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Percom AT-88 Disk Drive

The Percom AT-88 is an external 5.25-inch disk drive system made for Atari 8-bit computers. Its onboard controller and firmware provide disk functions through the Atari peripheral bus.

Original local schematic of the Percom AT-88 Atari disk drive
ORIGINAL LOCAL SVG // SCHEMATIC, NOT TO SCALE

IDENTIFICATION NOTE: AT-88 configurations and controller/firmware options vary. Use the specific drive's label and manual; do not treat all Percom disk units or optional controller add-ons as identical.

Model specifications

Catalog subcategoryExternal floppy mechanisms
Exact modelPercom AT-88 disk drive system
Drive formatExternal 5.25-inch disk mechanism; exact tracks, density and formatted capacity depend on installed mechanism, controller option and software.
Host interfaceAtari SIO (Serial Input/Output) peripheral bus.
Controller behaviorController and firmware provide Atari-specific disk commands; optional density/controller revisions must be identified from the unit documentation.
Host compatibilityDesigned for Atari 8-bit hosts with a compatible SIO connection and DOS/software that supports the drive's format and command behavior.

Model-specific compatibility checks

  • Confirm the full AT-88 suffix, installed options, ROM and interface connectors; the name alone does not identify every shipped configuration.
  • Use the Atari SIO chain and a compatible host. Do not connect the SIO cable to a standard PC floppy-controller header.
  • Consult the manual before using nonstandard density modes or high-speed software features; firmware revisions may constrain them.

Preservation and service notes

Record configuration switches, firmware labels and installed mechanism before service. Service the drive using the AT-88 manual and the mechanism maker's alignment procedure, not a generic PC calibration assumption.

Retain Atari disk images and acquisition notes separately from any converted filesystem copies. Avoid write operations on original media during compatibility tests.

Manufacturer documentation & sources

  1. Percom Data — AT-88 Disk Drives for the Atari ComputerArchived AT-88 user documentation and operating information.
  2. AtariWiki — Percom AT-88Model-specific reference to AT-88 configuration, commands and compatibility.

For option-dependent behavior, treat the installed controller and firmware as part of the model identification.