Subject: 5.2) What other modems can I use with my Atari?
Some third-party modems were marketed for use with the Atari 8-bit
computers:
=3D=3D> Microconnection, by Microperipheral Corp.
300 bps, Bell 103 compatible, T-SMART software, pulse dialing (not touch tone)
Four versions:
buss-decoding version does not require 850 Interface or equivalent, includes
DB25 parallel printer interface, with or without autodial
Plain version requires 850 Interface or equivalent, with or without autodial
and autoanswer
=3D=3D> MPP-1000C, by Microbits Peripheral Products
300 baud, joystick port 2, Smart Terminal cartridge
=3D=3D> MPP-1000E, by Microbits Peripheral Products
300 baud, joystick port 2, Smart Term software
From: "Steven J Tucker" Sun, 13 Jan 2002 16:14:38 -0500
The 1000E..had this strange problem in that it could never hang up the phone
=3D=3D> MPP-1200A, by Microbits Peripheral Products
Released? Vaporware?
1200 bps, joystick port 2
=3D=3D> 300 AT, by Supra (same as MPP-1000E)
300 baud, joystick port 2, Smart Term software
=3D=3D> 1200 AT, by Supra
1200 baud, Hayes compatible, connects to SIO via SupraVerter/R-Verter cable,
Smart Terminal software
=3D=3D> Volksmodem, by Anchor Automation
300 baud, 'F' Cable permits connection to joystick port 2
=3D=3D> Q-MODEM, by Quantum Microsystems
300 baud, two SIO connectors, QuanTerm disk or cartridge
Beyond the above modem models, most any "industry-standard" external serial
modem can work well with the Atari. These have been commonly sold for PCs for
many years. The Hayes Smartmodem more or less defined the market for these,
initially.
One common way to use an industry standard external serial modem with the
Atari is to connect it to the SIO port via an Advanced Interface Devices
(A.I.D., later Supra) R-Verter Serial Bus Modem Adapter cable, or equivalent.
The other common way to use an industry standard external serial modem with
the Atari is to attach it through the 9-pin RS232C serial port of the Atari
850 Interface Module or equivalent (such as the ICD P:R: Connection). One
gotcha here is that the serial port on the 850 is DB9 female, where the PC
world ended up standardizing on a DB9 male connector for this purpose. But
gender converters are readily available.
For using modems at speeds of 2400 bps and up with the Atari, it will be
useful to have an understanding of data flow control. Here is a definition
of flow control from www.modems.com:
Often, one modem in a connection is capable of sending data much faster than
the other can receive. Flow control allows the receiving modem to tell the
other to pause while it catches up. Flow control exists as either software,
or XON/XOFF, flow control, or hardware (RTS/CTS) flow control. With software
flow control, when a modem needs to tell the other to pause, it sends a
certain character, usually Control-S. When it is ready to resume, it sends a
different character, such as Control-Q. Software flow control's only
advantage is that it can use a serial cable with only three wires. Since
software flow control regulates transmissions by sending certain characters,
line noise could generate the character commanding a pause, thus hanging the
transfer until the proper character (such as Control-Q) is sent. Also,
binary files must never be sent using software flow control, as binary files
can contain the control characters. Hardware, or RTS/CTS, flow control uses
wires in the modem cable or, in the case of internal modems, hardware in the
modem. This is faster and much more reliable than software flow control.
Some 2400 bps modems, and probably all modems with 9600 bps speed capabilities
and up, normally use V.42 standard error correction and V.42bis standard data
compression. But V.42 requires either software or hardware flow control, and
V.42bis requires hardware flow control (and V.42 error correction).
Hardware flow control is not available with the Atari 850's serial ports.
As a result, just before dialing out with your Atari telecom software, it's
usually desirable, if not necessary, to disable your modem's flow control.
The Hayes modem command to disable flow control looks like:
AT&K0
The top speed of the Atari 850's serial ports is 9600 bps.
Clay Halliwell offers a tip on utilizing 9600 bps through the 850 Interface:
On 11 Feb 1996, Marc G. Frank said:
> I'm having problems getting a modem attached to my Atari 850 to
> communicate at 9600 baud. When I set my communications program to 2400
> baud, everything works fine. However, when I set it to 9600 baud, the
> modem echoes my characters but doesn't act on them. That is, at 2400,
The problem with the 850 is that some of them (like mine) don't produce a
PERFECT 9600 baud signal. As a result modems can't train on it, and while
they will echo characters back, for some nitpicky reason they won't pick up
on the "AT" attention code.
The solution is to do all your dialing at 2400 baud, but set the S37
register to force the modem to try to connect at 9600. Then switch your
Atari to 9600 after connecting.
Through the use of an ICD MIO or a CSS Black Box, it is possible to utilize
modems at speeds up to 14.4 Kbps (V.32bis) at full speed with no loss of data.
The serial R: device handler for the Black Box supports hardware flow control
natively. Optional for the Black Box, but essential for the MIO, is the
HyperSpeed handler by Len Spencer.
Hyperspd.arc is available at http://members.aol.com/lenspencer/atari8.htm
Subject: 6.1) What is the Atari 850 Interface Module?
While the Atari's SIO and controller ports did not conform to established
industry standards, Atari produced the 850 Interface Module to address this
issue. The 850 connects to the SIO port on the Atari, and provides:
- four 9-pin serial EIA RS232C ports
- One 15-pin 8-bit parallel Centronics-type port
Many "industry standard" (of the time) printers, modems, and various other
devices can be used with the Atari computer in combination with an 850
Interface Module.
Early 850's are in an all metal (black) case, but most are in a plastic beige
case matching the 400/800 computers. Other features:
- programmable baud rate on any port, including:
75, 110, 134.5, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 4800, and 9600 bps;
baudot speeds of 60, 66, 75, 100 words per minute
- uses standard ASCII. Baudot support for radio-teletype (RTTY).
PINOUTS
850 R1: Serial port DB9P:
5 4 3 2 1 ____________________________
9 8 7 6 / DB25P
1. DTR - Data Terminal Ready (out) + 20
2. CRX - Signal (carrier) Detect (in) + 8
3. XMT - Transmitted Data (out) + 2
4. RCV - Received Data (in) + 3
5. GND - Signal Ground + 7
6. DSR - Data Set Ready (in) + 6
7. RTS - Request to Send (out) + 4
8. CTS - Clear to Send (in) + 5
No connection to shield + Frame - to the shield wire
850 R2: Serial port DB9P:
5 4 3 2 1
9 8 7 6
1. DTR
3. Send Data
4. Receive Data
5. Signal Ground
6. DSR
850 R3: Serial port DB9P:
5 4 3 2 1
9 8 7 6
1. DTR
3. Send Data
4. Receive
5. Signal Ground
7. RTS
8. -8 Volts
850 R4: Serial port DB9P:
5 4 3 2 1
9 8 7 6
1. Send Data +
3. Send Data -
7. Receive Data +
9. Receive Data - (20 mA)
850 P: Parallel port DB15P:
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ____________________________
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 / 36 pin Centronics (male)
1. Data Strobe + 1
2. D0 + 2
3. D1 + 3
4. D2 + 4
5. D3 + 5
6. D4 + 6
7. D5 + 7
8. D6 + 8
9. Data Pull up (+5v) +
10. - +
11. Ground + 16
12. Fault + 32
13. Busy + 11
14. - +
15. D7 + 9
No connection to shield + Frame - to the shield wire
Because the 850 was relatively expensive, provided more capabilities than the
average user was looking for, and was at times unavailable from Atari despite
high demand, there were many 3rd-party interfaces designed to provide some
compatible subset of the 850's features. Perhaps the most prominent example
of such a product is the P:R: Connection from ICD.
Subject: 6.2) What is the Atari XEP80 Interface Module?
This text written by Thomas Raukamp.
Since the development of the Atari 8-bit line of computers in 1979, users
wanted better text displays than the default 40x24. There has been some
attempts to satisfy this need, like the Austin-Franklin board or the Ace
80/80xl cartridge. For more informations about these modifications read The
Atari 8-bit Hardware Upgrade FAQ from David A. Paterson.
The Atari XEP80 Interface Module is Atari's entry to the 80 column field. It
lets a XL, XE, 400 or 800 computer system display a full 80 columns across
your monitor screen. The XEP80 provides a 256-character wide by 25-line
display window. Up to 80 characters are displayed horizontally at once, and
you can scroll horizontally all the way to the 256th character, depending on
the application you're running. The XEP80 is connected to your system via a
joystick port.
The XEP80 Module interprets commands from the computer for screen display or
output to a printer. The module is supplied with an industry-standard 8-bit
parallel port so you can connect a parallel printer to your Atari 8-bit (I
even use a HP LaserJet IV on my 130XE ;) ).
All programs that use the standard screen call (E:) should be compatible with
the XEP80 Module. The software provided by Atari supports a 320x200 graphics
mode - this mode only support direct bit images. Note that you can't use all
of the standard graphic capabilities of the Atari anymore.
Although Atari recommends a monochrome monitor for usage with the XEP80, it
runs fine with any type of composite monitor. The output looks great on my
Commodore 1084 for example.
Along with the module comes a software-package containing an AUTORUN.SYS file,
which is the XEP80 handler. If you want to use the module with an application
that is compatible with the XEP80, which has it's own AUTORUN.SYS file, you
can append the application's AUTORUN.SYS on the module's AUTORUN.SYS.
***********************
Editors for the XEP80:
AtariWriter 80 by Atari
TurboWord by MicroMiser
emacs subset by Stan Lackey
MAE and its previous standalone editor ED
XEP80 P: Parallel port:
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14
1. Strobe
2-9. Parallel Data
10. Not Used
11. Busy
12-17. Not Used
18-25. Ground
Subject: 6.3) What accessories did Atari produce for their 8-bit computers?
This should be a complete list of Atari "CX" accessories, two or three digit
numbers, marketed for use with the 8-bit computers.
CX30-04 Paddle Controller Pair
CX40-04 Joystick Controller Pair
CX40 Single Joystick Controller
CX41 Joystick Repair Kit
CX22 Trak-Ball Controller
CX23 Kid's Controller
CX24 Pro-Line Joystick
CX42 Remote Control Wireless Joysticks
CX50 Keyboard Controller Pair
CX70 Light Pen (beige; the original Atari light pen)
CX75 Light Pen (+ Atarigraphics cartridge)
CX77 Touch Tablet ( + AtariArtist cartridge)
CX78 Joypad (shipped with the 7800 in Europe)
CX80 Trak-Ball
CX81 I/O Data Cord (5 ft)
CX82 Monitor Cable (Black and White Monitor)
CX85 Numerical Keypad ( + software Handler on diskette)
CX86 Printer Cable (included with 825 Printer)
CX87 Interface/Modem Cable (included with 830 Acoustic Modem)
CX88 Interface/Terminal Cable (null modem)
CX89 Monitor Cable (Color Monitor)
CX418 The Home Manager Kit (Personal Financial Management, Home Filing Manager
-or- Family Finances, The Home Filing Manager)
CX419 The Bookkeeper Kit/Atari Accountant (The Bookkeeper disk, CX85 keypad)
CX481 The Entertainer (Star Raiders, (Missile Command or Pac-Man), 2 =
joysticks)
CX482 The Educator (410, BASIC cart., States & Capitals cassette)
CX483 The Programmer (BASIC, BASIC Ref. Manual, BASIC Self-Teaching Guide)
CX484 The Communicator (850, 830, TeleLink I cart.)
CX488 The Communicator II (835, TeleLink II cart.)
????? The Arcade Champ (Pac-Man, Qix, 2 joysticks, cartridge storage case)
????? The BASIC Tutor I (Inside Atari BASIC book,Invitation to Programming =
2&3)
CX852 8K RAM Memory Module (for 800 computer)
CX853 16K RAM Memory Module (for 800 computer)
XG-1 Light Gun (+ Bug Hunt cart.)
Subject: 6.4) What "vaporware" computers/peripherals were never released?
Atari was a HUGE company, dominating Silicon Valley, and included a massive
research and development department which famously designed many, many
products that never saw the light of day. Here is a brief listing of many
Atari hardware model designations known to have existed internally to the
company, but which were never sold and are extremely rare (if they ever
existed at all). For definitive information on unreleased Atari products,
see:
Atari Historical Society, http://www.atari-history.com/ (Curt Vendel)
Atari 8-bit vaporware computers: (note some are more vaporous than others)
800D (Developers Bus System)
1000 Sweet 16 Project, lower end model. Became the 1200XL
1000-X Sweet 16 Project, higher end model. Became the 1200XL
1200 1200XL internally, many slight cosmetic differences
1200XLS 1200XL Show prototype, top-mounted cartridge slot
600 early 600XL, all black case, joyports on the left, missing PBI
800XL brown prototype
800XLD low-cost 1450XLD,no modem&speech,include disk drive =
controller&FREDDIE
800XLCR Cost Reduced, with CGIA chip ("Keri"), which is a combined GTIA&ANTIC
900XLF early name for 65XE
1250XLD Earlier name for the 1450XLD
1400XL brown prototype
1400XL 800XL plus modem, speech synth.(looks like a 1200XL)
1450XL 1400XL plus room for 2 internal 5.25" drives (controller not =
included)
1450XLD 1400XL plus 5.25" floppy drive (Epson SD521 360K disk drives)
1600XL Amiga/Amiga-like.Now appears that 1850XLD was the model name for this
1650XLD to use 1450XLD case and 1200XL keyboard
1850XLD "Mickey" Atari clone of the Amiga Lorraine
65XEP 65XE plus 3.5" floppy drive, 5" green monitor
65XEM 65XE plus AMY sound chip
Atari 8-bit vaporware peripherals: (note some are more vaporous than others)
1027 PLUS -daisy-wheel, 80 columns
1053 -looks like a 1050, but supports DS/DD 360K format
1055 -a 1050 (SS/ED) with a 3.5" mechanism
1060 CP/M Add-On Module -"SweetPea" Z-80 CPU, 64K RAM, CP/M 2.2, 80 col =
display
1090 XL Expansion System-5 PBI slots, CP/M/MS-DOS/Apple II compatible
XM128 -12" green monitor w/ built-in 80-column card
XC1411 -composite 14" color monitor (Goldstar)
XF521 -5.25" floppy drive - 1050 compatible, in XE style
XF351 -a 3.5" drive.
XC35 -an XF551 with a 3.5" mechanism
XTM201 -non-impact printer
XTC201 -XE Thermal Color Printer
Subject: 6.5) What are the power requirements for my Atari components?
Thanks to Matthias Belitz for the European
data in this section. I need more international help!
As with the rest of this FAQ list, please let me know if any of this
information conflicts with the units you have.
The most important information is the voltage (in volts) required, and
whether you need a transformer (AC output) or an adapter (DC output).
The power (in voltamps or watts) and current (in amperes) specifications
of the original equipment as presented here should be regarded as
minimum values. Higher-than-specified power and current capacities are
entirely usable, and often preferable because such supplies run cooler
and last longer.
Direct Current (DC):
Power (in watts) =3D current (in amps) * voltage (in volts)
Alternating Current (AC):
Apparent Power (in voltamps) =3D current (in amps) * voltage (in volts)
Effective/True Power (in watts) =3D current (in amps) * voltage (in volts)
* (cosine of the angle of lag)
N O R T H A M E R I C A INPUT =3D 115-120 V AC, 50/60Hz
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
AC supplies (external transformers)
9 V AC 5.4 VA (600 mA) Atari#CO62195/CO17539
1030
9 V AC 4.5 VA (500 mA) Atari#CO61516
1010
9 V AC 15.3 VA (1.7 A) Atari#CO14319
400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL
9 V AC 18 VA (2.0 A) Atari#CA014748/CA016804
400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL,810
9 V AC 31 VA (3.4 A) Atari#CO17945
400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL,810,1020,1050,XF551
9 V AC 50 VA (5.6 A) Atari#CA017964
400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL,810,1020,1050,XF551
9.5 V AC 40 VA (4.2 A) Atari#CO61636
1027,1090XL
20 V AC 6.6 VA (330 mA) Atari#CO60479/CA060535
835
20 VAC 8 VA (400 mA) Novation#901017
830
24 V AC 3.6 VA (150 mA) Atari#CA016751
830
DC supplies (external adapters)
5 V DC 1.0 A (5.0 W) Atari#CO70042
600XL,65XE,XE Game System
5 V DC 1.5 A (7.5 W) Atari#CO61982/CA024814
600XL,800XL,65XE,130XE,XE Game System
4 varieties, detailed by Ben Poehland in Current Notes v10n9 Nov 1990:
Type I: The Beauty Queen, 1983-84, made in Hong Kong
matches XL hardware, repairs easy
Type II: The Ugly Clunker, 1984-85, made in Taiwan
all black, external RF interference supression box,
entirely permanently sealed, unrepairable
Type III: The Black Beauty, 1985, made in Taiwan, uncommon
like Type I but all black, simplest design/easiest repairs
Type IV: The Peanut, 1985-?, made in Taiwan
black with silver plate, difficult/tedious repairs
6 V DC 300 mA (1.8 W) Atari#???????
"410P" (vaporware)
9 V DC 500 mA (4.5 W) Atari#CO16353/CA014034/CO10472/CX261
XEP80,SX212,2600 (center positive)
9.3 V DC 1.93 A (18 W) Atari#CO18187
Indus GT,5200
11.5 V DC 1.95 A (22 W) Atari#CA019141
Indus GT,5200
5 V / 12 V DC 1.1 A (5.5 W / 13.2 W) Atari#CO62297/DV1450
1400XL,1450XLD
E U R O P E (and elsewhere?) INPUT =3D 220/240 V AC, 50 Hz
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D
AC supplies (external transformers)
9 V AC 4.5 VA (0.5 A) Atari#CO61516/34 (UK)
1010
9.3 V AC 15.44 VA (1,66 A) (Atari# not printed)/FW 6799
400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL
9 V AC 27 VA (3.0 A) Atari#CO60592-34 (UK)
400,800,822,850,1010,1200XL,810,1020,1050,XF551
DC supplies (external adapters)
5 V DC 1.8 A (9.0 W) Atari#CO61763-107
600XL,800XL,65XE,130XE,800XE,XE Game System
5 V DC 1.5 A (7.5 W) Atari#CO61763-34 (UK)
600XL,800XL,65XE,130XE,800XE,XE Game System
5 V DC 1.5 A (7.5 W) Atari#CO61763-11
600XL,800XL,65XE,130XE,800XE,XE Game System
two ones with the same part number, but different cases and different
input Values :#1, 65XE (Poland, made in Taiwan), Input 22 VA
#2, 800XL, Input 26 VA
8.5 V DC Atari#CO61605
600XL,800XL,65XE,130XE,800XE,XE Game System
M O R E I N F O
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
These draw their power from the SIO +5 V:
XM301 (60 mA),XC11,XC12,ICD P:R: Connection,Wizztronics MidiMax,R-Verter
Draws power from the 600XL PBI:
1064
These have built-in power supplies (plug directly into the wall):
410,815,820,825,1025,1029,XMM801,XDM121
OTHER:
The ICD Multi I/O (MIO), all versions, can use both AC and DC supplies, BUT:
stick to voltages of at least 6.2-7.2 V.
Indus GT: see Atari#CO18187 or CA019141 above
Rana 1000: 9 VAC & 3.4 AMPS
MPP1000C modem: 9 V DC 200 mA (1.8 W)
Subject: 6.6) What graphic tablets were produced for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- Atari Touch Tablet by Atari (came with Atari Artist cart., Micro
Illustrator compatible),
- Koala Pad by Koala Industries (came with Koala/Micro Illustrator
cart.);
- Powerpad by Chalkboard Inc. (came without software!); the following
carts were available separately for the Powerpad: Micro Illustrator,
Leo's Lectric, Micro Maestro, The Programmers Kit, Logic Games, Bear
Jam (as refered to Antic, September 1984);
- Animation Station by Suncom (came with Micro-Illustrator cart.);
Subject: 6.7) What lightpens were produced for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- Atari Lightpen (came with Atari Graphics cart.; it produces pictures
with 127 sectors in length, thus not Micro-Painter, nor Micro-
Illustrator compatible; however appropriate converter programs can be
found in the public domain, e.g. the Rapid Graphics Converter);
- Edumate Lightpen (came with a disk with 6 Basic programs; a program
called Peripheral Vision was available separately from Future House);
- Tech-Sketch-Lightpen (came in two versions: a) the cheaper version
which included a disk with Basic programs only and b) the more expensive
version which included the disk with Basic programs and the Micro-
Illustrator cartridge);
- MC-Pen-Lightpen (came with a disk with 4 Basic programs);
- Reston Lightpen (came with ???);
Note: these infos were taken from Antic, September 1984; I am not sure,
if all these items were really available as listed...
Subject: 6.8) What lightguns were produced for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- Atari LG-1 Lightgun (came in two versions: a) complete with XEGS,
keyboard, joystick, power supply, tv-cable, Lightgun, FS II cart and
Bug Hunt cart all in one package and b) in a separate package,
containing the Lightgun and the Bug Hunt cartridge); thats's why Bug
Hunt does not have its own package, it was always included with the
Lightgun package and/or the complete XEGS package...
- BEST Lightgun by Best Electronics (a sort of selfmade (?) Lightgun);
- Sega-Lightgun (normally not Atari compatible; but can be converted
into an Atari compatible lightgun easily);
- other lightguns (most of these have to be converted)...
Note: After having 3-4 Atari and at least one (converted) Sega lightgun,
it is my personal impression, that the Atari lightgun merely works ok
on/with TV-sets (and not at all with a monitor), whereas the Sega lightgun
works alright on TV's and (most) monitors. Since I never had a Best
lightgun I cannot comment on this one... (Andreas Magenheimer);
Subject: 6.9) What paddles were produced for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- Atari Paddles (usually a pair of Paddles);
- Telegames Paddles (available as a) a single paddle and b) a pair
of paddles);
- Reston Paddles (available as a) a single paddle and b) a pair
of paddles);
- and many others...
Note: Both single and duo (pair) paddles are compatible to each other,
using only one port-connector (only one joystick port). Thus, with a pair
of paddles you can connect up to 4 paddles (2 pairs) to the XL/XE models
and up to 8 paddles (4 pairs) to the Atari 400/800 models.
Subject: 6.10) What voice/sound synthesis hardware was produced for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- Voice-Box II by The Alien Group (a software and hardware package);
- 1400XL/1450XLD Voice Synthesizer (built-in chip inside the extreme rare
Atari 1400XL/1450XLD models);
- Talk is Cheap by Ed Stewart, Antic Volume 2 Number 4, July 1983,
pages 64-66; hardware schematics only (a test/demo program is
mentioned in the text, but not printed in the magazine!);
- Cheap-Talk by Lee Brilliant, Analog Computing, issue 29, April 1985,
pages 59-67; hardware schematics and software demos, for example
"First Words");
- many other voice synthesizers (mostly selfmade and based on a chip by
National Semi Conductor);
Subject: 6.11) What sound-digitizers/samplers were produced for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- Parrot (2-Bit) by Alpha Systems, Anthony Ramos;
- Parrot-2 (2-Bit or 4-Bit?) by Alpha Systems, Anthony Ramos;
- 2-Bit Replay (2-Bit) by 2Bit-Systems Ltd.
- Sound N'Sampler (2-Bit) by Ralf David;
- Sound Digitiser (2-Bit) by Ralf David;
- Sound-Meister (2-Bit) by Irata;
- Sound-Digitizer (2-Bit) by Irata;
- Digitales Mikrofon (2-Bit) by Compyshop;
- Voice-Master (2-Bit) by Covox Inc.;
- Analog-Sample-Processor (2-Bit) by Steven Lashower (Analog Magazine);
- Atari-Sound-Sampler (2-Bit) by Andreas Binner and Harald Schoenfeld
(german Atari magazin 1/1989, pages 44-49, complete with schematics,
documentation, sample-program and assembler-source);
- Alphasys-Sound-Sampler cart. (4-Bit) by ANG/Mirage (released as a mono
version; a stereo (two Pokeys!) version was promised/planned, but afaik
never released);
- ARGS-XE-Sampler (8-Bit) by ABBUC regional group ARGS (only one or
two prototypes exist, alas the hardware was never released due to lack
of (sampling/digitizing) software; maybe a good idea for the hardware
and software experts out there!);
- and many others ...
Subject: 6.12) What sound-enhancement upgrades were produced for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
a) enhancements for stereo-sound:
- POPS, polyphonic-pokey-sound by Lee Brilliant (stereo-support with one
Pokey!); refer to Analog Computing, issue 66, november 1988, pages
54-60; only 1-2 programs exist for this mod., see: X.X stereo-software
for the Atari;
- stereo with two Ataris (and thus 2 Pokey chips); use computer/pokey 1
for the left channel and computer/pokey 2 for the right; no special
hardware required for this trick (but specially programmed software!);
see also: X.X stereo-software for the Atari;
- stereo with 2 Pokey chips (in one Atari!); refer to an article written
by Chuck Steinman (which probably appeared in Atari classic?) on how
to upgrade your Atari internally with a second Pokey chip; or ask
Freddy Offenga for a deluxe-stereo-version, that uses a PCB instead of
the piggy-back method. For a list of software that supports this mod.
see also: X.X stereo-software for the Atari;
- Stereo-Blaster and Stereo-Phaser by Portronic/AMC-Verlag, these were
hardware add-ons that connected via the monitor jack to the Atari and
gave you "another" monitor jack and 2 cinch connectors to connect to
the monitor and/or the hifi-system; various small paddles (4-10,
depending on the model you have) make it possible to change amplitudes,
frequencies, etc. and thus generate a "pseudo-stereo" sound. These
add-ons also amplified the sound and thus made quality recordings of
Atari sounds much easier. Alas, these hardware add-ons were quite
expensive and thus not many (less than 100) were sold. Therefore no
special software is required, every A8 sound can be changed or
enhanced to "simulated-stereo"...
- Stereo-Blaster-Pro, a hardware add-on by Portronic/AMC-Verlag similar
to Stereo-Blaster and Stereo-Phaser, but programmable! This add-on had
only 1 small paddle, to amplify the sound-volume; the stereo-sound
could be generated via two simple Poke-Statements, a demo-disk therefore
was included. Alas, not many items were sold and afaik no-one else
programmed stereo-software for it. See also: X.X stereo-software for
the Atari...
b) other sound enhancements:
- Covox-Sound-Enhancement, originally developed in Poland; with some
electronic parts and pieces you can upgrade your Pokey's abilities, to
playback any digitised/sampled sound with 8-Bit resolution, instead of
its usual 4-Bit digi/sample playback resolution.
