THE ATARI 300 HOME ‘COMPUTER OVVNERS GUIDE ATARI?® a aroer communications company lavlvatulations on your purchase of the ATARI® 800™ e Computer. You now own one of the most affordable, and easy-to-use cc the home. C: enjoyabl Affordable, because ATARI C applications, and games, are mputer user mputer equipment, programs, riced within reach of the home Enjoyable because not only will you have fun writing your own programs, but there are also many pro games, and other applications available, so you can start using your ATARI 800 Home ater right away. Home study, home office, and home entertainment progra be’ purchased from your ATARI Computer retailer sins when you s¢ et as a display unit. h special plugs up your system using your own Il the components easily na manner similar to connecting being known for the unbeatable graphics and sound ilities of its Video Computer System™ game, has put these same qualitie home computer. The graphics capabilities of the computer are demonstrated in all ATARI Computer programs, especially Star Raiders™ and Missile Command™., The computer ‘ound capabilities include four independently programma} channels — unique to ATARI Home Computers. Included with your ATARI 800 Home Computer is an ATARI BASIC programming language cartridge, ATARI BASIC. Reference Manual, and an ATARI BASIC Self-Teaching Guide.CONNECTING THE ATARI 800 HOME COMPUTER DE OEE TE This guide helps you set up your ATARI 800 Home Computer ir It also briefly introduces you to the ATARI BASIC you some of the capabilities of programming language and sho’ your computer INSTALLING THE TV SWITCH BOX ‘The TV Switch Box connects to the VHF antenna terminal at the back of your television set, and converts your television display from regular TV programming to your ATARI 800 Computer. If you have cable TV, you can connect the switch box to th le service as well Disconnect the present antenni TV and reco 10 the side of the TV Switch Box labeled ANTENNA. If it isa flat, twin-lead le, connect it to the terminal: marked 300 OHM on the TV ch Box. If you have a round attach it to the threaded or marked 78 OHM. Now locate the short, t lead cable marked TV mes from the TV Switch Box and connect it to the two VHP terminals on your TV set) you may need t just the antenna terminal s on your TV so it 300 Ohm signal from the witch Box. Make the ni jjustments as shown illustrations. If you have a VHF antenna adapter that looks like the in the photograph the antenna cable from the adapter to the 300 OHM (or 300 Q) position on the six x. Connect the short, tw Switch Box to the adapter. S the adapter onto the threaded nector so the pin-like pro stion makes contact If looks like this, push the switch to the 300 (3008) position If it looks like this, loosen the screw: holding the U-shaped slider and move i the position on the switch box marked IM (or 3002)CONNECTING THE COMPUTER CONSOLE Locate the round cord that comes from the back of the computer console. Plug the end of this cord into the terminal on the TV Switch Box labeled COM- PUTER (GAME). Then move the switch into the COMPUTER (GAME) position. Set the Channel Select Switch on the right side of the computer console to the same channel. After you turn on the computer, you may need to adjust the fine-tuning knob on your TV to improve the reception. Turn on your TV set and tune it to Channel 2 or 3 — whichever is weaker in your area POWER POWER MONITOR ON OFF IN ERIPHERAL — 2—CHAN.—3 Locate the AC Power Adapt- er that comes with the com- puter and plug the round end of the power adapter into the con- nector labeled Power In on the ide of the computer console Plug the other end of the power adapter cord into a tet wall10° 1 are now ready to turn on your computer. Make sure the cartridge door is closed ‘The main power switch, labeled POWER ON/OFF. is located on the right side panel of the com puter. As soon as you move the switch to ON (and assuming you have not inserted the ATARI BASIC cartridge), the words ATARI COMPUTER-MEMO PAD appear on your TV screen Whatever you type will also be displayed on the screen. The white square you see on the screen is called a cursor, and shows you where you are on the Jisplay You may notice the colors on your TV screen changing periodically. This is normal and occurs to protect your TV set If your TV doesn't display ATARI COMPUTER-MEMO PAD or the words you type, check over all the previous steps. If you find the system is connected properly, make sure the cords are plugged securely and power is coming into the system. If you still don't get the proper display, n your computer may need servicing. Contact the authorized ATARI Computer Service Center listed in the yellow pages of the telephone directory, or call ATARI Customer Service/Field Support toll free at 800-538-8737 from anywhere in the continental USS. (in California, call 800-672-1430).Pull the release lever dow (as shown) to open the c tridge door. Whenever you do this, the computer automatically elf off. When you or again, the computer ack on Aes 4D W228 he cartridge into t ft slot with the label facing you. Press down on the car mly, until the 3 When you close the car- tridge door, the red power indicator to the right of the key- board lights up