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#1
N
Technical support - Hardware related / Re: Broken motherboard trace c...
Last post by NoMoreGreenScreen - Today at 10:22Good news - I have a fully working CPC464 
(and i dont know what I did)
Yesterday evening I had the machine apart to follow the actions @McArti0 suggested. In doing so i noticed i was straining the keyboard ribbon cables to try and accommodate the open case and room to get my paper clip in. I ended up taking out the ribbon cables out and powering the machine up - except it would power up. I put the ribbon cables back in and this time it powered up and the bank 1 keys are all working, the AY is working, everything (well apart from the pause button on tape deck, but no way am i taking that apart!!)
I dont really know what resolved it - I had removed and reinserted the ribbon connectors multiple times prior and made sure they were bedded in each time so this was no different. Prior to reconnecting, I had ran the multi meter probes in the keyboard connectors (maybe i scraped something off??), i had 'shorted' (but not if you get my drift) pins 13 to 6 with it powered off to practice with the paper clip but that was it.
Irrespective, its working. I retested with powering down and up and all was fine. I don't know if this is permanent but at present as ts working, i wanted to take time to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread with advice; i really appreciate it.
(and i dont know what I did)
Yesterday evening I had the machine apart to follow the actions @McArti0 suggested. In doing so i noticed i was straining the keyboard ribbon cables to try and accommodate the open case and room to get my paper clip in. I ended up taking out the ribbon cables out and powering the machine up - except it would power up. I put the ribbon cables back in and this time it powered up and the bank 1 keys are all working, the AY is working, everything (well apart from the pause button on tape deck, but no way am i taking that apart!!)
I dont really know what resolved it - I had removed and reinserted the ribbon connectors multiple times prior and made sure they were bedded in each time so this was no different. Prior to reconnecting, I had ran the multi meter probes in the keyboard connectors (maybe i scraped something off??), i had 'shorted' (but not if you get my drift) pins 13 to 6 with it powered off to practice with the paper clip but that was it.
Irrespective, its working. I retested with powering down and up and all was fine. I don't know if this is permanent but at present as ts working, i wanted to take time to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread with advice; i really appreciate it.
#2
#3
General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Hi to all! :) New CPC464 o...
Last post by m_dr_m - Today at 00:34Note: 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!
It will allow you to use uniload, which is the most convenient way to explore the CPC game library!
#4
General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Hi to all! :) New CPC464 o...
Last post by m_dr_m - Today at 00:29Warm 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.
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.
#5
General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Hi to all! :) New CPC464 o...
Last post by ZorrO - Yesterday at 23:09If 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.
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.
#6
General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Hi to all! :) New CPC464 o...
Last post by McArti0 - Yesterday at 22:53DDI-5 or 6
#7
Technical support - Hardware related / Re: WIP: internal 512K expansi...
Last post by Prodatron - Yesterday at 22:44That looks fantastic!
#8
M
General Discussion - Introductions / Hi to all! :) New CPC464 owner
Last post by Muzzy011 - Yesterday at 21:49Hi 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
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
#9
Yes, it's really outstanding. Imagine creating all the graphics and soundfx (maybe even copied from somewhere you still have to adapt it.... loooots of time necessary... look at the developing time of BombJack, Sonic, etc.), programming Quigs takes also a lot of effort and by the way, improved an IDE (Quigs) with the experiences out of creating a game, huuuuge effort!!!
By the way, how many expansions exist which enhance the capability of the CPC? Look at all these expansions ( Peripherals - CPCWiki ) which all do this. They change the CPC in one or more way; some are modern, some are old school. Who cares?!
Good old CPC makes it possible.
Quote from: Egg Master on Yesterday at 19:53Of course (also an old discussion), it doesn't feel like a CPC anymore (V9990 / OPL4) .... but.... enhancing the CPC is fun and programming it also.Quote from: St-BeidE(DE/GB) on Yesterday at 19:04Damn... how to tell my wife, I HAVE to buy a V9990It is more easy and affordable to buy a Mister Pi or a Mega Drive to play this game (and many others)
By the way, how many expansions exist which enhance the capability of the CPC? Look at all these expansions ( Peripherals - CPCWiki ) which all do this. They change the CPC in one or more way; some are modern, some are old school. Who cares?!
Good old CPC makes it possible.
#10
Why ? Because I can !
THE BANNOCHBURN LEGACY
The story of Bannochburn Castle is simple, but tragic. In the famed
War of the Clans which ravaged northern Scotland in the closing years
of the 15th Century, the Laird of Bannochburn engaged the services of
Wee Sporran McMerlin, a sorcerer originally in the employ of King
James in the Edinburgh Court. When the bloodthirsty McKinna Clan
joined forces with the equally intemperate McClaren hordes, and
together attacked Bannochburn, the Laird implored McMerlin to envoke a
spell to protect the castle forever...
Converted from 'ere: https://github.com/chaosotter/basic-games/blob/master/games/Tim%20Hartnell's%20Giant%20Book%20of%20Computer%20Games/Bannochburn%20Legacy/classic.bas
THE BANNOCHBURN LEGACY
The story of Bannochburn Castle is simple, but tragic. In the famed
War of the Clans which ravaged northern Scotland in the closing years
of the 15th Century, the Laird of Bannochburn engaged the services of
Wee Sporran McMerlin, a sorcerer originally in the employ of King
James in the Edinburgh Court. When the bloodthirsty McKinna Clan
joined forces with the equally intemperate McClaren hordes, and
together attacked Bannochburn, the Laird implored McMerlin to envoke a
spell to protect the castle forever...
Converted from 'ere: https://github.com/chaosotter/basic-games/blob/master/games/Tim%20Hartnell's%20Giant%20Book%20of%20Computer%20Games/Bannochburn%20Legacy/classic.bas