- SID-upgrade, the SID is the standard sound-chip in the C64 computers.
Some polish freaks/nerds have found a way to include it into an A8,
but allthough I have seen quite a lot of pictures (for example at
atariarea.nostalgia.pl) with this mod. and already found 1 or 2
programs that detect it (for example System Info 2.x by Draco), I
have not yet found any schematics for this upgrade. Anyway, it exists,
and with some programming skills it would surely be possible to write
programs then, that playback SID sounds on those Ataris which have this
upgrade installed...
- Amie/Amy sound-chip, the Amie sound-chip was originally produced by
Atari and installed into the 65XEM computer. Alas, it was never
available to the public and only very few prototypes of this 65XEM
(maybe less than 10?) do exist. Besides of that RUMOURS say, that
Atari had quite some problems with this soundchip and never finished
it completely/successfully. If the rumours are true, then this
soundchip provided many more sound channels, more octaves and even
more and better sound power than two Pokeys together (for more infos
take a look at this URL: )
- guess there are dozens of other sound enhancements, for example sound
cards (like Adlib, etc.), sound-chips, midi-interfaces, etc. that could
be attached or converted to the A8; I won't name them all here...(A.M.)
Subject: 6.13) What MIDI enhancements are there for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
Midi is standard on the Atari ST computers, because it is built-in into
these computers. Nevertheless, Midi was long before the arrival of the
ST computers on the market and thus, it is no surprise that there are
even midi-interfaces and enhancements for the classic 8Bit Ataris. The
following "types" do exist:
- Midi-Mate and Midi-Track both by Hybrid Arts (commercial hardware +
software, see reviews & tests in Antic, Analog and other magazines);
- Atari-Midi-Interface by Karlheinz Metscher (appeared in the german
magazine Computer Kontakt June/July 1986, pages 69-75, complete with
documentation, schematics and its first program "Midi-Receiver";
in Computer Kontakt October/November 1986 appeared the second program,
called "Midi-Disk" - a Midi Recorder and Player program);
- Midi-Interface for Atari XL/XE by Ireneusz Kuczek (appeared in the
german ABBUC magazine, issue 65, pages 3-6; the paper-magazine includes
a schematic for the midi-interface and some translated descriptions for
the software (translated from polish to german language), whereas the
disk-magazine contains the midi-programs "Midiplay Version 1.3" by I.
Kuczek, "Midi-Recorder Version 1.2" by I.Kuczek, "Rec to Mid" by I.
Kuczek (a converter program for the IBM-PC!), "Midi-Sequencer V.1.15"
by Maciej Sygit and "Midi-Pattern-Editor MPE V.2.3" by Radek Sterba.
The ABBUC paper-magazine also mentioned I.Kuczek's E-Mail and URL,
that are -afaik- outdated or do not exist anymore. On his homepage you
could download several *.Rec, *.SEQ and *.MID files, which were
especially made for the Atari XL/XE with the use of the affore
mentioned programs);
- guess there are several other (selfmade) midi-interfaces for the Atari
8Bit available, alas they also require a keyboard or synthesizer and
self-created (or downloaded) midi-sounds can only be played back via
such a midi-interface and the affore mentioned keyboard/synthesizer.
As of yet, it seems there exists no midi-player program, that can
playback any midi-sound via the Atari Pokey chip, nor any converter
program, which can convert *.MID sounds into other Atari sound formats
(that could be played back on the Atari then)...
Subject: 6.14) What graphics enhancements are there for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- some 80 column interfaces made by Atari and third parties. Allthough
these interfaces are there to provide a better text display with 80
chars. per line, they can somehow be used as a simple graphic
enhancement; think I have seen a graphic demo for the XEP-80 device
somewhere, that used a higher graphic resolution in Gr. 0 or Gr. 8
and also provided some animation (not only text, but also graphics),
alas I don`t remember the name of that demo...;
- the ultra-rare 1090XL box and probably graphic cards for it (who-ever
owns this item, doesn't use it, who-ever would like to have + use it,
doesn't own it or cannot afford it!);
- more seriously: Antic and GTIA upgrade by Chuck Steinman. Afaik, an
article about that topic appeared in Atari Classic, since I do not own
it, I can merely speculate that it adds a second Antic and GTIA for
higher resolution and/or more colours...;
- many selfmade upgrades, using graphic chips or graphic cards from other
computers...
Subject: 6.15) What types of memory upgrades are there for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
Just a short overview here, for a more detailed description (table), see
also 8.10 kinds of atari ramdisks (and 8.11 + 8.12 for programs that
support or require a ramdisk). The following memory enhancements do exist:
- Atari 400/800: ramdisks on memory boards, that fit into the normal
Atari 800 memory slots (Axlon and Mosaic types);
- Atari XL/XE: a) internal memory enhancements:
- piggy-back versions,
- professionel PCB versions,
- SIMM-module versions;
b) external memory enhancements:
- via XL-Parallel-Bus,
- via XE-Cart.port+ECI,
- Flash-ROM cart. versions,
- other Cartridge versions,
- RAM-Card versions,
- SIO-cartridge versions,
- ...
Note that many of these XL/XE memory enhancements are just hobbyist or
selfmade-projects. Most versions which use newer PC technologies
(Flash-ROM cart., RAM-Card, SIO-cart., etc.) are still under development!
Subject: 6.16) What networking hardware is there for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
In the late 80`s and early 90`s an american "firm" called Dataque
developed some networking-computer-hardware to link two or more Ataris
together, so that multiplayer games are possible, where each user has
its own computer and tv/monitor screen. The hardware was/is computer
independant and will run fine on any Atari 8Bit computer (whereas most
software for it will only work on XL/XE computers). During a 3-4 year
period of development two different hardware add-ons were developed:
a) Gamelink-1: This hardware was developed in 1989/90. It links two
computers together via the joystick ports. It is limited to a maximum
of 2 computers and thus 2 or 6 players, meaning one free port per
XL/XE computer and 3 free ports per 400/800 computer. However, the
few existing games for this hardware merely support 2 players, no
matter, which computer you have...
b) Gamelink-2: This hardware was developed in 1991/92. It links 2 to 8
computers together via the SIO-port. One computer will then act as
the master and has to boot up the software (from tape, disk, harddisk,
etc.) first. Then all other "slave" computers connect to it and boot
off of this master computer (one after another of course). Meaning,
the first computer will boot the software as usual, then all drives
get disconnected and the gamelink-2 / multilink hardware gets plugged
in. The second computer then connects/links to the first via the
networking hardware and as soon as it is turned on, it will boot the
data directly from the master computer. Then the third computer gets
connected, then the fourth, etc. When all computers have booted /
loaded the software, the program can be started from the master
computer (shortly after the master it will start on the slave
computers)...
When Jiri Bernasek / Bewesoft (who lives in Prague, Czech Republic)
got his hands on the Dataque-Shareware-disk (which contained the demo
and full version of Maze of Agdagon), he got very interested in that
idea. And because the hardware from Dataque had no longer been sold,
he developed his own hardware, called multilink. It was/is fully
compatible to any existing Gamelink-2 software and as a bonus, he
made the schematics freely available and wrote a new game for it.
Years later, Jiri coded more games, wrote an article about "how to
program a networking game", provided source codes and even a module,
that can be used in anybody's own networking game. With the schematics
for the multilink / Gamelink-2 hardware, it can now be selfmade.
Especially the "easy-2-computer-connection" is very easy to build, it
consists of a normal SIO-cable, where just 2 cables must be exchanged
(those cables that correspond to number 3 and 5 on the plug). Just open
one end of the SIO-cable, change cable 3 with cable 5 and 5 with 3,
close the SIO-cable again and you are done. You now have the mentioned
2-computer-network connection-hardware and can link 2 computers
together and test/play some gamelink-2 / multilink games.
Now one may think, that an 8 computers network isn't much, but beware:
The XL/XE computers have 2, the 400/800 computers even 4 joystick ports.
Thus it would (theoretically at the moment) be possible to play joystick
games with up to 16 players on XL/XE and up to 32 players on 400/800
Ataris, when networked/linked together. Thinking of Paddles (not sure if
they can be used for networking-games), it would (also theoretically) be
possible to play paddle games with up to 32 players on XL/XE and up to 64
players on 400/800 Ataris, when networked/linked together. Now, that`s
surely enough to impress any nowadays PC networking-gamer, isn't it ?!?
For some available software, that supports this networking-computer
hardware, see X.X which programs support networking computer hardware...
Subject: 6.17) Can I attach an ISA card to the Atari?
Yes, RoBu (Roland Buhler) of the Stuttgart ABBUC Regional Group has produced
project plans for an ISA-Bus Interface for Atari 800XL/130XE Computer, ARGS.
http://www.stud.uni-karlsruhe.de/~un55/Hardware/ISA-Interface/ReadME.html
Carsten Strotmann has released sourcecode showing how to access a Hercules
video card with the ISA-Bus Interface.
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/PgmFardwDriverHerc
Subject: 7.1) What versions of the Atari Operating System (OS) are there?
Most of this section by permission from:
http://www.student.kun.nl/f.offenga/atari.htm or
http://members.chello.nl/taf.offenga/atari.htm
Atari 8-bit Operating Systems
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Version 3.3, 6/27/1999.
By Freddy Offenga (taf.offenga [at] chello.nl (replace " [at] " with "@")
400/800 10kB OS roms
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rev. TV Date CRC-32 Part Nr(s)
~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A NTSC (?) (?) (?)
A PAL (?) 0x72b3fed4 CO15199, CO15299, CO12399B
B NTSC (?) 0x0e86d61d CO12499B, CO14599B, 12399B
B PAL (?) (?) (?)
XL/XE 16kB OS roms
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rev. System Date CRC-32 Part Nr(s)
~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10 1200XL 10/26/1982 0xc5c11546 CO60616A, CO60617A
11 1200XL 12/23/1982 (?) CO60616B, CO60617B
1 600XL 03/11/1983 0x643bcc98 CO62024
2 XL/XE 05/10/1983 0x1f9cd270 CO61598B
3 800XE 03/01/1985 0x29f133f7 C300717
4 XEGS 05/07/1987 0x1eaf4002 C101687
(?) This information is missing. If someone can supply this info,
please write me an e-mail.
NOTES:
The 400/800 O.S's consist of three ROMs (two 4kB and one 2kB).
The 1200XL contains two ROMs for the OS (8k each), XL/XE's use a single
16k ROM and the 16k XEGS OS is stored in a 32k ROM (together with 8k
BASIC and 8k for Missile Command).
Origins of ROM information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
400/800 rev.A NTSC Could exist, since the PAL version exists and
rev.A is mentioned in the rev.B source code.
james adds (3/8/01):
Did exist! My parents bought me an Atari 400 w/ 410 back in 1981 for
entertainment when I was badly injured in a motorcycle accident. A
year or so later I paid good money ($40 USD or so?) to have the OS A
upgraded to OS B.
400/800 rev.A PAL All info found in two Atari 400's and Atari 800
ROM module CX801.P
400/800 rev.B NTSC Information from a ROM dump and the rev.B source
listing. The part numbers were listed in the
catalog from 'Best Electronics'. According to
'Mapping the Atari' rev.B ROMs have a 'B' at the
end of the part number, therefore I figure these
part numbers are from rev.B.
400/800 rev.B PAL Could exist, since the NTSC version exists and
there's some conditional PAL/NTSC assembly in
the rev.B source code
1200XL rev.10 PAL/NTSC All info found in an Atari 1200XL. The XL/XE
rev.2 source code refers to it as rev.10.
'Best Electronics' calls it rev.A.
1200XL rev.11 PAL/NTSC Refered to rev.11 by the XL/XE source code.
'Best Electronics' calls it rev.B.
XL/XE rev.1 All info found in an Atari 600XL
XL/XE rev.2 All info found in an Atari 800XL
XL/XE rev.3 All info found in an 800XE
XL/XE rev.4 All info found in an Atari XE Game System
O.S. Authors and dates
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following info is from the Atari XL/XE rev.2 source code.
Revision A (400/800)
D.Crane / A.Miller / L.Kaplan / R.Whitehead
Revision B (400/800)
Fix several problems.
M.Mahar / R.S.Scheiman
Revision 10 (1200XL)
Support 1200XL, add new features.
H.Stewart / L.Winner / R.S.Scheiman /
Y.M.Chen / M.W.Colburn 10/26/82
Revision 11 (1200XL)
Fix several problems.
R.S.Scheiman 12/23/82
Revision 1 (600XL/800XL)
Support PBI and on-board BASIC.
R.S.Scheiman / R.K.Nordin / Y.M.Chen 03/11/83
Revision 2 (600XL/800XL)
Fix several problems.
R.S.Scheiman 05/10/83
Bring closer to coding standard (object unchanged)
R.K.Nordin 11/01/83
Vapour-ware
~~~~~~~~~~~
The following OS roms originate from rare Atari 8-bit systems.
Since I don't own any of these (unfortunately), I don't have much
information about these roms. Who can help me?
I've got two 16K rom dumps from the 1450XLD. Both ID's are rev.3.
The first dated 3/23/1984 comes from the 'Pooldisk Too' CD-ROM
(filename: 1540os3.v0) and the second dated 6/21/1984 was send to
me by Nir Dary (filename: os1450.128). Main differences between
these two are in the first 3K ($C000 - $CBFF).
The XL/XE OS rev.3B is from an Atari from Arabia. It's probably based
on rev.3. There are changes in the fonts (Arab characters) and several
patches in the code. More info at:
http://www.savetz.com/vintagecomputers/arabic65xe/
Rev. Found in Size CRC-32 Date
~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~
3 1450XLD 16kB 0x0d477aa1 3/23/1984
3 1450XLD 16kB 0xd425a9cf 6/21/1984
3B 65XE 16kB 0xf0a236d3 7/21/1984
References
~~~~~~~~~~
- The modified september Atari 400/800 computer operating system
listing, revision B, (c)1982 Atari.
- The Atari O.S. source code rev.2, (c)1984 Atari.
- Atari XL addendum Atari home computer system operating system
manual: supplement to Atari 400/800 technical reference notes.
- Best Electronics, catalog of Atari 8-bit parts.
- Mapping the Atari, revised edition, Ian Chadwick, Compute! books
publication, 1985.
Credits
~~~~~~~
Special thanks to Nir Dary for the rev.2 source code, rom dumps and
the 1200XL. It's in good hands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More info on what is maybe either the 1985 or 1987 XL/XE OS versions listed
above. From ST*ZMAGAZINE #36, Sept. 1, 1989 (as reprinted in PSAN Nov 89):
by Mark Elliot, Innovative Concepts
The following changes have been incorporated in the 130XE computer.
The O.S. has minor changes like:
A) The MEMORY TEST (from SELF TESTS) tests the extra 64K now! (in 4 squares)
B) Also, the MEMORY TEST checks the first 48K over TWICE as fast as before!
C) The KEYBOARD TEST has the F1-F4 keys missing on top. (function keys),
although the code that interprets them is probably there (like XEGS).
D) Also, it types out "COPYRIGHT 1985 ATARI" at the keyboard test, when all
tests are done. (compared to COPYRIGHT 1983 ATARI, before)
E) And, the O.S. chip itself, is on a 27256 EPROM, but only half of it is
used! (comprared to the original, which was on a 16K x 8 ROM, 27128 comp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subject: 7.2) What is the ATASCII character set?
ASCII is an acronym for the American Standard Code for Information
Interchange. Pronounced ask-ee, ASCII is a code for representing English
characters as numbers, with each letter assigned a number from 0 to 127. For
example, the ASCII code for uppercase M is 77. Most computers use ASCII codes
to represent text, which makes it possible to transfer data from one computer
to another.
The 8-bit Atari computers use a modified version of the ASCII character set
called Atari ASCII, or ATASCII.
David Moeser produced this nice translation table.
Piotr Fusik corrected the description of Atari character 5.
ASCII TRANSLATION TABLE -- IBM & ATARI 8-BIT (ATASCII)
=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
SECTION ONE: CONTROL CHARACTERS
=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D
DECIMAL ATARI IBM <----> ATARI ASCII
-HEX NAME KEY GRAPHICS CHARACTER FUNCTION
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
0 00 NUL ^, none heart Null
1 01 SOH ^A smiley |- Start of header
2 02 STX ^B [smiley] right | Start of text
3 03 ETX ^C heart (9:00) End of last text
4 04 EOT ^D diamond -| End of transmission
5 05 ENQ ^E club (9:30) Enquiry
6 06 ACK ^F spade / Acknowledge (handshake)
7 07 BEL ^G rain dot \ Bell
8 08 BS ^H doorbell L triangle Backspace
9 09 HT ^I o low-R-sq. Horizontal tab
10 0A LF ^J [doorbell] R triangle Line feed
11 0B VT ^K Mars hi-R-sq. Vertical tab
12 0C FF ^L Venus hi-L-sq. Form feed
13 0D CR ^M note high bar Carriage return
14 0E SO ^N 2 notes low bar Shift out
15 0F SI ^O sun low-L-sq. Shift in
16 10 DLE ^P R pennant club Data link escape (break)
17 11 DC1 ^Q L pennant (3:30) Device #1 (P:)
18 12 DC2 ^R V arrows -- Device #2
19 13 DC3 ^S !! cross Device #3 (deselects P:)
20 14 DC4 ^T paragraph cloudy Device #4 (stop)
21 15 NAK ^U section low block Negative acknowl. (error)
22 16 SYN ^V short - left | Synchronous idle
23 17 ETB ^W base-V-arrs.low T End of block
24 18 CAN ^X up arrow hi perp. Cancel memory (in buffer)
25 19 EM ^Y DN arrow left half End medium (tape drive)
26 1A SUB ^Z R arrow (3:00) Substitute
27 1B ESC EE L arrow escape Escape
28 1C FS E^- (3:00) up arrow File separator
29 1D GS E^=3D ice needles DN arrow Group separator
30 1E RS E^+ up triangle L arrow Record separator
31 1F US E^* DN triangle R arrow Unit separator
32 20 SPC bar space space Space
SECTION TWO: SPECIAL CHARACTERS
=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D
127 7F DEL ETB home plate R pennant Deleted
155 9B EOL RETURN box, etc. Atascii end of line
(only at end of paragraphs or last column for data)
13,10 EOL ENTER ^M^J IBM end of line
(at end of every 80-column screen line)
13 EOL ENTER ^M (or ^M and null) Unix end of line
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS:
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
^ =3D control key L =3D left hi =3D upper
S =3D shift key R =3D right low =3D lower
E =3D escape key UP =3D points up [ ] =3D inverse
BS =3D backspace DN =3D points down V =3D vertical
TB =3D tab key sq =3D square perp =3D perpendicular
(time) =3D position of hands on a clockface
Where possible, descriptions of graphics characters are taken
from standard symbols used in mathematics, weather, astronomy, etc.
Note: Different computer platforms, operating systems, programs,
printers, etc. will produce different graphics characters.
SECTION THREE: KEYBOARD CHARACTERS
=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
DECIMAL IBM ATARI DECIMAL IBM ATARI
-HEX KEY CHAR. KEY CHAR. -HEX KEY CHAR. KEY CHAR.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D
32 20 bar space bar space 80 50 P P P P
33 21 S1 ! S1 ! 81 51 Q Q Q Q
34 22 S' " S2 " 82 52 R R R R
35 23 S3 # S3 # 83 53 S S S S
36 24 S4 $ S4 $ 84 54 T T T T
37 25 S5 % S5 % 85 55 U U U U
38 26 S7 & S6 & 86 56 V V V V
39 27 ' ' S7 ' 87 57 W W W W
40 28 S9 ( S9 ( 88 58 X X X X
41 29 S0 ) S0 ) 89 59 Y Y Y Y
42 2A S8 * * * 90 5A Z Z Z Z
43 2B S=3D + + + 91 5B [ [ S, [
44 2C , , , , 92 5C \ \ S+ \
45 2D - - - - 93 5D ] ] S. ]
46 2E . . . . 94 5E S6 ^ S* ^
47 2F / / / / 95 5F S- _ S- _
48 30 0 0 0 0 96 60 ` ` ^. `
49 31 1 1 1 1 97 61 a a a a
50 32 2 2 2 2 98 62 b b b b
51 33 3 3 3 3 99 63 c c c c
52 34 4 4 4 4 100 64 d d d d
53 35 5 5 5 5 101 65 e e e e
54 36 6 6 6 6 102 66 f f f f
55 37 7 7 7 7 103 67 g g g g
56 38 8 8 8 8 104 68 h h h h
57 39 9 9 9 9 105 69 i i i i
58 3A S; : S; : 106 6A j j j j
59 3B ; ; ; ; 107 6B k k k k
60 3C S, < < < 108 6C l l l l
61 3D =3D =3D =3D =3D 109 6D m m m m
62 3E S. > > > 110 6E n n n n
63 3F S/ ? S/ ? 111 6F o o o o
64 40 S2 @ S8 @ 112 70 p p p p
65 41 A A A A 113 71 q q q q
66 42 B B B B 114 72 r r r r
67 43 C C C C 115 73 s s s s
68 44 D D D D 116 74 t t t t
69 45 E E E E 117 75 u u u u
70 46 F F F F 118 76 v v v v
71 47 G G G G 119 77 w w w w
72 48 H H H H 120 78 x x x x
73 49 I I I I 121 79 y y y y
74 4A J J J J 122 7A z z z z
75 4B K K K K 123 7B S[ { ^; spade
76 4C L L L L 124 7C S\ | S=3D |
77 4D M M M M 125 7D S] } E^< left-turn
78 4E N N N N 126 7E S` ~ EBS L pennant
79 4F O O O O 127 7F none house ETB R pennant
Subject: 7.3) What is Atari BASIC?
BASIC is an acronym for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.
Developed by John Kemeney and Thomas Kurtz in the mid 1960s at Dartmouth
College, BASIC is one of the earliest and simplest high-level programming
languages, incorporating components of FORTRAN and ALGOL.
In 1978 Atari contracted with Shepardson Microsystems, Inc (SMI) to create a
version of BASIC for their upcoming home computers. The following worked
together on the project, which resulted in Atari BASIC:
Paul Laughton (author of Apple DOS) - project leader, co-primary contributor
Kathleen O'Brien - co-primary contributor
Bill Wilkinson - floating point scheme design
Paul Krasno - implemented the math library routines following guidelines
supplied by Fred Ruckdeschel (author of the acclaimed text,
BASIC Scientific Subroutines)
Bob Shepardson - Modified IMP-16 Assembler to accept special syntax tables
Paul invented
Mike Peters - keypuncher/computer operator/junior programmer/troubleshooter
Three Revisions of Atari BASIC were produced: A, B, and C:
A - cartridge produced for use with the 400/800/1200XL
B - built-in to the 600XL/800XL, also produced on cartridge
C - built-in to the 800XL(late models)/65XE/130XE/800XE/XE Game System,
also produced on cartridge.
In order to find out what version you are running, at the READY prompt,
enter "? PEEK(43234)"
If the result is: You have Revision: Atari Part#:
162 A CO12402/CO14502
96 B CO60302A
234 C CO24947A
On versions A, B, and C, Greg Miller writes:
"Rev A had a number of bugs, not just the commonly described crash bug.
Rev B fixed most (maybe all, I don't remember) of these, but in the
process, they added a new bug. You see, the crashes were caused by a bug
in one of OSS's memory move routines. When the bug was fixed, the fix
mistakenly applied to a routine that actually worked in Rev A, causing the
new lockup problem.
Rev C differs in only a few bytes. AFAIK, the only change was to remove
the alteration made to the routine that was broken by Rev B.
Also concerning versions A, B and C, Russ Gilbert writes (3 Jul 2002):
"I've got an opinion on this, my opinion is wrong to 95% of Atari users.
B is a re-compile of A. C is a 12 byte patch to B.
I've used Atari BASIC for a millenium (?). B has less hangs and
ridiculous stuff like losing DIMs and stuff. C hangs like a lot. I must
admit I don't have very much experience with C as I go back to B after
using C for a short time.
I prefer B. I know its foibles. Just LIST, NEW, ENTER, SAVE every 5 or
6 SAVEs. Also, 0 REM will help with ENTERs that aren't working (put a
immediate 0 REM line before you ENTER.)"
Subject: 7.4) What are Atari DOS 1, DOS 2.0S, DOS 3, DOS 2.5, and DOS XE?
Here are short descriptions of the various Disk Operating Systems (DOS)
versions produced by Atari for use with their 8-bit computers.
The original Atari DOS shipped with all 810 disk drives from 1979-1981. It
consists of a single file, DOS.SYS, which is loaded into memory from disk on
startup.
At the top of the menu screen it reads:
DISK OPERATING SYSTEM 9/24/79
COPYRIGHT 1979 ATARI
Unless you are a collector, you probably have no reason to work with DOS 1.
The DOS 1 disk is labeled: Atari 810 Master Diskette (CX8101).
DOS II Version 2.0S was shipped with all 810 disk drives, and early 1050 disk
drives, from 1981-1983. It consists of two files:
DOS.SYS is loaded into memory from disk on startup
DUP.SYS, which contains the DOS menu, is loaded only when needed.
MEM.SAV can be employed to preserve the contents of memory to disk when
DUP.SYS is loaded, so that the data can be restored to memory when exiting
from the DOS menu. DOS 2.0S supports Atari's proprietary single-sided, single
density 90K 5.25" floppy disk format only. DOS 2.0S represents the lowest
common denominator of Atari DOS versions--you can be assured than any Atari
disk drive for the 8-bit Atari can work with disks formatted with DOS 2.0S.
The DOS 2.0S disk is labeled: Atari 810 Master Diskette II (CX8104).
DOS II Version 2.0D was shipped with the rare Atari 815 Dual Disk Drive.
Supports double-density disk drives; also supports single-density disk drives.
The DOS 2.0D disk is labeled: Atari 815 Master Diskette (CX8201).
