I REALLY want one, I have a 6128 already.
I've always liked them, from when I used to look at them ages 5 in Amstrad computer user!
I realise they are worth a fair bit too.
It'd probably be FAR more sensible to find another 6128 though!
Thoughts?
I'm on the same boat! I was able to ignore the 664 until recently, when I found out its keyboard is like the "tall keys" keyboard of the 464, which I absolutely love.
Prices are ridiculous, so I'm hoping someone can jump in on this thread and convince me not to buy one :-)
If you do buy one, then calculate into the price that you will also need to buy a new keyboard membrane from RWAP, because the chances of the membrane being damaged is about 96%.
Oh, and to answer your question: Yes.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 18:06, 19 January 19
If you do buy one, then calculate into the price that you will also need to buy a new keyboard membrane from RWAP, because the chances of the membrane being damaged is about 96%.
Really?? Were the membranes a different system than the 464 or 6128 ones? Because I haven't seen one of those fail yet.
I remember seeing the 664 in comet in staines as a kid and liking the style. My dad bought a 6128 for himself though as we kids had completely commindeared the 464.
Moving to now, buy one if you want, pay your monies, but as you have said practically you already have a better machine.
Quote from: llopis on 18:01, 19 January 19
I'm on the same boat! I was able to ignore the 664 until recently, when I found out its keyboard is like the "tall keys" keyboard of the 464, which I absolutely love.
Prices are ridiculous, so I'm hoping someone can jump in on this thread and convince me not to buy one :-)
Not quite. The 664 has a 6128 style membrane keyboard. Nothing compares to the first tall keyboard on the 464, which had real mechanical switches. For that reason, the 464 tall keyboards don't have any of the problems that 664 and 6128 are suffering from (membrane related).
Quote from: LambdaMikel on 19:11, 19 January 19
Not quite. The 664 has a 6128 style membrane keyboard. Nothing compares to the first tall keyboard on the 464, which had real mechanical switches. For that reason, the 464 tall keyboards don't have any of the problems that 664 and 6128 are suffering from (membrane related).
Aha! OK, you've convinced me the 664 isn't for me then. I was hoping it would be a 464 tall keys with disk. Although I suppose I can always do that with my 464 + DDI interface (and a RAM expansion to boot).
Thanks! :-)
... that should not discourage you from buying one though :)
I love my 664, despite the inferiour keyboard. And you can get replacement membranes from SellMyRetro if it should be necessary.
But it IS pricey for sure.
The 6128 do not suffer to the 664 membrane problem as it is not the same plug system.
- On the 664, you have a kind of "perpendicular lock" that cut the tracks from the first time you insert it.
- On the 6128, you have a "parallel lock" (like on Amiga, ...) that not damage it if you don't bend anything.
Quote from: TotO on 21:45, 19 January 19
The 6128 do not suffer to the 664 membrane problem as it is not the same plug system.
- On the 664, you have a kind of "perpendicular lock" that cut the tracks from the first time you insert it.
- On the 6128, you have a "parallel lock" (like on Amiga, ...) that not damage it if you don't bend anything.
Correct, but I had at least 2 6128 which suffered from membrane problems. So the keyboard is not as reliable as an old style 464 one.
1- I have never seen a 664 without a membrane problem after only 10 years (around 10 systems)
2- I have seen only two 6128 with a membrane problem after 30 years (around 100 systems)
1- around 100% (may be 96% like Bryce said ^^) of 664 have a membrane problem. It is a rare system and a new membrane do not fix that in the time.
2- around 2% (1% by opening it XD) of the 6128 have a membrane problem. It is a common system (they sold a million) and it may be fixed using spare parts.
1- the 664 is not a reliable system looking that
2- the 6128 is a reliable system looking that
The CPC 464 had its problems, the CPC 6128 too... The CPC 664, both and more! :-\
Quote from: TotO on 09:20, 20 January 19
1- I have never seen a 664 without a membrane problem after only 10 years (around 10 systems)
2- I have seen only two 6128 with a membrane problem after 30 years (around 100 systems)
1- around 100% (may be 96% like Bryce said ^^) of 664 have a membrane problem. It is a rare system and a new membrane do not fix that in the time.
2- around 2% (1% by opening it XD) of the 6128 have a membrane problem. It is a common system (they sold a million) and it may be fixed using spare parts.
1- the 664 is not a reliable system looking that
2- the 6128 is a reliable system looking that
The CPC 464 had its problems, the CPC 6128 too... The CPC 664, both and more! :-\
Good statistics, thanks for sharing!
Quote from: TotO on 09:20, 20 January 19
1- I have never seen a 664 without a membrane problem after only 10 years (around 10 systems)
2- I have seen only two 6128 with a membrane problem after 30 years (around 100 systems)
1- around 100% (may be 96% like Bryce said ^^) of 664 have a membrane problem. It is a rare system and a new membrane do not fix that in the time.
