Atari PC3 Owner's Manual
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Atari PC3 Owner's Manual

Atari PC3 Owner's Manual

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  • Page 1 )I \ ATARr Documentation Series Owner's Manual...
  • Page 2 Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the product documentation in this manual. However, because Atari Corporation is constantly improving and updating its computer hardware and software, it is unable to guarantee the accuracy of printed material after the date of publication and disclaims liability for changes, errors, or omissions.
  • Page 3 Jl � ATARr Documentation. Series Owner's Manual...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED ..........Atari PC3 System Components ..........
  • Page 5 Atari PC3 Special Features ............29 Setting the Real-Time Clock ............29 Changing System Speed .
  • Page 6 APPENDIX F: AT ARI PC3 SPECIFICATIONS ......APPENDIX G: AT ARI PC3 CONNECTOR PINOUTS ....9 7 APPENDIX H: POWER CONNECTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ............

  • Page 7: Introduction

    If you are new to the world of personal computers, you'll find the Atari PC3 to be a powerful, reliable system that's easy to set up and operate. And if you're a seasoned PC user, you'll appreciate the many features built into the Atari PC3--features you'd have to add on to other systems-­...

  • Page 8: Using This Manual

    Using This Manual To get top performance from your Atari PC3. you'll want to set up and operate it correctly from the start. This manual explains how to do that in clear, nontechnical language that's easy to understand. Once you're familiar with using your Atari PC3, this manual can serve as a reference guide to individual procedures and specific information.
  • Page 9 In this manual. characters in dark type enclosed by square brackets ([ J) represent keys on your Atari PC3 keyboard. In cases where a process or function requires using two or three keys, the keys are listed together in order.

  • Page 10: Chapter 1 Getting Started

    CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED Set up your Atari PC3 in a roomy workspace that's both healthy for the c;omputer system and enjoyable for you. Choose a location that has a sturdy. level surface close to an electrical outlet. with plenty of room for airflow around the components.

  • Page 11: Keyboard. Monitor. And Mouse

    EGA (Enhanced Graphics Adapter) mon­ itor to your Atari PC3. The mouse connects to the Atari PC3 and is used to operate the com­ puter from GEM Desktop and certain applications. You use the mouse by rolling it on a flat surface and pressing the mouse buttons.

  • Page 12: Connecting The Atari Pc3 System

    Appendix B The Atari PC3 can support up to two external floppy drives. It can also support up to two hard disk drives installed either externally or internally in a drive bay, on the frame. or on an expansion board.
  • Page 13 Remove the protective inserts from all floppy disk drives and make sure the computer is turned off (the power switch is on the front). Then follow these steps to set up your system: 1. If you are installing RAM chips, a numeric data processor. expansion boards.
  • Page 14 If you have installed a monochrome display adapter board in an expansion slot. the switches must be set to SMART Off. The HGC. MDA. and HCOLOR utilities then become meaningless. Warning: To avoid damaging your monitor. you MUST set the switches correctly for your monitor type BEFORE you connect the monitor and switch on the system .

  • Page 15: Switching The Atari Pc3 System On And Of F

    SWITCHING ON THE SYSTEM Use MS-DOS Disk 1 (supplied with your system) when you switch on your Atari PC3. This disk contains data your computer needs in order to initialize. Note: It's essential that you make backup copies of the disks supplied with your Atari PC3.
  • Page 16 3. The computer begins retrieving data from the disk. When the com­ puter is finished. the operating system MS-DOS prompts you for the date on the monitor screen: Current date is Tue 1-01-1980 Enter new date (mm-dd-yy): Note: If the date prompt doesn't appear. check that your monitor is switched on with the brightness properly adjusted, and that MS-DOS Disk 1 is correctly inserted with the drive latch flipped down.
  • Page 17 A means that drive A is the current default drive. Next to the prompt is a blinking bar called the cursor. The system prompt and the cursor tell you that MS-DOS and the Atari PC3 are ready to receive instructions. The line containing the prompt is called the MS-DOS command line.

  • Page 18: Switching Off The System

    Ports and Features KEYBOARD The Atari PC3's keyboard is like a typewriter keyboard in both design and function. In addition. extra keys on the Atari PC3's keyboard perform special functions not available in a typewriter.
  • Page 19 When a printer is connected to your system. you can also use these key combinations: [Shill) [PrtSc) Prints the screen display. [Ctrl) [PrtSc) Prints what you type as you type it. Also prints the screen output (the Atari PC3's screen response to your instruc­ tions). Press [Ctrl) [PrtSc) again to stop printing.