DOS 3 shipped with 1050 disk drives from 1983-1985. It was created in part
to take advantage of the 1050's Dual-Density capability, by employing a
single-sided, enhanced-density 128K 5.25" floppy disk drive format. Atari
called this format "dual-density," but the Atari community quickly came to
refer to this format as "enhanced-density" to better differentiate it from
widely available 3rd-party truly double density disk drives and supporting
versions of DOS. DOS 3 uses a disk format incompatible with DOS 2.0S. It
included a utility to convert files from DOS 2.0S to DOS 3, but not back
again. It used disk space less efficiently than DOS 2.0S. For these reasons
and others, DOS 3 was not widely accepted by the Atari community, and like
DOS 1 is not generally used except for curiosity's sake.
The DOS 3 disk is labeled: Master Diskette 3 (DX5052).
DOS II Version 2.5 shipped with 1050 disk drives and early XF551 disk drives
from 1985-1988. DOS 2.5 represented Atari's relenting to the masses,
returning to DOS 2.0S compatability. DOS 2.5 very closely resembles DOS 2.0S,
with just a few features added. It supports both DOS 2.0S single-density 90K
formats, as well as an enhanced density 128K format for use with the 1050 disk
drive. DOS 2.5 also includes a RAMdisk utility for use with the 128K 130XE
computer, a utility to convert files from DOS 3 disks back to DOS 2.5, and
other disk utilities. DOS 2.5 is just about as universal among Atari users as
DOS 2.0S.
DOS XE shipped with XF551 disk drives from 1988-1992. Like DOS 3, DOS XE
introduced a whole new format for Atari floppy disks; but unlike DOS 3, DOS
XE also preserved general compatability with DOS 2.0S/2.5. DOS XE supports
the full capabilities of the double-sided, double density 360K per 5.25"
floppy disk XF551 disk drive, including that drive's high-speed burst mode.
DOS XE also fully supports the 90K SS/SD capability of the 810 disk drive, the
128K SS/ED capability of the 1050 disk drive, the 180K SS/DD capability of
most 3rd-party disk drives for the Atari, and a RAMdisk for use with the
130XE. Date-stamping of files is supported. DOS XE requires an XL or XE
computer; it is not compatable with the 400/800 computer models. Even though
DOS XE was critically well-received, and represented a substantial jump in
capabilities over DOS 2.5, its arrival came so late in the crouded realm of
Atari and 3rd-party DOS versions that it never achieved much acceptance among
real users, and is now relegated to the same status as DOS 1 and DOS 3 before
it. Before its release, DOS XE was widely known as "ADOS."
Subject: 7.5) What are MyDOS, SpartaDOS, and other popular DOS versions?
Section includes contributions by Andreas Magenheimer (most DOS 2 clone
descriptions).
Atari DOS versions are very popular, but many 3rd-party DOS versions have also
been developed over the years. Of these, MyDOS and SpartaDOS seem to be the
most-used today.
MyDOS 4.53
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MyDOS is modelled after Atari DOS 2.0S/2.5, but provides subdirectory and
hard-drive support, along with many other "high-end" features.
MyDOS 4.53/3 was released as freeware by David R. Eichel on 1/1/90. Defaults
to a 3 character file length/free sector count instead of MyDOS's normal 4.
Supports multiple AUTORUNs at boot up (*.AR0 through *.AR9). Supports Axlon
RAMdisks.
MyDOS 4.53/4 is the same as 4.53/3, but uses a minimum of four characters in
the sector count just like most versions of MyDOS.
MYDOS 4.51 was developed by Wordmark Systems (Charles Marslett). Source code
is available as "abandonware" at: http://www.wordmark.org/
MYDOS 4.50 was released on 11/28/88, developed by C. Marslett & R. Puff
http://www.nleaudio.com/css/files/MYDOS45M.ARC
Mathy van Nisselroy's MyDOS page:
http://www-users.rwth-aachen.de/mathy.van_nisselroy/mydos.htm
SpartaDOS 3.2, 3.3, X (4.22)
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SpartaDOS is a completely different command-line DOS modelled after MS-DOS,
though it is perfectly capable of reading all Atari DOS and MyDOS disks.
There are many versions available. Hopefully this list will help keep them
all straight.
SpartaDOS X (SDX) cartridge
---------------------------
Greatly enhanced/expanded compared to disk- based SpartaDOS; completely
different source code. Several versions produced:
4.22 11-05-95 released by Fine Tooned Engineering (FTe)
4.21 7-10-89 released by ICD
4.20 2-06-89 released by ICD
4.19 1-16-89 released by ICD
4.18 10-29-88 released by ICD
4.17 ?-?-88 released by ICD
SpartaDOS Pro 3.3a, 3.3b, and 3.3c - 1994-
----------------------------------
The SpartaDOS Pro 3.3 versions were developed by Stephen J. Carden, based upon
a dissembled copy of the older (more stable?) 3.2c release from ICD.
-- SpartaDOS Pro Ver 3.3a 3-Nov-94 -- Added MUX support and MS-DOS Commands.
Highspeed SIO routines NOT included. Recommended for use in emulators
(especially Xformer) only.
-- SpartaDOS Pro Ver 3.3b 25-Dec-95 -- Has two different SIOV handlers, one
for the MUX and one for the MIO.
-- SpartaDOS Pro Ver 3.3c 1995 -- Looks at your system and by checking it
determines what CIO handler to load, and has MS-DOS command set. Black
Box, MUX, and MIO are fully supported, though none of these are required.
-- SpartaDOS Pro Ver 3.3c 19-Dec-97 -- the same 3.3c produced on a 16K ROM
cartridge by Video 61.
-- SpartaDOS Pro Ver 3.3d -- exists, but is not in general release
According to Lance Ringquist:
K-Products contracted FTe to develop SpartaDOS Pro 3.3 for exclusive use and
distribution with K-Products' BBS Express! Pro, to provide this BBS system
with the most stable platform possible. As Video 61 now owns the rights to
BBS Express! Pro, SpartaDOS Pro 3.3 is therefore now a product of Video 61.
According to Stephen Carden:
The SpartaDOS Pro 3.3 versions were never owned by K-Products, and are
technically shareware owned by FTe, although FTe had no connection with the
specific development of the 3.3 versions.
SpartaDOS 3.2g and 3.2gx - Dated 6/4/94.
------------------------
Last official disk-based versions, released as shareware by Fine Tooned
Engineering (FTe), who had purchased the rights from ICD. 3.2g is the primary
version; 3.2gx differs only in that it locates the disk buffers under the OS
to save RAM. 3.2gx is intended for use in systems that include a PBI device
(MIO, Black Box); it is not compatible with BASIC XE or any other programs
using RAM under the OS.
First shareware release from FTe: 3.2f.
Earlier major releases from the original developer, ICD: 3.2d, 3.2c, 2.3, 1.1.
Only the SDX cartridges and the original version 1.1 are compatible with the
400/800 computer models; SpartaDOS 2.x, and 3.x require an XL/XE.
Many disk-based SpartaDOS versions are available for download here,
Thunderdome, kept by SysOp Fox-1:
http://www7.brinkster.com/atari/ataridl/sdsys.htm
One source of SpartaDOS documentation is Russ Gilbert's page at:
http://my.en.com/~russg/
BW-DOS 1.30 and BW-DOS Update #2 - Released: 12/95 ("BeWe")
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Another popular, powerful DOS is BW-DOS, freeware by Jiri Bernasek. (it is
pronounced "Bay Vay Dos") which is SpartaDOS compatible. Does not use any
speeder internally, but comes with external XF551 speeder. Supports 4 drives
and Ramdisk, comes with Ramdisk driver for XE compatible Ramdisks up to
1Megabyte; supports 4 densities: a) Single (90k), b) Enhanced/Medium (130k),
c) Double (180k) and d) DSDD (360k); does not use any RAM under OS ROM; unlike
SpartaDOS most commands are external, thus the DOS is only 5kbytes short;
supports a PAL clock (made by ABBUC regional group "ARGS"); comes with many
great utilities (which can also be used with SpartaDOS); paper printed German
and disk printed English docs are avaiable; latest version 1.3 is avaiable as
Freeware...
The other DOS varieties mentioned below are all, like MyDOS, Atari DOS-2
clones and thus DOS-2 compatible; avaiable as PD or Freeware...
TOP-DOS 1.5+
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Carolyn Hoglin writes:
This superior DOS was written by R. K. Bennett of Eclipse Software in
Sunnyvale, CA. It was based on Atari DOS, but with many, many more features.
It fully supports my double-density, double-sided Astra drives, automatically
sensing the proper density and sidedness of both drives 1 and 2. (MYDOS only
seemed to do that on drive 1.) Also supported are large ramdisks for Axlon,
Mosaic, etc. The latest version was TOP-DOS 1.5+, which came with an excellent
manual explaining how to use its powerful capabilities.
SuperDOS 5.1
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supports 4 formats SD/ED/DD/DSDD; supports 256k Xtra RAM/RD; supports 4
speeders: Happy+Speedy+XF551+US Doubler and its compatibles; has an AUX.SYS
file with option to use / not use RAM under OS ROM; has unfortunately a very
slow Ramdisk;
BiboDOS 5.4 and 6.4
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3 versions avaiable, one without speeder - 5.4NT, one with Happy/Speedy
support 5.4HS and one with XF support 6.4XF; supports 4 formats / up to 360k;
supports 256k Xtra Ram / RD; the DUP.SYS uses RAM under OS ROM, thus
Turbo-BASIC must load without DUP;
Turbo-DOS 2.1
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Master-Disk produces 4 different versions: 2.1NT without speeders, 2.1HS for
Happy/Speedy, 2.1XF for XF551 and 2.1EX for 3 speeders: Happy+Speedy+XF551;
supports 256k Xtra RAM / RD and supports use of batchfiles; has converter for
DOS 3 and DOS 4; supports 4 formats, up to 360k; does not use RAM under OS
ROM; DUP uses a Command Processor; all commands are avaiable via HELP key;
works with XL/XE computers only, does not load/boot on Atari 400/800 no clue
why;
Subject: 7.6) How do I modify Atari DOS to support more than two drives?
Russ Gilbert writes:
DOS 2 type DOSes default to two drives.
Boot DOS and BASIC.
? PEEK(1802)
if it is 3 then you only recognize two drives.
To get the 3rd drive, poke 1802,7. Then go to dup.sys (type DOS)
and write system files. Next time you boot that DOS, you'll recognize
3 drives.
If you want four drives, poke 1802,15.
Subject: 7.7) Are there Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for the Atari?
Contributors: Andreas Magenheimer, Mathy van Nisselroy, Kathleen Ferrante
- Diamond GOS version 1 (a cart and a PD demo-disk-version do exist),
version 2 (cart only), version 3 (cart only); plus some applications
(painter program, text program, etc.); Diamond GOS has been made
freeware by the author Alan Reeve;
- G.O.S., the Graphic operating system by Total Control systems; two different
versions are avaiable (I call them GOS 1 and GOS 2) and they are PD;
- G.O.E., the Graphic Operating Environment also by Total Control Systems
(this one merely works under Sparta DOS, not with Bewe-DOS and not at all with
DOS 2.x); so far I have found 3 different versions (GOE 1,2,3) with some
applications (graphic/painting program, etc.); PD;
- S.A.M., the Screen Aided Management (unfortunately it has the same name as
SAM, the software aided mouth) from PPP/Germany. It is avaiable in two
different versions: a) the type-in listing from Atari magazin and/or the Lazy
finger disks (which are PD!) or b) the commercial version 2.0 which has many
add-ons and can still be bought from Dean Garaghty/UK or
PD-World-Versand/Germany; This GUI merely works correct under DOS 2.5 and
Medium/dual density, however...
- BOSS-XL, the XL-Desktop from Mirko Sobe; written in Turbo-BASIC; freeware;
http://www.atarixle.de/
- BOSS-XE, the XE-Desktop from Mirko Sobe; written in Turbo-BASIC;freeware,
http://www.atarixle.de/
- BOSS-X the newest desktop version from Mirko Sobe, needs an 128k+ Computer
(128k or more memory), supports MyDOS up to 16MB and MyDOS subdirs...; still
written in Turbo-BASIC; many applications and drivers; freeware;
http://www.atarixle.de/
- XL-TOS a small and "cheap" GUI version from Atari magazin (i.e. a type-in
listing; the BASIC file, which consists of many data lines creates a short
object code file); unfortunately this GUI only looks good, it loads almost
nothing... PD;
- ST-TOS a small BASIC program, that looks like a GUI; it can merely load
BASIC files and do a few DOS commands, like lock, unlock, delete and such...
(PD)
- BASIC desktop, a GUI written in BASIC just as a sample, what can be done
with an 8-bit computer; this one loads BASIC and text files (maybe also ML
files); PD;
- DCS, the desktop construction set from Tom Hunt; there are 3 different
versions avaiable, a) for DOS 2.5, b) for MyDOS andc) for Sparta-DOS; I have
tested the Sparta DOS version, which worked with batchfiles and could easily
load some ML files, text files and BASIC files (which were already on the DCS
disk); it also works with high densities and/or hard disk partitions up to
16MB and supports subdirs of course; hmm, freeware or shareware ?!?
- ATOS - GUI by Tom Hunt/Closer To Home. http://cth.dtdns.net/atos/
1) Lets you use any demo or intro as a screen saver!!
2) Works with all Atari hardware, BB, MIO and Hard drives, SpartaDOS support
3) Lets you run files like full games and demos and then
return back to the desktop. It uses Overlays.
- Atari Desktop by ABC software (Poland), includes editors, converters,
file copiers, sector copy, tape+turbo tape copy, small games, CMC finder
and player and much much more; works with 64k RAM and keyboard input;
disk manuals only in polish language...
- Windows XL a Turbo-BASIC GUI with some nice add-ons, like calculator, editor
and other things. written in 1986-1988 by Joerg Forg.
- there are a lot more GUI programs, however many of them are written in BASIC
or Turbo BASIC and are very restricted; most of them merely look like a GUI
but need to much memory for everyday use. Thats why most users still prefer
those DOS or Gamedos (Gameloader, Multiloader, etc.) programs...
Subject: 7.8) What should I know about modem device handlers?
In order to use a modem on the Atari, a modem software handler, or R: device
handler, must be loaded into memory.
There are several families of R: handlers, corresponding to the different ways
in which a modem may be attached to the Atari.
Except for family #7 below, these handlers are used in one of two ways.
Either they are (A) loaded into memory from DOS just before running the main
terminal application, or (B) the terminal program is appended to the handler,
so that in practice, a single file is loaded from DOS which contains both the
R: device handler and the application itself.
1) 835/1030/XM301 modems. Atari-only modems, interface via SIO
2) MPP/Supra modems. Atari-only modems, interface via joystick port
3) R-Verter cable. Connect standard Hayes-type modems via SIO
/ SX212 modem. A Hayes-compatible modem, interface via SIO
4) SWP ATR8000 interface. Standard Hayes-type RS232 modems via this interface.
Richard Anderson writes (Oct 2 02):
Mine originally came with a driver program; and, I believe, a BASIC program
to set up the driver from BASIC. Later they shipped with a special version
of MyDOS with the R: handler built in.
5) 850 Interface/P:R: Connection, internal
This type of "mini handler" simply loads the R: device handler code from a ROM
chip inside the RS232 serial interface. A long beep is heard through the
speaker when the handler is loaded into the computer's RAM.
Many varieties of DOS for the Atari include an explicit provision for loading
this type of R: handler into memory from the 850 or compatible interface.
Also, this type of R: handler is automatically loaded when any 8-bit Atari
computer is turned on with a P:R: Connection or powered 850 connected, but no
powered disk drive is present.
6) 850 Interface/P:R: Connection, external
Used with the 850/P:R: Connection in place of these interfaces' built-in
handlers.
7) MIO/Black Box interfaces, internal
These interfaces utilitize the PBI or ECI parallel ports on the Atari. They
include their own R: handlers in ROM, using no computer RAM at all.
8) MIO/Black Box interfaces, external: Len Spencer's Hyperspeed
This handler is "optional" for the Black Box, but "essential" for the MIO
in order to take full advantage of the high-speed hardware handshaking
capabilities of these two interfaces.
Hyperspd.arc is available at http://members.aol.com/lenspencer/atari8.htm
Subject: 8.1) What programming languages are available for the Atari?
QS FORTH info from Winston Smith, 3/03
Much work on the FORTH section by MCurrent 4/03, based primarily on:
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForth from Carsten Strotmann
This section is by Freddy Offenga.
What programming languages are available for the Atari?
Revision : 1.8
Date.... : 2002-10-13
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The goal is to give information about all available languages
for the Atari 8-bit computer. This information includes:
title, last version, author, date and a short description.
It would also be nice to know how to get it and where to get
more information (like reference cards, reviews and such).
Author: Freddy Offenga
Email : taf.offenga [at] chello.nl (replace " [at] " with "@")
URL : http://members.chello.nl/taf.offenga/atari.htm
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There are quite a lot! To get some structure in this section it's
divided into the following categories;
a) ASSEMBLER
b) BASIC
c) C
d) PASCAL
e) LISP
f) FORTH
g) PILOT
h) LOGO
i) All the rest
The following format is used:
- Language titel (medium)
version, year : version, year
author/company : author/company
available..... : where/how to get it
package....... : programs, documentation
features...... : main features
Description.
The question marks (?) indicate that more information is
required about that topic.
Credits
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- The Multi-lingual Atari, Analog magazine 45, August 1986
- A bunch of manuals
- Some copy-pasted lines from the Atari 8-bit newsgroup
- umich (University of Michigan Atari archive)
- David Wyn Davies (PL65)
- Kevin Savetz (APX titles)
- Maury Markowitz
- Michael Current
- JT (ValForth)
- Andreas Magenheimer
Revision history
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1.8
Thanks to Adreas Magenheimer for these updates:
- Added "Mesa-Forth"
- Added "130XE Assembler 4.32"
- Updated "SynAssembler"
1.7
Thanks to Maury Markowitz for these updates:
- Updated "A BASIC Compiler"
- Added "Der BASIC Compiler", "MMG BASIC Compiler"
- Added "Frost BASIC", "TT-BASIC XL"
1.6
Synchronized with Atari 8-bit FAQ May-2002 :
- Added "X-Assembler"
- Added "CTH Fast Basic"
- Added availability for "Deep Blue C"
- Added availability for "Atari Pascal"
- Ignored changes "Kyan Pascal" (need more info)
- Updated "ValForth"
- Updated "Extended fig-Forth"
- Updated "fun-Forth"
- Added "Extended WSFN"
- Removed e-mail addresses
- Added availability for "A65"
- Updated "PL65"
1.0 .. 1.5
Changes not noted.
Old versions are available on request.
a) ASSEMBLER
- 130XE Makro Assembler (disk)
version, year : 4.32, ?
author/company : Torsten Karwoth
available..... : freeware, ABBUC PD #297
package....... : assembler, editor, menu, monitor,
batch enhancement, linker/packer
features...... : macros
Two pass 6502 assembler with integrated menu, editor
and monitor shell for 128KB RAM Ataris. Source format
is derived from Atmas Makroassembler.
- 130XE+ Makro Assembler (disk)
version, year : 2.2, 1992
author/company : Torsten Karwoth
available..... : freeware, ABBUC PD #368
package....... : assembler, editor, menu, monitor,
batch enhancement, linker/packer
features...... : macros
New version with 128KB - 1088KB RAM support.
Two pass 6502 assembler with integrated menu, editor
and monitor shell. Needs extra RAM banks. Source
format is derived from Atmas Makroassembler.
- A65 (disk)
version, year : ?, 1989
author/company : Charles Marslett, WORDMARK Systems
available..... : abandonware, http://www.wordmark.org/
package....... : assembler, manual
features...... : source include
Two pass 6502 assembler. Source format is based on the
Atari Macro Assembler. Assembler source included.
- Alfasm, Turbo-Assembler/16 (disk)
version, year : 1.0, 1990
author/company : Jeff Williams, DataQue Software
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, docs
features...... : source include
Two pass 6502/65816 assembler.
- Atari Assembler/Editor (cart)
version, year : ?, 1981
author/company : Atari
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, monitor, manual
features...... : -
Two pass 6502 assembler with integrated editor/monitor
- Atari Macro Assembler (disk) (CX8121)
version, year : 1.0C, 1981
author/company : Atari
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, debugger, manual
features...... : macros, source include
Two pass 6502 assembler.
- ATasm (disk)
version, year : 0.92, 1999
author/company : Mark Schmelzenbach
available..... : umich
package....... : assembler
features...... : macros, source include, optionally target .XFD
disk images and machine state files (Atari800 / Atari800Win),
conditional assembly. Two pass 6502 portable cross assembler.
Highly compatible with MAC/65.
- Atmas Makroassembler (disk)
version, year : 2, 1985
author/company : Peter Finzel, Hofacker
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, monitor, manual
features...... : macros
Two pass 6502 assembler with integrated editor/monitor.
- Bibo Assembler (disk)
version, year : ?, 1986
author/company : Compy-shop
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, monitor
features...... : source include, data include
Two pass 6502/65c02 assembler with integrated editor/
monitor.
- Datasm/65 assembler (disk)
version, year : 2.0, 1981
author/company : DataSoft Inc.
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, menu, manual
features...... : -
Two pass 6502 assembler.
- EASMD (disk)
version, year : 1.0, 1981
author/company : OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, monitor
features...... : ?
Two pass 6502 assembler with integrated editor/monitor.
- Fast Assembler (disk)
version, year : 1.5, 1995
author/company : MMMG Soft
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, disassembler
features...... : ?
- Kasm65 (disk)
version, year : 2.51, 1997
author/company : Ken Siders
available..... : shareware, umich
package....... : assembler, editor, linker, docs
features...... : macros, relocation, source include,
conditional assembly
Two pass 6502 assembler. Relocatable object files are
compatible with ra65. Source format is derived from
the Atari Macro Assembler.
- MAC/65 Macro Assembler (disk|cart)
version, year : 2.00, 1982
author/company : Stephen D. Lawrow, OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, monitor, manual
features...... : macros, source include
Two pass 6502 assembler with integrated editor/monitor.
Mac/65 is a direct descendant of the Atari Assembler/
Editor (via EASMD).
- MAE (disk)
version, year : .96, 1996
author/company : John Harris
available..... : umich
package....... : assembler, menu, editor, monitor, docs
features...... : macros, source include, data include,
conditional assembly
Two pass 6502/65816 assembler with integrated editor/
monitor. Extra RAM supported.
- NASM65 (disk)
version, year : ?, 1992
author/company : Nat!
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, linker, librarian
features...... : macros, relocation, source include
One pass 6502 portable cross assembler (initially for
the ST). Highly compatible with MAC/65.
- PC-65 (disk)
version, year : 1.0 beta, 1996
author/company : Jan Feenstra & Freddy Offenga
available..... : -
package....... : assembler
features...... : macros, source include, data include,
boundary directive
Two pass 6502 cross assembler for the PC. The source
format is highly compatible with the ST-65 assembler.
- Quick Assembler (disk)
version, year : 1.0, 1990?
author/company : JBW, Avalon?
available..... : ?
package....... : assembler, editor, menu, debugger
features...... : source include
Two pass 6502 cross assembler with integrated editor.
Very user friendly menu environment.
- Ra65 (disk)
version, year : 1.0, 1989
author/company : John R. Dunning
available..... : public domain, umich
package....... : assembler, linker, librarian
part of cc65 (c-compiler)
features...... : ?
- Synassembler (disk|cart)
version, year : ?, 1982
author/company : Steve Hales, Synapse Soft
available..... : http://www.atariland.com/members/oldatarian/
package....... : assembler, editor, monitor, manual
features...... : source include
Two pass 6502 assembler.
- ST-65 (disk)
version, year : ?, 1991
author/company : A. Stauffenberg, F. Offenga
available..... : -
package....... : assembler, menu shell, manual
features...... : macros, conditional assembly,
source include, data include,
boundary directive
Two pass 6502/65c02 cross assembler for the Atari ST
written in 68000 assembly. As far as I know this is
the first assembler with the boundary directive.
- X-Assembler
version, year : 2.4, 2001
author/company : Piotr Fusik
available..... : freeware
package....... : assembler, docs
features...... : conditional assembly, source include,
binary include, pseudo commands,
pseudo addressing modes
Two pass 6502 cross assembler for PC. The source
format is backward compatible with Quick Assembler.
b) BASIC
- A BASIC Compiler (?)
version, year : 1.05, 1987
author/company : Monarch Data Systems
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC compiler
features...... : ?
- Advan BASIC (disk)
version, year : ?, ?
author/company : Advan Language Designs
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC compiler
features...... : ?
- Atari 800 Basic (disk)
version, year : 1.0, 1981
author/company : Microsoft
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
- Atari BASIC (cart)
version, year : Rev.C, 1983
author/company : Atari
available..... : standard ROM in Atari XL/XE
package....... : BASIC interpreter, manual
features...... : pretty plain BASIC implementation
- Atari Microsoft BASIC II (cart)
version, year : ?, 1991
author/company : Atari
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC interpreter
features...... : ?
- BASIC A+ (disk)
version, year : 3.05, 1981
author/company : OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC interpreter
features...... : ?
- BASIC XL (cart)
version, year : ?, ?
author/company : OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC interpreter
features...... : ?
- BASIC XE (cart)
version, year : ?, 1985
author/company : OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC interpreter
features...... : ?
- CTH Fast Basic (disk)
version/year : ?
author/company : Tom Hunt/Closer to Home
avaiable.......: PD, Freeware or Shareware;
package........: language plus several test files
and examples; english docs;
features.......: faster than Atari Basic, not much
slower than TB, does not use Ram under OS;
avaiable at Tom Hunt's homepage or elsewhere...
- Der BASIC Compiler (?)
version, year : ?, 1983
author/company : Datasoft
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC compiler
features...... : ?
- Frost BASIC (?)
version, year : 1.04, 1985
author/company : Frank Ostrowski, Happy Computer
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC interpreter, compiler
features...... : ?
Version of Turbo Basic XL that runs on 48k machines (400/800).
- MMG BASIC Compiler 2.0 (?)
version, year : 2.0, 1984
author/company : Special Software Systems
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC compiler
features...... : ?
It appears that this is a newer version of Der BASIC Compiler,
licensed to some other company.
- TT-BASIC XL (disk)
version, year : 2.11, 1985
author/company : Frank Ostrowski, Happy Computer
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC interpreter, compiler
features...... : ?
Published in the German magazine "Happy Computer".
Appears to be a newer version of Turbo Basic XL.
- Turbo Basic XL (disk)
version, year : 1.5, 1985
author/company : Frank Ostrowski, Happy Computer
available..... : ?
package....... : BASIC interpreter, compiler (V1.1)
features...... : ?