2- around 2% (1% by opening it XD) of the 6128 have a membrane problem. It is a common system (they sold a million) and it may be fixed using spare parts.
1- the 664 is not a reliable system looking that
2- the 6128 is a reliable system looking that
The CPC 464 had its problems, the CPC 6128 too... The CPC 664, both and more! :-\
I gave it 96% because the other 4% were the ones where the membrane has already been replaced :D
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 08:41, 21 January 19
I gave it 96% because the other 4% were the ones where the membrane has already been replaced :D
And... Does it work today? ;D
I replaced the membrane in my 664 about three years ago. The computer was never opened and rarely used since then, so I assume it still works. Maybe I should check again?
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 12:13, 21 January 19
I replaced the membrane in my 664 about three years ago. The computer was never opened and rarely used since then, so I assume it still works. Maybe I should check again?
While you do not remove the cardboard box, the cat is not dead! :-\
So it's a Schroedingers membrane? :D
Bryce.
I don't see any other explanation! ;)
Now I'm afraid to check. As long as I don't check, everything could theoretically be ok.
Bryce.
Oups, I'm sorry! ???
If the 664 was not moved a lot (vibrations), it must work again. Just avoid to open it.
With all my hardwares and softwares, it is a perpetual fear when not used since many years. May be I will have better to sell thinks with value to pay my peace!
I just recently ordered some ZX Spectrum Membranes from RWAP, maybe I should have ordered an extra 664 membrane too.
Bryce.
As I remember, the problem is those membrane are carbon made and finally breakable, compared to industrial one.
When it is plugged to the 664 keyboard connector, a cut is done and the connection already start to be week... So, if it work do not remove it else it shoul fail the next time.
Sadly, it is really expensive today to produce a flexible board with this dimensions... May be a day!!! ^^
https://www.breadbox64.com/blog/c64-keyboard-prototype/
https://www.breadbox64.com/blog/the-mechboard64/
For the CPC one would not get enough customers for such project(?)
I have already though about that, but... The keyboard problem is related to a rare CPC (664), so it is not really viable.
Quote from: TotO on 15:05, 21 January 19
I have already though about that, but... The keyboard problem is related to a rare CPC (664), so it is not really viable.
Unless you could do some really clever routing so that the one board would work in all CPC variants?
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 15:09, 21 January 19
Unless you could do some really clever routing so that the one board would work in all CPC variants?
The 464 and 664 key layout look the same, but the connector is not... May be by using two flexible cables for each usage (connected on both side: mainboard PCB <-> new keyboard slim PCB).
I.E. something like that: https://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-AWM-20624-80C-60V-VW-1-12-Pin-0-5-Pitch-FFC-Flexible-Flat-Cable-Lead-for-PCB/183268850528?epid=1984327407
I appear to have been somewhat lucky (so far).
I have three 664's with original keyboard membranes and they all still work just fine.
I had the day off work today, and as I had not had the 664's out in a couple of years thought is was time to see how they were going.
The Schneider 664 was built in the 4th month of 1985, and the two Australian delivered (Awa) 664's were both made in the 5th month of 1985.
Wonder if they will get to 35 years next year, on the original membrane.
Cheers,
Shane
Quote from: 00WReX on 06:45, 22 January 19
I appear to have been somewhat lucky (so far).
I have three 664's with original keyboard membranes and they all still work just fine.
Congratulations! You are destroying all the statistics! :o
Quote from: 00WReX on 06:45, 22 January 19I had the day off work today, and as I had not had the 664's out in a couple of years thought is was time to see how they were going.The Schneider 664 was built in the 4th month of 1985, and the two Australian delivered (Awa) 664's were both made in the 5th month of 1985.Wonder if they will get to 35 years next year, on the original membrane.
The two known mainboards use the same connector, so may be your computers was used with more care. About the 35th birthday...
It should be OK now, while you do not unplug the membranes! ;)
:) I'm very happy to spoil the statistics :D
I have had the 664's since around 2002/2003, so around 10 years before RWAP reproduced them.
I was always tempted to grab one for a spare, but never got around to it.
I did have a scare with my Schneider 664 in 2011 (I think there is a post on the forum somewhere),
but I unplugged and re-plugged the membrane into the connector and it has been fine since.
Cheers,
Shane
EDIT: Here is the post from 2011...
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/scare-with-my-schneider-664-today/
Yes.
The 664 is really massive (bigger than 464) and the keyboard layout is not as ergonomic as the 6128 into his "little" case.
But... The 664 overall design was really amazing and made me dream... Always today! (I have kept one but the membrane goes faulty). It was my first computer choice, but I have finally go for a 6128, because the size and embedded memory for the same price as a 664 + DK' expansion.