The Atari 600XL is an 8-bit home computer manufactured by Atari, along with its older brother the Atari 800XL, between 1982 and 1985. Unlike the Atari 800XL, the 600XL is smaller and has 16KB of RAM instead of 64KB.
Already having a Atari 800XL in the collection, it seemed logical to buy even the 600XL, for completeness!
I found an opportunity on eBay of a computer that was supposed to be working, but, upon arrival, the screen continuously showed the press of a key on the keyboard, as if it were electrically short-circuited.
In the lot, in addition to the computer, there was a power supply and an Atari 1010 cassette player.
The Atari 1010 datassette connects to the computer via a SIO cable, which is not present in the purchased lot, but which I already own.
Startup screen
The start screen of the Atari Basic is very simple: it only shows the inscription READY.
If an Atari 1050 floppy disk drive is connected, the computer automatically attempts to boot from disk and loads its contents.
Always with floppy disk drive connected, holding down the OPTION When you turn it on, the computer does not load BASIC. In this case, there is more memory available to run some programs and games that, if the BASIC were in memory, would not start correctly.
When the Atari 1050 floppy disk drive is not connected to the computer, holding down the OPTION when switched on, the self-test of the computer starts. Through the self-test, it is easy to verify the correct functioning of the Atari 600XL.
Technical characteristics of the Atari 600XL
CPU: MOS 6502C, 1.77 MHz (PAL) / 1.79 MHz (NTSC)
ROM: 24 KB
RAM: 16 KB
Graphic:
- GTIA (Graphic Television Interface Adaptor): PAL OKI C014889, NTSC OKI C012295 and C014805
- ANTIC (Alphanumeric Television Interface Controller): PAL C021698, NTSC C021697
Text mode: 5 modes, from 20 columns x 12 lines to 40 columns x 24 rows
Graphics mode: 256 colors, 16 graphics modes, maximum 320 x 192 pixels
Audio: POKEY (POtentiometer KEYboard Integrated Circuit): C012294, 4 voices
Keyboard: mechanical, QWERTY 62 keys
Software included in ROM: Atari Basic
I/O Ports:
- 1 Audio/Video
- 1 Cartridge slot
- 1 Peripheral Port (SIO)
- 1 parallel BUS
- 2 Joystick Ports
Emulating the Atari 600XL
It is possible to emulate the Atari 600XL retro computer on a common Windows PC, via ALTIRRA. In this way, it is possible to try to start programs and games, as well as program the retro computer, in a simple and convenient way... without even owning it!
Power supply
The power supply of the Atari 600XL home computer is external.
Output: 5V, 1.5A.
Papers
Collection entry date: 08/03/2022.