Published in the German magazine "Happy Computer".
c) C
- ACE C (disk)
version, year : ?
author/company : John Palevich & Ralph Walden
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
This is a newer version of 'Deep Blue C'.
- C/65 (?)
version, year : ?
author/company : OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
Probably derived from Dr.Dobbs "Small C". Compiles to 6502
code which emulates the 8080 instruction set.
- C65 (?)
version, year : ?
author/company : Keith Ledbetter
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : good macro assembler
This compiler does not support structs.
- CC65 (disk)
version, year : 1989
author/company : John R. Dunning
available..... : umich archive,
http://www.umich.edu/~archive/atari/8bit/Languages/Cc65/
package....... : compiler, linker, assembler, librarian
features...... : ?
Public domain compiler. Also used as cross compiler.
Relocatable object linkage files, and the most thorough
K&R C for the 8-bit. Comes with an relocatable assembler.
- CC8 (disk)
version, year : 2.3
author/company : John Palevich & Steve Kennedy
available..... : ?
package....... : Compiler
features...... : ?
ACE C with more "real" C support (e.g. arrays of pointers
to structs). Requires ACE C runtime libs and linker.
- Deep Blue C (disk)
version, year : 1.2, 1982
author/company : John Palevich, APX
available..... : =
http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20166
Source code "Deep Blue Secrets" downloadable at
=
http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20179
package....... : Compiler, Linker
features...... : ?
Deep Blue C was originally an independent product, but it
then became available from APX. It converts C to pseudo-
code and then interprets the pseudo code (8080 instruction
set emulation).
Drawn from Ron Cain's public domain C-compiler (Small-C).
- DVC C (disk)
version, year : 1.05, 1985
author/company : Ralph E. Walden
available..... : ?
package....... : Editor, Compiler, Optimizer, Linker
features...... : Quite user friendly program
The compiler generates special object files (.CCC)
which can be optimized and linked. The package uses a
special DOS called DVC DOS which contains runtime stuff.
- LightSpeed C (disk)
version, year : 1.08, 1986
author/company : Clearstar Softechnology
available..... : ?
package....... : Compiler, Optimizer, Linker
features...... : ?
Runs under CLI DOS's and MENU DOS's.
- Tiny-C
version, year : ?
author/company : OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
First sold C compiler by OSS. This compiler was used to
compile itself! First true language "bootstrap" on any
8-bit machine (it was also available for Apple and CP/M
machines). Derived from Dr.Dobbs "Small C". Compiles to
6502 code which emulates the 8080 instruction set.
d) PASCAL
- Atari Pascal (disk)
version, year : 1.0, 1982
author/company : APX
available..... : APX-20102
Information at http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20102
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
Needs two drives.
- Draper Pascal (disk)
version, year : 2.1, 1989
author/company : Norm Draper
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
- Kyan Pascal (disk)
version, year : 1986
author/company : Kyan Software, APX
available..... : ?
package....... : editor, compiler, linker, macro-assembler
and manual
features...... : ?
Kyan Pascal would run off a single floppy. The Atari (APX)
version needs two drives. A version which runs entirely in
128k should be available too.
e) LISP
- INTER-LISP/65 (disk)
version, year : 2.1, 1981
author/company : Special Software Systems, DataSoft
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
f) FORTH
- ES-FORTH
version, year : 1.2, 1984
author/company : The English Software Company
available..... :
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForthESForth
package....... : ?
features...... : says Carsten Strotmann: "Seems to be based an =
fig-FORTH,
but with some unique "Words". Works with normal DOS.
- Extended fig-FORTH, (disk)
version, year : 11/10/1981
author/company : Patrick Mullarky, APX
available..... : APX-20029
=
http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20029
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
- Extended fig-FORTH, (disk)
version, year : 1.1 Rev. 2.0, 01/15/82
author/company : Patrick L. Mullarky, APX
available..... : APX-20029
=
http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20029
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForthFigOneOne
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
- fig-FORTH (disk)
version, year : 1.0D
author/company : ?
available..... :
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForthFigOneZeroD
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
- fig-FORTH
version, year : 1/26/81 and 4/01/82 releases
author/company : Steven R. Calfee "Team FORTH"
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... :
=
http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3Dunknown_fig
- fig-FORTH
version, year : 4/10/82
author/company : Peter Lipson / Robin Ziegler "Team FORTH"
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : based on 4/1/82 release of fig-FORTH by Steve Calfee
- fig-FORTH
version, year : 5/5/82 - 10/16/82
author/company : Harald Striepe "Team FORTH"
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : based on 4/10/82 release of fig-FORTH by Lipson/Ziegler
- fig-FORTH, Antic (disk)
version, year : 1.4S REV.H, 18Jun85
author/company : John Stanley/Antic Magazine "Team FORTH"
available..... :
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForthAntic
package....... : ?
features...... : based on 10/16/82 release of fig-FORTH by Striepe
- fun-FORTH (disk)
version, year : ?
author/company : Joel Gluck, APX
available..... : APX-20146
=
http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20146
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
- Grafik-FORTH
version, year : 1990
author/company : RAI Production
available..... :
=
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForthGraphicForth
package....... : ?
features...... : based on fig-FORTH 1.4S and TURBO-GRAPHICS-SYSTEM 256
- MesaForth
version, year : 12/03/81
author/company : ?
available..... : =
http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForthMesa
package....... : language, source code, documents, examples
features...... : based on 6502 fig-Forth. The major difference is in
the size of the screen on disk (512 bytes instead of
1024 bytes). Runs under ATARI DOS 2.0S.
- QS FORTH
version, year : 1.0, 3/27/81
author/company : James Abanese / [QS] Quality Software
available..... : http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/LangForthQS
package....... : Editor, Assembler, I/O routines
Single Density 5.25 Floppy and Manual in Binder
features...... : Editor, Assembler, I/O Routines. based on fig-FORTH.
- turbo-4th
version, year : January 1985
author/company : Steven R. Calfee
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : compatible with fig-FORTH and Team FORTH. It's fast.
Not threaded, it is a true compiler
- ValForth (disk)
version, year : 1.1, 1982
author/company : Valpar International
available..... : ?
package....... : (8) disks in the set including: 1)master disk,
2)display formatter, 3)text compression and auto text formatting,
4)valDOS-I, 5)valDOS-II, 6)player-missile graphics, character editor and
sound editor, 7)general utilities and video editor, 8) Turtle &
valGraphics and advanced floating point routines.
features...... : based on fig-FORTH
- X-FORTH
version, year : 26 Jan 2003
author/company : Carsten Strotmann
available..... : http://www.strotmann.de/twiki/bin/view/APG/ProjXForth
package....... : binary, source, disk image with samples & editor
features...... : aims to be compatible with new ANSI standard.
works with normal DOS.
g) PILOT
- Atari PILOT (cart)
version, year : 1980
author/company : Atari
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
h) LOGO
- Atari LOGO (cart)
version, year : 1983
author/company : LCSI, Atari
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
i) All the rest
- Action! (cart)
version, year : 1983
author/company : OSS
available..... : ?
package....... : compiler, editor, monitor and library
features...... : fast compiler which generates good code
Needs cartridge for runtime procedures. A PD runtime
library is also available.
All variables are static, so recursive routine calls
are not possible. No floating point type (though a
PD library should make this possible). No arrays of
objects (arrays of POINTERS to objects are possible).
- Extended WSFN, WSFN =3D Which Stands For Nothing
version, year : ?
author/company : Harry Stewart, APX
available..... : APX-20026
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
Info at http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20026
- Quick (disk)
version, year : 2.0, 1990
author/company : Raindorf Soft
available..... : ?
package....... : ?
features...... : ?
This is the "poor man's Action!". Same restrictions as
Action! apply also to Quick. Further restrictions are:
only simple assignment expressions, no records and no
pointers.
- PL65 (disk)
version, year : 1.0, 1987
author/company : Noahsoft
available..... : commercial, Extremely rare.
package....... : compiler, editor, library, sample game
features...... : Similar features to Action with same restrictions.
Highly flexible language that includes inline assembler features and
pointers. Robust and well-engineered editor. Does not require
additional runtime library - automatically generated and included in
the compiled code during compilation.
- Test Computer Language (disk)
version, year : 2.2, 1985-1990
author/company : D.Firth
available..... : public domain, ?
package....... : compiler and editor
features...... : ?
Subject: 8.2) What cartridges were released for the Right Slot of the 800?
Contributors: Gene, Larry White, others
Austin Franklin Austin 80 Console Software
Eastern House KISS
Eastern House Monkey Wrench
Eastern House Monkey Wrench II
Geminisoft/Sar-An Magic Dump
Geminisoft Magic Dump II
Radical Systems Cartridge Maker (eprom burner)
Block (first right cart/first "backup" program hardware device)
R-Time 8 ICD (battery-backed clock, for left or right cart slots)
Real Time Cartridge Sunmark, http://www.sunmark.com/
Subject: 8.3) What games support 4 or more simultaneous players?
contributors to this section:
Jeff M Lodoen, Vidar \"Hawk\" Olavesen, Pat Mulvey,
Steven E. Posey (Party Quiz), Andreas Magenheimer
a) The following games support 3 simultaneous players:
(2 players via joystick, 1 player via keyboard)
- Dynakillers by GMG/Slovakia (Freeware!)
- Blastermind by ???/Germany (Freeware!)
- M.U.L.E. cracked by ???/Germany (pirate copy!)
- some more PD and commercial games...
b) The following games support 4-joystick head-to-head play:
(Only the 400 and 800 computer models sport 4 controller ports)
- Asteroids cart. by Atari,
- Basketball cart. by Atari,
- Dandy disk by APX,
- M.U.L.E. disk by ECA,
- Maze War disk or cart. by ???,
- Silicon Warrior disk or tape by Epyx,
- Survivor disk or cart. by Synapse,
- Major League Soccer cart. by Thorn EMI,
- Major League Hockey cart. by Thorn EMI,
- Volleyball by ???
(PD game written in Atari BASIC);
- Tank Battle by ??? from Antic magazine
- Roadblock by Brian Holness from Compute! magazine
- Battle Room (CIA vs. KGB) a PD game by SNACC
- Aliens a PD-game by ??? using an altered Dandy program
(the Dandy font and thus the graphics were changed, however,
the levels remain the same and can be used in both games);
- Sky Warrior by ??? from ROM magazine, June 1984 ***
- Depth Warrior by ??? from ROM magazine, Aug. 1984 ***
- Yellow-Brick-Road by ??? from ROM magazine, Feb. 1984 ***
*** these programs are reported to be 4-player programs, I'm
not sure if they are meant to be 4-players simultaneously
or 4-players - one after another (try to find out!);
c) The following games support 8 players on the 400/800 or 4 on the other
computer models, using the 2 controllers-per-port CX30 Paddle controllers:
- Super Breakout by Atari,
- Worms? by Electronic Arts
(has nothing to do with the PC game!)
d) The following game supports 4 players on all machines, using special
4-button keypad controllers linked together with RJ-11 jacks (standard
phone jacks) to a box with 2 joystick port connectors:
- Party Quiz by Suncom
e) The following programs support multi-joystick games, using extra
hardware called Quadrotron (Atari magazin) or Multijoy (R.Sterba):
- Quadrotron: (from the german Atari magazin 2/1989, up to 4 players)
- test program for 4 joysticks (and assembler source);
- Quadro-Tron by H.Schoenfeld (4-player Tron-clone);
- Multijoy 4/8/16: (4/8/16 players/joysticks by Radek Sterba)
- Cervi by R.Sterba (up to 8-players Snake-clone);
- Multijoy by R.Sterba (up to 4 players Tetris-clone)
- Bremspunkt by T.Butschke (up to 4 players Car-race);
- Sheep by F.Dingler (up to 8 players Sheep-race);
- Cards by F.Dingler (up to 8 players grab-a-card-game);
- Ice-Hockey by F.Dingler (up to 8 players Icehockey-game);
- Quadrotron-M4 by R.Sterba (patched Quadro-Tron for Multijoy);
Subject: 8.4) What programs run only on the 400 and 800 models, and why?
The following are reported as incompatible with models other than the
original Atari 400/800. Most probably do work on XL/XE's if you use a
translator to run the original 400/800 OS on your XL/XE. (Alas, most
translator-versions are limited to disk access, thus booting/loading
a tape [and especially a cartridge] can be difficult sometimes...A.M.)
Apple Panic Broderbund
Aquatron Sierra On-Line
Astro Chase First Star Software / Parker
Atari Word Processor Atari
(this is not the same as AtariWriter!)
Atlantis (some versions!) Imagic
Attack at EP-CYG-4 (by Bram) Romox
Bandits Sirius Software
BearJam Chalkboard Inc.
Boulders And Bombs CBS
Chicken Synapse
Demon Attack Imagic
Disk 50
Dreadnaught Factor, The Activision
Drelbs Synapse
Forbidden Forest Cosmi
(later versions by different companies work ok on XL/XE!)
Fort Apocalypse Synapse
(cart version is 400/800 only! tape+disk versions work ok on XL/XE!)
Galahad And The Holy Grail APX
(Downloadable from http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=3D20132)
Go Hayden
Gorf Roklan
Jawbreaker II
Jet Boot Jack English Software
(can be found on various tapes/disks; at least the re-release
version by Byte Back works alright on XL/XE computers!)
Juggler IDSI
K-Razy Antiks K-Byte
K-razy Kritters CBS Software
K-razy Kritters K-Byte
Kangaroo Atari prototype
KoalaPainter Koala
Leo's 'Lectric Paintbrush Chalkboard Inc.
Leo's Links Chalkboard Inc.
Letter Perfect LJK Enterprises
LogicMaster Chalkboard Inc.
Lunar Leeper
Mario Bros. ('83) Atari
Maze Epyx
MicroMaestro Chalkboard Inc.
Monkey Wrench Eastern House
Monster Maze Epyx
Ms. Pac-Man Atari
(has problems with newer XE/XEGS computers!)
M.U.L.E.(early release only) Electronic Arts
Nautilus Synapse
Pac-Man Jr. Atari prototype
Picnic Paranoia Synapse
Pool 1.5 IDSI
Pool 400 IDSI
Protector II Synapse
Rack 'Em Up Rocklan
Shamus Synapse
Slime Synapse
Snapper Silicon Valley Systems
Space Dungeon Atari
Squish 'Em Sirius
Super Pac-Man Atari prototype
Text Wizard
Zaxxon (early release only!) Datasoft
Konrad M.Kokoszkiewicz writes:
XL/XE software won't work on 400/800 if:
1) it uses shadow RAM at $C000-$CFFF and $D800-$FFFF
2) it uses RAM expansions at $4000-$7FFF controlled by PORTB $D301
3) it uses specific XL OS functions (like JNEWDEVC)
4) it uses illegal XL OS addresses.
5) it uses European Charset :)
Andreas Magenheimer adds:
To get an overview or see a chart of OS changes from the 800 to the XL
line, refer to Antic magazine Volume 3, Number 2 (June 1984), pages 10-14;
Also note, that some software will not work correct (or not at all) on
newer XE/XEGS versions (which have a new OS with a new version number,
a new selfttest/memory-test/keyboard-test, larger RAM chips, etc. etc.);
Subject: 8.5) What programs make use of the Light Gun or a light pen?
Bertrand M. (LEXX) writes:
- Bug Hunt cart. by Atari;
- Barnyard Blaster cart. by Atari;
- Crossbow cart. by Atari;
- Crimebuster cart. by Atari;
- Operation Blood disk by ANG/Mirage;
- Operation Blood II - Special Forces disk by ANG/Mirage;
- Light Gun Blaster (PD from Page 6);
- enhanced Lightgun Blaster (PD from Pedrokko);
- Gangsterville disk by Linda Soft
(an italian game written in BASIC);
- maybe a couple more...
James Bradford mentions:
"On the 400, the light gun /pen will only work in joystick port 4."
This renders much light gun and light pen software unusable on the 400.
Andreas Magenheimer adds:
All Lightgun games can be used with a lightpen (which is not as accurate
as a Lightgun however). And all lightpen programs can be used with a
lightgun. thus add:
- Atari Graphics cart. by Atari
(a painting/drawing program);
- Matrix a PD game by Dave Oblad
(a 4-wins or 5-wins clone!)
- Alien Invaders disk by R.Gore (available from DGS);
- Bembelwo a PD game by Thorsten Butschke
(a sort of golf/minesweeper game, written in Quick);
- Sharp Shooter by Mat*Rat a PD game from Analog,
(also available on cart from Video 61/Lance Ringquist);
- Lightgun Shooter by ??? from ABBUC mag.
(a simple shooter game, at least PD!)
- Flyshot or Flyshoot a PD game by Kemal Ezcan
(a Turbo BASIC game from ZONG, the KE Soft magazine);
- Geisterschloss game+editor disk by KE Soft;
- Lightpen Doodle by ??? from Antic magazine;
- some more PD programs and utilities for Lightpen or Lightgun;
Subject: 8.6) What programs have a track ball mode or support a mouse?
Contributors: Andreas Magenheimer, Mirko Sobe
Title Keystroke Required
-------------- ---------------------
- Missile Command by Atari CTRL-T
- Slime by Synapse [T]
- Shanghai by Activision choose controller type: ST mouse !
(plug it into port 2; if you do not
have one, you have to reboot!!)
- Bombdown by Roemer of Uno choose between Joystick, Amiga
mouse, ST mouse or CX85 numeric
keypad (use port 2 for any mice)
- Minesweeper by Raindorf-Soft use an ST mouse in port 2
- The Brundles by KE-Soft use an ST mouse in port 2
- The Brundles Editor by KE-Soft, PD use an ST mouse in port 2
- Geisterschloss by KE-Soft, PD choose Lightgun (port 1) or ST
mouse (port 2)
- Vanish (ZONG, Vol. 5+6/1993); use an ST-mouse in port 2
- Hong Kong (ZONG, Vol. 5+6/1993); use an ST-mouse in port 2
- Maus-DOS (ZONG 5+6/1993); use an ST-mouse in port 2
- Faecher-Patience (ZONG 1/1993); use an ST-mouse in port 2
- Macao (Zong 5+6/1994); use an ST-mouse in port 2
- Multi-Mouse manager (PD) drivers for mice, TB, etc.
- Unriagh I (german PD adventure) has drivers for ST mouse+Joystick
(stick=3Dport 1, mouse=3Dport2)
- Unriagh II (german PD adventure) has drivers for ST mouse+joystick
(stick=3Dport 1, mouse=3Dport 2)
- little Calculator (AMC-Verlag, PD) uses ST-mouse only (port 2)
- big UPN calculator (PD) uses ST mouse, TB, Touch tab. and
joystick; (there are different COM
files, rename the one you wish to
use to *.EXE; all drivers use port
1 - if I remember correctly)
- Operation Blood (ANG/Mirage) press mouse fire or Select to start
in ST mouse mode (port 2)
- Operation Blood 2 / Special Forces press mouse fire or Select to start
(ANG/Mirage) in ST mouse mode
- Sprint XL (ABBUC Jahresgabe 1992) uses an ST mouse in port 2
- M.O.S. (ABBUC magazine) uses an ST mouse in port 2
- Diamond GOS (Reeve software) all three versions support an ST
mouse in port 2
- S.A.M. (Power per Post) german GUI, supports an ST mouse in
port 2
- G.O.E. (TCS) supports an ST mouse in port 1
- BOSS-X (MS-Software, Mirko Sobe) supports ST-Mouse in Port 2
RE: Missile Command, Andreas writes:
there are many different versions available... I know the old Atari 800
cart version, which works correct with Joystick and Trakball, but not at
all with a mouse. The newer XL version works with Mouse, trackball and
Joystick, also the newest (built-in) XEGS version of MC. But, there is
also a tape version (and maybe a disk version) of MC available. I am not
sure if this tape version behaves like the old 800 version or like the
newer XL and XE/XEGS versions...
And about mice, Andreas adds:
Maybe you did not know, there is a little difference between Trackball
and ST-mouse. Although MC works with both input devices does not mean,
they are the same. they are not !! Connect the TB to an ST computer and
you see: it does not work at all !! You have to do a small conversion to
convert the TB to an ST mouse. (Plans are avaiable from ABBUC, Germany).
Subject: 8.7) What programs have a paddle(s) or Koala Pad mode?
Andreas Magenheimer contributes:
- Super Breakout (Atari) breakout clone
- Live Wire (Analog) tempest clone
- Live wire 2 (Analog) tempest clone
- Planetary Defense (Analog)
- Pong (Antic) Pong clone
- Pong (Analog) Pong clone
- Super Ball (Compy Shop Magazin) Breakout clone
- Arkanoid (Taito/Imagic) Breakout clone
- Koala/Micro-Illustrator (Island graphics/Koala Ware) graphics program
- Chiseler (Antic or Analog) a breakout clone
- Slime (Synapse) a slimy shooter...
- Chicken (Synapse) catch the chicken eggs...
- One on One (Compute!) a breakout/warlords clone
- Paratroop Attack by David Plotkin
- all Pinballs created with the P.C.S.
(use left paddle trigger for left flipper and right paddle trigger for
right flipper; or simply use a joystick and left/right/fire button);
- many more Pong and Breakout clones
(forgot their names, maybe someone can help here!)
- many more programs (which I do not remember right now!)
for Koala Pad only: - Micro-Illustrator / Koala Painter
- other Koala Pad painters or programs
Subject: 8.8) What programs have a CX85 Numerical Keypad mode?
Andreas Magenheimer contributes:
- Bombdown (Roemer of Uno);
- The Bookkeeper (Atari);
- Multi mouse Management (PD);
- UPN calculator (PD);
- Ball Harbour (Zong 8/1992);
- The Big Quest (Zong 7/1992);
- Blob (Zong 2/1992);
- Bomber Jack (KE-Soft);
- Catch (Zong 6/1992);
- Code table (Zong 11+12/1993);
- CX-85-Driver (Zong 7+8/1994);
- CX-85-Keycode-driver (Zong 7+8/1995);
- Donald (by KE-Soft);
- Drag (by KE-Soft);
- Dragon Fire (Zong 1/1993);
- Gravitar (Zong 4/1992);
- Hungry Goblin (Zong 5/1992);
- Invaders (Zong 5+6/1993);
- Joshi (Zong 3+4/1993);
- Lasermaze (by KE-Soft);
- Lost in the Antarctic (Zong 2/1992);
- Mampfman (Zong 8/1992);
- Minipac (Zong 3/1992);
- Minipac 2 (Zong 6/1992);
- Money Raider (Zong 2/1992);
- Monster Tracking (Zong 9/1992);
- Oblitroid (by KE-Soft)
- Pac-Man (Zong 11/1992);
- Schlumpf/Smurf (Zong 5/1992);
- Slurp (Zong 3/1992);
- Techno Ninja (by KE-Soft)
- Transsylvania (Zong 3+4/1993);
- Viro-Mania (Zong 2/1993);
- Zador XL (by KE-Soft)
- Zador II (by KE-Soft)
- many more games from KE-Soft and Powersoft;
(forgot their names, help needed!)
------------------------------
Subject 8.9) What programs have a Touch tablet mode?
Andreas Magenheimer writes:
- Atari Artist (Atari) graphics program
- Pixel Artist Deluxe 1.3 (PD) graphics program
- The Brundles (KE-Soft) Lemmings clone
- Musorqua (Analog computing) educational program
- many more (which I do not remember right now!)
Subject: 8.10) What kinds of RAMdisks can be set up on the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
8.10 Atari Ramdisks - An (incomplete) Overview:
[This is version 2.4 from February 2003]
Right from the start of the Atari 8-bit computer era in the late 70`s,
Atari users wanted to have as much RAM as possible (or as their purse
could afford). Having a 16k machine with a tape device was nice and
cheap, but having full 48k or 64k and a floppy drive was much nicer
(and very expensive). Thus many Atari users began to create selfmade
RAM extensions and enhancements, just to save some money. Also a lot of
firms provided extra RAM, RAM enhancements, RAM extensions and Ramdisks.
Besides Atari there were (and still are) quite a lot of producers,
manufacturers, distributors and authors of such RAM enhancements...
This "short" and incomplete overview does not provide any docs or manuals,
but gives some info about the various Ramdisks on the market. Since these
notes are written by me, they will merely contain the information I have.
And as you all can see - it isn`t much information. So any help and extra
info, as well as corrections, are very welcome. It would be nice to see
this text & info growing. For now let us start here, the info-section is
divided into 8 groups:
1) Name (Name of the RD, e.g. Megaram 2 or Rambo XL or MIO, etc.);
2) Vendor/Author (or distributor, manufacturer, producer, etc.);
3) Size (size of the Ramdisk only; NOT the full computer memory);
4) [Bankswitching] Area (for XL/XE computers usually 4000-7FFF);
5) Banks (hexadecimal input count, as in MyDOS or RAMDTEST.BIN);
6) Control Bits (which bits are used to control the Rambanks);
7) Port (control Port - usually Port B for XL/XE machines);
8) Notes (any extra info, comments, miscelleanous things, etc.);
If you wish to add any other type of info, let me know. The above
information should be enough for most programmers to support a RD in
their programs (especially to support more than just one type of RD).
Hopefully future programs will take care about this info or just use
a small setup program to setup any kind of RD. Now let me begin:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A) Atari 400/800 Ramdisks:
Name Vendor Size Area
Banks Bits Port Notes
- Axlon Axlon/Atari 64k 4000-7FFF
0 thru 3 0,1 (CFFF) plug-in-board
Note: total memory =3D 96kbytes (32k RAM + 64k RD);
- Axlon Axlon/Atari 128k 4000-7FFF
0 thru 7 0,1,2 (CFFF) plug-in-board
Note: total memory =3D 160kbytes (32k RAM + 128k RD);
- 288k800 D.Byrd and others 256k 4000-7FFF
0 thru 15 0,1,2,3 (CFFF) selfmade-board
Note: total memory =3D 288kbytes, Axlon compatible;
- 544k800 various authors 512k 4000-7FFF
0 thru 31 0,1,2,3,4 (CFFF) selfmade-board
Note: total memory =3D 544kbytes, Axlon compatible;
- 1056k800 various authors 1024k 4000-7FFF
0 thru 63 0,1,2,3,4,5 (CFFF) selfmade-board
Note: total memory =3D 1056kbytes, Axlon compatible;
- 2080k800 various authors 2048k 4000-7FFF
0 thru 127 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 (CFFF) selfmade-board
Note: total memory =3D 2080kbytes, Axlon compatible;
- 4128k800 various authors 4096k 4000-7FFF
0 thru 255 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 (CFFF) selfmade-board
Note: total memory =3D 4128kbytes, Axlon compatible;
=3D> Note that all so-called Axlon "compatible" (256k-4096k) Ramdisks
normally do not homebank when RESET is pressed (a fix should be
available somewhere), whereas original Axlon Ramdisks do homebank
properly !! (Special thanks to Lee Barnes for this note !!)
