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

Side Select Switch - Alternative Method

2018-05-07T07:38:10Z

Flonky tash:

== Introduction ==

There are already a couple of procedures for implementing this mod, however in my opinion I think this is the neatest way, particularly if you’re using an enclosure for your 3.5" floppy drive. Instead of cutting up a ribbon cable and soldering wires and switches, or using bits of wire or paper clips on an empty connector, this method involves soldering the switches onto the actual pins of the floppy drive circuit board itself. This results in a more tidy arrangement, especially if the drive is inside an enclosure. Surprised this method hasn’t been covered before, so I hope this helps someone.

== Disclaimer ==

I accept no responsibility for any damage caused to your equipment for implementing this mod.

== Fundamental Items Required ==

* Internal 3.5" PC Floppy Disk Drive
* 1x Mini SPDT (SPST would also be suitable)
* Wire (preferably 2 different colours)
* Heat shrink tubing
* Soldering Iron and Solder (obviously)
* Screwdriver

== Prerequisites ==

''If you haven’t already, remember to solder pins 33 and 34 together in order to enable the Ready signal, otherwise the drive won’t work with the CPC.
''
== Method ==

The following schematic shows the general idea of how to implement this mod. It is fairly self-explanatory for those already in the know, but it demonstrates a clear and theoretical view of what the objectives are.

<gallery>
Side Select.jpg
</gallery>

1.) Turn floppy drive upside down and unscrew and remove the metal cover to reveal the PCB and a row of 34 pins which come directly from the ribbon connector at the rear.

2.) Locate pins 32 and 31 and solder two lengths of wire to them. Add some heat shrink tubing for tidiness.

3.) Solder the other end of one of the wires to one of the outer pins on the switch and the other wire to the middle pin. Leave the empty pin free as it is not required. Again, use some heat shrink tubing for tidiness.

4.) To test, use CPCDiskXP to copy a .dsk image to one side of a disk and then a different .dsk image to the other side.

5.) Insert disk, select drive B and type cat. You should now see whatever you put on that side of the disk. Flick the switch and type cat once again and now if working correctly you should see whatever you put on the other side. (Remember: Switch open = side A, switch closed = side B).

6.) With the switch working, you can now mount the switch to your enclosure.

== Notes ==

* ''I intend to add photos to this procedure once I get round to it''
* ''The floppy drive I've used for this is a Sony MPF920. Other drives my vary slightly''

[[Category:DIY]] [[Category:DATA Storage]] [[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]]

Amstrad CPC Buyers Guide

2018-05-07T07:26:15Z

Flonky tash: /* CPC664 */

''(This article was written by Chinnyhill10 and taken from http://www.chinnyvision.com/index.php/written-bits/167-amstrad-cpc-a-buyers-guide after permission)''

'''Amstrad CPC''', the computer on which the Oliver Twins programmed the first Dizzy game and was also my own first home computer. 27 colours, a BASIC arguably better than that of the BBC micro and integrated cassette recorder or disc drive*. The all in one package for the family home of the 1980's.

Today there are lots of CPC's to choose from on auction sites such as Ebay. But which one to go for? And why do some models have very high "buy it now prices"?

==== Which model? ====
=====CPC464=====
The original CPC (1984 to 1990) came in three flavours.CPC 464 - Tape based with 64k.
Cannot connect to a floppy disc drive without the Amstrad DD1 interface. This rules out using a SD card solution for loading. However you can still load from a PC or audio device using a car cassette adaptor.

=====CPC664=====
CPC 664 - Short lived 64k disc based model. Rare as hen's teeth. Keyboard membranes are prone to failure although can be replaced.

=====CPC6128=====
CPC 6128 - The Rolls Royce of the original range. 128k, built in floppy drive. The machine to own.

=====Plus Series=====
The 1990 models offered extra hardware capabities including 4096 colours and DMA sound along with new Amiga style cases. Little software took advantage of this.
*464 Plus - New model of the original 464.
*6128 Plus - Again new model of the original 6128 but has no tape input.
*GX4000 - Cartridge based console. We'll cover this separately in another article.

==== Monitor or no monitor? ====
Every CPC came with either a colour monitor or a green screen (later black and white with the Plus models).

Do you feel you need a CRT monitor for the authentic experience or are you happy plugging into a modern LCD?

The monitor houses the power supply so if you want to have a machine without a monitor you will require a 5 volt power supply (positive centre) with at least 2 amps with a 2.5mm plug. If you have a disk based model you'll also need a 12v supply with a 2.5mm plug with a gender changer.

Common with all systems, if you want to play light gun games you will need the monitor as light guns do not work with LCDs. Amstrad did produced an official lightgun in conjunction with Virgin Mastertronic. There is also the Trojan Lightphaser for the Plus machines. However the selection of games is extremely limited in both cases.

Additionally if you do not purchase a monitor you will require a RGB to SCART cable so the CPC's RGB signal can be displayed on any television with a SCART input.

