Another 1st time Amstrad owner and new to the CPCwiki forum

Started by markjw, 10:20, 24 December 19

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markjw

Hi All,

Got my first Amstrad computer last week, a CPC6128 with a CTM644 monitor (actually 2 of each) and was recommended this site by 1024MAK over at stardot.org.uk and an invite from Gryzor on there as well.

Started my computer life off in the early 80s with a ZX81, then moved on to a BBC Micro followed by a Spectrum 128K (the toastrack) & Commodore 128 before joining the 16-bit era with an Atari 520STFM. Also picked up an Acorn Atom at some point during that time which I still have along with the 520STM & 128

Been building a collection of machines over the last few years as I like the older machines and what could be got out of them with their limited resources. Currently the collection stands at:
Amstrad CPC6128 (x2)
Sinclair ZX80, ZX81, Spectrum 48K, Spectrum 48+, Spectrum 128+2
Atari 800, 800XL, 520STFM, 520STe
Apple IIe
Acorn Atom, BBC Model B (x2)
Commodore 64C, 128, Amiga 500, Amiga 1200

Unfortunately not all the machines are fully functional so I have some repairs to do - the IIe has a bad RAM chip, the 64C looks to have a bad CIA2 and my original 520STFM has a very dead power supply.

Not tested the 6128 machines yet - they came with 2 spare 3" drives but I'm not sure the which drives are the originals and which are not (one of the spares says 12V on the motor, the other 5V), however they were seen to boot to the BASIC prompt but were sold as having the drives not working.

Mark

VincentGR


mr_lou



SharkusMaximus

Welcome aboard! I think you're gonna like it here!

markjw

thanks to everyone for the welcome - finally had a chance to power up the two 6128s and there is good and bad news


Good news is they both do power up OK to the BASIC prompt and respond to the keyboard


Bad news is both believe the space bar is being pressed on power up and the cursor moves across the screen constantly (stops if you press a key) - worse news is none of the four 3" drives are in working order - 1 appears totally dead (no motor, no LED) and of the other three, two of them have broken belts (one is an EME-156, the other an EME-157) and I'm guessing the third is the same (need to desolder the ground wire to get it out of the case to look). The three drives that do power up are also very noisy (is this standard?)


Mark

Gryzor

Well, the belts are easy to replace as you probably already know. The space bar may be more tricky, but as easy as cleaning the membrane perhaps. As for the noise... They're usually not Amiga-loud, but they do make noise!

Oh, and welcome 🙂

markjw

Quote from: Gryzor on 13:00, 28 December 19
Well, the belts are easy to replace as you probably already know. The space bar may be more tricky, but as easy as cleaning the membrane perhaps. As for the noise... They're usually not Amiga-loud, but they do make noise!

Oh, and welcome


thanks Gryzor - pulled the keyboard on one apart and there was dirt and fluff in there - seems OK now after a good clean. Also found the PCB edge connectors needed a good clean (used an alcohol wipe on one and it was filthy) so going to give both 6128 systems a complete strip down and a good clean at some point.


Dataserve Retro is closed until the new year so going to have to wait until he reopens before I can order some belts (need some Spectrum 128K+2 parts from him as well) - also going to need to get some isopropyl alcohol as the belts have turned to black goo (left me with nasty mess on the capstan wheels to remove)

Gryzor

Glad you resolved that so easily 🙂

When you change the belts pay special attention to the write protect pins, reeeally easy to lose!

Is Dataserve Retro a good source? I seem to recall a discussion here but maybe I'm won't...

markjw

Quote from: Gryzor on 20:06, 29 December 19
Is Dataserve Retro a good source? I seem to recall a discussion here but maybe I'm won't...


I've not used them before, but seen them mentioned on other forums - also they seem to be the only ones that stock all the bits I need to order up currently (got a few repairs outstanding)

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