- Mosaic RAMpower by Mosaic Electronics is actually a Ramboard, that
enhances the memory of your Atari 800; avaiable in 3 sizes: 16k,
32k and 64k (where max. 52k can be utilized from 64k). Looks like
these are no Ramdisks, just (normal/main) RAM enhancements. But maybe
the 64k Ramboard can be patched in some way to gain a small 16k or
32k Ramdisk (48k RAM + 16k RD or 32k RAM + 32k RD) ?!?
- ...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B) Atari XL/XE Ramdisks:
Name Vendor Size
Area Bits Port
Banks
Notes
=3D> Note that bit 4 is always used in all Port B type memory upgrades to
turn on the CPU's access to the extended memory. Thus, it is not reported
in bit use tables as a used bit as it does not control which bank gets
switched into the 4000-7FFF region. This seems to be a standard convention
as the majority of ramdisk users don't want bit 4 counted as a control bit.
And it's not a control bit - its the 'on' bit. Likewise, bit 5 is the 'on'
bit for ANTIC's access to the extended memory for 'compatible' (to 130XE)
machines as well. If bit 5 does show up in a bit use table, one can only
assume that this is an incompatible machine which doesn't have or use ANTIC
access at all. In that special case, bit 5 is then available for use in
switching in the various banks and thus gets counted as a control bit in
bit use tables. (Special thanks to Lee Barnes for this note !!)
- 130XE-Ramdisk Atari 64k
4000-7FFF 2,3 B ($D301)
Banks: E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: old=3D8kbyte chips (west), new=3D32kbyte chips (east);
XE`s made in China have faulty GTIAs =3D> replace them!;
XE`s and XEGS made in China also have a new OS which causes
some incompatibility problems (try: Encounter / disk version
by Novagen or try: Muad`Dib-Demo by Hurek, etc.); just replace
the new OS with an older XL/XE one if you want less trouble!;
standard Atari RD - available with all XE-compatible ramdisks;
Antic access: YES! Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES!;
- 192k-600XL Compyshop 128k
4000-7FFF 2,3,? B ($D301)
Banks: e3,e7,eb,ef,a3,a7,ab,af;
Notes: early CS upgrade version for 600XL only!;
afaik this was a piggy-back version...;
Antic access: no! Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES!;
- 320k-800XL Compyshop 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 23,27,2b,2f,63,67,6b,6f,a3,a7,ab,af,e3,e7,eb,ef;
Notes: afaik this was a piggy-back version...;
Antic access: no! Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES!;
- 320k-130XE Compyshop 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 23,27,2b,2f,63,67,6b,6f,a3,a7,ab,af,e3,e7,eb,ef;
Notes: afaik this was a piggy-back version with sep. Antic!;
(XE meant 130XE only! this excluded 65XE and 800XE!);
Antic access: YES! Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES!;
- 512k XL various authors 448k
4000-7FFF 2,3,4,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: ef,eb,e7,e3,cf,cb,c7,c3,af,ab,a7,a3,8f,8b,87,83
6f,6b,67,63,4f,4b,47,43,2f,2b,27,23;
Notes: This 512k upgrade is not the same as the one thats on the
British Underground. That one dont work, I had to fix it years ago.
The new version will replace the 64k main RAM with 512k RAM, thus
you gain 64k RAM and 448k Ramdisk. (A.M.: Afaik, it has the same
problems as the 256k RAM enhancements [with 64k RAM and 192k Ramdisk],
meaning *some* programs will try to use the main RAM as rambanks...)
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!;
- A.M. Ramdisk Atari Magazin 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: 83,87,8B,8F,A3,A7,AB,AF,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: manual and schematics, as well as a parts list can be found
in german Atari Magazin 2/1987 (includes a Basic test program!);
bugfixes and updates in Atari Magazin 3/1987, 4/1988 and 5/1988;
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!;
- Bob Woolley`s Atari 1200XL 1MB upgrade 960k
4000-7FFF 1,2,3,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: EF, ED, EB, E9, E7, E5, E3, E1
CF, CD, CB, C9, C7, C5, C3, C1
AF, AD, AB, A9, A7, A5, A3, A1
8F, 8D, 8B, 89, 87, 85, 83, 81
4F, 4D, 4B, 49, 47, 45, 43, 41
2F, 2D, 2B, 29, 27, 25, 23, 21
0F, 0D, 0B, 09, 07, 05, 03, 01
Notes: this upgrade uses 64k as main RAM and 960k as Ramdisk;
Selftest: Yes!, Basic: "no" (not built-in), Antic access: no! ;
- Mathy`s RD M.v.Nisselroy 1024k
4000-7FFF 0,1,2,3,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: EF EE ED EC EB EA E9 E8 E7 E6 E5 E4 E3 E2 E1 E0
AF AE AD AC AB AA A9 A8 A7 A6 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0
6F 6E 6D 6C 6B 6A 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60
2F 2E 2D 2C 2B 2A 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
Notes: uses a PC-SIMM (30-Pin-SIMM), pin-switching in RD: 4,5;
XL/XE/XEGS: Selftest+Basic=3DYES, XEGS: Missile Command=3DYES!;
no use of any switches!; Antic access: YES!; (CS-compatible!);
- Megaram 1 Klaus Peters 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 23,27,2B,2F,63,67,6B,6F,A3,A7,AB,AF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: used 16kbyte Chips x16 (very big/huge pcb);
originally designed (and maybe produced?) by Ralf David;
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- Megaram 2 Klaus Peters 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 23,27,2B,2F,63,67,6B,6F,A3,A7,AB,AF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: uses 128kbyte Chips x2 (much smaller pcb);
originally designed (and maybe produced?) by Ralf David;
newer MegaRAM version; fully compatible to Megaram 1;
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- Megaram 3 Klaus Peters 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 23,27,2B,2F,63,67,6B,6F,A3,A7,AB,AF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: uses 256kx4 Chips (514256-70); fully compatible to
K.P./R.D. Megaram 1+2; originally designed by Ralf David;
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- Megaram 3 Klaus Peters 1024k
4000-7FFF 2,3,6,7 B ($D301)
0,1 (or switches) B ($D600)
Banks: 23,27,2B,2F,63,67,6B,6F,A3,A7,AB,AF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
$D600: F3,F7,FB,FF...
Notes: uses 1Mx4 Chips (514400-70); can be a) 1 Ramdisk of 1 Mb
or b) 2 Ramdisks of 512kb each or c) 4 Ramdisks of 256kb each;
uses four switches; the 1MB mode seems to be very incompatible!!;
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
=3D> Note that all XL-type Megaram-Ramdisks (Megaram 1, 2, 3)
have Refresh bugs/problems which can be solved quite easily
with one "AND Gate" (refer to ABBUC magazine 63, pages 19+20);
None of the Megaram Ramdisks do have the separate Antic access
built-in, but XE-types can be upgraded easily for this mode!!;
- Newell Newell Ind. 192k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: a) older version: 83,87,8B,8F,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
b) newer version: A3,A7,AB,AF,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: replaces the 8 RAM 4164 with 8 RAM 41256 and thus uses
64k as main RAM and 192k as Ramdisk/extra RAM (therefore some
RD-testers will see 240k memory or 15 RD-banks which is untrue!);
the older 256k Newell version was not compatible to Rambo XL,
Buchholz and Peterson, since these were not available then;
Newell was earlier on the market than Rambo and Peterson,
while early Buchholz Ramdisks used 32k banks instead of 16k
banks; all this changed with the appearance of the 130XE
and thus Buchholz designed 16k Rambanks and finally Newell
256k Ramdisks became Buchholz/RamboXL/Peterson compatible !!
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: YES!
- Newell Newell Ind. 1024k
4000-7FFF 1,2,3,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 01,03,05,07,09,0B,0D,0F,21,23,25,27,29,2B,2D,2F
41,43,45,47,49,4B,4D,4F,61,63,65,67,69,6B,6D,6F
81,83,85,87,89,8B,8D,8F,A1,A3,A5,A7,A9,AB,AD,AF
C1,C3,C5,C7,C9,CB,CD,CF,E1,E3,E5,E7,E9,EB,ED,EF
Notes: uses 8 pc. 1Mx1 Chips (511000-80); Basic: To be able to
select the internal Basic, connect a toggle switch between ground
and the motherboard where PB1 was removed (PIA `Hole' 11). The
switch is not much different than the Option Key, and I found it
more versatile. (Wes Newell) =3D> see also ABBUC mag. 29, page 6+7;
Atari Basic: yes/no! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: YES!
=3D> Note that so-called "Newell-compatible" Ramdisks (clones or
selfmade ones...) most likely do NOT have Antic access, due to
the lazyness of its creators or their intentions of simply not
needing it. However, original Newell Ramdisks created and sold
by Wes Newell do have the separate Antic access !!
- Newell Newell Ind. 4096k
4000-7FFF 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 00,01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,0A,0B,0C,0D,0E,0F
10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,1A,1B,1C,1D,1E,1F
20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,2A,2B,2C,2D,2E,2F
30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,3A,3B,3C,3D,3E,3F
40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,4A,4B,4C,4D,4E,4F
50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,5A,5B,5C,5D,5E,5F
60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,6A,6B,6C,6D,6E,6F
70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,7A,7B,7C,7D,7E,7F
80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,8A,8B,8C,8D,8E,8F
90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,9A,9B,9C,9D,9E,9F
A0,A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8,A9,AA,AB,AC,AD,AE,AF
B0,B1,B2,B3,B4,B5,B6,B7,B8,B9,BA,BB,BC,BD,BE,BF
C0,C1,C2,C3,C4,C5,C6,C7,C8,C9,CA,CB,CC,CD,CE,CF
D0,D1,D2,D3,D4,D5,D6,D7,D8,D9,DA,DB,DC,DD,DE,DF
E0,E1,E2,E3,E4,E5,E6,E7,E8,E9,EA,EB,EC,ED,EE,EF
F0,F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6,F7,F8,F9,FA,FB,FC,FD,FE,FF
Notes: uses 8 pc. 4Mx1 Chips (541000-80); made by Newell, later by
FTE; seems to be very incompatible to existing software and
bankswitching cartridges (OSS, Atari, etc.), because normal RAM at
4000-7FFF is NOT available - only extra Ram/Ramdisk banks. With one
PIA chip there is simply no bit left to switch between main RAM and
extra RAM / Ramdisk. But with the installation of a second PIA chip
one would be able to do so. Furthermore one may use (almost) any
setup or banks he likes then (with a second PIA chip one could
control up to 256 Megabytes of RAM). Basic: To be able to select the
internal Basic, connect a toggle switch between ground and the
motherboard where PB1 was removed (PIA `Hole' 11). The switch is not
much different than the Option Key, and I found it more versatile.
(Wes Newell); OS: It is possible to maintain OS bankink using 4 Megs.
It requires moving the OS into RAM before any banking of that Bit
occurs. Use MOVEOS File on the [Newell-Software-] Disk. (Wes Newell)
Atari Basic: no! XL/XE Selftest: no (?) Antic access: no!
- Peterson 256k S.Peterson 192k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: A3,A7,AB,AF,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: compatible to Buchholz, Rambo XL and newer Newell versions;
replaces the 8 RAM 4164 with 8 RAM 41256 and thus uses 64k as main RAM
and 192k as Ramdisk (most RD-testers will therefore see 240k memory);
Antic access: no!, Atari Basic: YES!, XL/XE Selftest: YES!
- Peterson 320k S.Peterson 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: 83,87,8B,8F,A3,A7,AB,AF,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: compatible to TOMS (?), incompatible to Compyshop!;
there are still the 64k main RAM plus this 256k extra RAM;
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- Peterson 576k S.Peterson 512k
4000-7FFF 1,2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: 81,83,85,87,89,8B,8D,8F,A1,A3,A5,A7,A9,AB,AD,AF,
C1,C3,C5,C7,C9,CB,CD,CF,E1,E3,E5,E7,E9,EB,ED,EF;
Notes: should be fully compatible to TOMS-Ramdisk (?);
Atari Basic: no! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- Peterson 1088k S.Peterson 1024k
4000-7FFF 1,2,3,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 01,03,05,07,09,0B,0D,0F,21,23,25,27,29,2B,2D,2F
41,43,45,47,49,4B,4D,4F,61,63,65,67,69,6B,6D,6F
81,83,85,87,89,8B,8D,8F,A1,A3,A5,A7,A9,AB,AD,AF
C1,C3,C5,C7,C9,CB,CD,CF,E1,E3,E5,E7,E9,EB,ED,EF
Notes: fully compatible to Newell and TOMS (?) Ramdisks;
Atari Basic: no! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
=3D> Note that (separate) Antic access can be done to all Peterson
and compatible XE-type Ramdisks; just refer to Ed Bachman`s fine
article (supplied with the manual for the Wedge) on how to
update/upgrade your Peterson or compatible Ramdisk for Antic access;
(Afaik only XE-type computers can be upgraded for separate Antic
access, since XL-type computers don`t have the Freddie and Gate
Array chips; the Freddie chip controls the Gate-Array chip; the
Gate-Array chip is responsible for the separate Antic mode...)
- Quarter-Mega-XL C.Buchholz 192k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: A3,A7,AB,AF,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF (=3Dnewer version);
Notes: compatible to Peterson, Rambo XL and newer Newell versions;
replaces the 8 RAM 4164 with 8 RAM 41256 and thus uses 64k as main RAM
and 192k as Ramdisk (therefore most RD-testers will see 240k memory);
older versions were designed for 32k banks, but with the appearance of
the 130XE as the new standard, the design had been changed to 16k banks;
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- Rambo XL ICD 192k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: A3,A7,AB,AF,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: compatible to Buchholz, Peterson and newer Newell versions;
replaces the 8 RAM 4164 with 8 RAM 41256 and uses 64k as main RAM and
192k as Ramdisk (therefore most RD-testprograms will see 240k memory);
built in Atari Basic: YES!, XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- Rambo=3D>512k Dan Schmid 512k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 00,04,08,0C,20,24,28,2C,40,44,48,4C,60,64,68,6C, (Basic
80,84,88,8C,A0,A4,A8,AC,C0,C4,C8,CC,E0,E4,E8,EC; on??)
Notes: this "project" should upgrade a Rambo XL to 576kbytes;
the docs were found on Pooldisk Too (SUBDIR: ACE/Acec202 a+b);
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no (?)
- Satantronic`s 1MB PC-SIMM Ramdisk 1024k
4000-7FFF 1,2,3,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 01,03,05,07,09,0B,0D,0F,21,23,25,27,29,2B,2D,2F
41,43,45,47,49,4B,4D,4F,61,63,65,67,69,6B,6D,6F
81,83,85,87,89,8B,8D,8F,A1,A3,A5,A7,A9,AB,AD,AF
C1,C3,C5,C7,C9,CB,CD,CF,E1,E3,E5,E7,E9,EB,ED,EF
Notes: Extended RAM is not available from BASIC. But with a small
patch it is possible to access 512 KB from Basic. This is compatible
with 256 KB and 1024 KB SIMM modules. There also exists some light
modified version of this RD with some switches for better
compatibility with some "old" software. (XI of Satantronic);
Atari Basic: no! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no!
- TOMS-RD T.O. + M.S. 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: 83,87,8B,8F,A3,A7,AB,AF,C3,C7,CB,CF,E3,E7,EB,EF;
Notes: made+standard in Poland; supported in most polish demos;
should be fully compatible to A.M. and Scott Peterson Ramdisks (?);
Atari Basic: YES!, XL/XE Selftest: YES!, Antic access: no (?);
- TOMS-RD T.O. + M.S. 512k
4000-7FFF 1,2,3,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: 81,83,85,87,89,8B,8D,8F,A1,A3,A5,A7,A9,AB,AD,AF,
C1,C3,C5,C7,C9,CB,CD,CF,E1,E3,E5,E7,E9,EB,ED,EF;
Notes: should be fully compatible to S.Peterson Ramdisk (?)
Atari Basic: no! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no! (?)
- TOMS-RD T.O. + M.S. 1024k
4000-7FFF 1,2,3,5,6,7 B ($D301)
Banks: 01,03,05,07,09,0B,0D,0F,21,23,25,27,29,2B,2D,2F
41,43,45,47,49,4B,4D,4F,61,63,65,67,69,6B,6D,6F
81,83,85,87,89,8B,8D,8F,A1,A3,A5,A7,A9,AB,AD,AF
C1,C3,C5,C7,C9,CB,CD,CF,E1,E3,E5,E7,E9,EB,ED,EF
Notes: should be compatible to Newell & S.Peterson (?)
Atari Basic: no! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: no (?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
C) Parallel-Bus-Devices:
(600XL/800XL =3D parallel bus, XE =3D cart-port + ECI and/or adapter)
- Turbo Freezer XL Bernhard Engl 256k
4000-7FFF 2,3,4,5,6 B ($D301)
Banks: E3,E7,EB,EF,93,97,9B,9F,A3,A7,AB,AF,B3,B7,BB,BF;
Notes: The Turbo Freezer XL is an external device for the XL-PBI
with its own Operating-Sytem. It has a built-in Freezer, Monitor
and DOS. The Antic access for the RD can simply be built with one
wire from CPU to PBI. The RD Access works with Port-Bits 2,3 for
Bank Switching, Bits 4,5 for Groups and Bit 6 for "Mode-Select".
PortB D7 =3D Selftest (0=3Don)
D6 =3D Mode (1 =3D XE, 0 =3D Groups)
D5 =3D XE: ANTIC-Access (0 =3D on), Groups: Group H
D4 =3D XE: CPU-Access (0 =3D on), Groups: Group L
D3 =3D Bank Number H
D2 =3D Bank Number L
D1 =3D BASIC ROM (0 =3D on)
D0 =3D OS ROM (0 =3D off)
Atari Basic: YES! XL/XE Selftest: YES! Antic access: optional;
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- missing info for the following Ramdisks:
other Bob Woolley Ramdisks, more 600XL Ramdisks, Rambo XL (512k by
ICD), some Irata Ramdisks, MIO, as well as many other types;
- (?) means: info is missing or I am not absolutely sure about this
information; so this has to be verified by other Atarians;
For this 14th edition special thanks and credits go to: Lee Barnes,
Russ Gilbert, Mathy van Nisselroy, Erhard Puetz, Mathias Reichl,
Ron Hamilton, Wes Newell, Guy Ferrante, XI of Satantronic, Bernhard
Pahl and Walter Lojek for sharing their info with me. Also thanks to
John Picken for writing an excellent article about ramdisks and
cartridges (especially about bank-switching, which both devices can
do). And thanks to Jindrich Kubec (Jindroush) for presenting this fine
article on his homepage... Finally thanks to Michael Current for
publishing/including this "spam" in his A8FAQ and all the nice Atarians
at comp.sys.atari.8bit for their help and patience. -Thank you Folks !!-
Well, thats it for today - there is still a lot of information missing,
I know, but any help is appreciated. If you have some more information
or other things that might help, let me know. Please do also send
corrections since there will always be some updates and corrections
nescessary. Atarian Greetings - Andreas Magenheimer.
Subject: 8.11) What programs support a RAMdisk?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
8.11 Ramdisk-supporting Software:
(This is Version 2.4 from February 2003)
Well, I will only list those programs here that have BUILT-IN! ramdisk
support. Why? Simply, because most if not all PD programs can support
a RD, as soon as the user a) has a certain DOS or RD driver or b) has
a special OS inside the computer or c) has any kind of special and
non-standard hardware. Just one example: With the use of QMEG+ OS it
is possible to freeze ZORK (or any other protected / unprotected program)
into the RD, then re-direct the RD as being drive 1 and finally boot
Zork off of the Ramdisk, allthough Zork does not support a RD in any way.
The same funny things can be done to other copy protected programs and
especially to unprotected public domain programs... Now, let me begin:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A) DOS programs:
a) Name(s) b) Author(s)
c) RD-type(s) d) max. size
- Atari DOS 2.0 (Atari Corp.) OSS/Atari;
a) Axlon-RDs (selfmade drivers!) 128k;
b) XE-RDs (selfmade drivers!) 130XE (=3D64k);
(there are some more selfmade RD-drivers available!)
- Atari DOS 2.5 (Atari Corp.) OSS/Atari;
a) 130XE-RD (standard driver!) 64 kbytes;
b) XE-RDs (selfmade drivers!) max. 2x128 kbytes;
c) Axlon-RDs (selfmade drivers!) 128 kbytes;
(there are very many selfmade RD-drivers available!)
- DOS 3.0 (Atari Corp.) Bill Wilkinson/Atari;
=3D> there should be some selfmade drivers for 130XE Ramdisks (and
maybe Axlon), but I have not yet seen any (nor used DOS 3);
- DOS 4.0 (Atari/Antic) Michael Barall;
=3D> there should be some selfmade drivers for 130XE Ramdisks (and
maybe Axlon), but I have not yet seen them (nor used DOS 4);
- Bewe-DOS Bewesoft/J.Bernasek;
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) up to 1024 kbytes;
b) Rambox (standard driver!) up to 256 kbytes;
(Bewe-DOS is compatible to Sparta-DOS but does not use the RAM
under the OS ROM! many tools can be used under both DOS versions);
- Bibo DOS Compyshop/E.Reuss;
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) up to 256 kbytes;
b) other RDs (selfmade drivers!) up to 256 kbytes;
- DOS II+D Version 6.x Stefan Dorndorf;
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) max. 2x128 kbytes;
b) Rambox (selfmade drivers!) up to 256 kbytes;
- DOS-XE (Atari Corp.) Bill Wilkinson/Atari;
a) 130XE-RD (standard driver!) 64 kbytes;
b) other RDs (really?!?) unknown;
=3D> has the same author as the unpopular (Atari) DOS 3.0 !!;
(in the Atari scene it is as unpopular as DOS 3 and DOS 4!);
- DOS-XF (Atari Germany) Reitershan Comp.
=3D> similar in function to Turbo-DOS 2.1XF (but with a nice
DOS 2.0 / 2.5 DUP-menu! ) =3D> see Turbo-DOS !!
- My-DOS 4.5x Wordmark/R.Puff+C.Marslett
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) up to 1024 kbytes;
b) Axlon-RDs (standard driver!) up to ??? kbytes;
c) other RDs (MIO, BB, etc.) up to 1024 kbytes?;
- Smart-DOS Version 6.1 Ron Bieber;
a) XE-RDs (selfmade drivers!) up to 64 kbytes;
b) Axlon-RDs (selfmade-driver!) up to 128 kbytes;
- Sparta-DOS 1.x (400/800) ICD;
a) Axlon-RDs (??? drivers) up to 128 kbytes;
b) other RDs (??? drivers) up to ??? kbytes;
- Sparta DOS 2.x, 3.x (XL/XE) ICD / FTE;
a) XE-RDs (standard drivers!) up to 1024 kbytes?;
b) others (MIO, BB, etc.) up to 1024 kbytes?;
(maybe also RD-drivers for up to 16 Megabytes ?!?)
- Sparta DOS 3.3x (XL/XE) Stephen J. Carden;
=3D> see Sparta DOS 2.x and 3.x !!
(especially made for use with BBS-Express-Pro!)
- Sparta DOS X / 4.x (XL/XE cart.) John Harris/FTE;
=3D> see Sparta DOS 2.x and 3.x !!
(maybe with RD-driver for up to 16 Megabytes ?!?)
- Super DOS 2.x Paul Nichols;
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) up to 128 kbytes;
b) Axlon-RDs (standard driver!) up to 128 kbytes;
- Super DOS 5.x Paul Nichols;
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) up to 256 kbytes;
b) Axlon-RDs (standard driver!) up to 128 kbytes;
- Top-DOS 1.x R.K. Bennett
a) Axlon-RDs (standard driver!) up to 128 kbytes;
b) 130XE-RD (standard driver!) 64 kbytes;
c) other RDs (Mosaic?! driver!) up to ??? kbytes;
- Turbo-DOS 1.x, 2.x Reitershan Comp.;
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) up to 256 kbytes;
b) other RDs (MIO, Irata, etc.) up to 256 kbytes;
- X-DOS 2.x Stefan Dorndorf;
a) XE-RDs (standard driver!) up to 256 kbytes;
b) other RDs (selfmade drivers!) up to 256 kbytes;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B) Non-DOS programs:
a) Name(s) b) Author(s)
c) supported memory d) RD-type(s)
- A-Base 130XE (TOOL) ??? (author unknown);
64k, 128k 130XE-RD;
- Adalmar (GAME) F.Buettner (PPP);
64k, 128k 130XE-RD;
- Alphasys-Sample-Software (TOOLs) (Mirage+ANG);
a) 64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
b) 128k?, 320k 26AE-Ramdisk;
(there are several programs for 64k or 128k memory; there
is also one -and only one- program for 320k Ataris)
- Anime 4ever (DEMO) Sente-Software-Group;
64k, 320k 26AE ???, 8ACE ??? ;
(on 64k Ataris all pics load from disk, on 320k Ataris from Ramdisk)
- A.R.-The Dungeon (GAME) P.Price/Datasoft;
48k, 64k, 128k 130XE-RD;
- A-Text (TOOL) ??? (author unknown);
64k, 128k 130XE-RD;
- Atari-Writer-80 (TOOL) (Atari);
48k, 64k, 128k 130XE-RD;
- Atari-Writer-Plus (TOOL) (Atari);
48k?, 64k?, 128k 130XE-RD;
- Basic-XE (TOOL) OSS/ICD/FTE
64k, 128k 130XE-RD;
- Bop N'Wrestle (GAME) (Mindscape)
64k, 128k 130XE-RD
(on 64k Ataris the floppy will never stand still!)
- [The] Brundles (GAME) A.R.+C.S.S. (KE-Soft);
64k, 128k, 192k, 320k 130XE-RD, AE & 26AE Ramdisks;
(merely copies the levels into the RD and loads them from there;
if you don't want to play all 100 levels at once, 64k is enough!)
- Datei 4.x (database TOOL) Norbert Schlia;
64k, 128k, 192k, 320k 130XE-RD, AE & 26AE Ramdisks;
- Desktop Atari (TOOL) H.B.S.F
64k, 128k RAM 130XE-RD;
(the Key "7" in the Main Menu copies the whole program into the RD)
- Diskcomm. 2.x, 3.x (TOOL) Robert "Bob" Puff;
a) extra RAM (answer with Yes) detects up to 10 banks (dec.)?;
b) Ramdisk (answer with No) all DOS 2, My-DOS and Sparta RDs;
(Ramdisk size depends on the DOS and RD driver you are using, i.e.
with TurboDOS up to 256k, with MyDOS or Sparta up to 1 Megabyte, etc.)
- Diskworker 130XE (Tools) PETSOFT
64k, 128k RAM 130XE-RD;
- Extended-Atari-Basic (TOOL) ??? (author unknown);
64k, 128k (RAM under OS-ROM!) 130XE-RD;
- Extended-Turbo-Basic (TOOL) ??? (author unknown);
64k, 128k (RAM under OS-ROM!) 130XE-RD;
- Fampy 2.3 (Bootdisk; TOOL) Friday-Soft/W.Freitag;
64k, 128k, 192k, 320k 130XE-RD, AE & 26AE Ramdisks;
- Fampy 6.1i+ (ML-File; TOOL) Friday-Soft/W.Freitag;
64k, 128k, 192k, 320k 130XE-RD, AE & 26AE Ramdisks;
- Grafik+Sound Demo (DEMO) Dendrit-Soft/P.Sabath;
(48k?) 64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Howfen-DOS 3.x, 4.x (TOOL) ??? (author unknown);
48k, 64k, 128k and more 130XE-RD and more;
- Howfen-Tape-to-Disk (TOOL) ??? (author unknown);
48k, 64k, 128k and more 130XE-RD and more;
- Inertia 2.9 (TOOL) Mad Team;
a) 64k RAM (16k only) 16k usable memory (1 bank);
b) 128k RAM (16k+64k) 130XE-Ramdisk; (5 banks);
c) 320k RAM (16k+256k) 26AE & 8ACE RDs (17 banks);
- I.K. Plus Demo (GameDEMO) ??? (authors unknown)
a) 64k RAM only graphics;
b) 128k RAM graphics + sound;
- Megablast 1 (GAME) Thorsten Karwoth;
64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Midi-Pattern-Editor (TOOL) Raster/Radek Sterba;
64k, 128k, 320k 130XE-RD, 26AE & 8ACE-RDs?;
- Midi-Player (TOOL) Ireneusz Kuczek;
64k, 128k, 320k 130XE-RD, 26AE & 8ACE RDs?;
- Midi-Recorder (TOOL) Ireneusz Kuczek;
64k, 128k, 320k 130XE-RD, 26AE & 8ACE RDs?;
- Midi-Sequencer (TOOL) Maciej Sygit;
64k, 128k, 320k 130XE-RD, 26AE & 8ACE RDs?;
- MSC-IDE interface software (TOOLs) M.Belitz+S.Birrmanns;
64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk
(some programs/drivers use the Ramdisk, if no Ramdisk is
available, they will use & erase the RAM area 4000-7FFF)
- [The] Muppet-Movie (DEMO) Mad Team;
64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
(on 128k Ataris some pics are loaded from the Ramdisk)
- [The] Page Designer (TOOL) XLent
64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Paperclip II (TOOL) Batteries Included;
48k?, 64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Sweet Fantasy (DEMO) Tight;
64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
(on 128k machines the gr.9 pics are loaded from the ramdisk,
on 64k Ataris the gr.9 pics are loading from the disk drive);
- Syncalc "+" (TOOL) Synapse;
48k, 64k and more Axlon-Ramdisks;
- Synfile "+" (TOOL) Synapse;
48k, 64k and more Axlon-Ramdisks;
- Synhome "+" (TOOL) Synapse;
48k, 64k and more Axlon-Ramdisks;
(other programs by Synapse should also support Axlon-Ramdisks)
- Textpro 5.x (TOOL) Ronnie Riche;
48k, 64k, 128k and more 130XE-RD, 26AE & 8ACE RDs;
(here the RD-bank Macros *.ADN and/or *.BNK will require extra RAM
/ Ramdisk; simply don`t use them if you merely have 48k or 64k !!)
- The Browser (TOOL) CTH / Tom Hunt;
64k, 128k and more all Sparta-DOS Ramdisks;
- The Top-3 Demo (DEMO) W.F.M.H.;
64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
(the dancing girl -"Veronika"- supports 64k and 128k memory!)
- Typesetter XL/XE (TOOL) XLent;
64k, 128k 130XE-Ramdisk;
- [The] X-Files Shpoon;
64k, 128k, 320k 130XE-RD, 26AE or 8ACE RDs?;
- thats all I remember right now...
Note: - Axlon means any Axlon compatible Ramdisk;
- 130XE means 128k memory (64k RAM + 64k RD);
- AE means 192k memory (64k RAM + 128k RD);
- 26AE means 320k memory (64k RAM + 256k RD)
=3D> Compyshop types (and compatibles, like Mathy`s RD);
- ACE means 256k memory (64k RAM + 192k RD)
=3D> Newell, Buchholz, Peterson, Rambo XL (and compatibles);
- 8ACE means 320k memory (64k RAM + 256k RD)
=3D> Newell?, TOMS, Peterson, Rambo XL? (and compatibles);
- ? means I am (generally) unsure -or:- I am not sure if
the given information is correct (just check it out!);
Thats all for now. Thanks and credits go to Russ Gilbert, Lee Barnes
and Bernhard Pahl for sharing some info with me. Any further help or
info is welcome !! -Andreas Magenheimer.
Subject: 8.12) What programs require a RAMdisk?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
8.12 Atari-programs that require Extra-RAM / Ramdisk:
[This is version 2.4 from February 2003]
A) Non-Demo-Programs:
a) name(s): b) author(s):
c) memory (min.): d) RD-Type(s):
e) notes
- 130XE-(Bank-)Tester (TOOL) various authors (PD);
128k memory (64k RAM + 64k RD) 130XE-Ramdisk (E3,E7,EB,EF);
(1 block with 4 banks, overall: 4 banks);
- 192k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) various authors (PD);
192k memory (64k RAM + 128k RD) A,E Ramdisk blocks;
(2 blocks each with 4 banks, overall: 8 banks);
- 256k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) various authors (PD);
256k memory (64k RAM + 192k RD) A,C,E or 8,A,E blocks;
(3 blocks each with 4 banks, overall: 12 banks);
- 320k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) various authors (PD);
320k memory (64k RAM + 256k RD) 8,A,C,E or 2,6,A,E blocks;
(4 blocks each with 4 banks, overall: 16 banks);
- 576k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) various authors (PD);
576k memory (64k RAM + 512k RD) (overall: 32 banks);
(8 blocks x 4 banks -or- 4 blocks x 8 banks);
- 1088k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) various authors (PD);
1088k memory (64k RAM + 1024k RD) (overall: 64 banks);
(4 blocks x 16 banks for Mathy van Nisselroy`s RD and maybe others);
(8 blocks x 8 banks for Newell, Peterson, TOMS and compatibles);
(16 blocks x 4 banks should also be possible, but do not exist yet!);
- 2112k-Memory Tester (TOOL) Satantronic`s XRAM 0.18;
2112k memory (64k RAM + 2048k RD) (overall: 128 banks);
(8 blocks x 16 banks -or- 16 blocks x 8 banks);
- 4160k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) ??? (authors unknown);
4160k memory (64k RAM + 4096k RD) (overall: 256 banks);
(16 blocks x 16 banks, means blocks 0-F each with banks 0-F);
(note: with 1 PIA chip the main RAM 4000-7FFF is not available!);
- 8256k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) ??? (authors unknown);
8256k memory (64k RAM + 8192k RD) (overall: 512 banks);
(afaik, this upgrade requires 2 PIA chips or some uncool tricks!);
- 16448k-Memory-Tester (TOOL) ??? (authors unknown);
16448k memory (64k RAM + 16384k RD) (overall: 1024 banks);
(afaik, this upgrade requires 2 PIA chips or some uncool tricks!);
=3D> Note that 2MB-16MB extra RAM / Ramdisks are very uncommon
in the Atari scene! These upgrades were once sold by ICD and
Newell (maybe a few ones also by FTE) and of course they were
and still are selfmade by some crazy Atarians. It is not clear
if there is any software (games, apps., demos) available, that
supports these mega-upgrades fully. Afaik, only few Atarians
have and use them, mostly users of mailboxes / BBS`es...;
- ATOS/ATari Operating System (TOOL) CTH / Tom Hunt;
64k RAM + 16MB-HDD-Partition all Sparta-DOS Ramdisks;
- Boss-X - Version 10.x (TOOL) MS-Soft / Mirko Sobe;
128k RAM and more all DOS 2 und MyDOS RD`s;
- Boss-XE - Version 8.x (TOOL) MS-Soft / Mirko Sobe;
128k RAM and more all DOS 2 und MyDOS RD`s;
- CAD-XE (TOOL) (HAPS-PD 0350);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Castle of Blackthorne (GAME) L.o.D. / Thimo Graef;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Cavepack (Game) KE-Soft / Kemal Ezcan;
XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Computer Baseball (GAME) Douglas Blackwell
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk
- Degas-View-XE (Tool) Mat*Rat / Mathew Ratcliff;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Diskettenverwaltung 130XE (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 86);
(database 130XE) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Draw XE (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 387);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Dream Vision (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 480);
(IFF-Viewer) 256k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D ??? ;
- Filemanager/Filecopiers (TOOLS) various authors (PD);
128k=3D> 1 floppy is enough Sparta and DOS 2.x RD`s;
- Fraktale & Colorprint (TOOLS) (ABBUC PD 349); P.Woetzel;
(fractals & colorprint) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Gizmo`s Castle (GAME) Black Panther / M. Kugler
XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Grafik-Zeilen-Editor (TOOL) (HAPS PD 0296);
(graphic-line-editor) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Hi-Res Designer (TOOL) (HAPS PD 0015);
(gr.8 drawing program) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Hires-Dump (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 113);
(gr.8 print-program) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Inertia 4.5 (MODplayer TOOL) MadTeam
a) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk
b) more than 128k RAM 26AE =3D YES!!, 8ACE =3D ??? ;
- Kaiser II (GAME) Phoenix Softcrew / C.Strotmann;
a) 64k RAM Version any 64k XL/XE computer;
b) 128k RAM Version 130XE-Ramdisk;
c) 320k RAM Version 26AE =3D YES!, 8ACE =3D YES!;
(this game comes in 3 separate versions; plays good on 64k
computers, but needs less disk-swaps on bigger machines !!)
- Kassettencopy (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 466); J.Gernreich;
(Cass.copy) Copy64 =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Kemna-Video (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 185);
(intro-creator) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Koala Slideshow XE (TOOL) Charles Johnson/Analog
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk
- Koenigsdiamanten (Game) KE-Soft / Kemal Ezcan;
XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Lightraces (Game) (Power per Post);
XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Macro-Assembler-XE 4.32 (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 297); T.Karwoth;
(older version!) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Macro-Assembler-XE+ 2.x (TOOL) (ABBUC PD 368); T.Karwoth;
(newer version!) a) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk (MyDOS only!);
b) 128k - 1088k (MyDOS only!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(has a rambank-finder program that can be loaded from Basic or the
menu!; the assembler does not work on a CS ramdisk with refresh bugs!)
- Memdrv10 (RAM-Tester TOOL) Andre 'MacFalkner' Bertram
$D301 all Portbits 16k up to 4 MB (all standard RD`s);
$D600 up to ??? MB (Klaus Peters Megaram 3 Ramdisk)
includes 16k Bankswitching and exotic 32k (Buchholz) Bankswitching
- Menu 130 (TOOL) Les Howarth/Page 6
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk
- Minesweeper 1-4 (GAMEs) J.R.Chiko/S.A.S.
128k RAM (4 game versions) 130XE-Ramdisk
- Mister X (Game) (Power per Post);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Monitors, Debuggers & more (TOOLS) (HAPS PD 0109);
some programs require 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Multi-DOS 130 (TOOL) Kuchera/Excellent
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Multi-DOS 320 (TOOL) Kuchera/Excellent
320k RAM 26AE =3D ???, 8ACE =3D ???;
(note that Multi-DOS 130 and 320 are no DOS-Versions, they can
be used as *.CMC players; all the rest is unknown to me...)
- Multi-Tasking-OS (various ABBUC magazines);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk (+ST-mouse);
- MTOS XE (Tool) CTH / Tom Hunt;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- MTOS 256 (Tool) CTH / Tom Hunt;
256k RAM (64k+192k) 26AE =3D NO!! , 8ACE =3D YES!!;
- [Der] Neffe (Game) (ABBUC PD 52);
(the Nephew) XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Neo-Tracker (TOOL) EPI/Allegresse
192k RAM (64k RAM + 128k RD) 26AE =3D YES!! , 8ACE =3D YES!!;
- [The] Newspaper-Editor (TOOL) (HAPS PD 0294 english!);
XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Oelbaron (Game) ??? (author unknown);
XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Programmverwaltung 130XE (TOOL) (HAPS PD 0434);
(database 130XE) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- (various) Ramdisk drivers (TOOLs) various authors (PD);
128k RAM and more XE-RD`s, Axlon-RD`s, etc.;
- Rechnen fuer Kinder (TOOLs) (ABBUC PD 85);
(calculations for children) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Rund um die Ramdisk (TOOLs) (ABBUC PD 383, HAPS PD 1084);
(RD-testers, etc.) 256k RAM and more various XE-RD`s & Axlon-RD`s;
- [The] Small Printery (TOOL) Walter Lojek;
128k RAM or more (up to 1MB) 130XE-Ramdisk (minimum!);
- Snapshot (Tool) ??? (author unknown);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- [The] Sound-Utility (TOOL) CTH / Tom Hunt;
(64k), 128k, 256k, 576k, 1MB 130XE-RD; 8,A,C,E Ramdisks;
- Space Harrier (Game) Sheddy / Chris Hutt;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Strategy Baseball (Game) (HAPS PD 0302);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Super-Print-Lab-XE (TOOL) (HAPS PD 0909);
(demo-version) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- System+Memory Tester (TOOLs) various authors (PD);
128k RAM and more XE-RD`s, Axlon-RD`s, etc.;
- T-34 (Game) (ANG / Mirage);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- (various.) Tape-Copiers (TOOLs) various authors (PD);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Tape-Ramdisk-Drivers (TOOLs) various authors (PD);
128k RAM and more XE-Ramdisks;
- Text-130 (TOOL) B.Russmann
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk
- Textpro "+" (TOOL) Ronnie Riche;
(e.g. Vers. 4.54+) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- The Code Cruncher (TOOL) Soused Teat / A.Bienias
128k RAM and more XE-Ramdisks;
- The Cruncher 5.0 (Tool) MSL / Magnus
128k RAM and more XE-Ramdisks;
- The [Sparta DOS] Wedge (TOOL) Ed Bachman;
128k RAM and more + sep. Antic! XE-RD`s with separate Antic!;
- The Works (Tool) CTH / Tom Hunt;
128k RAM and more 130XE and A,C,E Ramdisks;
- [Die] Wuerttemberger-Disk (TOOLS) (ABBUC PD 361, HAPS PD 1050);
also contains the XE-version of Gizmo`s castle =3D> see Gizmo`s Castle!;
- (various) XE-Sectorcopiers (TOOLs) various authors (PD);
128k RAM and more XE-Ramdisks;
- XE-Utilities (10 XE-TOOLs) (HAPS PD 0031);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- XL-2 (Tool) John K. Picken;
128k RAM and more all Sparta und DOS 2.x RD`s;
- Zargon (german text-adv. GAME) (ABBUC PD 611, HAPS PD 0485);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- [Der] Zeitungsredakteur (ABBUC PD 121, german!);
(newspaper-editor) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B) Demo-Programs:
- 130XE-Artshow (Koala!) (HAPS PD 0013);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
(simply exchange the picture viewer for use with 48k or 64k Ataris!)
- 130XE-Autoshow (Oldtimers!) (ABBUC PD 191, HAPS PD 0637);
(130XE carshow) 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
(simply exchange the picture viewer for use with 48k or 64k Ataris!)
- 130XE-Demo S.A.G. (Netherlands);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
(written in TB; change all D8: entries into D1: for use with 48k and
64k Ataris; exchange Turbo-Basic XL with TB 3.2q, TB 400 or Frost
Basic for use with older 48k Ataris or (most versions of) Sparta-DOS)
- 130XE-Impossible-Demo Rudy Haegemann / V.T.B.;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Amiga-Boink-XE Bob Armour;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- American Natives Fox-1 / R.Verdaasdonk;
256k RAM all DOS 2 und MyDOS RD`s;
- Animkomials meet Boris Valleyo Animkomials+Boris Valleyo;
128k RAM (gr.9+11 pictures!) 130XE-Ramdisk; (has a setup!);
- Base-33 AIDS / AIDZ;
320k RAM (with Setup!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> hold down SHIFT upon bootup to get to the Setup-menu!)
- Bill-Pie-Demo ??? (authors unknown);
a) 128k RAM ($1E frames) 130XE-Ramdisk; RD-block E;
b) 192k RAM ($36 frames) RD-blocks A+E (CS, Rambo, etc.);
b) 320k RAM ($4C frames) RD-blocks 8+A+C+E (TOMS, etc.);
(=3D> this demo chooses the Ramdisk & Setup automatically! users of
a Compyshop or compatible RD can merely see the 192k version!)
- BMW-Animation MS-Soft / Mirko Sobe;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- CES-XE-Demo XANTH (full version);
128k RAM (580 sectors) 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Cogito-Demo AIDS / AIDZ;
192k RAM 26AE =3D no?! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
- Comet-Ani MadTeam;
a) 128k RAM ($36 frames) 130XE-Ramdisk; RD-block E;
b) 192k RAM ($6D frames) RD-blocks A+E (CS, Rambo, etc.);
b) 320k RAM ($96 frames) RD-blocks 8+A+C+E (TOMS, etc.);
(=3D> this demo chooses the Ramdisk & Setup automatically! users of
a Compyshop RD and compatible can merely see the 192k version!)
- Danielle-(Gr.9-TB-)Ani NBS / Bill Kendrick;
a) 64k RAM (499 sectors) Disk =3D very slowww!;
b) 128k RAM or Harddisk RD/HD =3D much faster !!;
(=3D> use your favourite DOS, Turbo-Basic and a RD/HD driver!)
- Edelweiss-Demo A.R. + C.S.S. + S.V.L.;
320k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D yes!? ;
(with 8ACE-RD`s you can see all demo-parts, however the mainpart,
known as the Edelweiss-Digi-Sample is shorter & sounds strange!)
- Ergo-Bibamus Quasimodos;
128k RAM (with Setup!) 130XE-Ramdisk;
(well, for 130XE and compatible Ramdisks no setup needed!)
- Extract-Slideshow Bit Busters / Replay;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Glasshead / HTPPD A.R. + C.S.S.;
320k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D yes!? ;
(with 8ACE-RD`s the animation uses only A+E blocks and is shorter!)
- Halle 1994b: Wormhole A.R. + C.S.S.;
320k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D NO!! ;
(well, this demo does not work at all on 8ACE-Ramdisks!)
- (Atari) Hardware-Demo A.R. + C.S.S.;
320k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D yes!? ;
(with 8ACE-RD`s the animation uses only A+E blocks and is shorter!)
- Igor Demo MadTeam;
a) 128k (Part 1, Part 2) 130XE-Ramdisk;
b) 192k (Part 3) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
c) 320k (Parts 1+2+3) 26AE =3D NO!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> the demo normally runs a setup for 320k memory; but there are 2-3
batch files for each Setup; goto DOS and install the one you want or
need with the JOB command: JOB @xxxx.BAT [RETURN], then reboot disk)
- Imperial (Sounddemo) Innovative;
320k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
- Impossible but Real! MacGyver / AIDS;
256k RAM (with Setup!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> press A for 8ACE-RDs, press B for manual setup of other RDs)
- Isolation Demo Masters of Electric City;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Journey Polynomials
a) 128k RAM ($36 frames) 130XE-Ramdisk;
b) 320k RAM ($96 frames) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D yes!? ;
(=3D> this demo chooses the Ramdisk & Setup automatically! the demo
has quite some graphic bugs on 8ACE ramdisks, but is viewable!)
- Journey into Sound DGS / Dean Garaghty;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Khai-Et AIDS / AIDZ;
320k RAM (with Setup!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> hold down SHIFT key upon bootup for the Setup-menu)
- Killer-Whales MadTeam
a) 128k RAM ($2E frames) 130XE-Ramdisk; RD-block E;
b) 192k RAM ($54 frames) RD-blocks A+E (CS, Rambo, etc.);
b) 320k RAM ($94 frames) RD-blocks 8+A+C+E (TOMS, etc.);
(=3D> this demo chooses the Ramdisk & Setup automatically! users of
a Compyshop RD and compatible can merely see the 192k version!)
- Lajf-Demo MadTeam;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Landscape-XE-Demo Karl Pelzer;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Megablast-Sounddemo DGS / Dean Garaghty;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- MTV`s-Danielle see: Danielle-Ani.;
- Nascar-Animation MS-Soft / Mirko Sobe;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Nonjm-Demo TIGHT;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Numen-Demo Taquart;
320k RAM (with Setup!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> the newer/updated version has an auto-setup for 26AE & 8ACE RD`s!)
- Owca-Demo Animkomials;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Owca-2-Demo Animkomials;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Parrot-X-MAS-Demo Anthony Ramos;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Pedrokko-Sounddemos Pedrokko (10 Disks / 20 S.);
128k RAM (some demos) 130XE-Ramdisk;
- P.I.T. - Demo Quasimodos;
320k RAM (with Setup!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> a menu appears automatically; setup 15 banks to run the demo!
this demo does not work correct on Ramdisks with refresh-bugs!)
- Raving Vierpz Pentagram;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Raytracing 320k Elsni/Stephan Elsner;
320k RAM (TB listings!) 26AE =3D NO!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
- Raytracing 1MB Solocoder of A.C.E.;
1088k RAM (K.Peters Megaram 3) works only on K.P.-1MB-RD !!;
(=3D> Bootdisk with 8 disksides; loading time: approx. 17 minutes!)
- Raytracing Animation Karl Pelzer;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Revenge of Hacker Rasero Team;
192k RAM (RD-blocks A+E) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
- Sweet Fantasy TIGHT;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Sheol Bit Busters;
320k RAM 26AE =3D NO!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(on 26AE / CS - Ramdisks you will merely receive an error
message like this: sorry, this demo needs 256k of xms RAM)
- Shiny-Bubbles-XE Brian Paul / LACE;
XE-Version =3D 128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Stash-Demo Rasero-Team;
320k RAM (with Setup!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> in the first menu press A for 8ACE Ramdisks or press B for
manual setup of other Ramdisks like Compyshop; in the second menu
press A for 8ACE Ramdisks or C for manual input of Rambanks; don`t
press B -Compyshop- here, since this CS setup is faulty/wrong)
- Starwars-Demo A.R. + C.S.S.;
320k RAM (hold down Option-Key!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D yes!? ;
(the program checks if Basic is disabled via the Option key, thus
an OS with inverted Basic / Option-key function does not work here!;
with 8ACE-RD`s the animation uses only A+E blocks and is shorter!)
- The Asskicker Shadows Computer Group;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- The Turtles-Demo (Animation!) Ultra-Software;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
(the file version by John E. requires 128k, maybe this bootdisk also)
- Timekeep(er) New Generation;
320k RAM ??? 26AE =3D NO!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(after loading on an 8ACE-RD be patient! the demo requires some time
for depacking - don`t switch off when you see a black screen, wait!)
- Tit-Demo MadTeam;
256k RAM (with Setup!) 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(=3D> the Setup appears automatically; accept or change it !)
- Too-Hard-2 Animkomials (Rippers!);
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Too-Hard-3 Animkomials (Rippers!);
192k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D YES ;
(=3D> the Setup appears automatically; accept or change it!)
- Total Daze TIGHT;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Trabant Demo / HTPPD A.R. + C.S.S.;
320k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D yes!? ;
(with 8ACE-RD`s the animation uses only A+E blocks and is shorter!)
- Trip-6-Demo Shadows Computer Group;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Ultra Taquart;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Vengeance Excellent;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Vent Excellent+Pentagram;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Video Blitz Helvetica Bold;
128k RAM (+sep. Antic!) 130XE-Ramdisk + sep. Antic!;
- WAF-Demo (Side B) ABBUC regional group W.A.F.;
128k RAM (2 Parts!) 130XE-Ramdisk;
(=3D> here the Raytracing and Vector part require 128k memory!)
- Worms-Demo Datri;
320k RAM 26AE =3D yes!? ; 8ACE =3D YES!! ;
(with 8ACE-RD`s you see the complete+bug-free version; with 26AE
RD`s you see a shorter and very buggy version with many deja-vues!)
- X-Demo Mad Team;
320k RAM 26AE =3D YES!! ; 8ACE =3D NO!! ;
- Xyberscape-XE Bill Le Masurier;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
- Zero-Demo New Generation;
128k RAM 130XE-Ramdisk;
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: - 256k Compyshop-Ramdisks, 256k K.Peters-Megaram 1,2,3
and Mathy`s 1024k RD have/use 26AE Ramdisk blocks;
- afaik all other 192k / 256k Ramdisks have ACE (8CE)
or 8ACE blocks (Newell, Peterson, Buchholz, TOMS, etc.);
- ??? means unknown; TB means Turbo-Basic (XL);
- HTPPD means Hobby-Tronic-Power-Pack-Demo;
- YES!! means the demo works as it should (100% correct);
- yes!? means the demo works but has some bugs or is shorter
(50-80% correct);
- no?! means the demo almost does not work and has many bugs
(10-40% correct);
- NO!! means the demo does not work at all - it refuses to load
or crashes shortly after loading (0% correct);
- sep. Antic means separate Antic access of the Ramdisk;
(only 2 programs seem to exist: Video Blitz & The Wedge);
Thanks and credits go to Russ Gilbert and Bernhard Pahl for sharing
their info with me. Any corrections and/or updates are welcome...
