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Lennart Hennigs edited this page Mar 17, 2022 · 32 revisions

Notes about the Atari Portfolio

I discovered the Atari Portfolio in late 2022. It's a bit late, I know. As of now up-to-date information are hard to find online as quite a few sites have disappeared. Plus, computers and technology have also changed since 1989. Thus, I started to take some notes and look for information online. These are my notes. Maybe they are helpful to you, too.
Enjoy...

L. Hennigs, 03/22

Overview

Atari Portfolio Specs

  • The Atari Portfolio is (one of) the first Palmtop computers.
  • It was sold from 1989 to 1993.
  • The portfolio was described to be the size of a videotape, an unhelpful description for today, as few people remember the size of a video tape.
  • The operating system is described to be MS-DOS 2.11 compatible.
  • It runs on a Intel 80C88 with 4.9152 MHz.
  • Most Atari Portfolios have 128k RAM (onlky the HPC-011 had 512k RAM).
  • It has 256k ROM (with the system and additional applications .such as an text editor, diary, address book, ...).
  • It has an MDA (i.e. monochrome) compatible LCD, with a 240x64 pixels resolution.
  • It can display 40x8 characters.
  • The Portfolio runs on three AA batteries.
  • ...and it's two minutes of movie fame took place in Terminator 2.

The Core Setup

  • To be able to use the Portfolio today, you need...
    • its parallel interface (that's an addon),
    • a proprietary memory card, and ...
    • an power adapter.
  • The parallel interface is the only way to (initally) copy data on the portfolio. Without it, the Portfolio is basically a pretty brick, in the size of a videotape.
  • You need t memory card to store data more permanently, as the Portfolio will lose all data shortly after its batteries die.
  • And the power adapter protects you from data loss (dying batteries) and adds convenience.

Hardware

Memory Cards

  • You need one for backup and more permanent storage.
  • The cards are called BEE Cards or Credit-Card Memory (CCM).
  • They are battery buffered SRAM cards and came in sizes from 32k - 128k.
  • Third party cards went up to 4MB.
  • These are your "external" drives. As the RAM is shown as drive C.
  • There is no way to read a BEE card with modern computers.
  • There used to be a "PC Card Reader", but that came with its own ISA card needs Win 9x and dedicated drivers.
  • But beware: the cards battery dies after six to nine months – thus nothing is permanent on a Portfolio.
  • The battery in the standard cards were: CR-2016.

The Power Adapter

  • When your portfolio's batteries die, you have about 3-5 minutes to attach it to power (or to switch batteries) to keep your data on it.
  • Thus, you need an power adapter.
  • The parallel and serial adapters also consumes a lot of power, another reason to get an power adapter.
  • A non standard power adapter should proide 6V and 1A, with a 2.5mm barrel jack. The tip's polarity: positive, with GND outside.
  • Reversing the polarity will fry your Portfolio.

The Parallel Interface

  • The addon parallel interface is needed to (initally) get data on your portfolio, as it has a built in data transfer programm for the parallel port.
  • The Protocol is described on the PofoWiki (German). It is not really parallel, as it only uses a two data lines.
  • There used to be a DOS programm called FT.COM to transfer data but more modern version is Transfolio (Github) that runs on Windows, Linux and a Raspberry Pi.
  • As parallel (D-SUB 25) ports are kind of rare nowadays But they do allow you to send data.

The Serial Interface

  • The serial interface is also an addon interface.
  • If you want to use it for file transfer you need some terminal program on the Portfolio, as this is not preinstalled.
  • You also need to set up the data connection in the Portfolio's settings (Atari + S → RS-232 Port).

Portfolio & BIOS Versions

HW Model BIOS Version RAM
HPC-003 1.052 128 KB
HPC-004 1.056 128 KB
HPC-005 1.130 128 KB
HPC-006 1.072 128 KB
HPC-007 1.130 128 KB
HPC-008 1.130 128 KB
HPC-009 1.130 128 KB
HPC-010 1.130 128 KB
HPC-011 1.130 512 KB

BIOS Versions

Bios Version Comment
1.052 Some .EXE files cannot be started because of their header. It does not allow internal memory extensions. does not run stable. There were also problem with zero byte files and text files that ended with a CR. Run both PORTDIV.COM and UPDATE.COM.
1.072 Most common and a stable version after you run PORTDIV.COM and UPDATE.COM.
1.130 No known bugs. Problems with INPUT.COM, the path variable did not get set. PGFLIX animations won't stop repeating. Do NOT run PORTDIV.COM and UPDATE.COM.
1.133 Similar to 1.130 but supports multilanguage keyboards.

