Update: 3rd cpc 464 arrived today... (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/general-discussion/3rd-cpc-464-arrived-today/msg58292/#msg58292) page3 #42
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YUK YUK YUK! Just look at how disgusting it is inside and out :o the keys are disgustingly sticky too...
In the process of cleaning it all
Hard to believe this is of similar age to the one I picked up yesterday, which was SO clean I didn't have to clean it at all whatsoever! It looked brand new inside and out!
LOL, that's pretty clean compared to some of the CPCs I've bought! :o
Seriously disgusting
I seem to remember we had proper dust covers, one for the keyboard and one for the monitor, any idea where to get these from?
Nice that the RAM is socketed. Makes repairing a lot easier if they fail.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 22:01, 31 January 13
Nice that the RAM is socketed. Makes repairing a lot easier if they fail.
Bryce.
Aren't all CPCs?
No, most of them were soldered in.
Check out the pictures here: Mainboard Versions - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Mainboard_Versions)
Bryce.
Okay I have two version 1s and one version 2 8)
Even when everything is soldered, CPCs are quite easy to fix if you know what you are doing :) Our CPCs have many happy years ahead of them, unlike other 8Bits that heavily depended on custom ICs.
Bryce.
hey Bryce, have you done any cpc 464 mods or do you only do later model mods? What kind of things have you done?
Most of the expansions I've done will work on the 464: MegaROM, MegaFlash, USB AMX Mouse Adpater, S-Video Output. They all work on a 464.
Bryce.
YUCK! Looks like someone had a bad case of dandruff.
I've once cleaned a keyboard that told me about its previous owner's eating habits. Mostly nuts ...
Should I feel lucky that my newly acquired 1084S smells like nicotine?
Thanks Lynwen, mine doesn't seem so disgusting now :laugh:
Wow, thats the very 1st revision mainboard. Even before they had the MC code on them.
I think these were the only ones with socketed RAM.
My earliest revision 464 board is an MC0001A and that does not have socketed RAM.
Agree with Bryce, the more and more I pay with other 8 bit computers I realise how good & simple the CPC's are.
And not just hardware design, but OS as well.
The most famous of them all is a classic example. The C64 has heaps of custom chips that are very temperamental.
And playing with C64 disk commands is archaic compared to Amsdos.
Attempting to fix a C64 at the moment that has got me stumped. Basically swapped out 90% of the components on the board (and socketed every IC).
Anyway enough of that.
I bet that very dirty 464 of yours still works lynwen...
Cheers,
Shane
under all that filth is a crtc type 0.
somebody has been watching dirty demos?
nice 464 btw. it has the tall keys I assume?
Yes, one of the things that people often moan about (Sugars obsession with cost savings on the CPC) is the main reason why our beloved CPC is so easy to keep alive these days. Look at the others:
C64 custom chips:
Graphics VIC-II chip
Sound: SID chip
CIAs: These weren't strictly custom chips, but also not widely used
Stupid 24 pin ROMs with non-standard pinout - These can be replaced using an adapter though.
Atari XL/XE custom chips:
Graphics: Antic chip
Sound: Pokey chip
Gate Array: Freddie
Amstrad:
Graphics: 6845 - This was used in hundreds of different CGE / EGA graphic cards
Sound: AY-3-8912 - This was used in slot machines, keyboards and many other devices.
Gate array - The only custom chip in the CPC and luckily rarely breaks.
ROMs - Standard 32pin devices
XL/XE are luckily very robust, if anything ever breaks it's usually the RAM. The C64 isn't so lucky. The early SIDs cook themselves, the CIAs break if you look crooked at them (actually they usually die due to static discharges from the expansion ports). The Character ROM was also very fragile and tend to die quite often. Luckily for the C64, they made millions of them, but it still means sacrificing one C64 to save another.
Bryce.
Quote from: 00WReX on 10:05, 01 February 13
Wow, thats the very 1st revision mainboard. Even before they had the MC code on them.
I think these were the only ones with socketed RAM.
Not wishing to hijack the thread but is that what mine is? howdy from an owner of a sick 464 (or a sick monitor...!) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/general-discussion/howdy-from-an-owner-of-a-sick-464-%28or-a-sick-monitor-!%29/)
I had never considered all the different versions, I see on the Wiki there were several. Cool.
1. you found how to embed thumbnails, lynwen! :)
2. oh wow. I've seen coke/coffee spilled in a machine, or an assortment of snacks, but this? Like a carpet you haven't vacuumed in ages? Yikes.