  • Page 20: The Computer's Back Panel

    [Caps Lock], Note: The key normally has no function. [Sys Req] THE COMPUTER'S BACK PANEL External devices (peripherals) can be connected to the Atari PC3's back panel. Back of Computer Expansion Slots Power Jack Floppy Drive Port...
  • Page 21 Refer to the manual supplied with your peripheral for installation instructions. Video A monochrome. color. or EGA monitor attaches to the Atari PC3 through the video port. Config The Config switches select a monochrome. color. or EGA monitor.

  • Page 22: The Computer's Right Side Panel

    Floppy Disk Drive Up to two external floppy disk drives can connect to the Atari PC3 through the floppy disk drive port. You can connect an Atari PCF554 (5V4-inch) drive. an Atari SF314 (3V2-inch) drive. or one of each. Expansion Slots If optional expansion boards with connectors have been installed on the Atari PC3, the connectors are accessed through these slots.

  • Page 23: Chapter 2: Atari Pc3 System Overview

    AT ARI PC3 SYSTEM OVERVIEW MS-DOS MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) is the operating system for the Atari PC3, and is contained on MS-DOS Disks 1 and 2 supplied with your computer. MS-DOS consists of a group of programs that manage all computer processes such as running applications.

  • Page 24: Floppy Disks

    Warning: 6>0 NOT touch the magnetic media. Doing so may damage your disk and the information on it. Floppy disks for the Atari PC3 are usually double-sided. meaning that both sides of the magnetic media are certified as safe for storing infor­...

  • Page 25: Write-Protecting Disks

    To remove the disk. flip the drive latch up and gently pull out the disk. To insert or remove a 3V2-inch disk. follow the instructions supplied with the drive. Warning: To avoid damaging your disks. make sure the drive's busy light is off before you insert or remove a disk.

  • Page 26: Copying The Program Disks

    Copying the Program Disks You must make backup copies of all disks supplied with your Atari PC3 before beginning to work with them routinely. This protects you from losing information if you lose or damage the disks. After copying, store the.

  • Page 27: The Config.sys And Autoexec.bat Files

    MS-DOS will read these files during initialization. Newly created or modified CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files take effect after you restart the Atari PC3. To create the files. see the fol­ lowing two sections. To modify an existing file. use a text editor such as MS-DOS EDLIN (described in the MS-DOS User's Reference).

  • Page 28: The Autoexec.bat File

    THE AUTOEXEC.BA T FILE The AUTOEXEC.BA T file tells MS-DOS what commands to automatically execute during system initialization. This saves you the work of entering routine commands after switching on your computer. To create an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. type the following at the A> prompt: COPY CON AUTOEXEC.BAT [Enter) This line creates and names the file.

  • Page 29: The Tree Structure Of Directories And Files

    Files are collections of information. such as applications or documents you create using applications. Directories are groups of files. When you first start up your Atari PC3 using MS-DOS Disk 1, a root d irectory already exists which contains most of the MS-DOS commands.

  • Page 30: Filenames

    Filenames Files and directories are identified by their filenames. When you create a file or directory. you must name it in order to save it and to list and identify it later. Filenames are used along with commands to send instruc­ tions to MS-DOS.
  • Page 31 A filename can often have an asterisk as the name while spelling out the extension. For example. •.DOC means all filenames with the .DOC extension. such as LETT�R.DOC ATARI.DOC MOM.DOC but not FRANCE.TXT The asterisk must be the last character in the name or extension. For example, TAX*.BAS...

  • Page 32: Changing The Drive Designation

    The question mark in a filename stands for all single characters. For example, MOM?.LET means all files that begin with MOM. have any character in the fourth position of the name. and have the extension .LET. such as MOM1.LET MOM4.LET MOMZ.LET but not -JACK.LET...

  • Page 33: Atari Pc3 Special Features

    The MS-DOS prompt is redisplayed as C >. If you try to set a nonexistent drive as the working drive. you'll get an error message. Atari PC3 Special Features SETTING THE REAL-TIME CLOCK A clock battery in your system runs a real-time clock that keeps the cor­...

