Diagnostic Cartridge

Name:	Diagnostic Cartridge
Company:	Atari
Model #:	50008
Programmers:	Unknown
Year:	Unknown
Released?	No
Notes:	Several Diagnostic Cartridge revisions exist

Diagnostic carts are really an oddity.  They're not really prototypes (although they do contain EPROMs), yet they weren't available to the general public (usually only to Atari hardware techs and Atari service centers).  Almost every Atari system from the 2600 to the 7800 had a diagnostic cart, each with several different tests.  Most gamers have little interest and even less use for diagnostic carts, but they are still an important part of Atari history.

Unlike the more well known Atari 5200 diagnostic cart, the 2600 version isn't very user friendly.  In fact without the proper documentation it is almost completely useless.  There are two different types of diagnostic carts known to exist:

Version 2.0

This diagnostic cart performs several hardware checks (RAM, CPU, TIA, RIOT etc.) and if there are any errors it displays the result as a frowny face together with a number that defines the error.  This diagnostic cart works on real hardware, but it fails on emulators which usually display error number 3 (ROM error) or 8 (Collisions).  There are actually nine different error messages that can be displayed:

 If the diagnostic cart actually passes all the tests it will display a nice little Atari Fuji logo with the text  '#30008 Rev 2.0' under it periodically.  The user can then test the status of the various 2600 console switches which will display a 0 or 1 plus a tone when moved.

Version 4.2

This diagnostic cart is very similar to the 5200 version.  It appears to run several video chip tests, which sadly without the manual are a complete mystery to most people.  There are two screens of bars (color and B&W), and two other screens which display rectangles at various spots on the screen.  This diagnostic cart appears to require some sort of special hardware plug to work properly

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