Amstrad CPC464 Part 1

[@ThereIsOnly1ArcNinja]

How about using some phosphor acid to convert the rust on the keyboard baseplate? It forms a protective layer on top which you can safely paint over. This method is used in ship building all around the planet. Before anyone complains: I'm @7:50 right now - I just did not want to forget to mention this option.

[@CRG]

As I'm sure you seen I just ended up painting it. I've never used phosphor acid before but might be worth getting some for future projects.

[@ThereIsOnly1ArcNinja]

@@CRG Aye, I've seen it and it looks quite convincing to me. Anyone saving these machines from the trash compactor is my hero! Fun fact: I have no hesitation fiddeling around with electronics. Fitting a new rubber belt on a tape or disk drive instead leaves me covered in sweat. 😅

[@GadgetUK164]

Great video Glen =D Interesting the colour difference on the keys of the Schneider =O If the monitor is anything like Amstrads other monitors, the fault is perhaps the STK power IC. I may have a spare (depending on the model) if you cannot find one.

[@CRG]

Thanks. I should have mentioned but the keys just look like they have yellowed rather badly, the blue return key for example is nice and bright underneath. Not a lot of sun at the minute for retro-brightening though. I've started into the monitor and it looks like a very high hour unit. Full of dust and it seems as if at least 1capacitor has leaked so I'm thinking a full recap since its apart anyway, although that in itself I doubt is the problem. The power IC is an STK7308, I can get one easily enough but thanks for the offer. Need to start testing tonight.

[@xKynOx]

My 1st computer, i love it.

[@CRG]

I'll be honest and say that I had always written off the system as a cheap computer, not that great, but digging into it in the past few days I'll hold my hands up and say I was very wrong. There's a wealth of software out there and it all stands up to what was on the C64 (more or less). I'm looking forward to gettting into it in more detail.

[@JaseTheAussie]

This was my childhood computer!

[@CRG]

The more I dig into it the more impressive the system gets. Hopefully I can get the monitor working.

[@Xoferif]

I'm tempted to get a broken 464 and do the case-shortening mod which removes the tape deck. I think it looks really smart, would fit on my desk way better, and I'd probably load software using a Dandanator or similar anyway. (Attempted to link to an example, but KZbin auto-deleted it after a few seconds...)

[@CRG]

Sounds like an interesting mod although I'm sure you'd need a steady hand to cut the case. Sorry that you link was blocked, that my fault as I have links disabled. If you want to reply with an example it will be held for review but I'll keep an eye out for it and allow it.

[@Lee-wl4kh]

For ideas with how to get software Noels Retro labs channel might help he his a fan of Amstrad computers, I like what I have seen so far and would be tempted to keep the keyboards plate in that grey colour as I think it looks good.

[@CRG]

Yes I often speak to Noel, great guy and fantastic channel. I'll have to go pick his brains.

[@fra4455]

Happy Janstrad CRG

[@CRG]

Finally an excuse to pull out the Amstrad systems.

[@fra4455]

@@CRG thanks

[@GrantMeStrength]

Bout ye! I had a 464 and then 6128 when they first came out, and liked them very much indeed. Coincidentally I picked up a 464 and mono monitor last week, and have been cleaning it up. The cassette deck needs a new belt for sure. As for getting software onto it, I would really like an M4 board as it adds support for virtual disks, internet support AND supports expansion ROMs. The only thing it doesn’t do is a memory expansion. I am hoping the creator makes another batch. Failing that, I would also look at the DDI 5.

[@LUNATIC75]

I did the same thing with my big replacement tape belt when I restored my childhood 464. I'm still not sure if I put the new one in or not! Though I use the DDI-3 to play games on it these days. It looks like your example has had a rough time over the years. The blue and green keys have faded even more than mine, which is such a shame as they are the wide boy 464's nicest feature.

[@CRG]

I think the keys have just yellowed, but yes the computers had a hard life. The monitor inside looks like its had many many hours use, lots of dust. Its not really the weather for retro brighening but I might have a go at it once we get a bit more sun.

[@m9cuss]

i had a 6128 back in the day, one of my favourite machines, yeah it wasnt a c64 but cos it had a disc drive built in, games loaded really quick for those days and the little 3 inch discs were the snazziest things ever. i wish i still had it.

[@CheshireNoir]

Heh. Like Mr Lurch, I have the DDI5, but until I got it I used one of those dodgy "cassette to CD" adapters that look like an audio cassette. I then plugged it in the tape deck (there was just enough room to run the cable out with the cover closed) and ran tape games off an old mobile phone.

[@CRG]

I would prefer one of the floppy emulators but load tape images is certainly an option to fall back on. I've done that before on my MSX.

[@CheshireNoir]

@@CRG The other plus is the DDI5 is a very capable, very compatible RAM expander. Basically it turns your 464 into a 6128. The only demos / games that don't work on it tend not to work on all revisions of the 6128 either.

[@MrLurchsThings]

Like I said in my video, I’m really happy with the DDI5. Unfortunately you won’t find a floppy emulator as simple (cheap) as the SD2IEC as the Amstrad still needs the entire DDI emulated as well. The Dandinator seems like a pretty cheap device to get you started, although I haven’t looked into it myself.

[@Flamelily-IT]

Great video. As Mr Lurch says it needs a disk drive interface before a Gotek will work. Gotek works great as a direct replacement on the 6128 of course (my first computer😍). The quickest and by far the cheapest modern way to run software is to mod the cassette audio input with a standard audio jack and use a mobile app (android play store PlayZX is one) to load CDT files. These are the same format as TZX spectrum ones. Good luck. I knew that CPC would work. They are generally bulletproof 😝

[@CRG]

Thanks, I'll look into the Dandinator. Loading tape files might also be an option just to get me started but a floppy emulator of some sort would certainly be better.