  • Page 34: Changing System Speed

    CHANGING SYSTEM SPEED The Atari PC3 can process information in either PC mode or turbo mode. PC mode runs at 4.77 MHz: turbo mode runs at 8.0 MHz. In turbo mode, the Atari PC3 performs operations such as arithmetic calculation.
  • Page 35 [Ctrl] [Alt] [keypad -] If you've installed a fast (8 MHz or faster) numeric data processor in your PC3, you can run turbo mode automatically when you start up your sys­ tem by adding the command TURBO ON to your AUTOEXEC.BA T file.

  • Page 36: Selecting Monitor Display Modes

    Wben selecting software to run on your Atari PC3, check whether the program can be operated in a display mode available to you. For exam­...

  • Page 37: Installing The Mouse For Use With Non-Gem Programs

    INST ALLING THE MOUSE FOR USE WITH NON-GEM PROGRAMS Installing a mouse driver file (MOUSE.COM or MOUSE.SYS) lets you use the mouse in other applications besides GEM Desktop. To install the mouse. insert your GEM Startup disk in your working drive and type the command MOUSE [Enter] You can also install the mouse by copying the MOUSE.

  • Page 38: Chapter3 Introduction To Ms-Dos Commands

    CHAPTER3 INTRODUCTION TO MS-DOS COMMANDS Commands Commands are instructions to MS-DOS. They are typed next to the sys­ tem prompt and activated by pressing (Typing a command and [Enter]. pressing is called entering the command.) Commands can be [Enter] entered in uppercase or lowercase letters and must be spelled correctly. The later sections of this chapter describe the most often used MS-DOS commands.
  • Page 39 Pathnames Parameters can tell MS-DOS where to find information by directing it to particular drives, directories. and files. When a drive. directories. and filename are included as parameters, they are listed in a specific order and separated from each other by backslashes(\). The drive is listed first, followed by the directory or directories.

  • Page 40: Command Syntax

    Switch Parameters Certain special parameters. called switch parameters or switches. control how MS-DOS performs the command. Switch parameters always begin with a forward slash(/). For example. when the DIR command (which lists the files in a directory) is entered with its switch parameter /w. the screen output is displayed in a wide format (five columns of information) instead of the default narrow format (one column of information).
  • Page 41 Parameter Explanation [<pathname> J The square brackets indicate that the pathname parameter is optional. Use it to list directories and filenames. Items listed in the pathname must be separated by backslashes (\). The /p (pause) switch is optional. It tells MS-DOS to display the [/p] directory one screenlul at a time, pausing between displays.

  • Page 42: Editing Commands

    EDITING COMMANDS To edit a command line before pressing use the[<--] [Enter]. ([Back­ key to erase characters to the left of the cursor. then retype. To space]) erase the entire command, press [Esc]. If you enter a misspelled command or a command with incorrect syntax. MS-DOS displays a message telling you that it is unable to interpret the command.

  • Page 43: Copying Disks

    [NJ to return to the system prompt. Note: When used with double-sided drives available for the Atari PC2. FORMAT will automatically format disks as double-sided. You can use FORMAT to erase an entire disk all at once rather than individually erasing each item on the disk with the DEL and RMDIR commands.
  • Page 44 To copy disks with DISKCOPY. follow these steps: 1. Insert the source disk (the disk to be copied) into drive A. Have a tar­ get disk (the disk to be copied to) ready for each disk you're going to copy. Do not write-protect the disks. 2.

  • Page 45: Copying Files

    Copying Files COPY The COPY command lets you copy files from one directory to another on the same disk or from a source disk to a target disk. Copying a File to a Directory You can use COPY to duplicate a file from the root directory to an exist­ ing directory on the same disk.
  • Page 46 To copy the file LETTER.TXT from one disk to the root directory of another disk. follow the steps in one of the two next sections. One-Drive System Multi-Drive System. ONE-DRIVE SYSTEM 1. If you have one drive. make sure the source disk (the disk containing the file) is in the drive.

  • Page 47: Viewing, Renaming, And Erasing Files

    Viewing, Renaming, and Erasing Files TY.PE The TYPE command displays file contents for you to review. You cannot edit a file displayed with the TYPE command. Syntax: TYPE <pathname> Example: TYPE LETTER.TXT Entering the example given displays the file LETTER.TXT in the root directory of the working drive.

