Atari PC5: Difference between revisions
Created Atari PC5 article |
Rewrite and cite: the PC5 shipped 22 Nov 1988, six months BEFORE the PC4; no onboard graphics; no external floppy port; 'PS/2-style expansion slots' removed as unsourced. Recorded the unresolved i386SX/i386DX conflict between sources and the impossible MS-DOS 5.0 attribution. Sources: atari-computermuseum.de, ataripc.net |
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{{Infobox computer | {{Infobox computer | ||
| name | | name = Atari PC5 | ||
| caption = Atari's 386, built around a bought-in AMI mainboard | |||
| caption | | manufacturer = Atari Corporation (final assembly at Atari Taiwan Manufacturing); mainboard by American Megatrends Inc. | ||
| manufacturer = | | type = IBM PC/AT compatible | ||
| type | | release_date = Announced 2 November 1987 (Fall COMDEX '87); shown 14 September 1988 (London); on sale 22 November 1988 | ||
| | |||
| discontinued = 1990 | | discontinued = 1990 | ||
| price | | price = GBP 2,599.99 machine only; GBP 2,799.99 with the PCM124; GBP 2,999.99 with an EGA monitor (November 1988); GBP 1,999.99 (May 1989) | ||
| cpu | | cpu = Intel 386 at 16 MHz (PC5/16-x) or 20 MHz (PC5/20-x) — see the note on SX versus DX below | ||
| memory | | coprocessor = Socket for an Intel 80387 | ||
| storage | | memory = 2 MB (PC5/xx-2) or 4 MB (PC5/xx-4), on a 32-bit memory expansion card | ||
| | | graphics = No onboard graphics; supplied with either a CGA/EGA/Hercules card or a VGA card | ||
| | | storage = 5.25-inch 1.2 MB or 3.5-inch 1.44 MB drive, plus a 60 MB RLL hard disk; two drives maximum | ||
| os | | sound = PC speaker | ||
| predecessor | | expansion = AMI 386 Series-4 mainboard; no onboard memory sockets | ||
| successor | | ports = Keyboard, RS-232, Centronics, monitor on the fitted graphics card. No external floppy port — unique in the range | ||
| os = MS-DOS with Windows/386, or EURIX (a German localisation of Unix System V/386 Release 3.2) | |||
| dimensions = 380 x 150 x 410 mm | |||
| predecessor = [[Atari PC4]] | |||
| successor = Atari ABC 386 | |||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Atari PC5''' is the top of Atari's numbered PC range and its only 386. It was announced at the Fall COMDEX on 2 November 1987, shown at the Personal Computer Show in London on 14 September 1988 and went on sale on '''22 November 1988''' — six months before the [[Atari PC4|PC4]], despite the numbering. A EURIX configuration followed on 25 August 1989. Plans to sell it in the United States were shelved in the spring of 1989. Production ended in 1990, after which the same machine was sold in a different case as the '''ABC 386'''.<ref name="acm5" /> | |||
The | Atari did not design it. The mainboard is an '''American Megatrends (AMI) 386 Series-4''' board bought in from AMI; only final assembly was done by Atari Taiwan Manufacturing.<ref name="acm5" /><ref name="apn" /> | ||
== SX or DX? == | |||
Sources disagree on the processor, and the disagreement matters because it decides what the machine actually is. | |||
* '''ataripc.net''', working from a machine in hand, gives an '''Intel i386DX''' at 16 or 20 MHz, and records that all memory is carried on a '''32-bit memory expansion card''' because the AMI board has no memory sockets of its own.<ref name="apn" /> | |||
* '''atari-computermuseum.de''' gives an '''Intel i386SX''' at the same clocks.<ref name="acm5" /> | |||
* | |||
* | |||
A 386SX has a 16-bit external data bus, so a 32-bit memory card is evidence for the DX reading, but this has not been settled against a board photograph or an AMI datasheet and is recorded here as unresolved. '''Read the part number off the CPU before assuming either.''' | |||
== | == Configuration == | ||
== | * Memory: 2 MB on the 16 MHz machine, 4 MB on the 20 MHz one, all on the expansion card.<ref name="acm5" /><ref name="apn" /> | ||
The | * Graphics: the board has none. Machines left the factory with either a CGA/EGA/Hercules card or a VGA card; ataripc.net records a '''Western Digital VGA Plus 16''' with 256 KB.<ref name="acm5" /><ref name="apn" /> | ||
* Disk: an '''Adaptec ACB-2372B''' floppy/hard disk controller and a '''Kouwell KW-524F''' multi-I/O card are recorded on surviving machines.<ref name="apn" /> | |||
* A 387 socket is provided, and the board will take a 386DX-25.<ref name="apn" /> | |||
* '''There is no external floppy connector''' — the one Atari-specific port every other model in the range carries is absent here.<ref name="acm5" /> | |||
== Operating system == | |||
