CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia! - User contributions [en]

Help:Editing

2007-04-11T07:33:34Z

200.238.102.170: Replacing page with '=== Basic text formatting === {| width="100%" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" |- !What it looks like !What you type |- | You can ''italicize text'' by putting 2 apo...'

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List of most active contributors

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This is a list of the most active users of CPCWiki. All users with more than '''250 contributions''' are listed here. Please add yourself here, if you have more than 250 contributions.

Please note, that "contributions" do include not only new articles, but also improvements of existing articles, uploaded images and talks on the discussion pages.

== Users with more than 250 contributions ==

* [[Candy]] ([http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php?title=Special:Contributions

CPC TREX

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[[Image:trex1.jpg|thumb|CPC TREX board]]
[[Image:trex2.jpg|thumb|CPC TREX in action]]

The '''CPC TREX''' consists of the Amstrad CPC turbo core written by [[TobiFlex]] and the reconfigurable T-REX C1 board by TerasIC, which is based on the Cyclone FPGA by Altera. This is not one more CPC software emulator but something like a real hardware CPC rebuilded with FPGA technology, which also includes some new features and possibilities. The TREX C1 board is very small, an industrial production and it contains connectors to all the standard PC periphery like VGA monitors, PS/2 input devices and CF cards.

The Amstrad CPC turbo core of the CPC TREX is based on [[TobiFlex]]s' [[C-ONE]] turbo core, which has been developed for the C-One board. It contains two Z80 cpus implemented in the FPGA, which are running at the same time. The first CPU runs a special version of [[SymbOS]] to control the rom and disc configuration of the Amstrad CPC. The CPC itself is running on the second CPU.

== Features ==

* complete Amstrad CPC 6128 standard hardware
* [[Z80]] CPU with 4MHz (normal) or 24MHz (turbo mode)
* nearly 100% compatibility
* 576KB RAM (dk'tronics compatible)
* 256KB ROM (16x16KB, freely useable)
* VGA connector (for CRT or TFT displays, needs to support 50Hz)
* PS/2 keyboard connector
* PS/2 mouse connector ([[SYMBiFACE II]] compatible; requires a PS/2 Y-cable, so that mouse and keyboard can be used at the same time)
* CF card slot: The CF card will be used as DSK storage and SYMBiFACE IDE mass storage device
* Audio stereo output
* FDC disc drive emulation; DSK files will be loaded from the CF card
* serial RS232 connector
* USB connector (used for FPGA and flash memory updates)

== CPC TREX starter ==

[[Image:trexstarter.gif|thumb|320px|CPC TREX start menu]]

The CPC TREX starter written by [[Prodatron]] is needed for booting the CPC TREX machine. Automatically after switching on the TREX it is started together with a special [[SymbOS]] version, which has been adapted for the native mode of the CPC TREX. It allows the selection of the favourite CPC type, ROM configuration and DSK files. The starter menu will load the files into the memory and switches to the Clone CPC (4MHz) or Turbo CPC (24MHz). To change a disc again, it is possible to go back to the menu and choose other DSK or even ROM files.

== Web links ==

* [http://www.symbos.de/trex.htm CPC TREX homepage]
* [http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?Language=English

Firebird

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Firebird was a label of BT's subsidiary Telecomsoft. First releases were divided in two price ranges, the "Firebird Silver" budget range and "Firebird Gold" premium range.
Later(since 1988 [?]), budget titles were published under the [[Silverbird]] label.

