Atari 130XE User manual

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Like any electrical app li ance, this ATAR I 130XE Compuler uses and produces radio-
frequency energy. If il is not installed and used according to tile instructions in this
guide,
th e equipment may ca us e interference with your radio or television recep ti on.
If you believe that this equipment is causing inte rf erence with your radio or television
reception, try turning the equipment off and on.
If the interference problem stops when
the equipment
is turn ed off, then the equipment is probably causing the interference.
With the equipment turned on, you may be ab le to correct the problem by trying one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient the radio or television antenna.
• Reposition the equipment in relation to the radio or television set.
• Move the equipment away from
th e rad io or television.
• Plug th e equipment into a different wall outlet so th at the equipment
and the radio or television are
on different branch circuits.
If necessary, consult your ATARI Computer reta il er or an experienced radio and
television technician for
ad ditional suggestion s.
Another helpful re source is H ow to Identify and Resolve Radi o- TV Interference
Problem s, a booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Co mmission. This booklet
is available from the U
.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, Stock No .
004-000-00345-4.
WARNING: This equipment has been certifi ed to comply with the limits for a Class B
computing device, pursuant to Subpart J
of Part 15 of F CC Rules. Th ese rules are
designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when the
equipment is used
in a r es id ential sett i ~g. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur
in a particular home or r es id ence. On ly peripherals (computer
inputloutput device
s, terminals, printers, etc.) ·t hat have been certified to comply with
the Class B limits may
be attach ed to this computer.
Operation of noncertifi
ed peripherals with this comp'uter is likely to result in interference
with radio a
nd TV reception.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the product documentation
in
this manua l. Howe ve r, because we are constantly improving and updating our computer
softwa
re a nd hardware, Atari Corp. is unable to guarantee the acc uracy of printed
material after the date of publication a
nd disclaims liability for changes, errors, and
omissions.
ATARI, ATARI BASI C, 400, 800, 1010, 1050, 65XE, 130XE, 800XL, XE , XM30 1.
X MM 801, XDM121 , XTC201, and X TM 201 are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Ata
ri Corp.
No reproduction of this document or any portion of its contents
is allowed without the
speci fi c written permission of Atari Corp., Su nn yval e, CA 94086.
© 1986 Ata ri Corp. All Rights Reserved.

JllATARr 130XE'·
PERSONAL COMPUTER

The Right Computer
for the Task at Hand
Welcome to the world of personal computing . Your new
ATARI® 130Xe
M is
one of the most powerful and versatile small
computers you can buy.
The 130XE is the
newe st addition to the XE™ series of ATARI Com-
puters. With 131,072 bytes· of Random Access Memory , the 130XE has
twice the memory of the ATARI 65XE™ or the 800XL™ Computer. And
with
twice as much memor y, the 130XE has more com puting power
and more potential. Your word processing files can be longer, your
data files
larger , and the educational uses of your computer system
more advanced.
Along
with the extra memory, the 130XE has a full-stroke keyboard,
superior sound and
graphics capabilities, thousands of available
software programs, and an array of compatible hardware accessories.
The ATARI 130XE is the perfect computer for business, educational,
and entertainment purpose s. And the new 130XE comes with built-in
ATARI BASIC programming language, so you can immediately begin to
write your own programs.
This manual is arranged for easy access to the intormation you need,
whether you are a beginning or an advanced computer user. Part 1
shows you
how to unpack and set up your ATARI 130XE Computer,
check whether it's functioning properly, use the keyboard, load
software cartridges, and expand the system by adding peripheral
devices.
Part 2 is an
introductory lesson in BASIC programming. Your ATARI
130XE has many applications, and understanding its built-in language
will
make your computer more fun and more useful.
If you already know how to program, you should look at Part 3 of the
manual. A
variety of sa mple programs and the reference materials to
enhance your programming skills are provided. And the advanced
programmer will find the needed information to access the full RAM
potential of the 130XE.
Once you have the ATARI 130XE set up and working, look at the
Resources
section of the manual. There are unlimited reso urces for
the ATARI
Computer owner-from books and programs to users
groups and magazines. You'll find a whole realm of new activities and
uses for your ATARI Computer.