  • Page 48: Del (Delete) And Erase

    To rename a group of files at once. use wildcards in the pathname and new filename. For example. to rename TAXTEXT.85 TAXTEXT.86 TAXTEXT.87 IRSTEXT.85 IRSTEXT.86 IRSTEXT.87 enter REN TAXTEXT.* IRS*.* Note: REN does not rename directories. If you want a directory to have a new name.

  • Page 49: Working With Directories

    Working with Directories DIR (DIRECTORY) The DIR command displays a list of some or all files in a directory. Syntax: DIR [<pathname>] [/p] [/w] Example: DIR /p/w To display all files in the current directory one screenful at a time, enter DIR/p The first screenful will look something like this: Directory of A:/...

  • Page 50: Mkdir (Make Directory)

    MKDIR (MAKE DIRECTORY) The MKDIR command is used to make and name new directories and to create directories within directories. Directory names can have up to eight characters and usually do not have extensions. (See 2 for rules on naming directories.) Filenames Chapter Syntax:...

  • Page 51: Rmdir (Remove Directory)

    To display the name of the current directory. enter the command followed by the working drive. For example: CHOIR A: Note: CD can be used in place of CHOIR. For example: CD \MAILBAG. RMDIR (REMOVE DIRECTORY) The RMDIR command removes a directory from the disk. Removing a directory erases it completely.

  • Page 52: Path

    PATH The PA TH command tells MS-DOS where to look for command files or executable (program) files (files with the .COM or .EXE extensions) that are not in your current directory. Syntax: PATH [<drive:>] [<pathname>]; [<drive:>] [<pathname>];[. .. ] Example: PATH A:\;A:\COMMANDS Entering the example given tells MS-DOS to look for command and pro­...

  • Page 53: Checking Disks. Directories. And Files

    Checking Disks, Directories, and Files CHKDSK (CHECK DISK) The CHKDSK command reports the total amount of system memory, how disk space is currently allocated, and which files. if any. are dam­ aged or fragmented. Syntax: CHKDSK [<drive:>] [<pathname>] [/I] [/v] Example: CHKDSK B:/1/v The switch parameter /f (fix) tells MS-DOS to correct any errors detected...

  • Page 54: Printing Files

    It's a good idea to add CHKDSK/f to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file in order to avoid working on damaged disks. CHKDSK will give you a system status report when you start up your system. If errors are reported. copy your usable disk contents to a new disk and reformat the damaged disk. Printing Files PRINT The PRINT command sends files to a printer.

  • Page 55: Mode

    MS-DOS User's Reference. Monitor Display Mode Commands Your Atari PC2 includes a graphics display subsystem that emulates the modes of a variety of other graphics display cards. These modes corre­ spond to monochrome (MDA), color (CGA), or enhanced color monitors and different screen resolutions.
  • Page 56 However. to use some older software packages on your EGA monitor. you may have to select CGA or MDA mode. Find your monitor and its available commands in the following table: Monitor Available Commands Atari EGA EGA.COM, EGAM.COM, CGA.COM, HGC.COM, MDA.COM, (SMART On) PALETTE.COM, HCOLOR.COM, CURSOR.COM Atari EGA EGA.COM, CGA.COM, PALETTE.COM, CURSOR.COM...
  • Page 57 HGC HALF. provides only one graphics page, leaving more video memory space available for expansion boards.) The Atari PC2 EGA subsystem has a mode save feature that lets it remember the current configuration, even after you perform a warmstart by pressing This feature is very helpful when running self­...

  • Page 58: A Few Other Useful Commands

    Use the [Up Arrow) and [Down Arrow) keys to move to the address of the color you want. Use the number keys to assign a number ( 1 to 16) to the color. When you finish selecting colors. press [Esc). then respond to the enable palette save prompt.

  • Page 59: Prompt

    When you turn on your system. the cursor will appear as a blinking bar. If you'd like a nonblinking cursor. enter the example given. Jo restore the blink. enter CURSOR BLINK PROMPT The PROMPT command may be used to add the date. time. current directory.

