I got myself a CPC464 and a color monitor

[protek]

My workmate said the other day that he got an old Amstrad CPC464 that he hasn't used for some time and he was planning to throw it away. I offered to buy it from him and here it is, with the CTM640 color monitor.





It is in really nice visual condition save for the missing Esc key. The counter reset isn't working but otherwise it's functioning all right. I tried loading the Breaking Baud demo, but I probably need to record it again at higher level.


The color monitor itself is really a great find! I've only had a GT65 for my CPC6128. It doesn't have the 12V output but I have 5VCPC in my 6128. Not sure, though, if the monitor's 5V output has enough oomp for the 6128 with 5VCPC, Mother X4, X-mem and X-mass.


If anyone has a spare Esc key they'd be willing to sell, please send me a PM.

[Shaun M. Neary]

I tried loading the Breaking Baud demo, but I probably need to record it again at higher level.

That's a tall key model, the keyboard is mechanical as opposed to springs and a membrane. I have one as well and I couldn't get Breaking Baud to load on it. I did however get it to load on my second 464 which was springs and membrane. Could be my recording as well though.

The color monitor itself is really a great find! I've only had a GT65 for my CPC6128. It doesn't have the 12V output but I have 5VCPC in my 6128. Not sure, though, if the monitor's 5V output has enough oomp for the 6128 with 5VCPC, Mother X4, X-mem and X-mass. If anyone has a spare Esc key they'd be willing to sell, please send me a PM.

It should be fine if you're not using the disk drive, as that's what used the 12v. Because the 464 didn't have a disk drive, there was no requirement for the 12v into the monitor.

[protek]

It should be fine if you're not using the disk drive, as that's what used the 12v. Because the 464 didn't have a disk drive, there was no requirement for the 12v into the monitor.

Bryce's 5VCPC enables me to power the 6128 with just 5V and still use the disk drive. But does the CTM640's power supply produce enough amps for the 6128, its disk drive and the rest of the gadgets? I currently have a 5V 4A PSU for that. Of course, I could use the CTM's 5V to power up my external Gotek drive.

[Bryce]

From what I can remember, it was borderline. Some people said they could use the 5VCPC with a GT640, others said it caused problems (reboot when accessing disks).

Bryce.

[protek]

^Looking from the back, the CTM640 outputs 5V at 2A, so it's definitely borderline.

[Bryce]

Yes, but it's an analogue PSU which usually has some overhead, whereas modern switched mode PSU's just barely manage the amps on the label.

Bryce.

[protek]

Is the stem used in the tall keys type CPCs the same as is used in the Cherry MX keys or is it just similar and the dimensions do not match?

[protek]

One question regarding the 464's floppy drive connector, it is essentially the expansion connector, right?


Another question regarding the aux input jack mod, I've seen it used for loading games, but if you want to use the 464's own datasette to record external sources, does the cable need to be soldered onto another point?

[Bryce]

The expansion port on the back of a 464 is exactly the same pinout and function as the 6128 expansion port.

Yes, if you want to record using the internal tapedeck you would need to connect to a different point.

Bryce.

[protek]

The expansion port on the back of a 464 is exactly the same pinout and function as the 6128 expansion port.

Yes, if you want to record using the internal tapedeck you would need to connect to a different point.

Bryce.

Thanks for that info! Trying to get anything that's not pre-recorded to load on the in-built datasette sure is challenging. Have I understood correctly that the volume control of the CPC464 affects how the programs load from tape, and it may not be the highest volume setting that is the sweet spot?


I'm beginning to think that my Sony TCM-939 just can't cut it when it comes to data recordings. The model is, to my understanding, the last of the line from the early 2000s. Maybe the components no longer are good enough for the job. I probably should build an audio interface for my C1530. I've never had any issues with those.


I tried also connecting the X-mem and X-mass via Mother-X4 onto the 464. I could not boot into the 80 column mode that is the default nor load SymbOS from the ROM even though I had switched to 464 mode. With my 6128, it works without a hitch. Insufficient power, perhaps?


Are there any other options besides different revisions of DDI for the CPC464 in regards of mass storage?

[Bryce]

The volume control has no effect on loading, it only controls the speaker volume.

Have you cleaned the 50way expansion connector and power socket on the 464?

Bryce.

[protek]

I did clean the card edge connectors with IPA. They had some dust on them, but otherwise they are in pretty good nick. It didn't occur to me to do the same to the DC connector, though.

[protek]

The X-mem works with the external power connected. Still not sure why X-mass will work only when powered via the expansion bus, though.


EDIT: I sprayed some contact cleaner into the DC jack and the 464 now boots with both X-mem and X-mass without external power connected to the Mother X4.

[Bryce]

Problem solved. You had voltage drop on the socket.

Bryce.

[protek]

About the missing Esc keycap... The stem looks like a Cherry MX stem, but I gather it's not the same as a Cherry MX cap wouldn't go onto the stem. I'll probably look into trying to model the keycap with Fusion 360. 

[protek]

The keyboard is now complete, thanks to xesrjb! He had an extra Esc key that I purchased from him.


As you can see, it is a Schneider version, but besides the color, it fits perfectly and gets the job done.