3. typical Bryce! "Oh, look at all this dirt!" "-Hey, those are socketed, the Spectrum is so unreliable and don't get me started on beer". ;)
Urghgh. Those pictures make me feel sick.
Quote from: lynwen on 21:53, 31 January 13
I seem to remember we had proper dust covers, one for the keyboard and one for the monitor, any idea where to get these from?
There was a page of CPC related items for sale somewhere, but I cannot remember what it was called, this page seemed to remain unchanged for years so whether it is still active, I do not know, maybe someone else remembers the name, they listed several cartridges, complete systems and dust covers as well as a lot of software.
Quote from: Gryzor on 11:58, 01 February 13
1. you found how to embed thumbnails, lynwen! :)
I found it before but it just simply didnt work!!!! I have switched to internet explorer which now does it (anywhere I have managed to get thumbnail has been done through IE), however sometimes gives me a message that due to security reasons I need to contact admin if I try to upload more than a couple at a time. Its very frustrating!
Stupid Chrome, it runs really slow too.
Let me test it again, Im using IE now...
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Pictures of my mint cpc 464
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It s working for me today on internet explorer so will stick with this!
Please note that I have NOT cleaned this mint condition 464, its been kept very well for all these years in its original box, no dust or anything, just a little rust on the metal plate for the keyboard! Was so shocked I didnt even have to clean the keys/keyboard!
Notice how the colour on the tape drive is RED!!!!! The other two I have is a faded orange! Also the esc and enter keys are really brightly coloured and not faded
The dirty one is still in pieces, left the keys in washing up bowl full of fairy liquid and warm water.
Quote from: Ciana on 10:26, 01 February 13
Not wishing to hijack the thread but is that what mine is? howdy from an owner of a sick 464 (or a sick monitor...!) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/general-discussion/howdy-from-an-owner-of-a-sick-464-%28or-a-sick-monitor-!%29/)
I had never considered all the different versions, I see on the Wiki there were several. Cool.
That looks the same as mine, a version 1
Mainboard Versions - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Mainboard_Versions#CPC464_version_1_.28original.29)
Board: PT NO Z70100, without any "MCnnnn" code, Copyright 1983
Original version. Real wires going to keyboard.
Found the page that lists dust covers and other things for sale,
TRADE IN POST Amstard 464/6128/464+/6128+ software & Hardware (http://www.tradeinpost.com/amstrad.html)
"Operation clean up" is going well, just have the bottom case and the tape deck to clean now.
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[user]lynwen[/user], thumbnails work in other browsers as well... I've tested it quite extensively with Opera, Chrome and Firefox; never use IE :D The security issue is a known bug with the system, unfortunately nothing much to do except wait and pray for it to be fixed in the next forum version@
Your mint 464 is just beautiful; you should use the third pic as your avatar!
I think the orange colour is not a matter of fading - I think they produced many CPCs with slightly different coloring, as I've seen some in very good condition using orange instead of red. Anyone care to give some feedback?
Your torn-apart unit makes me want to find a non-working one and take the keys, then use them for something... maybe install little magnets and have them on the fridge! If you don't get it back in shape, care selling the keys to me? :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 16:27, 03 February 13
Your mint 464 is just beautiful; you should use the third pic as your avatar!
What dimensions / size do photos need to be to be able to set them as an avatar? It says its too large!
As for the keys aren't they awesome??? I want a normal keyboard to have the same keys - green capslock, shift and tab keys, red esc key and blue enter buttons. So much prettier.
Sorry they are all in working order :-P
Bunnny wanted to nibble tape belt ??? :o
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Lemme check -oooh, a bunny!!!! I'm double jealous now. Quick, send me those keys before he munches on them!
Ok, dimensions are 85x100. Definitely won't allow you to upload a full-size pic :D
2 bunnies, one big, one small, both house bunnies ;D
Bunny started eating my dad's vintage magazines, girlfriend is allergic to cats, fish died, birds make a mess. I'm sitting all alone sucking on my thumb.
How's my new avatar looking?? Why does it say 664 instead of 464?
Your girl cant be allergic to every fluffy creature, bring one home as a present ;)
Looks fine, though you might want to crop it a bit closer as you can see the carpet (?) at the top :)
Nah, she's got the usual allergy, feline saliva, she's ok with other animals, but our options, living in an apartment, are very limited and already exhausted I'm afraid :( (totally off-topic here! :D )
Oh yea, it says 664 because you posted enough messages to go up a group :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 16:44, 03 February 13
I'm sitting all alone sucking on my thumb.