and the TV screen displays the title screen or prompt for the cartridge you selected. Then follow the in- struction me with the cartridge When you insert most cartridges (particularly games), many of the keys on the keyboard stop work- ing. The instruc hat come with each cartridge tell you h keys you can use.THE ATARI 800 COMPUTER KEYBOARD Many of the keys (shown in g - on the computer keyboard fu tion the same as they do on a typewnter. The tinted keys are used for screen editing; that they move the cursor on the the location you want, and allow you to modify the y. These modifications may include insertions or deletions tc a program you are writing or other types of text ek The. (ESCAPE) key function SCAPE KEY CHART depends on the application with hich you are working. For in nce, if you are writing pro the key disables the or control movements and prints a graphics character in stead. Or, if you are working with the ATARI Word Proc and are in the edit mode, pres: ing takes you out of the edit ode. 7 To give you an idea of how the key works as a graphics key, remove the ATARI BASIC cartridge from the computer and turn on the system. After ATARI COMPUTER-MEMO PAD ap- pears, follow these steps: + Hold down the (— key and you will see the graphics character appeat * Refer to the E \dditional «1 n create by using Now try the » (ATARI logo) key + Press the © key, then hold ‘and you will see 2's typed in verse video, Inverse vidi being shown in dark letter: a light background the * To return to regular video display, simply press the key again.The tam (Cont rol) key plays an important part in the screen editing functions; however, another key must be pressed while holding down the key for something to happen. The following list tells you what function occurs when the second key is pressed with the key. Moves the cursor up one line without changing the program or display. Moves the cursor one space to the right without changing the program or display. Moves the cursor one line down without changing the program or display. Moves the cursor one space to the left without changing the program or display. Lets you insert a special character or space. Lets you delete from where you are on a line back to the beginning of that line. ‘ATARIGOO A double-actior restarts the scr program, = | | Rings the buze =| B Lets you indica The following keys and combin screen editing: When writing p combination let When writing p combination let In Direct Mode lets you back deleting what ¥Cra "y combination that stops and n display, without leaving the the end of a file. bns of keys are also used for grams (Deferred Mode), this you insert one line at a time. grams (Deferred Mod jou delete one line at a time. essing by itself ce one space at a time, s yped. Puts the screen display into uppercase. Moves the cursor back one space at a time while deleting what was typed. Switches between normal and inverse video When using a printer, the text programmed in in- verse video will be underlined when printed Usually interrupts whatever function the computer is performing at the time is pressed. It is necessary for you to refer to the individual pro- gram or game instructions for its exact function To see what graphics characters are available when the «key is used in conjunction with alpha character keys, refer to the Control Graphics Keyboard.You will find it helpful if you take The larger key a few minutes to play with the the keyboard are unique to the keyboard and familiarize ATARI 800 Home Computer yourself with the different capabilities, particularly the graphics keys stops the computer from continuing what it is doing and restarts the program from the beginning. You use the key to select one of several applications or games within a cartridge or prc gram, The key lets you choose one of the variations available ithin a game or applic Pressing the key te computer to begin running the game or applicatiorMORE ABOUT YOUR ATARI 800 COMPUTER THE COMPUTER MEMORY Memory makes it possible for a omputer to store inform necessary memory in a computer is wha determines how much data can tored. Your ATARI 800 Home Computer comes with one ATARI Memory Module™. However, your computer's memory can be panded by purchasing addi- tional ATARI Memory Modules from your ATARI Computer retailer THE CARTRIDGE Many programming language: games, and applications come in the form of a cartridge. These cartridges contain the actual pro- gram or programming informa- tion required to perform the desired functions, The programming language cartridges contain the instruc- tions and other types of code making up that particula language. When you write a pro- gram, you are organizing th instructions into a meaningful procedure that the computer can understand and then execute. Dea un eee ‘The game cartridges contain the entire program for that game. To the game, all yo nee the cartridge, turn on the television, make sure the TV Switch Box is on COM- PUTER (GAME), and tum on the computer. Then follow the game directions and haveENJOYING YOUR ATARI 800 COMPUTER X THEN PRINT “TRY 4 SMALLER NUMBER. :G0T0 150 4180 TF G=X THEN PRINT “THAT'S ET!!!YOU GUESSED MY NUMBER." 