- Andreas Magenheimer
Subject: 8.13) What voice/sound synthesis software is there for the Atari?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- S.A.M. - the Software Automated Mouth by Don't Ask Software (a
software package; you can find it at Don`s / the author's homepage:
http://www.retrobits.net/)
- Softsynth (a PD program, that creates sounds and sound effects via
modulation of the tv/monitor speaker; available from the ABBUC library);
- MOD-Sounds (sound-MODulation, allthough I do not know any software to
create such sounds on an A8, some programs to edit (Protracker) and
playback (Inertia, Modplayer, Neotracker, etc.) these sounds do exist);
Subject: 8.14) What programs support stereo and upgraded sound?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
There is already a lot of stereo software for the upgraded Atari computers
available, of course most of these programs are limited to certain/special
upgrades and merely perform their stereo effects on these items (with
otherwise upgraded or non-upgraded Ataris, the sounds or programs will
only play in mono):
a) software for the various stereo-upgrades:
- stereo with one Pokey (POPS-software): Afaik for this kind of upgrade,
there merely exists a patched version of the Pokey player program, I am
not sure if there is anything else for it; anyway, refer to Analog
Computing, issue 66, november 1988, pages 54 -60;
- stereo with two computers (thus two Pokeys): Afaik for this simple trick
there merely exist two programs, they are "Perestroyka" and "Sky
Network" by T.Liebich. In order to achieve the stereo effect, you
have to boot/load one of these demos on two computers (connected to
different TV's or monitors, there is no need to connect the computers to
each other!). When done, press 1-5 on the first computer while pressing
Shift-1-5 on the second computer. Meaning, if you want to hear the first
sound in stereo then press 1 on computer 1 and press Shift-1 on
computer 2 simultanously (that`s a little tricky, I know). If you want
to hear sound 5 in stereo, then press 5 on computer 1 and Shift-5 on
computer 2 simultanously. Tricky at first, but sooner or later you will
get the hang of it. Of course you can also connect the two Ataris to
a hifi-system, using the sound output of one Atari for the left channel
and the sound output of the other Atari for the right channel...
- stereo-sound with Stereo-Blaster Pro (Portronic/AMC): Afaik there was
at least one demo disk (early version was single-sided only, later
versions were double-sided), that contained some demo-software, namely
the simple "Stereo-demos" (by AMC, side 1) and the "Stereoblaster-Demo"
(by HU-Soft, side 2 if available). The Stereoblaster demo was written
in Turbo-Basic and played back via Compiled-Turbo-Basic, it uses Chaos
Music-Composer Sounds (*.CMC) and a few of these provide stereo effects,
if equipped with a stereo-blaster-pro and a hifi-system. The simple
stereo-demos included some programs written in Atari Basic, for example
a (pong-like) bouncing ball and a flying helicopter. Equipped with a
stereo-blaster-pro and a hifi-system, one could see the ball bouncing
left and right and simultanously hear the sound fx on the left or right
channel. The helicopter started at the left side and produced a loud
sound on the left channel, when it was flying to the right side, the
sound faded on the left channel and got louder on the right channel,
until the helicopter disappeared (and the sound completely faded away).
There were some more of these simple demos available, but I don`t
remember them anymore.
- Stereo with two Pokeys: There already exist dozens of sounds and demos,
that support this upgrade, most of these programs were made in Poland,
but a few sound-demos were also made in other countries. Anyway, the
following programs support stereo via two Pokey chips:
- Alf-Demo by the Unknown Base (Netherlands);
- Alpha-Demo by GMG (Slovakia);
- AMS-Stereo player by ??? (author unknown), USA;
(there are at least two AMS-stereo-players, that let you play
*.AMS sounds in true stereo or at least simulated stereo!);
- ARS-Mori 16k Intro by Tristesse (music shortened and ripped from
Drunk Chessboard by Infinity!), Poland of course;
- Ballada sound by DJ V / BK (Poland);
- Base 33 by AIDS (msx by Greg, Poland);
- Chaos Music Composer version x.x patched by ??? , Poland;
(=3D> the original version by Janusz Pelc / LK Avalon is only mono,
but there is a patch available, as well as various patched CMC
versions on the internet; thus *.CMC sounds can be generated in
stereo!);
- Cogito-Demo by AIDS (Poland)
- Do you see the light? sound-demo by Roemer of UNO (Germany);
- Draconus, patched version by ANG and/or Micro Discount (NL/UK)
(the original version by Zeppelin games is only mono!);
- Drunk Chessboard by Infinity (music by X-Ray!), Poland;
- Impossible but Real Demo by MacGyver (Poland);
- King of Aggregat by X-Ray / Slight (Poland);
- Megaplayer Versions 1.6 and 2.0 by MacGyver (Poland)
(=3D> and thus all *.CMC, *.MPT, *.TMC, etc. sounds played with
this sound-player tool can be heard in true or simulated stereo!);
- Multi-Pro-Tracker 2.4 (various versions) by Jaskier/Taquart?
(=3D> thus *.MPT sounds can be generated in stereo!), Poland;
- Nazebany by DJ V / BK (Poland);
- Overload sound by X-Ray / Slight (Poland);
- Stereo-Patch for Pokey Player by ??? (author unknown)
(=3D> thus all Pokey-Player / *.V sounds can be heard in stereo!);
- Stereo-Patch for Softsynth by Freddy Offenga (Netherlands)
(=3D> thus Softsynth will create stereo-sounds!);
- Stereo Patch for World of Wonders by Freddy Offenga (Netherlands)
(World of Wonders is a great Softsynth sound-demo!);
- Time sound by X-Ray / Slight (Poland);
- Theta-Music-Composer version 1.x by Greg (Poland)
(=3D> thus *.TMC sounds can be generated in stereo!);
- Vanity sound by Kuchara / Excellent (Poland) ;
- Zybex, patched version by ANG and/or Micro Discount (NL/UK)
(the original version by Zeppelin games is only mono!);
- thats all what I found so far... (A.M.)
b) software for other sound enhancements:
- enhanced-sound with Covox: Afaik this upgrade will playback digitised or
sampled sound in 8Bit resolution rather than in 4Bit resolution. The
following programs support the Covox-Upgrade:
- Inertia 2.9, a MOD-player by MadTeam;
- Inertia 4.5, a MOD player by MadTeam;
- Protracker x.x, a MOD-editor and player by ???;
- NeoTracker 1.x, a MOD+NEO+... player by EPI/Allegresse;
- that's all I have found so far;
note that all programs (except neo-tracker?) will still work with pokey...;
Subject: 8.15) What games support online action via modem?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
- Modem Chess, a PD game in Basic by ???
- Modem-Battleships, a PD game in Basic by ???
- Tele-Chess, a PD game in Basic by ???
- probably some more games...
(I have also seen an advert from GCP in Analog or Antic, that listed
the following games: The City, Cybertank, Cybership, Bio-War, Lords
of Space; I am not sure if they are all available for the Atari, A.M.)
To play these games online, one would not only require an Atari computer,
but also a modem, a modem-driver and/or a terminal program (like Kermit,
Bobterm, Teleterm, A-Term, Ice-T, BBS Express Pro, etc.). See also X.X
Modem/Terminal programs for the Atari...
Subject: 8.16) What programs support Atari computer networking?
This section by Andreas Magenheimer.
There are two different hardware add-ons which provide a "computer-
network" (two or more Ataris linked together). Thus, there is software
that supports either one or the other hardware (namely Gamelink-1 or
Gamelink-2). The following software supports the networking hardware:
- Gamelink-1 (by Dataque):
- info-text about GL-1 and where to buy it, by Dataque;
- Tic-Tac-Two by J.Potter/Dataque, a tic-tac-toe clone;
- Modem-Battleships, patched by Rick Detlefsen for Gamelink-1;
- Gamelink-2 / Multilink (by Dataque & Bewesoft):
- info-text about GL-2 and where to buy it, by Dataque;
- info text about Maze of Agdagon demo, by Dataque;
- Maze of Agdagon demo (1 player only) by Dataque;
- documentation for Maze of Agdagon (full version) by Dataque;
- Maze of Agdagon (full version, 2-8 players) by Dataque;
- description of multilink/gamelink-2 hardware and schematics by
Bewesoft (two texts, one in czech and one in english; schematics
presented as an Atari Gr.8 picture for a) easy-2-computer hardware
and b) more complicated 2-8 computer hardware);
- Multi-Dash (2-8 players, XL/XE only) by Bewesoft;
- Multi-Race (2-16 players, XL/XE only) by Bewesoft;
- description of "how to program networking games for multilink
[gamelink-2] hardware" (text available in english and czech, with
lots of source codes and OS adresses/variables/...) by Bewesoft;
- Multi-Worms (2-8 or 2-16? players, XL/XE only) by Bewesoft;
- complete + documented source code for Multi-Worms by Bewesoft;
- "starter-kit" module to use in your own networking-games by Bewesoft
(free use of this module is granted by Bewesoft/Jiri Bernasek);
Subject: 9.1) How can I work with .arc files on my 8-bit Atari?
ARC.EXE for MS-DOS was released by System Enhancement Associates (SEA) around
1985. It will compress and store groups of files as one file, making it
easier and quicker to download programs and support files at once. Because of
the ease of use and availability of this program, it quickly became the
defacto standard for file archives on Intel-based IBM machines. Files
compressed and stored with ARC or a compatible utility are normally given the
filename extender ".arc".
The 8-bit Atari computers have several software utility options that are fully
compatible with ARC.EXE, the most important being:
Super UnArc 2.4 and Super Arc 2.4 - shareware by Bob Puff, released 01/31/89
Available:
http://www.nleaudio.com/css/files/superarc.arc (complete package + docs)
Also, SpartaDOS X includes a fully compatible ARC command for both creating
and extracting .arc files.
Subject: 9.2) What file formats for entire disks/tapes/cartridges are there?
It is now common, especially when working on Windows PCs or Macs, to work with
Atari software as files or "images" containing the data from an entire disk,
data cassette, or cartridge as duplicated from the native media for the Atari.
Here is a list of file formats, arranged by their associated filename
extensions. These are all filename extensions used to name files containing
entire 8-bit Atari floppy disk images, cassette tape images, or cartridge
images.
.DCM -Image format invented by Bob Puff, for his Disk Communicator 3.2 =
utility.
Used when working with native Atari hardware.
DISKCOMM is at http://www.nleaudio.com/css/files/DISKCOM.ARC
DCM specs at: http://home.planet.nl/~ernest/diskcomm.zip
.ATR -Image format invented by Nick Kennedy, for his SIO2PC project.
Used with most 8-bit Atari emulators running on other computer =
platforms.
SIO2PC is at http://www.tcainternet.com/wa5bdu/
.XFD -Image format invented by Emulators Inc, for their ST Xformer emulator.
Identical to ATR except without the 16 byte header.
Used with ST Xformer and PC Xformer emulators.
Xformer is at http://www.emulators.com/
.PRO -Image format invented by Steven Tucker, for his APE ProSystem device.
Used with APE, the Atari Peripheral Emulator.
APE and APE ProSystem are at http://www.atarimax.com/
.SCP -SpartaDOS SCOPY image file. SCOPY was a utility by ICD.
.DI -Image format invented by Kolja Koischwitz & Christian Kruger for their
800XL DJ emulator for the Atari ST.
.CAS -Cassette image format invented by Ernest R. Schreurs, for his
Digital Cassette Image system (includes CAS2SIO, WAV2CAS, and CAS2WAV
MS-DOS utilities. See: http://home.planet.nl/~ernest/
See also:
Atari Disk Image FAQ (Steve Tucker)
http://www.atarimax.com/ape/docs/DiskImageFAQ/
One tool for converting among all of these disk image formats is:
Acvt v1.07 by Jindrich Kubec, found at http://jindroush.atari.org/
Subject: 9.3) How can I copy my copy-protected Atari software?
Russ Gilbert writes:
Almost all commercial software for the A8 is/was copy
protected. For boot disks, this usually involved a large
number of special formatting that couldn't be copied using
ordinary sector copiers. Usually the boot process involved
checking to see if a certain sector error occurred, then
proceeding. If the error did not occur, the disk was a copy
and would not work.
For carts, usually the method of protection was to write to
the cart area of memory and see if the value changed. If the
value changed, the cart program was in RAM, not ROM and
would fail to operate.
For tapes, again a fair number of schemes were used. Some
varied the speed at which the tape loaded. I'm not familiar
with tape protection schemes.
With all software media (cart, tape, disk), there may be
program encryption, which must be decrypted before the
program can run. This to make more difficult disassembly of
the program.
There were/are a number of products to defeat copy
protection/allow copying of protected software for the A8.
The most common way to defeat copy protection was to
disassemble the software and revise sections of code so that
the copy protection was defeated. A software with defeated
copy protection is called a 'cracked' software. The basic
procedure is to understand how cart/tape/disk software
initializes, loads and runs. Usually make a file out of the
software and 'follow the code', starting with loading of
the program, to decryption to the actual running of the
program. Today, it is unnecessary to copy original
commercial A8 software because it has already been defeated
and may be found at a few ftp sites. (Note umich archive has
no commercial/non-shareware software.)
Besides 'cracking' software, there were/are hardware devices
to copy commercial protected software. The Happy 1050 and
the Archiver, and probably other modifications to the 810,
or 1050 allowed 'bit image' copying and reproduction of the
special formatting that copy protected disks had. Using
these archiving disk drives, a copy of the original disk,
including all special formatting and the original code is
copied, thus making a copy protected copy, not cracked, just
like the original.
For carts, copying could involve cracking or again there
were/are products to reproduce the cart and simulate a ROM.
Or the cart might be copied and burned on the correct type
of eprom, to make a plug in cart. 'The Impersonator', the
'Pill' are two cart copy schemes copy the cart to a file,
then don't change the code, but use a 'dummy cart' to fool
the software into thinking there is a ROM present.
Basic tools for copying, then cracking, carts and disks are
a sector editor and disassembler. Carts are usually most
easily dumped using a special OS, like Omnimon, to interrupt
the cart and dump memory to disk. There are a few pd cart
copiers that have the user plug the cart in when the program
is running, I don't believe these pd cart copiers are very
good or very wise to use.
So, the basic answer to 'how do I make a copy of my copy
protected commercial software' is don't bother. Find it on
the net.
There is one exception, in that this 'solution' involves a
minimum of effort and is relatively safe. I refer to
'Chipmunk' and 'Black Patch' software to make cracked boot
disk copy of commercial disks. HOWEVER, even if you use
these two commercial archival tools, be sure you write
protect your originals, and be careful not to accidentally
write to the original disk.
Finally, I'll mention a very modern (I mean 1997) product.
The APE ProSystem, by Steven Tucker, in the registered
version of this shareware allows making disk images called
'Pro' images. APE (Atari Peripheral Emulator) requires a
cable, called the SIO2PC cable, that connects the A8 13 pin
serial port to a serial port on the IBM PC clone. To make
'Pro' images, a special adapter cable is needed, not just
the 'standard' SIO2PC cable. The 'Pro' image can 'capture'
the copy protection of an original commercial disk. The
'Pro' image can then be loaded into an A8 using the APE
registered version software, thus backing up your original
disk software. Note the 'Pro' image will only be of use to
person(s) owning registered APE software and 'Pro' adapter
cable.
Subject: 10.1) What programs can log in to other computers via modem?
Here are some of the more popular PD/freeware/shareware terminal emulator and
related programs available. Use one of these programs for accessing a dial-up
Bulletin Board System (BBS) with your Atari, or for accessing a dial-up "shell
account" with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Dial-up shell accounts
are no longer widely available here in the 21st century! (There is no
general-purpose PPP capability for the 8-bit Atari that I am aware of.)
ATAR-Z-MODEM 1.2, 5/29/94, shareware by Larry Black
Emulates: n/a
Text: 40 columns in gr.0
File Xfer: ZMODEM download
Autodial: No
Backscroll buffer: No
Capture-to-disk: no
Summary: Intended to be used as an external ZMODEM receive utility in
conjunction with other terminal programs, especially BobTerm
http://www.umich.edu/~archive/atari/8bit/Telecomm/Protocols/atzmod12.arc
BobTerm 1.22, shareware by Bob Puff
(There's also a 1.23 release that's specific to PC XFormer)
Emulates: VT52
Text: 40 columns in gr.0; 80 col. w/ XEP80
File Xfer: XMODEM, YMODEM, FMODEM
Autodial: Yes
Backscroll buffer: No
Capture-to-disk: Yes
Summary: Feature-filled; best for BBSing
Available: http://www.nleaudio.com/css/ (version 1.21)
ftp://ftp.spudster.org/pub/atari/cth/terminal_programs/BOBTM122.ARC (com only)
http://people.a2000.nl/becotel/archive/bobt123.arc (1.23)
FlickerTerm 80 v.0.51, freeware by LonerSoft (Clay Halliwell)
Emulates: VT100, IBM ANSI
Text: 80 column via a special Graphics 0 screen (no hardware req'd)
File Xfer: None
Autodial: No
Backscroll buffer: No
Capture-to-disk: No
Summary: Fastest and most complete VT100 emulation; readability a minus
ftp://ftp.spudster.org/pub/atari/cth/terminal_programs/FLICK051.ARC
Ice-T XE v2.72 (128K XL/XE) or Ice-T 800 v1.1 (48K)
shareware by Itay Chamiel
Emulates: VT100
Text: 80 column via a fast-scrolling graphics 8 screen
File Xfer: X/Y/ZMODEM download
Autodial: Yes (2.72) or No (1.1)
Backscroll buffer: Yes--8 screens (2.72) or One screen (1.1)
Capture-to-disk: Yes--up to 16K (2.72) or No (1.1)
Summary: Outstanding flicker-free high-speed VT100 emulation.Recommended!
Available: http://www.cs.huji.ac.il/~itayc/
Kermit-65 3.7, PD by John R. Dunning
Emulates: VT100
Text: 40 columns in gr.0; 80 col. in gr.8; 80 col. w/ XEP80 (sort of)
File Xfer: Kermit
Autodial: No
Backscroll buffer: No
Capture-to-disk: No
Summary: Excellent VT100 emulation; rock-solid Kermit Xfers
filenames: k65v37.arc ; k65doc.arc - docs ; k65src.arc - source
OmniCom by CDY Consulting (David Young)
Emulates: VT100
Text: 80 columns in gr.8
File Xfer: XMODEM, Kermit
Autodial: No
Backscroll buffer: No
Capture-to-disk: No
Summary: Only option combining VT100, XMODEM, Kermit
filename: omnicom.arc
PabQwk 2.0, 1 Feb 1994, shareware by Low-Budget Productions (Pab Sungenis)
Requires: 128K XL/XE
Emulates: n/a
File Xfer: QWK upload/download
Summary: The Professional QWK reader for the Atari 8-bits. (QWK is a
packet format created in the IBM BBS community for reading mail offline.)
http://people.a2000.nl/becotel/archive/pabqwk20.arc
Term80 1.6 (8.25.95), by CTH Enterprises (Tom Hunt)
Requires: MIO or Black Box
Emulates: ANSI
Text: 80 columns in gr.8
File Xfer: XMODEM receive, YMODEM send/receive
Autodial: Yes
Brackscroll buffer: No
Capture-to-disk: Yes
Summary: Designed for calling IBM ANSI BBSs at the highest possible
speeds supported by the MIO and Black Box (14.4 Kbps)
Available: http://cth.dtdns.net/Featured/term80/term80.html
VT850 B1, shareware by Curtis Laser
Emulates: VT100/VT102 (plus complete VT220 keymap)
Text: 40 columns in gr.0; 80 col. w/ XEP80
File Xfer: None
Autodial: No
Backscroll buffer: No
Capture-to-disk: Yes
Summary: Only option for VT100 emulation on the XEP80; 1200bps top speed
filename: vt850b1.arc
Subject: 10.2) What programs can I use to host a BBS on the Atari?
The 8-bit Atari was particularly popular for hosting a dial-up Bulletin Board
System (BBS). Uploading/downloading files, online messaging, even online
gaming services can all be hosted on an 8-bit Atari operated as a dial-up
BBS.
This section attempts to list all BBS programs for the Atari. Of these, BBS
Express! Professional and Carina BBS seem to be programs that stand up well
even today.
Contributors to this section include: Winston Smith, Steven Sturza, Chad
Hendrickson, Don Fanning, Matt Singer, Pete Davis, Jeff Williams
o AMIS BBS -- The Atari Message Information Service, public domain.
The "granddaddy" of BBS programs for the 8-bit Atari.
The AMIS BBS was written in BASIC by people from the Michigan Atari Computer
Enthusiasts. It included designs for a ring-detector. You needed a sector
editor and had to allocate message space by hand, hex byte by hex byte.
Several versions of AMIS:
* Standard AMIS
* MACE AMIS - from the Michigan Atari Computer Enthusiasts
* Fast AMIS
* MPP AMIS by Matt Pritchard
* TODAMIS 1.0, for 1030/XM301, 1986, Trent Dudley
o ATABBS -- Rod Roark writes (3/12/03):
This is really straining my memory -- don't recall exactly
when I wrote the thing (maybe '80 or '81), but as far as I
know ATABBS was the world's first BBS for the Atari 400/800.
I ran it out of my condo in Atlanta on a 48K 400 with an 80K
floppy drive and a 300 bps Hayes Smartmodem. The 48K memory
module was a third party add-on, not Atari's.
It was written in Atari BASIC with a few bytes of machine
language thrown in.
o ATKeep -- An Atari 8-bit version of CITADEL BBS, by Brent Barrett
ATKeep is a Citadel-like BBS system for eight-bit Ataris. ATKeep runs under
SpartaDOS and requires BASIC XE and 128K of RAM. Originally "MBBBS (Message
Base Bulletin Board System) 1.0, March 24th, 1986" MBBBS was changed to Atari
Keep, or, ATKeep for short, around version the time version 4.0 was released
(June 15, 1986).
ATKeep 7.0 finally took the aide and cosysop commands out of a menu section
and put them into extended commands, where they belonged. It also added a
SYSOP level command set. Users were no longer "users" "aides" or "cosysops,"
they had become level "A" (SYSOP) through level "Z" (READ ONLY). The system
had become extremely complex. Public, hidden OR password protected PRIVATE
rooms. Each room now had its own access level (thus keeping people of lower
level from getting in EVEN if they knew the room name). Each room was
assigned a RWRT (or Read WRiTe status), which determined who could enter
messages in it, and whether or not public or private messages, or both were to
be allowed.
Before version 7.0, ATKeep only worked with the Atari 1030 or XM301 modems.
ATKeep 7.0 was rewritten to accomodate the 850 or PRC interface allowing use
of any Hayes compatible modem.
ATKeep version 7.50 was released (1987), was version 8 released?
o BBCS -- Bulletin Board Construction Set, by Scott Brause/Antic, 1985
A machine language program, developed as the Jersey Atari Computer Group
(JACG) BBS system.
BBCS was known for it's great flexibility. The sysop was offered easy
customization by the use of menus. Many BBSes before it required that you had
to actually change the BASIC code in order to customize your BBS.
Unfortunately, it also suffered from a reputation for stability problems.
o BBS Express! -- 1986, Leith Ledbetter/Orion Micro Systems
Written in compiled Action!. 1030/XM301 and 850 versions.
o BBS Express! Professional ("PRO") --
Originally by Keith Ledbetter/Orion Micro Systems, now still a commercial
product of Video 61, http://www.atarisales.com/
See also http://cth.dtdns.net/pro/pro1.html
Written in 100% machine language.
Requires XL/XE, SpartaDOS 3.2+, hard drive highly recommended, or at least a
large ramdisk. R-Time 8 is fully supported.
o Carina BBS -- a shareware product of Shadow Software/David Hunt.
Carina II was originally developed by Jerry Horanoff/CARINA Software Systems
Requires an XL or XE computer, at least 500K of storage capacity (including
ramdisk and drives), and SpartaDOS version 2.3 or greater.
Recommended: 192K ramdisk or greater, and an R-Time cartridge.
Fully supported: An MIO interface and a hard drive.
Pete Davis writes (15 Aug 2002):
Carina was a pretty powerful BBS system. Though it was written in BASIC (with
a number of machine language routines), it was expandable and had was able to
load new BASIC programs with the BBS running. In fact, it was quite modular
and would load different sections of the BBS at runtime. I actually used it
when I ran a BBS some time back.
Carina 2.6 is available at:
http://www.umich.edu/~archive/atari/8bit/Telecomm/Bbs/carbbs26.arc
Carina is also at:
http://www.aracnet.com/~atari/ftp/car_bbs.arc (download doesn't work for me)
o Carnival BBS -- essentially AMIS with an overlay to allow for private
messages and passwords.
o FoReM BBS -- Friends of Rickey Moose BBS. By Matt Singer.
At the time, there were a lot of BBSs around called things such as "FORUM-80"
and "BULLET-80", ergo the name. FoReM BBS was the first truly RBBS-like BBS
for the ATARI 8-bit. It was programmed in BASIC and was somewhat crashy. I
think that this is the great-grandparent of the FOREM-XE BBSs that survive
today.
Matt Singer writes:
FoReM BBS derived from an early AMIS. When multiple message areas were
added the name was extended to FoReM 26M. Then, When OSS released BASIC
XL the program was rehacked and called FoReM XL... Bill Dorsey wrote most
of the Assembler routines (where is he now?).
o FoReM XL BBS -- by Matt Singer.
FoReM BBS updated to take advantage of BASIC XL from OSS.
o FoReM XE BBS -- by Matt Singer
This version of FOREM BBS requires the commercial BASIC XE cartridge in order
to run. It is in the public domain and can import and export messages from
the Atari PRO! BBS EXPRESS-NET (7-bit text only, control ATASCII graphics are
reserved for message data-structure bytes).
o FoReM XE Professional BBS / FoReM XEP BBS -- by Len Spencer
A re-write of FoReM XE BBS, last version was 5.4, Jan 5 1993.
FXEP requires an XL/XE computer with at least 128k of memory, the BASIC XE
cartridge from OSS/ICD, SpartaDOS 3.2 (this program will NOT work with any
other version), and at least 500K of storage.
FXEP is in the public domain, http://members.aol.com/lenspencer/
o NITE-LITE BBS -- Paul Swanson's BBS with RAM disk.
Paul Swanson was a programmer from the Boston, Massachusetts, USA, area.