  • Page 60: Common Ms-Dos Error Messages

    Common MS-DOS Error Messages Sometimes MS-DOS displays an error message when you start up your system or enter a command. There's usually no reason to be alarmed. In most cases. you'll simply need to load the proper disk or re-enter the ·...
  • Page 61 BAD OR MISSING COMMAND INTERPRETER MS-DOS could not find the COMMAND.COM file it needs in order to start up. Either COMMAND.COM is missing or damaged or a startup disk is not loaded. Make sure a valid startup disk is loaded in drive A before you s�itch on your system.
  • Page 62 INV AUD DRIVE SPECIFICATION The drive you specified is not recognized by MS-DOS. Make sure all drives on your system are correctly installed and the cables secure. then re-enter the drive specification. INVALID NUMBER OF PARAMETERS You specified an incorrect number of parameters. Check the command syntax and re-enter the command.
  • Page 63 SYNTAX ERROR You incorrectly entered a command. Check the command syntax and re-enter the command. TRACK BAD--DISK UNUSABLE The disk media at track n (where n is the number of the track) is defec­ tive and the disk cannot be formatted. Contact your hard disk dealer.

  • Page 64: Appendix Asystem Maintenance

    CHECK THESE FIRST If your Atari PC3 just won't work--for instance. the power light won't come on or the monitor screen has no display--check these areas: Power Switches Check that the computer. monitor, and all peripherals with power switches are switched on.
  • Page 65 HARDWARE PROBLEMS If something goes wrong with your hardware. your Atari PC3 beeps dur­ ing system initialization and displays error codes. When this happens. try to identify the problem using the tables in this section. Then correct the problem by fallowing the suggestions in in this appen­...
  • Page 66 Enhanced graphics subsystem IT JUST WON'T WORK If you experience operating problems that you can't resolve, take your Atari PC3 to an authorized Atari service center. For the location of the nearest center, contact your Atari dealer or see at the customer Support end of this manual.
  • Page 67 • Always switch off your computer and peripherals before connecting or disconnecting components. • When you switch off the computer. wait at least ten seconds before switching it on again. • Switch off your computer before cleaning it. Clean only the outside of the components, using a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth.

  • Page 68: And The Numeric Dat A Processor

    Warning: If you perform any operation or modification to the inside of your computer other than those described in this manual. Atari Corpo­ ration reserves the right to disclaim warranty for your Atari PC3 or any other adversely affected component. Also. your Atari PC3 warranty does not cover damage caused by hardware or software not manufactured by Atari Corporation.
  • Page 69 Warning: To avoid electrical shock, NEVER open the power supply housing inside your Atari PC3. 3. Ground yourself by briefly touching the metal frame of the computer. Doing this prevents static discharge that could damage the computer.
  • Page 70 5. Find the correct socket in the illustration below for the chip or chips you're installing. Hold the chip so its notch matches the notch on the socket. Line up the pins on the chip with the holes in the socket and gently push the chip into the socket.
  • Page 71 1�3 7. Replace the computer cover and reinstall all screws. The Atari PC3 automatically tests the installed RAM during system initiali­ zation. After installing additional RAM. you should see the message 640 KB MEMORY GOOD whenever you switch on the system with a coldstart. If you don't see that message, carefully disassemble your system and make sure the RAM chips are inserted correctly.

  • Page 72: And Internal Drives

    PC XT­ compatible internal drives. The Atari PC3 is equipped with a floppy drive controller that can be con­ nected to two drives (generally floppy disk drives. but some tape drives also use the floppy disk controller).
  • Page 73 Two peripherals cannot have the same 1/0 address. but interrupt chan­ nels can sometimes be shared, depending on your software. When selecting an interrupt, keep in mind that when all the Atari PC3's con­ trollers and interfaces are employed, all available interrupts will be used.
  • Page 74 The table below lists the Atari PC3's built-in controllers and interfaces and their 1/0 addresses and interrupts. When selecting a board for your computer. make sure it can be configured for an 1/0 address and inter­ rupt you are not using.
  • Page 75 Warning: To avoid electrical shock . NEVER o p en the p ower su pp l y housin g inside y our Atari PC3. Expansion Slots 3. Ground y ourself b y briefl y touchin g the metal frame of the com p uter.
  • Page 76 5_ Holding the board by its sides. align the bracket side of the board with the slot opening, and the opposite side of the board with the board edge guide. Gently push the board down until the gold-striped con­ nector on the bottom is firmly seated in the board connector. You'll feel a slight resistance as you push the board into place.
  • Page 77 Installing an Internal Drive Your Atari PC3 has two internal drive bays which accommodate both 5V4-inch and 3V2-inch floppy disk drives and hard disk drives. Drives can go in either bay. though a hard disk drive should go in the top bay for maximum airflow.
  • Page 78 8. Slide the drive completely into the drive bay and secure it to the bay with eight screws (four on each side, supplied by the manufacturer). Note: A 3V2-inch hard disk can also be mounted on the internal frame of your Atari PC3. For more information. contact your Atari dealer.
  • Page 79 REMOVING AN INTERNAL DRIVE Follow these steps to remove an internal drive from the drive bay: Switch off and unplug your computer system. 2. Remove the computer's cover as described in To prevent Appendix static discharge that could damage the computer, ground yourself by briefly touching the metal frame of the computer.