16070 110 Now type RUN and press the key Program Two: 10 READ A 20 IF 4-256 THEN END 30 SOUND 0,4,10,10 40 FOR W=1 TO 40: EXT H 50 PRINT A 60 GoTo 40 20 END. 80 DATA 29,531,355 ,40,45,47,55,60,64,72,81,91,96,108,121 90 DATA 128, 144,162,182 193,217,245 ,256 Now type RUN and press the key. Program Three’ 8 REMMAHHHHHCOLLAPSING BOXESHIIAIO 410 TRAP 200: J=0 20 GRAPHICS 7416 30 MA=INTCRNDCOD*BO> 40 YA=INTCRNDCOI*50> 90 X2=K1+INTCRNDCO3*G0> 60 ¥2=Vi+INTCRNDCO2*45) 65 IF Ki=H2 OR Yi-¥2 THEN 30 78 COLOR INTCRNDEOI*E+19 80 PLOT xi,¥1 90 DRANTO K1,¥2 100 DRaWTO x2 ,¥2 410 DRAWTO x27¥1 120 DRaWTO xas¥a 422 KA=KA+2:¥a=va+2 424 K2=K2-11Y: 440 GoTo 70 240 IF J<10 THEN 20 245 END Now type RUN and presEXPANDING YOUR ATARI 800 HOME COMPUTER SYSTEM One of the featur ATARI 800 Home Computer is its expandability. You can add a printer, a program recorder, and disk drives. Each piece of ATARI Computer equipment is made specifically for your ATARI Com puter, connects easily to the re: of your system, and has the con sistent quality you have com expect from Atari. You add a large family of ot peripheral equipment, modem, digitizer, plotter, s or controllers. of your Your ATARI 800 Computer comes with a 10K ROM (Read Only Memory) module, which is part of the Operating System. The ROM is like the conductor of an orchestra, directing every part of your system—telling it what to do and when to perform Some of the ROM module's ific functions are performing metic calculations and generating the different color: along with the letters you see or the screen ADDING MORE MEMORY Your computer also comes with a 6K RAM (Random Access Memory) ATARI Memory Module. This means it can 16,000 characters of information. However, your system can be expanded to hold 48K RAM, which stores up to 48,000 characters of information ‘The memory modules are located under the nibbed section of the console cover, and the following steps show you how to insert additional memory modules into your ATARI 800 Home Computer Open the cartridge door as if you were going to insert a cartridge Rotate the black latches located above the cartridge slot in the direction of the arrows as shown. Carefully remove the ribbed cover from the computer ‘ou will see a 10K ROM module d one 16K RAM module already inserted& Postion your new memory module directly behind the existing 16K RAM module and sh it firmly into place. Place the cover back into Position, making sure you match up the notches on the lower back section of the cover and the cover housing. When the cover oress down on it W hand, and move the latches bacl into the locking position with the hand. If the latches do not out force, rem reposition the coverATARI aN ase} RCA neem printer to obtain a copy of pro- Crea C ea pete Doe cea as the Personal Financial Wee ees ars Biorhythm, Dow Jones* Invest- PAI aam Venegas programs you write yourself. Fane ose LT Reece ceo meso Ed Sroideoetet as ATARI 822" Bla MN aL CB cae no eae ee any Oe coins R SRS Ra tg acters per second © Prints upper/lowercase CUB soiiserc ae Seek nee, ra Eee eos ecu aioa printer ATARI 820” 40-COLUMN PRINTER SRE UR Cea eee ecco peel Dotnet ys eAe sce CEP wecrssicd CANES 80-COLUMN PRINTER CRY tns- Re oe Roonaan POUR Ce UAE ecto BV Clery © Printing speed of 50 to 83 Cie oeia ees one Reme ca * Prints 80 to 132 characters per MSCs Sone cao set Oe ee Rea Ptoessctens utter) CeCe Rhos Oe Renee gee elongated (printed double Rieti) Sees a sot Deamon naa) PROS ICE Tc ay oe) Coors eels rocco See ciny justification OB celery Siem oe Covet molt) floes AN Sas et Le LtSTORAGE Dp a@=c) PUR Soret cou NST VAC CR nee ergot koaee Cite fe Td Denese mE SR CaCO CR cer uniog CCTM Lee e Se ica e gers cen RCo ELT to_use the programs, you simply ey Renee CE LiMo en oan UNAS ge eos occ ee te! ENC eRe NOV Rectaseteler Sie a eee Rea ECan ce eee gem cere oho devices, alae PROGRAM RECORDER See ee eR eee Bio eel CSE WE oes ele Ru hme lel Renee htc POE Ou cree lh Eisen om remeoiel ci toe) Oa ORT mea UULN IE eens ats Te cient tN} Ta Rol Oa DISK DRIVE BUTEA IEP SET OM OC ROCe ene alisg Bee oct g DOR Renee ee soo SUR RIa a} Up to four disk drives can be at- coe ROb roa WEB Cnty ee ice MUS erro a ty of storing 88K (88,000 characters) CR ence we R REZ S tess men oto GAME ACCESSORIES AND ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE Accessories, such as joy-sticks Pitie Col mien veBeietital Roa OR Ce. Reet std Poem rere cates EU o eau Cone Wit Rel Macc bE Role PLU B Co eS mega ake oem lee EV CUCIO CEO Lona vist Rel puter retailer, for our full line of Fo loc Testes elem Clo oeatd Uh Mees etl Cee aco Prcae Ee too ccasceyA, ATARI? ere cortices creer Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy ofthe product documentation in nis manual. However, because ATARI, INC. is constantly improving ‘and updating the computer software and nardware, we are unable fo guarantee the accuracy ofthe printed material, or accept responsibly for errors ‘or omissions ater tne date of publication. 'No reproduction is allowed without the epecitic writen permission of ATARI,INC., Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Nor ean this document or the subjact matter thereot be reproduced without written agreement or wien permission trom the Corporation MANUAL CONTENTS © 1981 ATARI, INC. PRINTED INUSA CO60057 REV.1