Table of Contents
PART 1: GETTING STARTED . ..... .... . ..... .
Meeting the ATARI 130XE . . . . . . . . . 2
Hooking It Up . . . . . . . .... . . . . 5
Checking It Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Understanding Your Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Introducing ATARI Graphics .. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . .. ... . . . 17
Adding an
International Character Set· ...... . . . . . . . . . . .. . 19
Exploring ATARI BASIC .. .......... ..... . . .. . . 21
Using Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Expanding
Your System . . . . . . . . 25
PART 2: PROGRAMMING WITH ATARI BASIC . . 27
Editing with the
ATARI130XE Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Writing a Simple BASIC Program:
NEW, LIST, PRINT,
RUN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Creating an Inte
(act ive Loop:
GOTO, DIM, INPUT . 41
Using Random Numbers and Mathematical Functions:
RND ,+ , - , * ,I . 47
Making Decisions and Solving Problems:
IF-THEN, FOR-NEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Producing Sound and Graphics:
SOUND , SETCOLOR, COLOR .. . . .. . . .. . . . .
.. . . ' 65
PART 3: APPENDICES .. 77
A. Sample Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
B. BASIC Reserved Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
C. ATASCII Character Set . .. . ..... . . .. ... ..... . . .. ... .. 101
D. Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 111
E. Troubleshooting . . ......... . ... . . . .... 115
F.
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . , .117
G. ATARI130XE Specifications . . .. . .. . . .. 119
H.
Accessing the Fu ll RAM Potential of the 130XE .... . . .... 121
I. Connector Pinout Specifications . . .123
INDEX . . . . .
.. ... .. ........ .... . . .. . 127