== Releases for CPC ==
* [[3D Pool]] (1989)
* [[Action Fighter]] (1989)
* [[Black Lamp]] (1988)
* [[Bomb Scare]] (1986)
* [[Booty]] (1986)
* [[Brainstorm]] (1987)
* [[Bubble Bobble]] (1987)
* [[Chickin Chase]] (1985)
* [[Chimera]] (1985)
* [[Cholo]] (1987)
* [[Collapse]] (1985)
* [[The Comet Game]] (1986)
* [[Corruption]] (1988)
* [[Costa Capers]] (1985)
* [[Cylu]] (1985)
* [[Dark Sceptre]] (1988)
* [[Demon's Revenge]] (1987)
* [[Don't Panic]] (1985)
* [[Druid]] (1986)
* [[Dynamic Duo]] (1988)
* [[Elite]] (1986)
* [[Enlightment]] (1988)
* [[Five a Side Footy]] (1988)
* [[Flying Shark]] (1987)
* [[Frightmare]]
* [[Gi Hero]] (1988)
* [[Gothik]] (1988)
* [[The Guild Of Thieves]] (1987)
* [[Gunstar]] (1987)
* [[Harvey Headbanger]] (1986)
* [[Helichopper]] (1986)
* [[Here

Talk:CPC

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Very good article!
* "While the CPC computers were arguably the best 8-bit computers ever built for the mass market"
Well, that's not really true, as the Sam Coupe and especially the MSX TurboR have been produced for the mass market at the same time, too, and have been much more powerful. But, who cares, that's CPCWiki ;-) -- [[User:Prodatron|Prodatron]] 16:08, 8 August 2006 (CEST)
::Mmmm yes, well.... :D As far as the Sam Coupe goes, I remember doing a comparison once that ended in favor of the CPC . But I may be wrong. And it wasn't really 'mass', wasn't it? Same with TurboR - I remember reading some impressive specs, but have never seen one! :) Bah, ok, let's change it! Btw, how on earth can I edit the text so that each new section begins below the previous section's photo? [[User:Gryzor|Gryzor]] 17:40, 8 August 2006 (CEST)
:::Ok, I changed it from "the best" into "one of the best" ;-) Regarding the Sam Coupe: IMHO it was a little bit better than the CPC/CPC (6MHz, 256k or 512K ram, screen modes like 512x192x4 etc.). Ok, as it was not successful, you can say, that it is not "mass". The MSX TurboR is an unbelieveable strong 8bit beast with many features and a R800 cpu, which works like a 30MHz Z80. They sold a lot in Japan, and many people in Europe imported them. Here is a [http://www.symbos.de/files/symcpcmsx.jpg picture] of my one (the grey one on the left side with the Sunrise interface). -- [[User:Prodatron|Prodatron]] 18:18, 8 August 2006 (CEST)

== 6128 / CPC ==

As I said on cpczone, I modified all the "CPC " terms in "Amstrad Plus" or "6128 " (even if it is not a "6128 ", but a "6128plus"). For the people who don't know, a small firm (totally unknown regarding to the Amstrad CPC public) sued Amstrad for the use of its "CPC" brandmark. So they had to change this name.

Locomotive Software

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Founded in February 1983, Locomotive Software was the software house which developed the CPC's BASIC and operating system, and played a pivotal role in other Amstrad home computers of the time. The company was founded by [[Richard Clayton]] and Chris Hall.

Their first contract was to write a Z80 BASIC for Acorn's abortive ABC business computer project. This BASIC would prove pivotal in their future history, gaining them the 'in' for Amstrad's first computer.

== CPC ==

Most pieces of the CPC's system software were written by Locomotive: [[Locomotive BASIC]], the [[CP/M]] ports, the operating system [[firmware]], and [[AMSDOS]]. All were acclaimed for their stability and design, particularly the BASIC. The main operating system development started in September 1983 and, for the 464, was complete by 14th January 1984. (Locomotive then worked on the documentation, both the free BASIC manual and the [[Soft 158]] firmware manual.)

== PCW, PC and Spectrum ==

Locomotive's association with Amstrad continued with the next range of computers to be launched by the firm - the [[PCW]] word-processors.

