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Rewritten against the XE-series Field Service Manual: ROM corrected to 24 KB (16 KB OS + 8 KB BASIC Rev C), not 16 KB as 10+6; power is +5 V through a 7-pin DIN from a brick containing the transformer, bridge and LM78S05 (5 V +/-5%, 1.5 A), no on-board regulator; SIO carries no supply rail; board assemblies CO70025/CA20097/CA200519 named; launch price sourced to Creative Computing March 1985
 
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{{Infobox computer
{{Infobox computer
| name        = Atari 65XE
| name        = Atari 65XE
| image        = [[File:Atari65XE.jpg|250px]]
| image        = [[File:Atari 65XE (photo).jpg|250px]]
| caption      = Atari 65XE Home Computer
| caption      = Atari 65XE home computer
| manufacturer = Atari Corporation
| manufacturer = Atari Corporation
| type        = Home Computer
| type        = Home computer
| release date = 1985
| release date = 1985 (shown at the Winter CES, January 1985)
| discontinued = 1992
| price        = US$100-120 at launch
| price        = US$120 (1985)
| cpu          = MOS Technology 6502C @ 1.79 MHz (NTSC) / 1.77 MHz (PAL)
| cpu          = MOS Technology 6502C @ 1.79 MHz (NTSC) / 1.77 MHz (PAL)
| memory      = 64 KB RAM, 16 KB ROM (BASIC, OS)
| memory      = 64 KB RAM; 24 KB ROM (16 KB operating system + 8 KB Atari BASIC Rev. C)
| storage      = External cassette tape (410/1010), optional 5.25" floppy disk drive (1050/XF551)
| storage      = Cassette (410/1010) or 5.25" floppy disk drive (1050/XF551) over SIO; ROM cartridge
| display      = 320×192 pixels, 40×24 text, 16 colours (ANTIC/GTIA)
| display      = 40 x 24 text, up to 320 x 192 pixels
| sound        = POKEY: 4 voices, 8-bit, noise, envelope, keyboard scan
| sound        = POKEY: four audio channels
| dimensions  = 34 cm × 24 cm × 7 cm
| os          = Atari XE Operating System; Atari BASIC Rev. C in ROM
| weight      = 1.7 kg
| os          = Atari BASIC (in ROM), Atari OS
| predecessor  = [[Atari 800XL]]
| predecessor  = [[Atari 800XL]]
| successor    = [[Atari 130XE]]
| successor    = [[Atari 130XE]]
| codename    = Sweet-16
| model        = 65XE
| model        = 65XE
| logo        = [[File:Atari XE logo.svg|250px]]
}}
}}


The '''Atari 65XE''' is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Atari Corporation in 1985 as part of the XE ("XL Enhanced") series. It maintained compatibility with the Atari 8-bit family while featuring a redesigned case and revised electronics, targeting the home computing and gaming market during the mid-1980s.
The '''Atari 65XE''' is the 64 KB member of Atari Corporation's XE range, shown at the Winter
Consumer Electronics Show in January 1985 as the cost-reduced replacement for the
[[Atari 800XL]]. Atari's marketing manager described the redesign at the time as "engineering
optimization" - the same machine made cheaper and more reliable through the use of fewer parts -
and priced it at the pre-January 800XL price of '''US$100 to US$120'''.<ref name="creative85">Tim Onosko and John J. Anderson, "Atari strikes back", ''Creative Computing'' Vol. 11 No. 3 (March 1985), p. 59, reproduced at [http://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v11n3/59_Atari_strikes_back_with_.php atarimagazines.com]. Contemporary report of the Winter CES 1985 line-up, written from briefings by Atari marketing manager Brian Kerr; source for the 65XE, 65XEM and XEP prices and the AMY specification quoted here.</ref> Atari stated
that the 65XE was 100% compatible with the 800XL it replaced.<ref name="antic85">Jack Powell, "130XE: How Atari's New 8-Bit Does It", ''Antic'' Vol. 4 No. 3 (July 1985), reproduced at [https://www.atarimagazines.com/v4n3/130XE.html atarimagazines.com]. Atari's first published specification for the 130XE: bank-switching modes, the Enhanced Cartridge Interface signal list, and the 1.2 A at 5 V DC supply requirement.</ref>