"1983: Nite-Lite B.B.S. goes on the air. (Was it running A.M.I.S. ?) It is
called "Nite-Lite" because the computer monitor casts an eerie glow about the
room. 1984: Paul Swanson writes his own BBS hosting software for the ATARI
6502 8-bit computer. He names it "Nite-Lite". The Nite-Lite BBS hosting
software goes on to be the most successful commercial BBS software ever
written for the ATARI 6502 8-bit computer. 1989: Nite-Lite BBS puts in a
second line. (MichTron boards eventually take the place of all of the ATARI
Nite-Lite boards.)" - Winston Smith
This BBS was the first to support a RAMdisk, which Paul Swanson called a "V:"
device for "virtual disk". This BBS was written in Atari BASIC and required a
joystick hardware "dongle" device. This was notable as being one of the first
Atari 8-BIT BBSs that could actually go for a week without having to be
rebooted. Pointers to the message base were kept in an Atari "very long
string" (for which Atari BASIC is famous). The BBS would only have problems
(for the most part) if this string became corrupted.
o OASIS (the commercial version) / OASIS Jr. (the pd version)
Originally by Ralph Walden, then Leo Newman took it over, followed by
Glenda Stocks/Z INNOVATORS, then Alf (Jeff Williams).
All machine language. OASIS is very crash-resistant and comes with a "dial
out" screen so that the Sysop can use the BBS as a terminal program to call
and fetch files without having to bring the BBS down and reload a terminal
program. OASIS supports "Door programs" which it refers to as "OASIS PAL
modules". An excellent message system, and a complex file system. It
consists of "file libraries" with suites of "file types". There is quite a
bit of overhead involved in performing a download (which may be a good thing,
as it discourages file hogs). OASIS IV performs networking.
Glenda Stocks writes at http://world.std.com/~snet/glenda.htm :
I purchased the source code rights to OASIS and began marketing the BBS
software to Atari 8-bit enthusiasts around the world. I felt that I had the
superior BBS software because I had programmed in the ability to run external
programs, including online games and user surveys. I also had added color
prompts for IBM clone users who called Atari boards running my OASIS software.
Sometime in 1991...I sold the rights to OASIS to a man in Canada..
Jeff Williams ("Alf") writes: (12/6/02)
OASIS was around prior to either PRO or BBS Express IIRC. I don't know when
exactly it showed up, version 3.09 was the first one I remember seeing. What
made it nifty was it was very fast, being all assembler, and having some
different features that things like Forem & Carina didn't have. Compared to
something like Forem MPP at the time, it was kind of amazing.
Ralph Walden sold it to Glenda Stocks, who chopped it up into modules and sold
it as ver 4.7. PRO was out by then, and was a much more complete offering =
imo.
Glenda wrote some modules for 4.7, but it never really went anywhere because
the architecture was so cramped with her changes.
Eventually she gave up and sold me the source. I looked it over and realized
it was a mess and nothing was going to happen with it. I worked on a version 5
for a while, but never made much progress.
o SMART BBS -- by Marco Benton.
This program is written entirely in BASIC. It expects to be running under a
SpartaDOS environment. This BBS program uses a "modem clock string" rather
than an R-Time 8 cartridge in order to retrieve the current time. It also
comes with an Atari BASIC game door called "Sabotage".
Subject: 10.3) How can I read/write 8-bit Atari disks on an MS-DOS PC?
There are several programs that allow an MS-DOS system to work with an
Atari-format 5.25" diskette. Each of these work with the Atari SS/DD 180K
format, so you'll need an Atari DOS and disk drive capable of this format.
#1 Choice:
AtariDsk V1.2 (c) 95-12-09 by HiassofT (Matthias Reichl)
http://www.horus.com/~hias/atari/
#2 Choice:
MyUTIL by Mark K Vallevand. Based on Charles Marslett's UTIL.
http://www.umich.edu/~archive/atari/8bit/Diskutils/Transfer/myutil.zip
Includes SpartaDOS disk utility v0.1e to access 180K SpartaDOS disks
Other similar utilities:
ATARIO by Dave Brandman w/ Kevin White - Reads SS/DD 180K Atari disks.
www.umich.edu/~archive/atari/8bit/Unverified/Diskutils-redist/atario21.arc
SpartaRead by Oscar Fowler - Reads SS/DD 180K SpartaDOS disks.
http://www.umich.edu/~archive/atari/8bit/Diskutils/Transfer/sr.arc
UTIL by Charles Marslett - Reads/Writes SS/DD 180K Atari disks.
http://www.wordmark.org/
Here's some advice on using the above utilities from Hans Breitenlohner:
There are two technical obstacles to interchanging disks between
DD Atari drives and PC drives.
1. The Atari drive spins slightly slower (288 rpm instead of 300 rpm).
If you format a disk on the Atari, then write sectors on the PC, it is
possible that the header of the next physical sector will be overwritten,
making that sector unreadable. (The next physical sector is usually
the current logical sector+2). The solution to this is to format all
disks on the PC.
(Aside: Does anybody know how this problem is handled on the
XF551? Is it also slowed down?)
Konrad Kokoszkiewicz answers:
"The XF551 disk drive is not slowed down - these drives are spinning
300 rotations per minute. To prevent troubles with read/write disks
formatted and written on normal Atari drives (288 rot/min), the main
crystal frequency for the floppy disk controller is 8.333 MHz
(not 8 MHz, as in 1050, for example)."
2. If the PC drive is a 1.2M drive there is the additional problem of the
track width.
The following is generally true in the PC world:
- disks written on 360k drives can be read on either drive
- blank disk formatted and written on 1.2M drives can be read on
either kind
- disks written on a 360k drive, and overwritten on a 1.2M drive,
can be read reliably only on a 1.2M drive.
- disks previously formatted on a 360k drive, or formatted as 1.2MB,
and then reformatted on a 1.2M drive to 360k, can be read reliably
only on a 1.2M drive.
(all this assumes you are using DD media, not HD).
Solution: Use a 360k drive if you can. If not, format disks on the
Atari for Atari to PC transfers, format truly blank disks on the PC
for PC to Atari transfers.
Jon D. Melbo sums it up this way:
So a basic rule of thumb when sharing 360KB floppies among 360KB &
1.2MB drives is: Never do any writes with a 1.2MB drive to a disk that
has been previously written to in a 360KB drive....UNLESS... you only
plan on ever using that disk in the 1.2Mb drive from then on out. Of
course a disk can be reformated in a particular drive any time for use
in that drive. As long as you follow that rule, you can utilize the
backwards compatible 360KB modes that most 1.2MB drives offer.
While the above mentioned utilities work with SS/DD 180K Atari-format disks or
SS/DD 180K SpartaDOS disks, the following combination of utilities has been
used successfully to read SS/SD 90K Atari-format disks. So if you only have
standard Atari 810 and/or Atari 1050 drives, you could look into:
AnaDisk -- now a product of New Technoligies Inc. (NTI)
See: http://www.forensics-intl.com/anadisk.html
The current version is "not made available to the general public" (!)
Previously a product of Chuck Guzis @ Sydex, http://www.sydex.com/
Older versions available: http://ch.twi.tudelft.nl/~sidney/atari/
- Reads/Writes "any" 5.25" diskette
DeAna by Nate Monson
Available: http://ch.twi.tudelft.nl/~sidney/atari/
- converts AnaDisk dump files from Atari format
See http://ch.twi.tudelft.nl/~sidney/atari/ for tips on using this
combination of utilities.
Preston Crow writes:
"As best as I can figure it out, if your PC drive happens to read
FM disks (I'm not sure what the criteria for that is), then you
can read single density disks on your PC by dumping the contents
to a file with AnaDisk, and then using Deana.com to convert the
dump file into a usable format.
For enhanced density disks, Anadisk generally only reads the first
portion of each sector, but it demonstrates that it is possible for
a PC drive to read enhanced density disks."
Subject: 10.4) How can I read/write MS-DOS PC disks on my Atari?
Several 3rd-party hardware upgrades add the capability of working with
MS-DOS diskettes to your Atari system:
Happy 1050 upgrade for the Atari 1050
-- read/write 180K 5.25" MS-DOS floppies
CSS XF Single Drive Upgrade for the Atari XF551
-- replace the 5.25" mechanism with a 3.5" mech.
-- read 720K 3.5" MS-DOS disks
see http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/XFsingdrup.htm
CSS XF Dual Drive Upgrade for the Atari XF551
-- add 3.5" drive without losing the 5.25" drive
-- read 720K 3.5" MS-DOS disks
see http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/XFdualdrup.htm
CSS Floppy Board, for the CSS Black Box
-- adds support for PC 720K and 1.44MB 3.5" drives to your Atari system
-- adds support for PC 1.2MB and 360K 5.25" drives to your Atari system
-- read/write 5.25" and 3.5" MS-DOS disks in your PC drives with your Atari
see: http://www.nleaudio.com/css/products/floppy.htm
Subject: 10.5) How do I transfer files using a null modem cable?
This section by Russ Gilbert.
Q: How do I connect two computers using a null modem cable?
A: You need a term program and RS 232 ports on both
computers. The RS 232 ports need to be connected
together using a 'null modem cable'.
For up to 4800 baud, no flow control lines need be
connected. Just cross the transmit and receive lines
and join the grounds together. Transmit is pin #2,
receive is pin #3 and ground is pin #7 on the 25 pin
port. 25 pin #2 goes to Atari #4 (XMT to RCV), 25 pin
#3 goes to #3 on Atari (RCV to XMT) and #5 of 850 goes
to #7 of 25 pin (GND to GND).
The right hand pin on the 'long' side of a female 'D'
connector is #1. There are 13 holes on this 'long'
side, 12 holes on the 'short' side. The numbers go
to the left 1 to 13 then #14 is under #1 and left again
so that #25 is under #13.
Most term programs allow a null connection, without a
carrier detect. Notably, '850 Express!' does not. I have
only used 'Procomm 2.4.3' (the last shareware version of
Procomm) on the PC and BobTerm on the Atari, but other
term programs may work.
To check your null modem connection, start both PC and
Atari term programs, set baud to 2400 or 4800 on both
computers. No parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit on the PC.
Be sure to use the correct COM port on the PC. Go to
'terminal' mode and you should now be able to type on
either computer and see it on the other screen. To
accomplish a file transfer, use Y-modem probably from
BobTerm, rather than X-modem. X-modem will often append
bytes to a file transfer, an undesirable event. There is
also a very nice Z-modem recieve program for the Atari,
called ATAR-Z-MODEM by Larry Black for the Atari.
A convenient way to make a null modem cable, up to about
30 feet long, is to use two female DB25 connectors
(Radio Shack) some three or more conductor cable. Using
the two DB25 female connectors allows unplugging your
modems and plugging in the null modem cable into the two
modem cables. This also avoids the confusion of
variations in the computer ports. Most computers connect
into the modem end via a standard RS232 DB25 connection.
With this both ends 25 pin cable, you would cross pins 2
and 3 and connect the #7s together to make a null modem
cable.
The SIO port on the Atari cannot be used directly. An
850, P:R: Connection, MIO, Black Box or similar device
that provides an RS232 port must be used.
Following are pin assignments for a DB25 pin RS 232 C
port.
1. Protective Ground 12. Select Alternate Rate
2. Transmit Data 15. Transmit Clock (sync)
3. Receive Data 17. Receive clock (sync)
4. RTS (Request to Send) 20. Data Terminal Ready
5. CTS (Clear to Send) 22. Ring indicator
6. Data Set Ready 23. Select Alternate Rate
7. Signal Ground 24. Transmit Clock
8. Carrier Detect
For higher speed connections, above 4800 or 9600, you
need the flow control lines and Atari term software that
has flow control built in. You also need an MIO or Black
Box, which uses the PBI (parallel bus). A high speed
cable would need not only XMT, RCV, and GND, but also
flow control lines. I suggest a commercial null modem
from computer store to ensure correct lines. A null
modem is a small adapter with the correct lines already
crossed. I don't know how to correctly connect the CTS,
RTS, DTR, DSR, CRX lines for a high speed null modem.
With a null modem, you just plug it into the 25 pin
connectors of the two modem cables you might already
have connected to your Atari and PC or Mac. You may need
a straight thru 25 pin gender changer also.
Following is in this FAQ elsewhere, but I summarize here:
(Figure out or look for pin numbers on the ports.) Note
that these are pin assignments, and NOT null modem
connections with the XMT, RCV crossed and GND straight
thru.
Atari 8-bit PC AT 25 PC AT 9 pin
-------------------------------------
1. DTR 20 4*
2. CRX 8 1*
3. XMT 2 3
4. RCV 3 2*
5. GND 7 5
6. DSR 6 6
7. RTS 4 7
8. CTS 5 8
9. No connect? shield RI
22 RI
Note: * above indicates the difference between an AT 9 pin
and a Atari 8-bit 9 pin cable connector. eg. If you check
continuity from pin 3 of 25 pin end and it goes to pin
4 of nine pin end, you have an Atari serial cable. If pin
3 of 25 pin goes to pin 2 of 9 pin end, you have a PC
serial cable.
(updated 3/1/99)
(DTE =3D Data Terminal Equipment ie. your computer.
DCE =3D Data Communications Equipment ie. your modem.)
Subject: 10.6) How can my Atari use my PC's HD using SIO2PC or Atari810?
SIO2PC
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From the SIO2PC home page, written by Nick Kennedy:
SIO2PC is a hardware & software package interfacing the 8-bit Atari to PC
compatible computers.
The original idea was to have the PC emulate Atari disk drives so Atari
programs could be stored on the PC's hard (or floppy) drives. It turned out to
be quite successful. About 95% of my work was in the software, but a hardware
device to convert logic levels was also necessary. This device is now commonly
referred to as an SIO2PC cable.
Features:
- Emulates 1 to 4 Atari disk drives
- Store your Atari files on PC hard or floppy drives
- Boot from the PC, real drive not needed to start-up
- No software or drivers required for the Atari;
no conflicts: use your favorite DOS
- Twice as fast as an Atari 810 drive and more reliable
- Co-exists with real drives in the Atari daisy chain
- Compatible down to the hardware level: use sector copiers, etc.
- Print-Thru captures Atari print-out and routes to PC's printer
- Convert Atari files to PC files and vice versa
- 1050-2-PC version connects PC directly to Atari disk drive
Nick Kennedy
http://www.cswnet.com/~nkennedy/
Another source for building SIO2PC cables is Clarence Dyson's page at
http://www.wolfpup.net/atari/atari.html
Atari810
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Atari810 1.4d, by Dan Vernon, is a disk drive emulator in the tradition of
SIO2PC, for the Windows NT/2000/XP platform
http://retrobits.net/
Subject: 10.7) How can my Atari use my PC's HD, printer and modem using APE?
David A. Paterson writes:
"Steven J. Tucker took SIO2PC one better and wrote new software.
The Atari Peripheral Emulator (APE for short):
- lets your PC act as high-speed drives.
- It lets you print to your PC printer.
- And it lets you use your PC modem on the 8-bit."
http://www.atarimax.com/
Subject: 10.8) How can I connect my 1050 to my PC with the APE ProSystem?
The APE ProSystem goes beyond APE. The ProSystem has two components:
- The program PROSYS.EXE is used to create the protected and unprotected
disk images which are then used by APE.
- The ProSystem hardware is a cable designed to allow direct connection
of a stock 1050 disk drive directly to a PC's serial port for use by the
PROSYS.EXE software.
http://www.atarimax.com/
Subject: 10.9) What about interoperating with the Apple Macintosh?
Mark L. Simonson keeps a nice set of web pages which he calls "Mac/Atari
Fusion: Atari 8-bit Resources for Mac Users." Please visit:
http://www2.bitstream.net/~marksim/atarimac/
Subject: 11.1) How did Atari get its name?
Graham Thornton types:
This article was published in "I/O - The Magazine of the Atari Home
Computer Club" in issue 3 - Summer 1983. The magazine was the official
mouthpiece of Atari UK. The article was not attributed to any one person.
The words are theirs, not mine.
How Atari Got It's Name
-----------------------
The name Atari actually comes from Japan. And yet the company is most
definitely American. Every wondered why? It's an interesting story and
one well worth telling.
In 1972 three friends decided to invent and market the first commercially
feasible video game. They were Nolan Bushnell, Ted Dabney and Larry Bryan.
To become a partner each man had to submit $100 to the project - a
remarkably small sum when you consider the company's success! The next
step was to find a name.
Drinking beer and thumbing through the dictionary one day, the three
friends came across an interesting entry under "S". The word was Syzygy,
or "the straight-line configuration between three celestial bodies". What
a perfect name they thought, for three such astronomically talented people!
Now they could get on with the business of inventing games. Their first,
Computer Space, was produced and all seemed to be going well.
But then things started to get a little shaky. Larry Bryan decided not to
ante up his $100 and pulled out, leaving Bushnell and Dabney to go it
alone.
The set up a shop in Santa Clara, California, and incorporated the
business. A little later they invented Pong.
Busnell and Dabney applied for the name Syzygy to the Office of the
California Secretary of State, which regulates Californian corporations,
but were told that they were too late. The name was already taken.
Following unsuccessful attempts to buy the rights to the name from the
first Syzygy corporation, which appeared to be inactive, the friends'
solicitor pressed them to think up an alternative.
This proved difficult. BD Inc and DB Inc were tested and then rejected in
turn: the first bore too close a resemblance to Black & Decker, the second
to Dunn and Bradstreet.
Inspiration occurred at last, once again in an informal atmosphere.
Bushnell and Dabney were both keen players of Go, a Japanese strategy game,
and their best brainstorming always occurred over a good game and a bottle
of beer.
This time, they decided to make a list of several Go words to see if one of
them would fly as the new corporate name.
First choice was "Sente", which means "the upper hand" - something that
greatly appealed. Second and third choices were "Atari", which has a
similar meaning to the English word "check", and "Hanne", an
acknowledgement of an over-taking move.
Busnell and Dabney submitted the list once again to the Office of the
Californian Secretary of State, which approved "Atari". The rest is
history.
When the company name changed, Bushnell and Dabney decided to update the
logo too. They incorporated the "S" from Syzygy and the "A" from Atari
into the new design.
It was not until later, as the company became increasingly successful, that
an advertising agency designed the slicker and now famous Atari logo - the
"fuji" or stylised "A" design.
Subject: 11.2) What is the History of Atari?
Here is a very condensed history of Atari, centered around their 8-bit
computers.
1972
Atari Inc. is formed by Nolan Bushnell, incorporated on Tuesday, June 27.
Atari created the first coin-operated arcade video game with the introduction
of Pong. The video game industry was launched and has shaped pop culture ever
since.
1976
Warner Communications acquires Atari Inc.
1977
Atari launches the Video Computer System (VCS), later known as the 2600, =
giving
birth to home video game systems.
1978
In December, Atari announces the Atari 400 and 800 personal computers, using
the 6502 microprocessor.
1979
Atari files with the USPTO for a patent for a "Data processing system with
programmable graphics generator" (the 400/800 computer system) on
January 8, 1979. Inventors listed:
Mayer, Steven T. (Auburn, CA);
Miner, Jay G. (Sunnyvale, CA);
Neubauer, Douglas G. (Santa Clara, CA);
Decuir, Joseph C. (Mountain View, CA)
The Atari 400 and Atari 800 Home Computers debut at the Winter Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) in early January.
Jerry Jessop writes:
"The first official small shipment of the 400/800 was on August 29th 1979.
These were hand built pilot run units to Sears that needed to be in stock by
Sept. 1 so they could be placed in the big fall catalog. The units were
placed in the Sears warehouse and then immediatly returned to Atari after
the "in stock" requirment had been meet.
The first "real" consumer units were shipped in Nov. of 79 and were 400's to
Sears followed very shortly by 800's."
All Atari computers are tested at the factory by a master computer called the
Atari Sentinel System.
1981
From Atari Connection magazine:
"At the National Computer Conference in Chicago on May 5, 1981 Atari announced
that the 8K Atari 400 was being discontinued and that the price on the 16K
version was being reduced to $399."
The USPTO grants U.S. Patent 4,296,476 to Atari on October 20, 1981 for the
400/800 computer system. Read the full text of the patent here:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M2561456
November: 400/800's begin shipping with the new GTIA chip in place of CTIA,
increasing the palette of simultaneously displayable colors to 256 and adding
3 new graphics modes. CTIA is totally phased out by the end of the year.
Jerry Jessop adds:
"The very first proto systems did have the GTIA, but it had some
problems and was not released in the consumer version until 1981. The
GTIA was completed before the CTIA."
1982
The introduction of the 1200XL in late 1982 marks the single largest advance
in the 8-bit Atari system.
1983
In 1983 Atari replaced the 1200XL/800/400 line-up with the new 800XL and
600XL.
1984
Warner Communications sells the Consumer Electronics and Home Computer
divisions of Atari Inc. to Tramiel Technologies on Monday, July 2.
Atari Corporation is formed by Tramiel Technologies and its products marketed
under the Atari brand.
(
Warner initially retains the arcade division of the former Atari Inc., and
renames it Atari Games Corporation. Soon thereafter, Atari Games is a
private, independent entity, though Warner remains a major investor.
Atari Games inherits Atari copyrights/trademarks/patents for use in the
coin-operated arcade video game market.
1987
Atari Games creates the Tengen label for the purpose of marketing games for
home game systems (potentially competing directly with Atari Corp.)
1993
Atari Games is purchased by Time Warner.
1994
Time Warner consolidates Atari Games into Time Warner Interactive. Use of
both the Atari Games and the Tengen brands are discontinued.
1996
On March 29, 1996 WMS Industries (Williams, Bally and Midway) completes its
purchase of Time Warner Interactive. Upon the sale, Time Warner =
Interactive
adopts the Atari Games name and logo, and Atari Games is made a division
of Midway Games.
1998
In April of 1998 WMS spins off to shareholders its entire stake of Midway
Games, making Midway Games essentially an independent entity. Atari Games
remains a division of Midway Games.
1999
Atari Games releases San Francisco Rush 2049. This turns out to be the
last coin-operated arcade game sporting the Atari Games name and logo.
January 2000: Atari Games is renamed Midway Games West, and games produced
by the group will sport the Midway Games brand.
June 22, 2001: Midway Games announces it is exiting the coin-operated
arcade video game market; its game development efforts will now be focused
on games for home game platforms. The Midway Games West division lives on,
developing games for home systems for Midway Games.
February 7, 2003: Midway Games shuts down their Midway Games West division.
)
1985
The new Atari Corp. delivered on its promise to advance the 8-bit Atari system
by replacing the 800XL/600XL with the new 130XE and 65XE in 1985.
According to Atari Explorer magazine, the 130XE was engineered by Jose Valdes.
1987
In a change of marketing strategy, Atari introduced the new XE Game System
in 1987. Despite its label, the XEGS is a true 8-bit Atari computer system.
1992
Atari (US) officially dropped all remaining support of their 8-bit computer
line on January 1, 1992. (Some 800XE's were still being manufactured in China
in 1992.)
1996
On July 31, 1996, Atari Corp. became a JTS subsidiary. JTS Corp., with
headquarters in San Jose, Calif., was founded in 1994 to design, manufacture
and supply enhanced-capacity hard disk drives for the notebook and desktop
personal computer markets.
1998
On February 23, 1998, JTS sold its Atari Division to HIACXI Corp., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Hasbro Interactive, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Hasbro,
Inc., for $5 million in cash.
(JTS filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection on December 11, 1998, and
then converted it to Chapter 7 on February 28, 1999)
Hasbro Interactive produced games for several platforms, including PCs
running MS-Windows. Some of Hasbro's games, including several re-makes of
classic Atari titles, were marketed under the Atari label. The Atari
Interactive brand was termed "a Hasbro Affiliate."
Games produced by Atari under Hasbro ownership included:
Atari Arcade Hits 1 & 2, Breakout, Centipede, Missile Command,
Nerf ArenaBlast, Pong, Q*Bert, The Next Tetris, Atari Greatest Hits
2001
On January 29, 2001 Infogrames Entertainment announced completion of its
acquisition of Hasbro Interactive from Hasbro. The purchase included the =
Atari
titles and intellectual properties.
TODAY
Atari is a brand of Infogrames.
Infogrames develops interactive games for all platforms and is one of the
largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software. The
Company's 1,000+ titles are distributed under two brand lines: ATARI,
hard-core, genre-defining games such as Driver, Enter the Matrix, Neverwinter
Nights, Stuntman, Test Drive, Unreal Tournament 2003, and Unreal Championship;
and INFOGRAMES, mass-market and children's games such as Backyard Sports,
Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer, Civilization, Dragon Ball Z
and RollerCoaster Tycoon.
Infogrames distributes it games to more than 60 countries worldwide, with a
particularly strong presence in Europe and the U.S. In Europe, the Company's
distribution network encompasses more than 30,000 retail outlets spanning all
territories; in North America, the Company's distribution network reaches more
than 22,000 retail outlets, including mass merchants and superstores (e.g.
Wal-Mart, Toys 'R' Us, etc.), specialty retailers and online outlets.
Corporate web home: http://www.infogrames.com/
The Atari website: http://www.atari.com/
Current Atari releases: (3/03)
-----------------------
APEX (Xbox)
Battle Engine Aquila (PS2, Xbox)
Dead Man=3Fs Hand (XBox)
Enter the Matrix (GameCube, PS2, Xbox, PC)
Fugitive Hunter (PS2)
Furious Karting (Xbox)
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee (GameCube, Xbox)
Godzilla: Domination! (GBA)
Grand Prix Challenge (PS2)
Greyhawk: The Temple of Elemental Evil (PC)
Horizons (PC)
Ikaruga (GameCube)
MXrider (PS2)
Neverwinter Nights (PC)
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide (PC)
Splashdown (PS2, Xbox)
Stuntman (PS2)
Superman: Countdown to Apokolips (GBA)
Superman: The Man of Steel (Xbox)
Superman: Shadow of Apokolips (GameCube)
The Terminator: Dawn of Fate (PS2, Xbox)
Test Drive (PS2, Xbox)
TransWorld Snowboarding (Xbox)
TransWorld Surf (PS2, Xbox)
TransWorld Surf: Next Wave (GameCube)
Unreal Championship (Xbox)
Unreal Tournament 2003 (PC)
Unreal II: The Awakening (PC)
V-Rally 3 (PS2, Xbox)
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End of atari-8-bit/faq
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Last Update May 06 2003 @ 00:35 AM