Here, as well as porting CP/M, Locomotive was to write LocoScript - a powerful and (generally) user-friendly word-processing package that would be the sole user experience for 90% of the unit's purchasers. The vast success of the PCW can therefore largely be attributed to Locomotive. Locomotive BASIC, meanwhile, made a reappearance on the PCW, this time as Mallard BASIC. Mallard had no graphics or sound functionality, but the excellent file handling from Locomotive's original Acorn BASIC made a reappearance.

LocoScript was the only program for the PCW that did not have to be booted from CP/M, as it contained its own firmware (though many supposedly 'CP/M' programs, such as Flipper and RoutePlanner, were in fact very much PCW-specific). The original version was followed by a greatly improved LocoScript 2 and a set of add-on programs (LocoMail, LocoSpell etc.). The program continued to be improved up to LocoScript 4, with better printed output as the main focus of the revisions.

Other Locomotive projects of the time included firmware for Amstrad's Spectrum models (after the company had acquired Sinclair), the 2, 2A and 3; BASIC 2, for the Digital Research GEM windowing system used by Amstrad's PCs; and LocoScript PC, a PC port of the word-processor which found great favour with PCW upgraders but failed to make much headway elsewhere.

Locomotive was invited to pitch to write the software for the [[PCW16]], Amstrad's last 8-bit machine, but declined because they thought the deadline was unachievable. (Creative Technology's failure to complete by the specified date only proved that Locomotive had been correct.)

== Internet products and later ==

In 1993, Locomotive began work on an Internet client for Windows, called Turnpike. This was principally used by the UK ISP Demon. The program launched in 1995: later that year, Demon bought the Turnpike business, while the still profitable PCW side was bought out by Locomotive's Howard Fisher and renamed LocoScript Software.

LocoScript Software is now owned by [[SD Microsystems]], which itself was once a CPC software publisher. Richard Clayton has become a well-respected, and often quoted, security expert at Cambridge University.

== Web links ==

* [http://www.locoscript.com/ LocoScript homepage]
* [http://www.locomotive.com/ old Locomotive Software domain]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotive_Software Information at Wikipedia]
* [http://www.old-computers.com/magazine/view.asp?r=1

Photo Gallery

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'''Please note that this section will close down soon. Dedicated gallery software has been installed [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/gallery here], and it is much more versatile than the galleries that Mediawiki allows. Please upload your images there and report any features/bugs you can think of! [[User:Gryzor|Gryzor]]'''

This will evolve in a photo gallery for CPC and CPC-related hardware. The purpose of a separate page is to gather together several different pictures of each item that would not fit under specific articles.

''You can find a tutorial of how to upload pictures '''[[image_howto|here]]'''.''

== CPC464==

'''CPC 464 Spanish Version by [[User:Robcfg|Robcfg]] 15:18, 27 November 2006 (CET)''' <br>
<gallery>
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_01.jpg|PCB Top Left
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_02.jpg|PCB Top Right
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_03.jpg|PCB Bottom
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_04.jpg|PCB Bottom Left
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_05.jpg|PCB Bottom Right
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_06.jpg|CPC 464 Back
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_07.jpg|CPC 464 Connectors
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_SP_08.jpg|CPC 464 Front
</gallery>

'''CPC 464 English Version (1st Series) by [[User:Robcfg|Robcfg]] 15:18, 27 November 2006 (CET)''' <br>
Note the differences in the board design, specially the keyboard connector and the cassette connector zone.
<gallery>
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_EN_01.jpg|PCB Top
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_EN_02.jpg|PCB Top Left
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_EN_03.jpg|PCB Top Right
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_EN_04.jpg|PCB Top w/flash
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_EN_05.jpg|PCB Top Left w/flash
Image:Robcfg_CPC464_EN_06.jpg|PCB Top Right w/flash
</gallery>

== CPC472 ==

== CPC664 ==

== CPC6128 ==

== CPC464 ==

== CPC6128 ==

== GX4000 ==

== Peripherals ==

=== Joysticks ===

=== Printers ===

=== Modules (ROM boxes etc)===