== 🧠 Architecture and Processor ==
Atari's field service manual for the XE line covers the 65XE directly: Section 2 carries the
At its core, the 65XE uses the '''MOS Technology 6502C''' microprocessor, a variant of the classic 6502, running at:
schematics and silkscreens for the '''CO70025''', '''CA20097''' and '''CA200519''' 65XE
* '''1.79 MHz''' (NTSC systems)
assemblies alongside the 130XE ones.<ref name="fsm130">Atari, ''130XE Personal Computer Field Service Manual''. Section 1 (theory of operation, chip pin assignments, external power supply schematic and rating, connector pinouts), Section 2 (schematics and silkscreens for all seven XE board assemblies), Section 3 (self test and production-test diagnostic error codes). Despite its title it covers the 65XE, the 800XE and the XE Game System as well. Hosted on this wiki: [[:File:Atari 130XE Field Service Manual.pdf]].</ref>
* '''1.77 MHz''' (PAL systems)


The 6502C coordinates system operations and interfaces with Atari’s custom chips, including ANTIC (video), GTIA (graphics), POKEY (sound and I/O), and PIA (peripherals).
== Architecture and processor ==


== 💾 Memory and Storage ==
The 65XE uses the '''6502C''' at 1.79 MHz (NTSC) or 1.77 MHz (PAL) with the XE chipset:
The Atari 65XE is equipped with:
'''ANTIC''' (display processor, which also controls bus access and RAM refresh), '''GTIA'''
* '''64 KB RAM'''
(colour and luminance generation from ANTIC's bit stream, plus player/missile graphics),
* '''16 KB ROM''', comprising:
'''POKEY''' (audio, SIO control, controller scan and keyboard scan), the '''PIA''' (general
** 10 KB for the operating system (OS)
purpose I/O), '''FREDDIE''' (memory controller, which also generates the clock signal to the
** 6 KB for Atari BASIC (Revision C)
CPU) and the memory management unit '''MMU1''', Atari part '''C061618'''.<ref name="fsm130" />


Storage options include:
The master oscillator is '''14.31818 MHz''' on NTSC machines and '''14.187576 MHz''' on PAL
* '''Cassette tape drive''' (Atari 410/1010)
machines.<ref name="fsm130" />
* '''5.25" floppy disk drive''' (Atari 1050, XF551)
* Cartridge slot for instant program loading


== 🖥️ Display and Graphics ==
== Memory ==
Video output is managed by the '''ANTIC''' and '''GTIA''' chips, providing:
* Resolution up to '''320×192 pixels'''
* Text display: '''40 columns × 24 rows'''
* '''16 colours''' (palette from 256 possible hues/luminances)
* Multiple graphics modes (ANTIC modes 2–15), hardware vertical/horizontal scrolling
* Hardware sprites ("player/missile graphics") for smooth animation


The XE series supports composite and RF video output for connection to TVs and monitors.
* '''64 KB RAM'''. On the CO70025 and CA20097 assemblies this is '''eight 64K x 1 (4164)'''
  DRAMs; on the later CA200519 assembly it is '''two 64K x 4 (4464)''' DRAMs.<ref name="fsm130" />
* '''24 KB ROM''' - a 16K x 8 operating system ROM plus 8 KB of Atari BASIC Rev. C. The
  self-test memory screen represents the ROM as '''two 8 KB bars'''.<ref name="fsm130" />


== 🔊 Sound Capabilities ==
Two operating-system ROM part numbers are documented for the XE line, '''C061598''' and
Audio is generated by the '''POKEY''' chip, offering:
'''C300717'''. The difference is visible in the self test: a board fitted with C300717 shows
* '''4 independent audio channels''' (voices), each 8-bit
'''four extra bars''' for the four 16 KB extended memory banks.<ref name="fsm130" /> On a 65XE those extra
* Programmable frequency, noise, and envelope control
bars have no RAM behind them - the extended banks are a [[Atari 130XE|130XE]] feature.
* Keyboard scanning and serial I/O support
* Capable of complex sound effects and simple music synthesis