The alternative to DOS was '''EURIX''', a German localisation of Unix System V/386 Release 3.2, which makes the PC5 the only Atari PC offered with a Unix.<ref name="acm5" /><ref name="apn" /> | |||
The DOS version is reported inconsistently: ataripc.net gives MS-DOS 3.3 with GW-BASIC 3.2 and Windows/386 2.0, while atari-computermuseum.de gives MS-DOS 5.0.<ref name="apn" /><ref name="acm5" /> MS-DOS 5.0 was released in 1991, three years after the machine, so it cannot have been the shipping version in November 1988. | |||
== Servicing notes == | |||
The supply is mains-powered and stores charge after disconnection. Because the board, graphics, disk controller and I/O are all bought-in third-party parts, documentation for them is more likely to be found under the original manufacturers' names than under Atari's. | |||
No capacitor list, schematic or service manual for any Atari PC model is known to be in public circulation. ataripc.net hosts the AMI BIOS user manual but no service documentation; nothing was found on the Internet Archive, on bitsavers or in this wiki's own holdings.<ref name="apn" /> Read values off the parts if you recap one. | |||
== See also == | |||
* [[Atari PC4]] | * [[Atari PC4]] | ||
* [[Atari | * [[Atari PC3]] | ||
* [[Atari PC1]] | * [[Atari PC1]] | ||
== | == References == | ||
<references> | |||
<ref name="acm5">''Atari PC5'', atari-computermuseum.de. Secondary source, used here for the announcement, show and release dates, the shelved US launch, the AMI mainboard and Atari Taiwan assembly, the ABC 386 succession, the 16/20 MHz and 2/4 MB configurations, the absence of onboard graphics and of an external floppy port, the drive options, the dimensions and the UK prices — and for the i386SX and MS-DOS 5.0 readings noted as disputed above. https://www.atari-computermuseum.de/pc5.htm</ref> | |||
<ref name="apn">''Atari PC5 386-16/20'' and its motherboard page, ataripc.net. Secondary source, used here for the i386DX reading, the AMI 386XT Series-4 identification, the 32-bit memory expansion card, the WD VGA Plus 16, the Adaptec ACB-2372B, the Kouwell KW-524F, the 387 socket and 386DX-25 upgrade, the MS-DOS 3.3 / Windows/386 2.0 software set and for what documentation exists. https://www.ataripc.net/pc5-386/</ref> | |||
</references> | |||
{{Navbox-AtariVintageComputers|state=collapsed}} | |||
[[Category:Atari Systems]] | [[Category:Atari Systems]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:48, 23 September 2026
 | |
| Atari's 386, built around a bought-in AMI mainboard | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Atari Corporation (final assembly at Atari Taiwan Manufacturing); mainboard by American Megatrends Inc. |
| Type | IBM PC/AT compatible |
| Released | Announced 2 November 1987 (Fall COMDEX '87); shown 14 September 1988 (London); on sale 22 November 1988 |
| Discontinued | 1990 |
| Intro price | GBP 2,599.99 machine only; GBP 2,799.99 with the PCM124; GBP 2,999.99 with an EGA monitor (November 1988); GBP 1,999.99 (May 1989) |
| CPU | Intel 386 at 16 MHz (PC5/16-x) or 20 MHz (PC5/20-x) — see the note on SX versus DX below |
| Memory | 2 MB (PC5/xx-2) or 4 MB (PC5/xx-4), on a 32-bit memory expansion card |
| Storage | 5.25-inch 1.2 MB or 3.5-inch 1.44 MB drive, plus a 60 MB RLL hard disk; two drives maximum |
| Display | — |
| Sound | PC speaker |
| Graphics | No onboard graphics; supplied with either a CGA/EGA/Hercules card or a VGA card |
| FPU / coprocessor | Socket for an Intel 80387 |
| Ports / interface | Keyboard, RS-232, Centronics, monitor on the fitted graphics card. No external floppy port — unique in the range |
| Expansion | AMI 386 Series-4 mainboard; no onboard memory sockets |
| Dimensions | 380 x 150 x 410 mm |
| OS / Firmware | MS-DOS with Windows/386, or EURIX (a German localisation of Unix System V/386 Release 3.2) |
| Predecessor | Atari PC4 |
| Successor | Atari ABC 386 |
The Atari PC5 is the top of Atari's numbered PC range and its only 386. It was announced at the Fall COMDEX on 2 November 1987, shown at the Personal Computer Show in London on 14 September 1988 and went on sale on 22 November 1988 — six months before the PC4, despite the numbering. A EURIX configuration followed on 25 August 1989. Plans to sell it in the United States were shelved in the spring of 1989. Production ended in 1990, after which the same machine was sold in a different case as the ABC 386.[1]
Atari did not design it. The mainboard is an American Megatrends (AMI) 386 Series-4 board bought in from AMI; only final assembly was done by Atari Taiwan Manufacturing.[1][2]
SX or DX?