Retailers on Ebay do sell complete kits to connect to an LCD TV. You are advised to check the quality of the power supplies before purchasing.

==== What to pay ====
As with all these things there are many sellers on certain auction sites trying to sell CPC's for hundreds of pounds. However the 664 aside, costs should be reasonable. A boxed 464 without monitor cost us £15 last year and we recently purchased a full 6128 system for £25 as a local pick-up (although a good condition 6128 can command £50). Plus units fetch more but don't be fooled by "But It Now" chancers claiming they are worth £300. They aren't. Be patient, there are still bargains to be had! Usually a Plus model will set you back at least £100.

CPC's are quite hardy and not a lot needs doing to them (see "Gotchas" below). A new drive belt and half hour of cleaning does not justify a seller charging hundreds over the odds because he's "restored" it.

None of the costs above take into account any extra bundled software. It is up to you to assess the value of any included software, joysticks, etc.

====Things To Look Out For ====
Newer revisions of CPC have the striped Amstrad logo on them. This was introduced around 1988. There are changes internally as well but these make no difference to the average user.

Later 464's have slightly different keys and may have Spanish writing in addition to the English on the side.

Watch out for German models (earlier models will be labelled Schneider). They have different connectors on the back (Centronics rather than edge connectors). Not a massive problem but if you go for an SD card solution such as an HxC you will need to get the right connector. The CPC was the number 1 selling micro in France for many years. Amstrad localised the CPC to have a French AZERTY keyboard. Naturally some of these have made their way to the UK over the years. There is no software compatibility issues but if you are used to a QWERTY keyboard then you may find an AZERTY keyboard annoying.

==== Gotchas ====
The oldest CPC's are now 30 years old. Amstrad have a bit of a reputation for some of their equipment being poorly built but this doesn't extend to their computers. As far back as 1989 the CPC was voted the most reliable home computer by UK computer dealers as reported in New Computer Express. However at 30 years old there are a few things to look out for.

*Drive belts inside disc drives WILL need replacing. Don't wait for the dreaded "Disc Missing" message and funny noises. Cost is about £2 for the part and they are easily available on Ebay. Don't be tempted to use a rubber band, you'll wreck the drive. Use the CPC Wiki guide and for heavens sake don't lose the write protect pin!
*Likewise tape belts are also starting to age and while not as fragile as the disc drive belts it is advised to replace them. Again easily available and cost about £2.
*Clean the tape heads with a lint free cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol. Do not use an abrasive head cleaning cassette (as often given away on the front of computer magazines). They are like running sandpaper over the delicate mechanism!
*If you've purchased a monitor be aware that any CRT of that age is a timebomb. At some stage you will end up trying to source an old fashioned TV repair man to replace some capacitors, or worse, the flyback transformer. Do not under any circumstances attempt to open or repair the monitor yourself unless you're pretty sure you know what you're doing. CRT's contain dangerous voltages and can retain them for a long time after they are disconnected from the mains.
*The CPC Plus machines (and GX4000) rely heavily on a custom ASIC chip for their function. If this chip is damaged you have next to zero chance of getting a replacement. So be very sure any Plus machine you buy fully works.
*If purchasing a monitor do undo the plug and check the wiring. We've seen a few CTM monitors with poor/loose connections inside the plug (often due to the plugs strain relief failing). Also check it has the correct fuse as detailed on the back of the monitor. You are dealing with a 30 year old CRT so the correct fuse is essential. It will protect you and your monitor.
*Watch out for rip off postage prices for people trying to sell monitors. A well packaged CTM 644 monitor costs £13 to send via UPS on 48 hour delivery and collected from your door. I know this as I've sent one myself (Feb 2015). Don't let people charging rip off postage fees profit from your desire to own a CPC with monitor

==== Essential Knowledge For A New CPC owner. ====
*If you have a monitor, always turn it on first, then the computer. When finished, turn the computer off then the monitor.
*Never remove a floppy disc until the drive has stopped spinning.
*Auto fire on joysticks doesn't work on a CPC. Sorry!If you have a system capable of supporting a disc drive out of the box (not the 464 or 464 Plus) consider getting an HxC floppy drive emulator and load all your software in from SD card.
*The built in speaker is awful. Turn it down with the volume control and plug an amplifier into the 3.5mm jack on the side. The socket doesn't work with headphones, it requires an amplifier.
*On a 464 (or 664 or 6128 after typing |Tape ) pressing control and small Enter at the same time will give you a shortcut to loading.
*On a Spectrum you Load"", on a CPC you Run"" .
*In BASIC hold down shift and then use the cursor keys to move a second cursor around the screen. Then press copy to copy whatever text the second cursor is over.
*Join the CPC Wiki forum for friendly and helpful advice from long standing CPC users.

==== Does The CPC Have Any Good Games? ====
Loads! Far more than it is given credit for. Among others check out:
*Sorcery + (disc only)
*Head Over Heels
*Feud
*Chase HQ
*Super Robin Hood
*North And South
*Get Dexter
*Robocop
*Gryzor
*...and the list goes on.

