Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

464Plus Conversion

4,559 bytes added, 11:00, 3 August 2020
/* Adding The New Parts */
Although most of the parts are concentrated around the bottom right area of the PCB, there are a few other parts hidden around the board that need to be added. R28 (Directly behind the analogue joystick port) tells the ASIC that the CPC has 128K instead of 64K. R55 (between the ASIC and first RAM IC) connects the NCAS1 signal to the new RAM. LR04 and C39 (above the 26way floppy header) are required to supply the floppy disk with power. C39 is the only passive component with poles. Make sure that it is soldered in the correct position, with the minus pole towards the rear of the CPC.
 
Amstrad action published some handy maps showing where the relevant components are located. [[Amstrad_Action,_Issue_90,_Mar_1993|Issue ninety]] covers the RAM components, and [[Amstrad_Action,_Issue_91,_Apr_1993|issue ninety-one]] covers the disc components - high(er) quality scans of these sections are shown below (note that the wire link and C99 mentioned in the RAM map doesn't seem to be required) :
 
<gallery caption="RAM and Disc component map">
Image:464plus conversion RAM location.jpg|RAM components
Image:464plus conversion disc location.jpg|Disc components
</gallery>
== Adding The New Parts ==
Althought the new ICs could be soldered directly to the PCB, I chose to use sockets to make any future modifcations or repairs easier. There is more than enough room inside the case to allow for the extra height needed for the sockets. The components can be added in any particular order, although to make testing and debugging easier, I added only the 64K RAM components first and tested this before I continued with the floppy control components. The minimum parts required to get the extra 64K working are: R28, R55, C12, C13, IC12 and IC13. Remember that the black bridge wires must also be connected in order for the CPC to run in this state.
If you intend adding an ABBA switch to the CPC, it's a good idea to make the modifications to the external floppy connector before you solder it to the PCB. If you have borrowed the floppy power connector and leads from a PC, then you will need to remove the yellow wire from the connector and move the red wire to the position where the yellow wire was, as Amstrad (in their infinite wisedomwisdom) decided once again to steer clear of unnecessary things such as standards.
When all the components If you just want to be able to use an external drive as drive A (and have been added the board will look quite a bit fuller and drive with number switching) you should now have 'll need to add a 6128+ PCB wire link from pin 4 of the internal floppy connector CD04 to pin 9 of the external connector JD04, as explained in front this diagram from [[Amstrad Action, Issue 91, Apr 1993|Issue 91 of you.Amstrad Action]]:
[[Image:464plus conversion wire link.jpg|600px|center]]
[[Image:464Conv2.jpg|600px|center]]
 
When all the components have been added the board will look quite a bit fuller and you should now have a 6128+ PCB in front of you.
 
[[Image:464Conv2.jpg|600px|center]]
== Case Modifications ==
If you have chosen to add the external floppy connector, you will need to cut the additional hole in the casing, but no other external case modifications are required. However, the left hinge of the tapedeck lid will hit the back of the external floppy connector and the lid won't close properly. A small part of the hinge needs to be filed down to get the lid to close properly.
 
[[Image:End 2.png|400px|center]]
== Tape Functionality ==
Bryce.
== Jonathanen's Easy Way To 464+ Conversion ==
<BR>
* All you need to do is to follow the steps from [[Expanding_from_CPC_464_to_CPC_6128_Spec#Step_2|2]] - [[Expanding_from_CPC_464_to_CPC_6128_Spec#Step_4|4]] on "[[Expanding_from_CPC_464_to_CPC_6128_Spec|Expanding 464 to 6128 Specification - For CPC 464 Series only!!]]" instructions, as its very similar to CPC 464 modifications or simply, just take out the following peripherals as mentioned in Step [[Expanding_from_CPC_464_to_CPC_6128_Spec#Step_3|3]] on "[[Expanding_from_CPC_464_to_CPC_6128_Spec|Expanding 464 to 6128 Specification]]" from your CPC 464 and transfer them to CPC 464+, except you need an adaptor - "Widget: Plus (Centronics) to Card Edge Converter" ([[Expansion_Converter|UK/DE Expansion Converter]]) first - see [[Connecting a Disc Interface to CPC464+]] and must sure it is plugged into "[[Connector:Expansion_port|Expansion]]" socket.
<BR>
* After all that, you can then play games or load programs on Tape, Cartridge or either 3” or 3.5” Discs. The choice is yours! See! Its very simple - no soldering required.
<BR>
 
<gallery>
 
Image:464+setup.jpg‎
Image:464+setup2.jpg‎
Image:464+setup3.jpg‎
 
</gallery>
<BR>
Notes:<BR>
<BR>
* Its very easy and I was right all the long. Also, I both find it out and experiment it all by myself, easy and very simple way to upgrade Amstrad [http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&amp;c=26 CPC 464+] to CPC 6128+ spec without the need to get your hands dirty - no soldering required!
<BR>
* Even its works perfectly on the Amstrad 464+ with a [[Rombo_Rombox|Rombo 8 Socket ROM Box]], but you'll need "Widget - Plus to edge connector" ([[Expansion_Converter|UK/DE Expansion Converter]]) after I tested everything out completely, like (my very favourite testing stage for 3.5” disc drive) booting up CP/M Plus disc in drive A with no disc in drive B to make sure that 3.5” disc drive has a [[Adding_3.5"_drive_to_CPC464#3.5.22_READY_Signal_Test|"READY" signal]] by seeing “2 disc drives” on the screen when starting up CP/M Plus. Transferring files back and fourth between PC and CPC via [http://www.theoldcomputer.com/roms/getfile.php?file=Li9BbXN0cmFkL0NQQy9BcHBsaWNhdGlvbnMvRG9zLUNvcHklMjB2MS4zJTIwJTI4MTk5MyUyOSUyOEFuZHJlYXMl Dos-Copy v1] by [[Face_Hugger|Andreas Stroiczek]] ([[DOS_Copy_Crime|DOS Copy/Crime 1.3]]) as well transferring *.DSK files from PC to CPC via [https://www.genesis8bit.fr/frontend/disk/dsk-cpc.zip DSK-CPC.BAS] from [https://www.genesis8bit.fr/frontend/disk.php Disks utilities for Amstrad CPC] web site or [http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&onglet=dumps&num=5250 DSK-CPC.DSK] (DSK for Emulators), using [[MS800]], [[ParaDOS]] (replaced with the existing [[AMSDOS]] / CPM bootstrap ROM inside the [[Media:Gerald_DDI-1_MF0004B.jpg|disc interface]]) & CP/M Plus to format, copy discs onto 3.5” disc as well.
<BR>
* I was both very proud and over excited as it works like a dream, as I exactly always wanted for a long, long time. Speaking of which, I prefer to use upgraded 464+ more than unexpanded 6128+ as unlike the CPC 664 / 6128, the CPC6128+ does not have a cassette connector (the CPC6128+ is missing the hardware required for cassette support), and therefore it is not possible to use cassette software without modification to the computer.
<BR>
[[Category:DIY]]
14
edits