How To Use This Manual
First determine the system configuration you are using. You may then use Table 1 of chapter 2 to guide you in hooking up and powering your system.
If you are using the Interface Module with only the ATARI 825[TM] Printer, all the necessary operating information is given in the manual supplied with the printer. You do not need the other information in this manual.
If you are using the Interface Module with a parallel printer that is not the ATARI 825 printer you will need to refer to APPENDIX 11 to understand the principles of operation of the Interface Module and timing constraints on the Printer Port and to APPENDIX 12 for pin connector information. If you are using 3 serial port (with or without using the printer port as well), you may need to configure the serial port. One case where you will not need to configure the serial port is where you are using a cartridge that requires a particular configuration which is imposed by the system when the power is turned on. For example, the ATARI TeleLink [TM] I uses serial port 1 but does not permit you to change the configuration or the operation of the port.
If your system configuration will support different configurations of the serial ports, you should examine the default configuration (Chapter 3i to determine if the default settings are satisfactory and compatible with the specifications of your peripheral device. If the default configuration is satisfactory, you can proceed to use the serial ports with proper I/C3 commands. The commands in BASIC are described briefly in Chapter 3 and described more fully in the Appendices. In this case you will not have to refer to the rather complex coding required for configuring a port.
If you do have to configure a port, you should read the appropriate parts of Chapter 3 and then refer to the detailed information in Appendices S through 7. In case the material on configuring a port is confusing to you, you may find it helpful to read APPENDIX I (What is RS-232-C's) and/or APPENDIX 11 (Principles of Operation).
If you are familiar with the RS-232-C standard you will probably be able to proceed through Chapter 3, consulting the Appendices referred to there as necessary. However, if you are not familiar with the RS-232-C standard, it will probably be most efficient to read APPENDIX 1 on RS-232-C before you attempt to read Chapter 3.
The commands for configuring a port are covered very briefly in Chapter 3; little more than the form of the commands is give. The detailed technical descriptions necessary for a full understanding of all aspects of configuring a port are placed in the Appendices that parallel the subsections in Chapter 3. Therefore you should read the port configuration parts of Chapter 3 to "see the big picture" and turn to the relevant Appendices for the detailed information necessary to write actual program segments.
The examples in APPENDIX 9 will show you how to control ports under the various conditions described in the examples. 'In addition the examples should help you to understand how to configure and use a serial port if you run into problems with an application that is not very close to one of the examples itself.