[edit | edit source]Sources disagree on the processor, and the disagreement matters because it decides what the machine actually is.
- ataripc.net, working from a machine in hand, gives an Intel i386DX at 16 or 20 MHz, and records that all memory is carried on a 32-bit memory expansion card because the AMI board has no memory sockets of its own.[2]
- atari-computermuseum.de gives an Intel i386SX at the same clocks.[1]
A 386SX has a 16-bit external data bus, so a 32-bit memory card is evidence for the DX reading, but this has not been settled against a board photograph or an AMI datasheet and is recorded here as unresolved. Read the part number off the CPU before assuming either.
Configuration
[edit | edit source]- Memory: 2 MB on the 16 MHz machine, 4 MB on the 20 MHz one, all on the expansion card.[1][2]
- Graphics: the board has none. Machines left the factory with either a CGA/EGA/Hercules card or a VGA card; ataripc.net records a Western Digital VGA Plus 16 with 256 KB.[1][2]
- Disk: an Adaptec ACB-2372B floppy/hard disk controller and a Kouwell KW-524F multi-I/O card are recorded on surviving machines.[2]
- A 387 socket is provided, and the board will take a 386DX-25.[2]
- There is no external floppy connector — the one Atari-specific port every other model in the range carries is absent here.[1]
Operating system
[edit | edit source]The alternative to DOS was EURIX, a German localisation of Unix System V/386 Release 3.2, which makes the PC5 the only Atari PC offered with a Unix.[1][2]
The DOS version is reported inconsistently: ataripc.net gives MS-DOS 3.3 with GW-BASIC 3.2 and Windows/386 2.0, while atari-computermuseum.de gives MS-DOS 5.0.[2][1] MS-DOS 5.0 was released in 1991, three years after the machine, so it cannot have been the shipping version in November 1988.
Servicing notes
[edit | edit source]The supply is mains-powered and stores charge after disconnection. Because the board, graphics, disk controller and I/O are all bought-in third-party parts, documentation for them is more likely to be found under the original manufacturers' names than under Atari's.
No capacitor list, schematic or service manual for any Atari PC model is known to be in public circulation. ataripc.net hosts the AMI BIOS user manual but no service documentation; nothing was found on the Internet Archive, on bitsavers or in this wiki's own holdings.[2] Read values off the parts if you recap one.
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Atari PC5, atari-computermuseum.de. Secondary source, used here for the announcement, show and release dates, the shelved US launch, the AMI mainboard and Atari Taiwan assembly, the ABC 386 succession, the 16/20 MHz and 2/4 MB configurations, the absence of onboard graphics and of an external floppy port, the drive options, the dimensions and the UK prices — and for the i386SX and MS-DOS 5.0 readings noted as disputed above. https://www.atari-computermuseum.de/pc5.htm
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Atari PC5 386-16/20 and its motherboard page, ataripc.net. Secondary source, used here for the i386DX reading, the AMI 386XT Series-4 identification, the 32-bit memory expansion card, the WD VGA Plus 16, the Adaptec ACB-2372B, the Kouwell KW-524F, the 387 socket and 386DX-25 upgrade, the MS-DOS 3.3 / Windows/386 2.0 software set and for what documentation exists. https://www.ataripc.net/pc5-386/