[@MrLurchsThings]

@@CRG I think Jan did the external audio mod on one of his.

[@terosaarela4555]

Happy 2022! A Dandanator Mini might be an inexpensive way to get a few games on the 464. Of course, getting the games on it isn’t as straightforward as it might be on a DDI-5.

[@CRG]

Thanks for the tip, I'll look into the dandanator mini.

[@lezbriddon]

mk1 going by keyboard, loved its feel compared to later ones

[@phreapersoonlijk]

Lol, for a second I thought you maybe got this machine from / via Jan Beta, because of the hashtag. I need more sleep ! Anyway, thanks for all the great content !

[@CRG]

Lol, no it's meant to be a play on January and Amstrad. Good excuse to pull out and dig into this system though. Glad to hear your enjoy the content.

[@CyclingSteve]

I use an M4 board from Spinpoint with my 6128, I believe it is 464 compatible.

[@charlesdorval394]

Neat! :) Just wondering what make/model power supply is that, I quite like the look of it!

[@CRG]

Its by NANKADF. Get 5 stars review on amazon and certainly so far its working well for me although granted I've not used it much.

[@OtterlyInsane]

Are the enter keys faded? I thought they were always blue on UK / Amstrad machines?

[@CRG]

The machine has yellowed a fair bit. I had meant to talk about that in the video but forgot to mention it. Maybe once the better weather gets here I could retrobrighten it but for now it is what it is.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

what about using an AMSTRAD PC1512 Monitor and create an adapter that will let power the computer and adapter that would let you use the RGB in on the PC1512 Monitor.

[@CRG]

I'd probably need some sort of scan doubler to do that. The 1512 monitor I have needs work anyway so may as well see if I can get the proper monitor working first.

[@MrLukealbanese]

Excellent video. What is the Scope you are using? I'd like a software based scope.

[@CRG]

Its a Hantek USB scope, can't remember the model number off the top of my head but I can check later for you. It does the job for low frequency things like this but once you get above a few mhz I find it can't read the signals all that well, its only rated for 10mhz I think. It was a cheap thing though so I can't really complain, I bought it initially for use when adjusting cd laser RF levels.

[@MrLukealbanese]

@@CRG thanks Glen

[@CRG]

@@MrLukealbanese Just checked the model is 6022BE.

[@larsenmats]

Thanks for the video :D Looking forward to the next part :D

[@CRG]

Thanks for watching. The next part is coming but it might be a couple of weeks. Just by the time I dig into that monitor, figure out what's wrong and order the parts.

[@oisnowy5368]

Wonder what you will do for Marchimedes?

[@CRG]

If I'm honest.... We're putting in a new kitchen in March so I'll probably be doing more DIY than KZbin 😆

[@TheSudsy]

I bought one of these early 90's just for the monitor. Lobbed the CPC and rewired (hacked) the monitor to plug my Amiga into. I am ashamed to have chucked the CPC but it was dead as donut.

[@CRG]

Now that's an interesting idea. Did it work ok with all the Amiga screen modes?

[@TheSudsy]

@@CRG Just the 15khz I think. Because i saved up for a multisync 1432 i think. It was great for games but not really for Workbench and more serious stuff. Spent hours with my tongue out trying to follow a diagram in one of the Amiga mags showing RGB, Sync etc from the DB23 to the CPC monitor. my soldering was something to behold.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

If only AMSTRAD had gone with the ZILOG Z800 or ZILOG Z8000 processors.

[@waynej41]

Tzxduino for emulating tape.

[@decidedly_retro]

PM me... I have an original DDI interface (with minor mod to power from the computer and hence allow it to work with normal floppy drives and Gotek) with an external drive if you're interested.

[@CRG]

I appreciate the offer although I do have another solution now. The DDI would probably be better though. I'm not sure how to PM you either here or on twitter but if you can drop me an email [e-mail] we can talk there.

[@jameshindle784]

Ahh unlucky mate, my ctm644 colour monitor works fine after 38 years. U can have it for a grand haha

[@CRG]

Haha, I've got the parts here to fix the monitor, or well... hopefully fix it!

[@jameshindle784]

@@CRG I hope you do, only 2 million cpc464 units were sold in Europe and i can't imagine how many are left in original condition and working still, thankfully mine still works after 38 years. Only played it yesterday and still perfect 🥰

[@lokz9632]

Man, you make great content, but do not get me wrong, you need to work on your accent. I sometimes struggle to catch all the words you say, as non native english speaker. And I would say that I know english quite well. Take this critic as good intention, as I am sure you would get much more viewers on your channel. To compare, for example Metal Jesus Rocks speaks such clean English that anyone can understand an concentrate on content itself.

[@CRG]

We here in Northern Ireland do tend to speak quickly and I'll hold my hands up and say that yes the accent probably is hard for some to understand. It is something I try to keep in mind, to speak slower and clearer but sometimes it does get away from me. Unlike a lot of other KZbinrs I rarely script a voice over, rather I just talk through the project while working. I do appreciate the feedback though and thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will try to do better.

[@lokz9632]

@@CRG Just keep up with good work!

[@jameshindle784]

What's the point in you doing a video about a broken computer? No one wants to see that. Just buy a working one

[@CRG]

But it does work?

[@jameshindle784]

Does what work? Ur monitor? Doesn't look like it does and how can you tell if the keyboard works? U can't test a tape with no monitor, saying that I never bothered to watch ur whole video after u said the monitor broke. U can play it on a TV with the mp1 module. But as your channel name says retro is best 👌