So I bought my very first Amstrad CPC 464 over ebay. Unfortunately it doesn't work fully. When I type the tape command is says "Unknown command". I have no idea, wheter it's a hardware or software problem, but I'm thinking a missing connection to the tape unit? SOLVED
New problem: the Tape deck pulls the casette ribbon into the machine. I wonder if I should just make the audio in mod instead of using the tape.
Hi, and welcome to the CPCWiki!
On a 464 you don't need to type |TAPE to use the cassette, unless you have an external disc drive and you switched to it via the |DISC command.
To load a tape just type RUN" or press the CRTL+Small Intro Key, and any other key than ESC to start loading when the "Press play then any key" message appears on the screen.
Feel free to ask anything, the friendly people of the forum will gladly help you.
Cheers,
Rob
Thanks Rob, that solved that problem. Should have read the commands list better. Now that it works however I have a new problem. (I have changed to subject title).
The Tape deck pulls the casette ribbon into the machine. I wonder if I should just make the audio in mod instead of using the tape.
Check that the rubber pinchwheels and pins aren't full of gunk. If they are sticky they will pull the tape out of its cassette.
Bryce.
I have identified the problem. Seems a rubber ring on the little wheel in the middle was in half, therefore not making contact and turning the right spool. That explains why the tape ribbon was going into the machine, as the left spool was pushing the ribbon, but the right spool wasn't pulling.
(http://antilles.dk/rubberring.jpg)
Someone else here on the forum was looking to replace one of these just recently and found a source as far as I can remember.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 09:19, 27 April 18
Someone else here on the forum was looking to replace one of these just recently and found a source as far as I can remember.
I believe it was called an idler tyre? A quick search of the forum shows a few results.
Yeah, I found out its an idler tyre. I lifted on from one of my C64 Datasette's, as it seems to be the exact same tyre. :)
I found these a bloody pain to fit :(
Quote from: Dagger on 15:26, 27 April 18
I found these a bloody pain to fit :(
In general tape parts aren't too hard to find as machines are still being produced. Indeed The Back Office Show found brand new Akai units in his local Asda that have remote sockets on them. Now if these models work it means we may have a brand new source of external CPC tape decks that are basically brand new datacorders for our 664's and 6128's!
I need one of these as well. Or the complete idler arm assembly. So if anyone knows of a source?
Thanks in advance.
Actually I might have found a tyre. Seller is hifiretroaudio on ebay. I've just bought one. I'll fit it when it arrives and let the good folks here know, as they currently have more than one left.