-

Part1
GettingStarted

Meeting the ATARI130 XE
/A-.ATAR I
130XE/
Keyboard
Keyboard
Full-stroke design with access to 62 keys including the Help key and 4
special function keys.
~~~~
~
t
r- ~ -'
INN I
.r-1
@
I~ I
@(@
ill
...
2 3 0
I I
Molit or ITe Ji sion I On
I
Peripheral
Car1r idge Expansi
on
Off
Channel Power
~ ~ ~ ~ Peripheral Po rt
Connects a Serial I/O cable to peripheral equipment, such as disk
drive
s, program recorder s, printers, and modems.
2
....

~ Cartridge Slot
Allows the use of plug-in software cartridges for quick and easy
program loading.
Expansion Enh anced Cartridge Interface (ECI)
Connects high-speed peripherals such as fast floppy disk drives, hard
disk drives, and custom
1/0 devices.
tt Monitor Jack
Connects a monitor cable for use with either a monochrome or color
monitor.
~ TV Channel Select Switch
Selects channel 2 or 3 for the clearest picture.
~ Television Jack
Provides a plug for the
TV Video Cable.
:-=-:: Power Adapter Plug
Connects the computer to the AC power suppl y.
10 OnlOff Switch
Turns the power to the computer on and off.
Controller Ports
•
~ Controller Ports
Connects touch tablets, numeric keypads, joysticks, and
padd1e
controllers. U se Port 1 if only one contro ll er is used.
3

4

Hooking It Up
When you unpack your ATARI 130XE, make sure you have the
following items:
• ATARI 130XE Computer
• AC Power Supply
•
TV Switch Bo x
• TV Video Cable
• 130XE Owner's Manual
• Warranty/Registration Card
If you are missing any of these items, contact your dealer. (Your
warranty covers missing items.) Another good idea
is to save the
packing materials in case you want to transport the computer or send
it
in the mail.
Setting up your ATARI Computer system is easy. All you need is a
television set
and a screwdriver. Your ATARI 130XE can be connected to
an ordinary black-and-white or color television, or you can buy a computer
monitor
to use solely as a display screen.
To connect the computer to a monitor, follow the installation
instructions that come with the monitor. You will need a connecting
cable (usually supplied with the monitor) to attach the monitor to the
ATARI 130XE Monitor jack on the back of your computer.
If you are going to use a television as a display screen, locate the TV
Switch Bo x and the TV Video Cahle. The Switch Bo x attaches directly to
your television, but it will not interfere with normal television reception.
With the sliding switch
in the COMPUTER position, your television will
display signals from your
ATARI 130X E. In the TV position, signals
come from your television antenna.
INSTALLING THE TV SWITCH BOX
How you install the Switch Bo x will depend on the kind of antenna
connection that you have. There are two types of connections: a
round, 75-0HM connection and a flat, 300-
0HM twin-lead connection.
Follow the steps below for either type of antenna connection:
1. Disconnect your present VH F antenna or your cable TV line from
the terminals
on the back of your television. If the antenna cable is the
75-0HM round variety with a screw-on connector, attach it to a
5

75-0HM to 300-0HM adapter and then attach the adapter to the screw
terminals
on the bottom of the TV Switch Box. (You can purchase the
adapter at a video or television store.)
COMPUTER
COMPUTER
~ CONro[f: I------.L=
~ VHF
TV
CONNECT TO AHT[NNA
If the antenna cable is a flat twin-lead 300-0HM cable, attach it to the
screw terminals on the bottom of the
TV Switch Box.
COMPUTER
COMPUTER
~ CONTNO[f) I----~~
~ VHF
TV
CONNECT TO AHT[NNA
2. If your television has a threaded VHF connection, attach a threaded
VH F adapter to the twin-lead cable labeled Connect to TV VH F at the
side of the Switch Box and attach it to your television.
(The adapter
should be supplied with your television; if not, you can buy one at a
video or television store.)
COMPUTER
COMPUTER
Adapter
6
UHF
<S><S>
TeleVISion

If your television has two VHF screw terminals, attach the twin-lead
cable labeled Connect to
TV VHF at the side of the Switch Box directly
to the VH F terminals on your television.
UHF
~~
Tel ev ision
VHF
~~
COMPUTER
-0
COMPUTER
~
CONNECI
10" .... -- __ ..1
VHF
TV
Note: If the terminal connections on your television are different from
those shown, refer to the television manual or contact a service center.
3. Remove the cover trom the adhesive square on the back of the
Switch Box and secure the Switch Box to the back of the television.
CONNECTING THE COMPUTER TO THE TV SWITCH BOX
4. Plug one end of the TV Video Cable into the COMPUTER connection
on the TV Switch Box and the other end into the Television jack on
your computer. Move the sliding switch on the TV Switch Bo x to the
COMPUTER position.
TV Video Cable
Tel evision
TV Sw it ch Box
AC '~ e , S o""'y I C':') I
-- - ......... -=~6
7

5. With the power switch on the computer in the off position, insert the
round plug of the
AC adapter into the Power jack on your computer.
Plug the other end into an electrical outlet.
6. Turn on your television and select channel 2 or 3, whichever is
weaker in your area. Set the Channel switch on the back of your com-
puter to the same channel. Turn
on the power switch of your com-
puter.
In a few seconds you will see the word READY.
REtlDV
•
The Ready prompt tells you that ATARI BASIC is ready for your instruc-
tions and that your computer
is hooked up properly. If the Ready prompt
does not show
up on your screen, try adjust ing your television picture
controls. (For more information, see Appendix E: Troubleshooting.)
When you leave your computer
on for more than nine minutes without
using the keyboard, the computer will start changing colors to protect
the television from
"co lor burn." Whenever you turn your computer
off, wait a moment before turning it
on again.
CARING FOR YOUR ATARI 130XE
• Wipe off dust with a moist, lint-free cloth.
• Do not use household solvents or cleansers on the computer.
• Keep liquids away from the work area.
• Avoid smoking near the computer.
• Don't move the computer more than is necessary.
8

Checking It Out
When you turn on your ATARI 130XE, it automatically tests itself. But
you can run three separate tests just to insure that your computer
is
working properly. Running all three tests after setting up your com-
puter for the first time is recommended. To run the tests, turn the
computer on while you a re holding down the ~ key. You may
also get to the test program by typing BYE when ATARI BASIC gives
the Ready prompt. (If you have a disk drive hooked up to your com-
puter, make sure it is turned off when you run the Self Test.)
A Self-Test menu will appear on the screen. Like a restaurant menu,
this menu offers a choice of selections: MEMORY
TEST , AUDIO-
VISUAL TEST, KEYBOARD TEST , and ALL TESTS. Press I Select 1 to
choose a test, then press IStart I.Press IHelp I at any time to return to