How To Check your Version

  • Type in VER

Firmware, OS & Software

Known Bugs and Updates

  • There is an UPDATE.COM programm that fixes certain bugs on older firmware versions.
  • There can be three different update program found on the internet. On for 1.04, one for 1.07 and for 1.130.
  • PORTDIV.COM is a programm that prevents the Portfolio from crashing after an "Divide by Zero" error.
  • Call both programms in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.

The CONFIG.SYS

  • You need a CONFIG.SYS on drive C.
  • The CONFIG.SYS needs spefic entries, or the Portfolio will write a random byte to memory on boot – this is called the "ShotGun bug".
  • Recommended CONFIG.SYS: 
    FILES=20
BUFFERS=32
COUNTTRY=049
  • Adjust the country code to your liking.

The AUTOEXEC.BAT

  • The AUTOEXEC.BAT can be on drive C or on drive A (i.e. a memory card)
  • Recommended AUTOEXEC.BAT: 
    @echo off
prompt=$p$g
a:\update
a:\portdiv
cls
app


## The DOS Operating System
*WiP*
- The Portfolio is a slimmed down version of MS-DOS 2.11
- It is compatible vur some files are missing:
    - `SORT.COM`
    - `DEBUG.COM`
- The Portfolio also offers some additional commands such as 
    - `VER` 
    - `OFF` → turns off the display
    - `APP` → shows the main menu (similar to Atari + Z)


## First Steps with the Portfolio
*WiP*
- Put a memory card with a fresh battery in your Portfolio
- Create a `CONFIG.SYS` file on drive C
- Create an `AUTOEXEC.BAT` file on drive A
- Pledge to store all files on drive A, as your Portfolio batteries will eventaull kill your data on drive C
- Get some essential software...
    - `UPDATE` AND `PORTDIV`
    - *WiP*
- ...and upload it to your Portfolio using the parallel interface (or via the serial interface [after some detours](http://palmtop.cosi.com.pl/category/atari-portfolio/)).

- Set up your portfolio (Atari Key + S)
    - Keyboard Sound? (Sounds → Key Click)
    - OS language (Application → Language)
    - Keyboard Language (Application → Keyboard)
- Set `DATE` and `TIME`.
- Remember to backup your data on drive A, too. The battery of your memory card will also run out!
    

## Transfering Data using a Raspberry Pi
- As modern computers don't have a parallel port, data transfer has become the major obstacle for using the Portfolio.
- The simplest way is to use a Raspberry Pi (e.g. a [Zero WH](https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Raspberry-PI-ZeroW-Zero-W/dp/B07C7FHJDX/)), a [DB25 Male Breakout Adapter](https://www.amazon.com/CERRXIAN-Connector-Terminal-Breakout-Plastic/dp/B07JPB3CJR), and a few [male-female breadboard wires](https://www.amazon.com/Elegoo-EL-CP-004-Multicolored-Breadboard-arduino/dp/B01EV70C78/).
- First, install Raspbian Pi Buster Lite (not the current one, Bullseye) and 
- Next, download and complile [Transfolio](http://www.pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=software:vorstellung:exchanges:transfolio) (German) using the following steps:
    ```
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get upgrade
    sudo apt-get install git git-core
    sudo apt install wiringpi=2.50
    git clone https://github.com/skudi/transfolio.git
    cd transfolio
    make rpfolio
    chmod +x rpfolio
    sudo cp rpfolio /usr/local/bin/
    cd 
    sudo rm -r transfolio
    ```

- You now have a *rpfolio* command on the Pi
- Consider [installing Samba](https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/remote-access.html#installing-samba-support) to create a shared network folder on the Pi
- Wire the Raspberry Pi to the DB25 connector
    [Pi Pin](https://pinout.xyz/) | DB Pin
    ---|---
    GPIO 4 | 3
    GND (#9) | 25
    GPIO 17 | 2
    GPIO 27 | 12
    GPIO 22 | 12

- Turn on the Portfolio, enter the *System / Data Transfer / Server* mode and type in `rpfolio` on the Pi to get the help text
- Copy data!


# Links

## Official Manuals
- [Portfolio Manual – 1989](https://archive.org/details/atariportfoliomanual1989)
- [Portfolio Manual – 1998](https://archive.org/details/manual_PORTFOLIO_OM_ATARI_DE/) (German)
- [Portfolio Manual – 1991](https://archive.org/details/AtariPortfolioOwnersManual1991)
- [Parallel Interface](https://archive.org/details/atariportfolioparallelinterfacemanual1989)
- [Serial Interface](https://archive.org/details/atariportfolioserialinterfacemanual1989german) (German)
- [Memory Expander Plus](https://archive.org/details/atariportfoliomemoryexpanderplusmanual1989)
- [Memory Card Manual](https://archive.org/details/atariportfoliomemorycardmanual1989)
- [Chess Card Manual](https://archive.org/details/atariportfoliochesscardmanual1991)
- [Atari Portfolio Technical Reference Guide](https://archive.org/details/atari-portfolio-technical-reference-guide)


## Books 
- [Das große Buch zum Atari Portfolio
](https://archive.org/details/das-grosse-buch-zum-atari-portfolio-data-becker), Michael Müller (German)
- [Das Portfolio Praxis Buch](https://archive.org/details/das-portfolio-praxisbuch-markt-technik), Andreas Grote (German)
- [Portfolio Programmier Praxis](https://archive.org/details/portfolio-programmierpraxis-markt-und-technik), Frank Riemenschneider (German)
- Complete Beginner's Guide to the Atari Portfolio, Barry Thomas
- The Complete Guide to the ATARI Portfolio (English version of the M. Müller book)



## Hardware Mods & Hacks
- [How to Disassemble the Portfolio](http://palmtop.cosi.com.pl/2013/09/28/atari-portfolio-disassembly-guide/)
- LCD Backlight
    - [LCD Backlight Kit](https://www.backlight4you.com/EL-Panels/Backlight-Kits/LED-Backlight-Kit-for-the-ATARI-Portfolio-warm-white::1110.html?language=en) by backlight4you
    - [How-To Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp4umffW8Oo) by SolderGirl
    - [Einschaltverzögerung fürs PoFo-Backlight
](http://www.pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=hardware:diy:display:einschbacklight) (German)
- 512k RAM
    - [PofoWiki](http://pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=hardware:diy:speicher:512kb) (German)
- Zip Drive
    - [PofoWiki](http://www.pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=hardware:3rd:drives:zipdrive) (German)
    - [RetoCosm](https://retrocosm.net/2011/08/23/atari-portfolio-zip-drive/)
- CF Adapter
    - [vlastikd.webz.cz](https://web.archive.org/web/20031020010252/http://vlastikd.webz.cz/atari/cf_pofo/cfkarta_hw.htm)
    - [PofoWiki](http://www.pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=hilfe:tipps:sonstiges:pcdcfadapter&s[]=%2Acf%2A)
    - [Erweiterte Nutzung des Flashspeichers auf dem CF-Adapter (German)
](http://www.pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=hilfe:tipps:sonstiges:pcdcfadapter:koestercfflash) (German)
    - [Atari-Forum](https://forum.atari-home.de/index.php?topic=12866.0) (German)
- [Add Parallel port to serial Interface](http://www.pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=hardware:diy:sonstige:ser_erweiterung) (German)
- An Interface for Portable Battery-Backed RAM | Circuit Cellar Ink Magazine #18 

## Software Downloads
- https://archive.org/details/AtariPortfolio


## Online Sources
- [Atari Portfolio Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AtariPortfolio/)
- [Portfolio Frequently Asked Questions, PORT.FAQ](http://www.blinkenlights.com/classiccmp/portfolio.txt)
- [Das PofoWiki](http://www.pofowiki.de/doku.php?id=start) (German)
- [Atari Forum](https://forum.atari-home.de/index.php?board=39.0) (German)
- [Verein zum Erhalt klassischer Computer e.V. | Forum](https://forum.classic-computing.de/forum/index.php?board/62-st-tt-falcon/) (German)
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