Hi to all! :) New CPC464 owner

[Muzzy011]

Hi to all!

I just want to introduce myself to the CPC community.

I recently got Amstrad CPC464 and Schneider CPC464.

I still haven't tested them, as I am waiting for the video cable. They both are in pretty good shape, standard dirty, nothing excessive, few scuffs here and there, no broken or missing parts/keys. Both have keyboards in very good shape, especially Amstrad. I decided to use a 5V/2A charger that I already have, I know that the original charger is 2.1A, but I think that would be not a problem.

Is there anything I should do before I turn them on for the first time? I will check the motherboard first, visual inspection of chips and electrolytic capacitors, but is there anything else to pay attention?

My first question after I make both CPC's working, is what mass storage solution to use? I saw M4board and looks pretty good, The CPC Dandanator is nice and cheap, but limited to 512Kb. I have ZX Dandanator which is basically the same in functionality but with a daughterboard with a MicroSD card. Is there anything similar for the CPC version? Any other solutions that you can suggest? The idea is convenient and fast loading of software/games on original hardware.

The second question is what mods are nice to do, or recommended? For example, I want to make Casette decks fully functional, but I will avoid using them as much as I can, so I was thinking about a simple Audio IN mod with a simulated PLAY/STOP Button.

In the end, I have to admit that I am a C64 Guy but don't judge me too hard  as my first choice in 1984 was Amstrad (I loved colorful keys), but seems that it was still not on sale in Germany that spring, so my cousin brought my second choice, Breadbin  I lived in Yugoslavia at that time, and no local stores was selling any of the computers whatsoever, so I had to rely on my cousin's judgment

All the best,

Ivan

[McArti0]

DDI-5  or 6

[ZorrO]

If 464 was kept in a wet place, it often has a rusty power switch. Rubber strips in tape recorder need to be replaced every 15 years or so, because they crack. If someone was tinkering with joystick port and connected something strange, they could have damaged the sound system that supports this port, it's look like some characters click itself after turn on. Powering with too much current can damage the RAM. But basically, it's a low-fail computer. If you skip these strips, it won't break down on its own.

You can make mods a sound input to load data from MP3 instead of cassette. But the most convenient thing is to buy a DDI with Gotek that replaces disk drives, with extra RAM and you have full comfort. Best utils and Games and most demos need FDD or Gotek, and 128K.
You don't need it for games, but for some demos, an additional CRTC version may come in handy, it's best to have a switch between version 1 and 0.
And that's basically all. A mouse can be useful for drawing, and a splitter for 2 joysticks for playing with two people. That's it.

[m_dr_m]

Warm Welcome!
For ROM+RAM : The X-Mem from @TotO  is very handy (512k ROM, 512k RAM, which should be sufficient for everybody)
Or: Combo gemini (1 or 2 Mb Ram) + Flashgordon.
For Mass Storage: The albireo is fantastic.

The M4 covers ROM + Mass Storage, as does the Symbiface (with also 2Mb RAM and lot of other stuff). So that's also nice alternatives, depending on your needs.
 

[m_dr_m]

Note: The combo Albireo + Unidos (to be installed in ROM) has the best compatibilty to run softwares.
It will allow you to use uniload, which is the most convenient way to explore the CPC game library!

[Muzzy011]

Thanks for your replies! Now I am even more indecisive about what to get first.  Finally, I got a video cable and checked them both.

All: If I understand right, there are 3 general 'expansion' cards: ROM, RAM, and Mass storage? What is new for me is that I thought that RAM couldn't be added without hardware changes on board itself.

McArti0: DDI-5 and DDI-6 are on the more expensive side, right? Is this the right place if I decide to get it? https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/ddi-5-floppy-interface%2C-ub-emulator-and-512-ram-in-one-36061?lang=en_GB
- What I can see it cover Floppy access and RAM expansion. Does it have ROM, too? Does it mean that with DDI-5 or 6, I can have the 128k RAM needed for demos, etc?

ZorrO: I guess cassette belts will be the first things to replace; plus, I will check all the caps. Amstrad is pretty clean, and Schneider is dirtier but not horrible. All the keys and + power switches are working fine. I still haven't opened either of them. I got a joystick port splitter, so I will test them both really soon. CRTC - Is that additional ROM? or swappable from for 1.0 and 1.1 basic? 

m_dr_m: Is there any solution that covers RAM, ROM, and Mass storage? Is symbiface doing that? 

And now the first problem: Schneider, when powered on, only shows a solid light gray screen without any blips, etc. Where is the best place to check about problems or to post?

[ZorrO]

CRTC is a graphics chip. In CPC there are 3 different versions, in games and utility it doesn't make a difference, but some demos require a specific version. However, for demos more important is to have 128K RAM.

Extra 16K ROM is in DDI and it is necessary to support real or virtual floppies. Other ROMs are only useful for advanced users.

If you going to play with Basic you can change ROM on motherboard to a newer one, but it is not necessary for running software.

[arnoldemu]

Welcome.

best setup includes these two things, you can then add more as you want:

- a ram expansion to get at least 128KB. (advised at least 512KB for more modern software). Many options available.
- a disc interface or mass storage (disc interface can use gotek or similar). Many options available.

Another one to consider that covers this:

Ulifac:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/ulifacusb-mass-storage-wifi-512kb-ram32xrom-board256k-ram16x-rom-board!/

[arnoldemu]

And now the first problem: Schneider, when powered on, only shows a solid light gray screen without any blips, etc. Where is the best place to check about problems or to post?

Please start a new post in 'Technical support - Hardware related'.

[arnoldemu]

One thing I want to point out. All the ram expansions and rom expansions you can buy follow the Amstrad standard.

Any expansion which simulates the disc interface will also allow loading of almost any software and again these all follow the standard disc interface.

If a device is  'mass storage' then you may not be able to use dsk with them and instead use files but thankfully there is quite a large library of these. (see Cngsoft's single files)

Therefore you can buy with confidence and enjoy the CPC software.