  • Page 80: Appendix D: Connecting External

    APPENDIX D CONNECTING EXTERNAL FLOPPY DRIVES You can connect one or two external floppy disk drives to your Atari PC3. These can be Atari PCF554 (5V4-inch) drives, Atari SF314 (3V2-inch) drives. or one of each. Connecting additional drives streamlines data storage and retrieval.
  • Page 81 Connecting Two External Drives It's possible to connect two external floppy disk drives to your Atari PC3. The two drives can use the same disk size (5V4-inch or 3V2-inch). or different disk sizes (one using 5V4-inch and one using 3V2-inch). If the drives use different disk sizes.

  • Page 82: Appendix Epreparing And Working With A Hard Disk

    APPENDIX E PREPARING AND WORKING WITH A HARD DISK If your Atari PC3 arrives equipped with a hard disk. you must prepare the disk before you can use it to store data. Instructions for preparing the disk are given in in this appendix.
  • Page 83 1. With the MS-DOS disk containing FDISK in drive A. start the program by entering FDISK Warning: If the hard disk needs to be low-level formatted, the message "No fixed disk installed" will appear when you attempt to run FDISK. See in this appendix for further instructions.
  • Page 84 When you restart the Atari PC3, the system will attempt to boot from a floppy disk. To allow the system to boot from the hard disk, remove the disk from drive A before restarting the system (either with a coldstart or warmstart).
  • Page 85 It's a good idea to run the head-parking utility after every work session. just before you switch off your system. If your hard disk was supplied with your Atari PC3, use the HDSHIP program (supplied on the MS-DOS disks). To run HDSHIP. enter HD SHIP When you restart your system.
  • Page 86 In addition to the BACKUP, RESTORE. XCOPY, and COPY commands in MS-DOS, you can use any of the handy hard disk backup programs available through dealers and user groups. You can also use a tape backup system. Enter the command examples that follow or refer to the for additional command variations.
  • Page 87 Once you've backed up files with BACKUP. you can restore them to the hard disk if they're accidentally damaged or deleted. Use the RESTORE command to restore all files by entering RESTORE A: C:\•. *Is You will be prompted to insert the backup disks in the order you backed them up.
  • Page 88 Low-Level Formatting Most hard disks are low-level formatted during production. The low-level format divides the disk into sectors and cylinders and determines what portions of the disk will be used to store data. If the disk hasn't been low­ level formatted or the low-level format becomes partially erased during shipping, you must low-level format it before you can create and format an MS-DOS partition.
  • Page 89 Cylinders Warning: If you are unable to low-level format your hard disk success­ fully with the specifications given. your Atari PC3 may have a hard disk that uses different specifications. Contact your Atari dealer for the correct specifications to use with your hard disk.
  • Page 90 3. Respond to the Drive ID prompt by specifying which hard disk you want to low-level format. If you have one hard disk in your system. it is drive 0. If you have two hard disks. one is drive O (the startup drive) and the other is drive 1.
  • Page 91 Your system treats each logical drive as a separate drive that can Note: be accessed with a drive letter (C. D. E. and so on). Using the FDISK command described in your you can divide MS-DOS User's Reference, each of these logical drives into partitions for different operating systems. Each logical drive can have only one MS-DOS partition.
  • Page 92 Adaptec low-level formatting program. Some errors are normal and mean that defective tracks are being flagged as intended. Any error that terminates low-level formatting before it is finished should be reported to your authorized Atari service center. Error Code...
  • Page 93 THE EPSON LOW-LEVEL FORMATTING PROGRAM To run the Epson low-level formatting program. follow these steps: 1. Enter the following at.the DEBUG prompt: A100 2. Enter the following parameters exactly as shown to low-level format drive 0. MOV DX, 80 [Enter] 1 [Enter] MOV AX, 0702 [Enter] INT 13 [Enter]...
  • Page 94 2. Respond to the format prompt by ·entering 3. To low-level format drive 0, respond to the drive number prompt by entering To low level format drive 1, enter 4. Respond to the defaults prompt by entering Respond to the next prompts as follows: Total cyls: 615 [Enter) Total heads:...
  • Page 95 6. The defects prompt lets you enter the values on your defective track map. (This map is usually on a sticker affixed to the drive.) If you don't have a defective track map, enter If you do have a defective track map, enter the cylinder and head values of each defect as prompted.