== 🎮 Input/Output and Expansion ==
== Display, video output and sound ==
The 65XE provides a range of I/O ports:
* '''Cartridge slot''' – for software and hardware expansions
* '''SIO (Serial Input/Output) port''' – connects to disk drives, printers, modems, and other peripherals
* '''Two joystick ports''' – compatible with Atari-standard controllers
* '''Composite and RF video outputs''' – for TV/monitor connection
* '''Parallel bus''' (internal, not user-accessible) for memory upgrades and peripherals


The XE series dropped the XL’s parallel bus connector, limiting some expansion options compared to earlier models.
Video is produced by ANTIC and GTIA: text up to 40 x 24, bitmap modes up to 320 x 192 pixels,
four players and four missiles with collision detection, and programmable display lists with
hardware fine scrolling.
 
The '''5-pin DIN monitor jack''' carries:<ref name="fsm130" />


== 🔍 PCB Schematics & Service Manual ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:55%;"
|+ '''XE monitor jack pin assignments'''
! Pin !! Signal
|-
| 1 || Monochrome (luminance) video output
|-
| 2 || Ground
|-
| 3 || Audio output
|-
| 4 || Composite video output
|-
| 5 || Colour (chrominance) output
|}
RF output is through a built-in modulator with a channel 2/3 switch; the modulated signal is
1-2 mV into 75 ohms.<ref name="fsm130" />
POKEY provides four audio channels, keyboard scanning, controller scanning and the SIO serial
port.<ref name="fsm130" />
== Input, output and expansion ==
* '''Cartridge slot''' - 30-pin edge connector<ref name="fsm130" />
* '''SIO port''' - 13-pin. Pin 1 clock in, 2 clock out, 3 data into CPU, 4 ground, 5 data out,
  6 ground, 7 command, 8 motor control, 9 proceed, '''10 ready (computer on)''',
  11 audio in (175 mV), '''12 not used''', 13 interrupt<ref name="fsm130" />
* '''Two controller jacks''' - 9-pin D-type; pin 7 is +5 V, pin 8 ground<ref name="fsm130" />
* '''Monitor jack''' - 5-pin DIN
* '''RF output''' with channel 2/3 switch
* '''Power jack''' - 7-pin DIN
{{Warning|The SIO port on the XE machines carries '''no supply rail'''. Pin 10 is a "ready"
signal, not a +5 V output, and pin 12 is not used at all. Instructions to "check the +5 V and
+12 V lines on SIO pins 10 and 12" describe something that does not exist on these
machines.<ref name="fsm130" />}}
The XE range dropped the XL's 50-pin Parallel Bus Interface. Its replacement, the '''Enhanced
Cartridge Interface (ECI)''' - a 14-pin extension sitting behind the 30-pin cartridge connector
- was announced as a '''130XE-only''' feature.<ref name="antic85" /> The later '''CA200519''' board assembly
is shared between the 130XE and the 65XE/800XE, so individual machines vary; check the rear
panel of the actual unit rather than assuming from the model name.<ref name="fsm130" />
== Power ==
The 65XE takes '''+5 V DC through a 7-pin DIN power jack'''. The power jack, the power switch
and the filtering are on the motherboard; everything else is in the external brick, which
contains the step-down transformer (115 V or 230 V AC in, 9 V AC out), a bridge rectifier, an
'''LM78S05''' regulator, a '''4700 uF''' reservoir capacitor and a '''100 uF''' output
capacitor. Atari rates the output at '''5 V +/-5%, 1.5 A maximum'''.<ref name="fsm130" />