Sometimes Everyone Needs A Hug - YouTube (http://youtu.be/jTEJMUdAtcI)
Awwww =) Ok, feeling better.
Well, it WAS working before I took it apart, cleaned it and greesed the cogs with vassaline...
The power socket needs re soldering as it wabbles and needs to be in a particular position to switch on.
The tape drive no longer plays tapes as if its clogged, oops.
My other cpc which was working apart from the tape counter now needs the power led wires re soldering. Again, oops.
I'm really awful at this :(
I put far too much on ???
Dry joints around the power plug are common, actually. As for the rest, you can always clean the excess solder up! Don't give up!
Soldered the power socked back so its now solid and working. Also re soldered the led power wires back on on both cpcs - I must be pretty rough with them :-[
Cleaned up the tape deck and being as I had a spare new replacement tape belt put that on, though probably didnt need to. Its smaller than the original but that could be because its been stretched?
So, both are back up and running. The counter on the other one seems to be working again weirdly so that one is all fixed. The other is now playing game tapes however the sounds are an octave lower than the same tape on the other cpc
Weird.
Need to do more testing as it failed to load 2 tapes. I am hoping it was the tapes at fault :laugh: Will update later tonight :D
ps My soldering is pretty awful :o , used to be good at it ten years ago
Quote from: Gryzor on 20:40, 09 February 13
Dry joints around the power plug are common, actually. As for the rest, you can always clean the excess solder up! Don't give up!
I was referring to vaseline here not solder but its all cleaned up now
This is a disturbing discussion... :D
But, so nice they're up and running! Hm, can the CPC really read signals at different pitches assuming it's consistent?
Quote from: Gryzor on 20:57, 09 February 13Hm, can the CPC really read signals at different pitches assuming it's consistent?
Indeed. Amstrad's reading routine is very clever and detects the speed of the input file on-the-fly from the leading tone, as is necessary for it to deal with the different SPEED WRITE settings available (which can be expanded beyond the preset two using POKEs/ASM). It also appears to be highly resilient to audibly large levels of vibrato and other distortion, as I can attest from personal experience with an erratically revolving drive that still managed to load a program into BASIC.
BALLS! The keyboard isnt working correctly. Only a handful of keys are working.
So >:( off right now
Vaseline on the connector?
Always Look On The Bright Side of Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ#)
[user]beaker[/user] Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! :P
Cleaned it up and re inserted the membrane twice now, it is a lot better than it was i.e. more keys work, however they only work if you press REALLY hard down on them. And the some numbers along the top dont work at all.
I'm not prepared to clean it a third time, it looks sparkley clean
Any more ideas I am thinking there is a problem with a connector on the membrane somewhere so it only activates if key is pressed down very firmly.
If I type normally on it only a handful of keys respond.
Time to rip it apart and sell the parts for spares yet?
Dry joints on the keyboard connector, perhaps?
How handy are you with a soldering iron?
Quote from: CanonMan on 21:21, 12 February 13
Dry joints on the keyboard connector, perhaps?
How handy are you with a soldering iron?
OK as long as I know what I'm soldering :laugh: which bits could to with re soldering?
Quote from: lynwen on 22:06, 12 February 13
OK as long as I know what I'm soldering :laugh: which bits could to with re soldering?
I'd start with the two socket strips that the keyboard membranes plug into. If you're lucky, that'll fix it. If not, it'll probably be a case of replacing chips.
lynwen - maybe it's a bit early to start scavenging, and I hope you do get it working, but if you do decide to let it go for parts my 464 is in really bad shape, needing a new case and most of the tape drive, so I'd be interested.
Get in line, Munch, I'm getting the keys. But I think the lady's not interested :)
Few things annoy me more than lazy fuckwits who think its acceptable to put up dirty stuff up for sale on ebay and other similar sites. I never bid on such items, here is a current example:
Amstrad CPC 464 with colour monitor, keyboard, games and cables | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amstrad-CPC-464-with-colour-monitor-keyboard-games-and-cables-/281067859033?pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item4170f32c59)
If you want to sell your item then make a fucking effort and CLEAN IT. You can bet if you did, you will get a better price. Theres no excuses whatsoever.
Rant over.
The picture does not really show any dirt, but I agree with you, I have bought several items that I did not even want to touch before I cleaned them. :o
I think it's great when they upload pictures of grubby computers. It keeps the price low :)
Bryce.
Doesn't look bad to me. I can see maybe one or two small marks, nothing to justify a diatribe like that.