  • Page 96: Appendix F: At Ari Pc3 Specifications

    APPENDIX F AT ARI PC3 SPECIFICATIONS COMPUTER Processor 8088 Clock Rate 4.77 MHz standard PC mode. or 8.0 MHz turbo mode (switchable under keyboard or program control) Memory: 512 kilobytes standard 640 kilobytes with extra RAM chips (four 64 kilobyte x 4 dynamic RAM;...
  • Page 97 Interfaces XT-protocol keyboard jack Quadrature mouse port Video monitor connector RS 232C serial port Parallel printer port Floppy disk drive port Two internal disk drive connectors Expansion Slots Five vertical XT-type Numeric Data Uses an 8087 ( 5 MHz). 8087-2 ( 8 MHz). or 8087- 1 ( 10 MHz) numeric data processor chip Processor Socket Dimensions:...
  • Page 98 Monitors: EGA. monochrome Screen resolution: 80 characters x 25 lines of text Typical character cell size: 9 x 14 pixels Monitors: EGA. monochrome Screen resolution and colors: 720 pixels x 348 lines in monochrome graphics mode or 80 char­ acters x 25 lines in text mode Typical character cell size: 9 x 14 pixels 5Y•-INCH FLOPPY DISK DRIVE Tracks...

  • Page 99: Appendix G: At Ari Pc3 Connector Pinouts

    APPENDIX G AT ARI PC3 CONNECTOR PINOUTS EXTERNAL FLOPPY DRIVE 1 -- IN Read Data 2 -- OUT Side Select 3 -- Ground Index 4 -- IN 5 -- OUT Drive Select 1 6 -- OUT Drive Select 2 7 --...
  • Page 100 PRINTER 1 -- OUT Strobe • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2 -- OUT Data O • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 -- OUT Data 1 4 -- OUT Data 2 5 -- OUT Data 3 6 -- OUT Data 4...
  • Page 101 KEYBOARD 30· · 1 -- Clock 2 -- Data • • • 3 -- Reset 4 -- Ground • 5 -- + 5 MOUSE 1 -- XB Quadrature Signal • ' • • 2 -- XA Quadrature Signal 3 -- YA Quadrature Signal 4 -- YB Quadrature Signal 5 -- Center Button (optional, switch closure to ground) 6 -- Left Button (switch closure to ground)
  • Page 102 EXPANSION SLOTS . •......2 3 4 5 8 8 9 tO 1 1 1 2 1 3 1,4 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2 3 2-4 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 ....... 1 2 3 4 5 15 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3 14 15 18 17 1 8 19 20 2122 232425 26 2728 29 30 31 81 -- Ground A 1 -- Reserved...

  • Page 103: Appendix Hpower Connection In The United Kingdom

    APPENDIX H POWER CONNECTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM In the United Kingdom. the Atari PC3 operates on -240V. 50 Hz mains supply. The wires in the mains lead of the Atari PC3 are colored as follows: Green/Yellow Wire Color Green/Yellow...

