Atari 8-bit Software - Atari Self Test

This is a video of the 8-bit Atari Self Test.

When Atari released its XL line of 8-bit computers, they introduced a diagnostic tool built into the system's ROM. This diagnostic tool, which Atari named "Self Test," performed automated tests on the system's memory (both the ROM and RAM), keyboard, and audio/video functionality. Atari continued to include Self Test in all subsequent 8-bit computers.

The "Memory" and "Audio-Visual" tests worked the same regardless of whether they were selected individually or run as a part of the "All Tests" option, but the "Keyboard" test functioned differently. When selected from the menu, the keyboard test acknowledged any key the user pressed, but when run as a part of "All Tests," the system tested just a few random keys.

This video captures an Atari 130XE system running through the "All Tests" option. Although it may not be very exciting, it should be familiar to many 8-bit Atari owners.

Ran on an Atari 130XE and recorded through a TV Capture Card.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• atari
• self
• test
• diagnostic
• memory
• audio
• video
• visual
• keyboard
• all
• tests
• 8-bit
• 400
• 800
• 130
• 1200
• xe
• xl

[RPKGameVids]

Technology at it's finest.

[unothelaw]

i miss my 130xe :-( i want to be 13 again

[FllashLight]

audio-visual test melody - Promenade by M.Mussorgsky ;)

[samthelinuxnoob]

Oh, memories. I had a 600XL back in the day and would just run this on a whim sometimes. ... I was 5, so a lot of things were inordinately fascinating.

[piajeno]

thanks to an Atari computer I decided to be a programmer... THANK YOU ATARI!!!

[m00ph00]

this is a great video to watch when you feel everything in your life is going wrong

[morfes]

Made this many times on my 130xe :)

[pilat1977]

memory,audio-visual,keyboard,a­ll tests ATARYNKA:)

[itsabomberscope]

Love the fart at the beginning!

[odislaw]

i still remember my first feeling when i saw first time those views :)...my first computer ...ehhh memories