The Atari 65XE features a compact mainboard integrating the 6502C CPU, ANTIC, GTIA, POKEY, and RAM/ROM ICs. Service documentation and schematics are essential for repair and restoration.
There is '''no rectifier, bridge or regulator on any XE motherboard'''. Descriptions of the XE
power input as a "5.5 mm / 2.1 mm centre-positive barrel jack" are wrong for every machine in
this range.<ref name="fsm130" />


{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%; text-align:center;"
== Keyboard and self test ==
! style="background-color:#f2f2f2;"| Logic Board
 
! style="background-color:#f2f2f2;"| Schematic Diagrams
The XE keyboard is a full-stroke alphanumeric keyboard with a space bar and five function keys:
'''HELP''', '''START''', '''SELECT''', '''OPTION''' and '''RESET'''.<ref name="fsm130" />
 
* Holding '''OPTION''' while switching on disconnects the internal BASIC, and with no active
  disk drive the '''self test''' runs.<ref name="fsm130" />
* '''HELP''' (or RESET) ends a looping self test and returns to the menu.<ref name="fsm130" />
 
The self test covers memory, audio/visual, keyboard, ports, ROM and RAM, and Atari's production
test cartridge adds a numbered diagnostic error-code table - both are set out on the
[[Atari 65XE Troubleshooting Guide]].
 
== Board assemblies ==
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
|+ '''65XE board assemblies documented by Atari'''
! Assembly !! RAM !! Notes
|-
| '''CO70025''' || 8 x 4164 (64K x 1) || Schematic figure 2-7, silkscreen figure 2-8<ref name="fsm130" />
|-
| '''CA20097''' || 8 x 4164 (64K x 1) || 65XEN; schematic figure 2-9, silkscreen figure 2-8<ref name="fsm130" />
|-
|-
| [[File:Atari65XE_Mainboard.jpg|thumb|center|300px|Atari 65XE Logic Board]]
| '''CA200519''' || 2 x 4464 (64K x 4) || Shared 65XE/800XE assembly; schematic figure 2-11, silkscreen figure 2-12<ref name="fsm130" />
| [[File:Atari65XE_Schematic.png|center|thumb|300px|Atari 65XE Mainboard Schematic]]
|}
|}


*For full service documentation, see the [[Atari 65XE Service Manual]] and [[Atari 8-bit Family Schematics]].*
== Gallery ==


== 📷 Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Atari65XE.jpg|Atari 65XE front view
File:Atari 65XE (photo).jpg|Atari 65XE
File:Atari65XE_rear.jpg|Rear panel with I/O ports
File:Atari65XE rear.jpg|Rear panel
File:Atari65XE_Mainboard.jpg|65XE motherboard (top view)
File:Atari65XE Mainboard.jpg|65XE main board
File:Atari_XE_family.jpg|Atari XE series (65XE, 130XE)
</gallery>
</gallery>


== 🧪 Related Pages ==
== Service documentation ==
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:75%; text-align:center;"
|+ '''Atari 65XE documentation'''
! Main board schematic !! Field service manual
|-
| [[File:ATARI65XE-SCHEMATIC.pdf|center|thumb|Atari 65XE main board schematic]]
| [[File:Atari 130XE Field Service Manual.pdf|center|thumb|XE-series Field Service Manual]]
|}
 
The manual is also available as a page: [[Atari 130XE Field Service Manual]]. Despite its title
it is the service manual for the whole XE range, including this machine.
 
== Related pages ==
 
* [[Atari 65XE General Maintenance]]
* [[Atari 65XE General Maintenance]]
* [[Atari 65XE Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Atari 65XE Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Atari 65XE Keyboard Repair Guide]]
* [[Atari 65XE Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Atari 8-bit Family Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Atari 130XE]]
* [[Atari 8-bit Family Technical Reference]]
* [[Atari 800XE]]
* [[Atari 65XE (Poland)]]


[[Category:Atari 8-bit Computers]]
== References ==
{{Navbox-Atari8bit}}


<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
<references />
 
{{Navbox-AtariVintageComputers}}
 
[[Category:Atari Systems]]
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