There is an excuse, and it's that the person doesn't want to clean it. Possibly they assume that if the buyer cares enough, s/he will do it. Either way, they take the risk, and it's them who might lose money because of it, so I don't know why anyone else would take offence. Is that why you asked to get the 664 for free in the other thread, because it looks a bit stained?
Personally, if I were selling some collectable item that were in less than ideal condition but likely to be cleanable, I would mention that fact – and state that I was leaving that task to the seller as I don't really trust my cleaning skills and wouldn't want to potentially be liable for any mistakes; if the buyer cares enough, they can have full control over, and responsibility for, the process. Nothing to get irate about in that.
Looks pretty clean from the photo :D You sure you linked to the correct auction?
Here I've blown it up for people with small monitors or bad eyesight (or both) ;) ;D
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As you can see I've highlighted the 'V', comma and full stop and the obvious discolouration on the shift, caps lock and tab buttons... I mean, come on seller, show the poor machine a little respect! :D
To be honest, there are a lot of sellers who just want rid of things as quickly as possible, for instance clearing a house after someone's died or making space for a baby room. They don't necessarily even care how much they get for the items, just that it gets shifted soon. Sure, there's a risk it might not sell at all if something's dirty, but they put up a 99p auction and nobody bid, I'd imagine in such a circumstance the computer would just end up in the bin. To me, the fact it's advertised as collection only shows they don't want to spend the time boxing it up and posting it, so it's really not at all expected that they don't want to put in the hours it'd take to clean it properly.
Personally, I'd rather buy something dirty and clean it properly myself than buy something that looks nice and clean only to discover it's been cleaned with something that's slowly reacting with the plastic or whatever.
Quote from: ralferoo on 21:14, 24 February 13To be honest, there are a lot of sellers who just want rid of things as quickly as possible[...] Personally, I'd rather buy something dirty and clean it properly myself than buy something that looks nice and clean only to discover it's been cleaned with something that's slowly reacting with the plastic or whatever.
These were exactly my points. Again, if I were selling something that needed anything more than basic cleaning, I would mention it and defer to the buyer if s/he were to care enough, as I don't have any experience with cleaning things! Better they get to clean it how – or just
if – they see fit, rather than my trying and potentially destroying something in a hilarious tragic way.
Well, still, the discoloration does not necessarily show dirt, does it? Maybe the previous owner even used keys from anther CPC to fix this one hence the difference :)
I get what you are saying, but don't you think its pretty disgusting to have something arrived covered in someone elses shit, with 25 year old crumbs and stuff in the keyboard? Why should I pay for the privilege of having to clean it out myself?
Its not just computers either, I used to collect lego and some of the stuff I bought off ebay was unbelievably disgusting. It just seems people don't have any respect and just want to make money.
When I sell on eBay I always make sure the item is in a condition I would be happy to receive it in, and if its broken or otherwise clearly state. I always have, and always will, clean before selling. Its just common courtesy and respect.
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:20, 25 February 13
Well, still, the discoloration does not necessarily show dirt, does it? Maybe the previous owner even used keys from anther CPC to fix this one hence the difference :)
That's true. The listing mentioned dirt so I assumed those are some of the areas.... It also reminded me a lot of my apple keyboard which is absolutely disgusting :(
Holy shit beaker, clean that keyboard. You could have at least removed the pube for the picture!
Bryce.
LOL^2 :D
Quote from: EgoTrip on 12:25, 25 February 13I get what you are saying, but don't you think its pretty disgusting to have something arrived covered in someone elses shit, with 25 year old crumbs and stuff in the keyboard? Why should I pay for the privilege of having to clean it out myself? [...] When I sell on eBay I always make sure the item is in a condition I would be happy to receive it in, and if its broken or otherwise clearly state. I always have, and always will, clean before selling. Its just common courtesy and respect.
I agree in this sense, sure. My comments were geared towards external surfaces with the kind of staining or whatever that might risk damage if someone rubbish at cleaning like me ;) were to try their hand at it. And that only really applies to vintage stuff. I would definitely do whatever obviously easy cleaning I could, remove caked dirt, and so on. It's the finer details on the finish and things that I wouldn't feel totally confident to do myself.
Still, this is all academic, as I haven't been in this situation, so it's not worth much for me just to say it based upon imagination. I can't disagree with your points, really; I was just suggesting some possible alternative perspectives. Either way, yes, some sellers are just opportunists, and as if that weren't bad enough, some are also minging!
You guys get all fired up over small things don't you :laugh:
Wait till you see us married.
in regards to this topic, I have decided to sell the parts seperately please see post in classifieds.