  • Page 104: Glossary

    (See coldstart warmstart.) boot disk The disk you use to boot your Atari PC3. The boot disk must contain the system files. (See system files.) busy light The light on a disk drive that indicates it is reading from or...
  • Page 105 byte A unit of computer memory. Each byte consists of eight bits. and is a unique character within the computer. For example. the letter "a" is stored in memory as one byte. (See kilobyte.) CGA Color Graphics Adapter. One of the available monitor display modes.
  • Page 106 A list of files. (See root directory working directory.) disk drive The primary data storage device for your Atari PC3. The computer uses the disk drive to retrieve information from or store information on a disk. DISKCOPY A command that duplicates data on one disk to another disk.
  • Page 107 RAM. floppy disk The magnetic media used to store programs and informa­ tion generated on the Atari PC3. The media is made of material similar to audio tape and is encased in a protective covering. The Atari PC3's inter­...
  • Page 108 Depending on the needs of your application. each device should have its own interrupt channel. The interrupt channels you can use on the Atari PC3 are identified as IR02 through IR07. 1/0 address The storage location the processor uses to exchange data between itself and a controller.
  • Page 109 (See RAM and ROM.) microchip An integrated circuit contained in a small block. The micro­ chips you install in your Atari PC3 have pins on their undersides that plug into sockets on the motherboard.
  • Page 110 When you work with your Atari PC3. the information displayed on screen is in RAM. Informa­ tion in RAM is lost when you switch off the computer. The Atari PC3 has 512 to 640 kilobytes of RAM depending on whether additional RAM chips have been added.
  • Page 111 An industry-standard interface for connecting modems and other serial peripherals. A serial interface sends data one bit at a time. The serial interface on the back of the Atari PC3 is labeled "Serial." software The programs and applications you run on your computer.
  • Page 112 The Atari PC3's fast (8.0 MHz) operating speed. In turbo mode. your system calculates. generates graphics. and saves and retrieves data more quickly than in standard PC mode. (Compare to PC mode.)
  • Page 113 wildcard A question mark (?) or asterisk (*) character used in a filename specification to specify the search criteria. ? matches one character; • matches any character to the end of the first name or extension. write-protect To mechanically prevent a disk from being written to. To write-protect a 5V4-inch disk, place a write-protect tab over the notch.

  • Page 114: Customer Support

    Customer Relations address listed below. Atari user groups also provide outstanding assistance. To receive a list of Atari user groups in your area, send a self-addressed, stamped enve­ lope to an address below. the- United States, write to:...

  • Page 115: Index

    INDEX A> prompt, 12. 22. 28-29 C> prompt, App. E Adaptec low-level formatting program. cable connectors, 15, App. A App.E key, 14, 15 [Caps Lock] alphanumeric keys, 14 caring for your system. App. A [Alt] key, 14 CGA command, 52-54 angle brackets.
  • Page 116 connectors expansion slots. 17, App. C, App. G external floppy disk drive. 17. App. D. date prompt. 11. 29-30 App.G default drive. 12 internal floppy drive, App. C. App. G DEL (DELete) command. 45 keyboard, 9. 10. 16. App. G key.
  • Page 117 error messages disk drive. 5, 7, 17. 19, 28, 38 busy light. 21 Adaptec low-level formatting, App. E connecting,App.C,App.D MS-DOS, 50, 57-59, App. A connector pinouts. App. G key, 14, 39 [Esc] expansion boards, 6, 8, 17, App. A. default. 12 external floppy, 7, 17, App.
  • Page 118 formatting key. 14 (Ins] Intel 8087 chip, 6, 12. 30-31. App. B floppy disks, 20. 22. 39. 40 hard disks. App. E installing, App. B forward slash. 37 interference. radio or television reception, freezing a screen. 44 16,App.A function keys, 13 internal drives.
  • Page 120 key, 14, 55 [Pg Up] pinouts. App. G pixels. 52 RAM. 21, App. A. App. B system total, 6 ports, 15-17 external floppy drive. 17 RAM chips, optional. 6. 8, App. B keyboard. 9, 16 installing, App. B monitor (video). 9, 16 testing, App.
  • Page 121 startup drive, 12 choices. 12 static discharge, preventing, 15, App. B /v (view) switch. 50 storing disks, 22 /v (volume name) switch. 39 switch parameters. 37-38 video display subsystem. 32. 52-55. App. switching off the system, 13 video (monitor) port. 9, 16 switching on the system, 10-12 problems.
  • Page 122 JI\. )l'-ATARr Copyright © 1988, Atari Corporation. C300317-001 Rev. B Sunnyvale, CA 94086 All rights reserved . Printed in Taiwan 3. 1988...

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