Atari 800XL vintage retro computer collection ValorosoIT, Home Computer, 80s, CPU MOS 6502C, GTIA (video), POKEY (sound, I/O), ANTIC (video)

Atari 800XL

The Atari 800XL is an 8-bit home computer manufactured by Atari, a US company, between 1982 and 1985. The computer was competing with the Commodore 64, but failed to beat the dreaded opponent.

Subscribe my YouTube channel ValorosoIT. Retro technology, vintage audio, retro computers, experiments and tests. Retroprogramming, Basic. Commodore, IBM, Atari, Apple, Texas Instruments, Amstrad, MSX.

To expand the collection, I wanted to buy an Atari 800XL and... the opportunity wasn't long in coming. On Facebook Marketplace I found an interesting ad, so this vintage Atari computer entered my collection in June 2021.

Atari 800XL vintage retro computer collection ValorosoIT, Home Computer, 80s, CPU MOS 6502C, GTIA (video), POKEY (sound, I/O), ANTIC (video)

The computer was supposed to be working, but the first test, at the seller's house, was problematic! All the details in this article. In short... the seller had to give me a discount for the purchase of the computer, which was not working as promised.

In addition to the retro computer Atari 800XL, in the lot there was a floppy disk drive Atari 1050.

Atari 1050 floppy disk drive, Atari 800XL retro computer transformer power supply cable SIO

Startup screen

The start screen of the Atari Basic is very simple: it only shows the inscription READY.

Atari 800XL basic home screen, start screen, Ready

If the Atari 1050 floppy disk drive is connected, the computer automatically attempts to boot from disk, loading 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 800XL.

Technical characteristics of the Atari 800XL

CPU: MOS 6502C, 1.77 MHz (PAL) / 1.79 MHz (NTSC)

Follow me on Instagram channel. Retro technology, Commodore, vintage audio, retro computers, experiments and tests. Retroprogramming, Basic. Commodore, IBM, Atari, Apple, Texas Instruments, Amstrad, MSX.

ROM: 24 KB

RAM: 64 KB (expandable up to 128 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
Atari 800XL, rear ports, ValorosoIT vintage retro computer collection, Audio/Video, SIO, power supply, parallel BUS

Emulate the Atari 800XL

It is possible to emulate the Atari 800XL 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 800XL home computer is external.

Output: 5V, 1.5A.

Papers

1. Atari 800 XL owner’s guide

2. Atari 800XL service manual

Collection entry date: 04/06/2021.

Subscribe my YouTube channel ValorosoIT. Retro technology, vintage audio, retro computers, experiments and tests. Retroprogramming, Basic. Commodore, IBM, Atari, Apple, Texas Instruments, Amstrad, MSX.

Do you like this page? Share it:

Posted in Collection: retro computer, vintage electronics, All articles.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *