That being said, I must make known my utter ignorance where this product is concerned. All of the information provided on this page was either taken directly from the box in which Atari placed this 1050 Disk Drive or from those kind individuals who were readily willing to share their knowledge of Atari computers and associated peripherals. My profession being now complete, please read on, you Atari devotees, that you may share that which I have gleaned from those dim and distant fields where glimmers still a few golden kernels of Atari knowledge.

 Features:

• 5½ Floppy Disk Drive
• Single-Sided, Single-Density, 90K, 810 compatible
• Single-Sided, Enhanced-Density
• MFM 40 tracks x 26 sectors/track x 128 bytes/sector = 128K capacity
• 19.2Kbps transfer rate at 288 RPM
• 6507 microprocessor

 NEW DOS POWER:

• This Atari 1050 Disk Drive includes the all new Atari DOS 2.5. We have replaced DOS 3 with the new, enhanced-density DOS 2.5 to give you more storage room on your diskettes.

 FOR NEW ATARI OWNERS:

• The improved DOS 2.5 provides complete compatibility with all DOS 2 software programs available everywhere for your Atari Personal Computer.

 FOR ADVANCED ATARI ENTHUSIASTS:

• The powerful DOS 2.5 includes a unique file program that lets your transfer your DOS 3 data to DOS 2.5 files. There are other special disk utilities including a RamDisk for use with the Atari 130XE Computer.

 Package Includes:

• Atari 1050 Disk Drive for use with Atari 400, 800, all XE and XL Computers
• Serial I/O Cable
• 5¼ DOS 2.5 Master Diskette
• Power Adapter
• Atari DOS 2.5 and 1050 Disk Drive Owner's Manual

 WARNING:

I have been informed by a quite reliable source that prior to removing the data (SIO) cable from the Atari 1050 Disk Drive the power supply must first be unplugged. Apparently, there exists a small, but real danger of damaging printed circuit board components, "U-1" in particular, if the power supply cable is not disconnected before removing the data cable.

 Comments:

A friend, while in the course of conducting his once-in-a-lifetime garage purification, noticed a large cardboard box perched precariously atop the rafters in a darkened, out-of-the-way corner beneath which his wife's vehicle was typically parked. Although loathe to do so, he felt compelled by this rare summons to cleanliness to investigate further the contents of what was obviously a container whose advanced state of decay would soon make free its unseen treasures regardless of his aversion to intrude into that which had long been the exclusive domain of spider and prey. With utmost care he gently dislodged and carried to safety this dust-encrusted, decomposing vault of unknown antiquities, all the while muttering to himself that what lay hidden within was probably no more than those damaged kitchen appliances that he had, many years past, sworn to repair.

With the aid of a broom handle, in the event that all which resided within was not inanimate, he released, ever so slowly, the dank, pungent gases of decades past. Permitting several minutes to elapse while listening intently for the scrape of claw on cardboard or the low growl of awakened predator and feeling somewhat assured that his jugular was in no imminent danger, with gloved hand he revealed fully that which had, overlong, lay secreted.

Alas, neither recognition nor enlightenment were forthcoming. Although bathed fully in the light of that dim bulb which hung overhead (no pun intended, Jonathan), these relics, which for decades had lain enshrouded within a womb woven of darkness and exhaust fumes, stirred no memory, no recollection. Relieved that whatever these objects were they were not those wretched toasters, blenders, and waffle irons which awaited restoration, he was, nevertheless, stricken with a profound sense of disappointment; for they were obviously unworthly of a visit to The Antiques Roadshow.

He was faced with that selfsame dilemma with which we each, all too frequently, are afflicted—trash or treasure. Expediency, in the form of a nearby trash receptacle, beckoned seductively, while the hypnotic lullaby of covetousness' siren's song bade him, “Do not surrender that for which you may rightly claim ownership. A time unforeseen may yet arrive when these mysterious things prove quite useful or, better yet, valuable.” He, however, being a man of sound mind and prudent disposition, and possessed of a nature that is little stirred by either seduction or hypnotism, determined that the only sensible course of action was to deposit his rare find on my doorstep. Hence, our acquisition of the much sought Atari 1050 Disk Drive.

Specifications: 1