Hello Everyone!

simondo · 12:41, 15 July 15

Thought I'd join the forum and say hi.

I have owned a CPC464 with green screen from when I was 14 in 1984 and used it through to 1990ish. I then sold it and bought a CPC464 and colour monitor second hand. Used this right up to 1999 for word processing and gaming. In between and after had an Amiga 1200, PSX, Wii and of course PC.

My peripherals consisted of DDI-1 disk drive, Muliface2 and DK'Tronics 64mb RAM expansion, MP3 and a Cheetah 125+ joystick, all of which I still own. Favourite games of my time were flight sims and shoot 'em ups. Spitfire 40, Tomahawk, F16 Combat Pilot, Robocop, UN Squadron and P-47 to name a few.

Got into the emulator screne a few years ago with Caprice32 and Winape. I was able to access all the games I always wanted! What I didn't know, and was pleasantly surprised about, was such a strong scene for using the real thing exists. I know retro gaming is now almost mainstream.

Anyway, this week decided to get the CPC & monitor down from the loft. Unfortunately time has not been kind, and along with several house moves I found that the CTM644 screen image is bowed (a known CRT problem after a period of time) and a keyboard with some dead keys, no doubt the membrane. Good news is that even though I could n't access the | symbol to fire up my DDI-1, I managed to get Spitfire 40 working on tape via the shortcut for run. I was prepared for a flush of nostalgia, but without sounding all american about it, it was quite emotional as other memories flooded back. Something that interacting with the real CPC could only do.

Anyway, I may be able to get monitor repaired if I can find a TV engineer who won't laugh me out of the shop. I am about to press into service my soldering iron to make a scart lead. Got loads of 5v 2A power supplies kicking around. The knackered keyboard is another issue entirely. Perhaps diassembly, gentle clean of membrane and contacts and some conductive paint may do the trick. Failing that I'm going to try to aquire a 6128 as it will make adding a HxC floppy emulator a whole lot easier. May just put the CPC464 on display and let everyone coo over this symbol of 1980's design and colour.

There is no turning back. I WANT and MUST HAVE a proper CPC. Thanks CPCWiki you are now my ultimate time waster!

CraigsBar · 12:55, 15 July 15

Welcome. It sounds like you will fit right in here.

CPC_Fan · 13:06, 15 July 15

Hi and welcome to the forum simondo.

00WReX · 13:47, 15 July 15

Quote from: simondo on 12:41, 15 July 15
Something that interacting with the real CPC could only do.

I agree 100%.
Emulators are great and I would never knock them, but there is nothing quite like the real thing.

Welcome.

P.S. For the keyboard issue, you could first simply try removing and re-inserting the ribbon connectors (x2).
They simply slide in and out...the contacts may have tarnished a little bit over time.

Cheers,
Shane

arnoldemu · 13:48, 15 July 15

Welcome simondo.

CraigsBar · 13:56, 15 July 15

Quote from: 00WReX on 13:47, 15 July 15
I agree 100%.
Emulators are great and I would never knock them, but there is nothing quite like the real thing.

Welcome.

P.S. For the keyboard issue, you could first simply try removing and re-inserting the ribbon connectors (x2).
They simply slide in and out...the contacts may have tarnished a little bit over time.

Cheers,
Shane

I have found one emulator that really cones close... Ace under MorphOS on a Mac mini g4. If you use the original clunky apple keyboard then the feel is right as you type too.

But yes I still prefer to fire up the 464plusplus even if only to run pang or klax.

Craig

simondo · 14:06, 15 July 15

Thanks for warm welcome.

Shane - noted about ribbon connectors, thanks.

Bryce · 14:33, 15 July 15

Welcome. 464 Keyboard Membranes rarely fail, it's usually just dirt that stops some keys, a cleaning should fix it.

Bryce.

simondo · 14:42, 15 July 15

Thanks Bryce. Will give a go.

||C|-|E|| · 15:13, 15 July 15

Hello!

Bryce is very right, it is probably just dirt. It happens a lot with old computers and calculators (or, at least, with many calculators I have restored and quite a lot of computers from flea markets

).

TFM · 20:58, 15 July 15

Hi & Welome! Great avatar. Have fun here.

Try to get a CPC 6128 with X-MEM an HxC as B-drive and you're fine off.

Carnivius · 21:11, 15 July 15

HELL YEAH, UN SQUADRON!!!!

Also welcome!

Devilmarkus · 21:12, 15 July 15

Welcome, Simondo!

Token · 00:33, 16 July 15

Welcome to cpcwiki Simondo!
With a X-MEM MX4 Board it is possible to use a 464 like a 6128. (centpourcent.net) Also there are the SD card HxC hardware or USB Gotek+HxC firmware.
Give a full clean to your 464

simondo · 14:41, 16 July 15

Thank you all for your welcomes and help. I will let you know if/when I get the keyboard sorted. Scart lead soldered & ready to go.

Token - I ordered 6128 40025 32k ROM from Cent Pour Cent, so not far off a 6128 if I get mine working.

simondo · 17:30, 22 July 15

Dusted down back of keyboard and disconnected & reconnected keyboard ribbon cables an all is now good. Thanks everyone

Just leaves a repair to tape counter and identification of a part that fell out of cassette mechanism........

TFM · 17:59, 22 July 15

Quote from: Token on 00:33, 16 July 15
With a X-MEM MX4 Board it is possible to use a 464 like a 6128.

That's not true! The 464 can NOT simulate RAM configuration &C3 - even with the great X-MEM.

Gryzor · 18:38, 17 August 15

Welcome man!

It's always great when one re-discovers he years of glory and doubly great when someone enjoys our community

News:

Hello Everyone!