How to dismantle a CPC 6128 and replace the drivebelt

[Bryce]

Define tied? Both plugs should be easily removable by levering them gently with a small screwdriver.

Bryce.

[ced64k]

Define tied? Both plugs should be easily removable by levering them gently with a small screwdriver.

Bryce.

I tried the screwdriver way, they are unplugged. Now I have a fully working fdd

[Gryzor]

Anyone have advice to take out these two white plugs ? Because mine are tied and I'm afraid to break the wires :/

The wires are pretty firmly attached. I wouldn't worry about it... Otherwise, a fine set of pliers would do the job?

[protek]

I didn't dare to try get the connectors loose from the circuit board as they were quite tight and didn't come loose with moderate force. Therefore I ended up just loosening the screws, moving the pcb away as much as it was possible with the cables connected and getting the new belt in place with tweezers. It was a good thing that the original belt wasn't snapped so it was easy to remove. There was a snapped rubber band, though and there was residue of that in the motor pulley which requred cleaning.

[steve]

This video shows a 6128+ being dismantled.

[beaker]

I cringed when the cartridge board was pulled out... 

[Shredder11]

Yes so did I!  Some people are just very aggressive and heavy handed with everything;  the same people who fling open car doors and bend the hinges and are usually some of the most stressful and noisy people to be around.   I have always refused to lend anything of mine to people like that.

[Bryce]

This video shows a 6128+ being dismantled.

You spelt the word mishandled wrong!

You don't tear the cartridge riser board off like that, you could end up cracking the mainboard if you are really unlucky.

Bryce.

[retratec]

I can report the 6128 plus is working. If you want I can upload a video of it work to put all your minds at rest.

[Bryce]

That may be the case, but the way the electronics are being mihandled is definitely not recommended and shouldn't be used as an example to others of how to do it.

Bryce.

[retratec]

In what way was I mishandling the electronics apart from pulling off the cartridge riser board with my hand.   Also the video is a teardown not an instructional video. 

[Bryce]

Well call me fussy, but you do a few things that I wouldn't consider best practice. The biggest "no" in my opinion, is that you dismantled the CPC on what looks like a bed or duvet, which could and probably was heavily statically charged. There's no sign of either you or the CPC being earthed. You also then touch some of the IC pins while removing the cartridge port, so there was a very high risk of killing the CPC through static. The rest seems fine, although you also removed the keyboard foil connectors by pulling on one side, you should definitely use two hands, one on each side to do this, or you risk tearing the copper tracks.

Even if the intention of the video wasn't to be instructional, people tend to look at these videos for advice anyway.

Bryce.

[retratec]

Ill have to agree with you on the static front.  I have now got a wooden board to do teardown videos on.

[Bryce]

It's worth investing in a static earthing wrist-strap too, Some 8-bit computer components are very sensitive to static (ZX Spectrum 48K *Cough*).

Bryce.

[retratec]

No I would just us a hammer to open one of them   

[Gryzor]

...or just let it drop from shoulder height?

[beaker]

Monsters the lot of you!!!! 
No, gut them, fill them with foam and send them to the flood hit parts of the UK so they can be used as floatation devices, or fill them with sand and use them in conjunction with sandbags... give the poor things a use again 

[Shredder11]

Come on people, show a little love and respect for one of the all time greatest home computers!  Who knows, maybe the CPC may not have been born if the UK market had not been opened up by the legendary Sir Clive.

[arnoldemu]

Come on people, show a little love and respect for one of the all time greatest home computers!  Who knows, maybe the CPC may not have been born if the UK market had not been opened up by the legendary Sir Clive.

it's the normal playground fights, and that we feel short changed with our games looking like poor spectrum conversions.

I appreciate the spectrum, but love the cpc.

[Bryce]

I also have several Spectrums in my collection, which give me endless hours of single-toned tunes and colour clashing graphics enjoyment

Bryce.

P.s. Eitherway, Gryzors comment about dropping it from shoulder height?? I mean come on! Everybody knows that that only works on the Spectrum +3, the correct way to open a ZX is to slam it in a car door while holding it at 30°.

[beaker]

Everybody knows that that only works on the Spectrum +3, the correct way to open a ZX is to slam it in a car door while holding it at 30°.

Ohhhh, so is that where they got the idea for Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels when Vinnie Jones slammed that blokes head in the door?

[Gryzor]

Are we talking about the ZX or the Spectrum? Because if you try that with the ZX soft plastic will most probably ruin your lock mechanism. Gotta be clear on these things...

[Munchausen]

Finally replaced the belt on one of my CPCs yesterday - wow there was a lot of goo on those wheels!


Loaded up r-type perfectly! Unfortunately, my old CPC discs all seem to be dead though... can't get any to work so far. Some start to load but then crap out half way through. I have many more left to try though...

[robcfg]

Maybe you should try to dump them with a kryoflux controller or other specialized hardware.


Or try another disk drive.


I also managed to recover some defective disk by blowing dust and other particles off the disk.

[Munchausen]

I can't justify the investment in a kryoflux. But I have lots of other 3" drives (5 or so maybe).


The trouble is I don't know which are the double density/double sided PCW ones, as I have 2 PCWs as well, an 8256 and an 8512, and various spare drives and I've lost track of what all the spares are. Does it matter? Will they still work OK in a CPC? Is there a way to tell the difference (maybe I can spot the second head on the double sided drive)?