the Self-Test menu. When you select ALL TESTS, the computer runs
all three tests for you. The tests repeat until you press the ~ key.
Press IReset I to stop the tests and return to
ATARI BASIC.
SELF TEST
MEMORY
AUDIO-VISUAL
KEYBOARD
ALL TESTS
~., iiIEill 0 R IlIE31
MEMORY TEST
This test checks Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access
Memory (RAM). ROM is noneraseable memory containing'the com-
puter's operating system.
RAM is the memory for the programs that
you use or write yourself.
9

The Memory Test works a little like a stoplight. Two bars appear on
the screen when the ROM is tested. If the bars turn green, the ROM is
okay, and you may proceed. Red means stop; the ROM is out of order,
and
you must contact your ATARI retailer.
MEMORY TEST
ROM
RAM
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
1111111111111111
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
~ OR I:§!Ii1 TO EKIT
During the RAM test, 48 kiloby te s (K) of RAM are tested. Each of the
48 small squares represents one K of RAM . If a square turns white,
then green, the corresponding section is good. If a square turns red,
the
RAM section is not working.
Note: If you enter the test program from ATARI BASIC by typing BYE ,
you'll get
40 small squares during the Memory Test, not 48. ATARI
BASIC takes up the other 8K of RAM .
AUDIO·VISUAL TES T
The Audio-Visual Test checks the four programmable sound voices
and the color and graphics capabilities. A musical staff and treble clef
appear on the screen above the number of the .voice being tested. Six
notes are played and displayed on your screen. The six notes repeat
once for each of the four voices.
AUDIO-VISUAL
TEST
VOICE n
1.
If a voice number appears but you don't hear music, that voice is not
working properly. Make sure that the volume
on your television is
turned up . If you are using a monitor, make sure the audio cable on
the monitor is firmly attached.
The colors displayed
on the screen should be consistent during each
test. 10

THE KEYBOARD TEST
When you sel ect this test, you wo rk with two keyboards -the one
under your fingertips and a test keyboard on the sc
re en. When you
press a ke
y, a correspond in g key on the sc reen flashes in in verse
video
(a blue character on a white background), and a note sounds.
The space bar and special-function keys are already in
in verse v id eo,
so pressing any of them cha
ng es the matching key on the screen to
normal v id eo. The []lillj] and IControl Ikeys flash only when they are
pressed simultaneously with another key.
KEYBOARD TEST
m IHI m iI IHl tl [lHil ill
~ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ~ 0' ( > ~
m IlWERTVUIOp -= rn
DASI>FGH-lKL;+*C!l
II1!llI Z Mev B N H, . / II1!llI
'"1:r·I!1_;r.l ; ~
~ OR ~ TO EMIT
Look at the keys on th e top row of the test screen keyboard. Each key
except the 4 numbered keys represents a key on your keyboard.
Reading
from left to right, the keys in the top row include IReset I, []!illIJ ,
ISelect I,IOption I. four numbered keys, ~, In verse Video, and IBreak I.
There are two keys that do not fl ash or sound and that terminate the
test when they are pressed:
~ returns you to the Self-Test menu;
I Reset 1 returns you t () BASIC. Th e I Break 1 key does not function in the
Se lf Test and evokes no response when pressed. If any key, except
the I Break 1 ke
y, does not flash on the screen when you press a key,
the key is not work
in g
In addition to the optional Se lf Test, your ATARI 130XE automatically
tests itself each time you turn the co mputer on. If the computer's
circuits fail the test, your scree n will display the words MEMORY
TEST, along with red and green squares and rectangles. As long as
you experi
ence trouble-free operation, running the Self Test every few
months should be sufficient.
LOADING SOFTWARE CARTRIDGES
To load a software program that you have purchased, make sure that
the
computer is turned off, hold the cartr idge so that the label is
facing up, push the
cartridge firmly into the Cartridge slot on the back
of the computer, and turn on the
computer. If you have already been
using another so
ftwar e program, turn off the computer, remove the
first
cartridge , insert the new cartr idg e, wait several seconds, and turn
on the
computer again. (For more information about software
cartridges, see Using Software.)
11

If you don't want to use ATARI BASIC (the programming language that
is built into your ATARI 130XE), you can temporarily disable the
language in several ways: plug in a software cartridge; hold down the
IOptionl key when you turn on the computer; type BYE to exit to the
Self Test; or, if the computer is connected to a disk drive, type DOS to
activate the Disk Operating System. (For more details, see Exploring
ATARI BASIC.)
12

Understanding Your Keyboard
Although the ATARI 130XE keyboard looks and works much like a
typewriter, some special keys allow you to reach into a bag of special
editing tricks. Some of the keys, like IShift Iand IControl I,are used in
combination with other keys. These double-key combinations provide
extra commands and functions without increasing the size of the
keyboard.
/..4..ATARI
130XE/
The following general descriptions explain the special keys and how
they are used. Because the function of a key may change from one
program to another, it is important to consult the manual that accom-
panies each program you use. For a detailed description of how the
keyboard functions with built-in ATARI BASIC, see the chapter Editing
with the ATARI 130XE Keyboard
in Part 2: Programming with ATARI
BASIC.
13

Gives you instructions in some
programs wh
en you need help.
/start/
Usually tells the computer to
begin running a game or a pro-
gram. Consult the software
manual.
/selec/
Often used to select one of
several applications within a
program. Because its function
varies, consult the software
manual.
/OPtiO"/
Temporarily disables BASIC when
pressed
as the computer is turned
on. In some programs, chooses
among program variation
s.
/Rese/
Stops the computer in the middle
of an activity and returns the pr o-
gram to the opening screen.
Pre ssing IReset Iproduces the
same effect
as turni ng the com-
puter off and
on again-with two
exceptions. First,
in most pro-
grams
@set Iwi ll not erase the
computer's
RAM memory, where-
as turning the computer off and
on will. And second, use of the
IReset I key will save wear and
tear
on the power supply and the
on/off switch.
Varies from program to program
but is often used to go (escape)
from one menu to another.
Delete
Bk Sp
In most programs, including
ATARI BASIC, deletes (erases)
the character to the left of the
cursor and moves the cursor
one space to the left. Does not
close up the space caused by
the deletion.
Usually interrupts whatever
function the computer is doing.
Refer to individual program in-
structions.
14