Above all, enjoy your new Amstrad CPC. It's a great complete computer system!

Side Select Switch - Alternative Method

2018-05-06T08:49:12Z

Flonky tash:

Side Select Switch - Alternative Method

2018-05-05T08:31:37Z

Flonky tash:

Side Select Switch - Alternative Method

2018-05-05T08:27:11Z

Flonky tash: Created page with "== Introduction == There are already a couple of procedures for implementing this mod, however in my opinion I think this is the neatest way, particularly if you’re using a..."

File:Side Select.jpg

2018-05-05T08:11:35Z

Flonky tash: Schematic for side select switch

Schematic for side select switch

DIY

2018-05-05T07:56:03Z

Flonky tash: /* Floppy Drives */

== DIY Hardware Projects ==

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects...

=== Communication - RS232 / PC Connection ===
* [[AMSSIO|AMSSIO RS232 interface]]
* [[CPC Booster|RS232 and RS485 interface of the CPC Booster+]]
* [[CPCI RS232 Interface|CPCI RS232 Interface]]
* [[Z80 STI RS232 interface]]
* [[Z80-SIO dual ports RS232 interface for CPC (French)]]

=== Floppy Drives ===

*[[ABBA switch]] (swap drive A: and B:)
*[[Adding 3.5" drive to CPC464]]
*[[Guide on how to connect a 3.5|Connecting a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664]]
*[[Guide on how to connect a 3.5|Connecting a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664 (with photos)]]
*[[Connecting a Disc Interface to CPC464+]]
*[[Modify PC floppy drives|Modify PC floppy drives to work on a CPC]]
*[[DDI Modification|Modify a DDI-1 for use with 3.5" Drives]]
*[[Side Select Switch]] (force AMSDOS to use Side B)
*[[Drive Compatibility]]
*[[DIY:Floppy_Drives|Floppy pinning and signal description, adapter cables]]
*[[Connect a 3 inch drive to a PC|How to connect a 3" CPC drive to a PC]]
*[[Side Select Switch - Alternative Method]]

=== HID ===
* [[PS2Mouse|AMX Compatible PS/2 and USB Mouse Adapter]]
* [[Atari-ST mouse adapter]]
* [[CPCKey|Attaching an AT keyboard to the CPC]]

=== Joysticks ===
* [[Joystick_Autofire|Joystick Autofire Circuit]]
* [[Joystick Y-cables|Joystick Y-cables]]
* [[Joystick_Splitter|Joystick Splitter Circuit]]
* [[PSX controller mod for Amstrad CPC|PSX controller mod for Amstrad CPC]]

=== Mass Storage ===
* [[DIY_464_External_Audio_Socket|DIY Tape/CD Socket for CPC464]]
* [[DIY_Plus_Tape_Socket|DIY Tape Socket for CPC6128+]]
* [[HxC_SDCard_Internal|How To Build An Internal HxC SDCard Drive]]
* [[HxC_Floppy_Emulator|HxC Disc Emulator using PC as Storage Medium]]
* [[HxC_Standalone_Floppy_Emulator|HxC Disc Emulator using SDCard]]
* [[IDE8255|IDE8255 for IDE hard discs]]
* [[SDiskEmul|SD Card Disc Drive Emulator]]
* [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II for IDE hard discs]]
* [[X-MASS]] ([[TotO]])
* [[UIDE Universal IDE adapter cards for Z-80 computers]]

=== Power Supply ===
* [[Powering a CPC 6128 from a Sinclar Spectrum +3 PSU|Powering a CPC 6128 from a Sinclar Spectrum +3 PSU]]

=== Printer ===
* [[8bit Printer Ports]]
* [[Simple RS232 for Printer usage|Simple RS232 for Printer usage]]
* [[DB-25 Printer Port Adapter]]

=== Real Time Clocks ===
* [[ACU_Real_Time_Clock_(DIY)|ACU Realtime Clock]] (without year counter)
* [[Real Time Clock|CPCI Real Time Clock]] (note: incomplete instructions / schematics due to low-resolution scans)

=== ROM / RAM Expansions ===
* [[AcidInside|AcidInside - Internal ACID Socket]] (Bryce)
* [[ACU_Romboard_(DIY)|ACU Romboard]] (ACU)
* [[CPC4MB|CPC4MB - 4 MB memory expansion]] ([[Yarek]])
* [[DIY_Cartridge|DIY Plus Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[DualOS|Dual OS for CPC6128 using a 32K EPROM]] (Bryce)
* [[FlashGordon]] (MegaFlash clone with different Flash chip)
* [[Inicron RAM-Box|Inicron RAM-Box]] (Inicron)
* [[Inicron ROM-RAM-Box|Inicron ROM-RAM-Box]] (Inicron)
* [[LowerROM|LowerROM Board]] (Bryce)
* [[MITM|Man In The Middle Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[MegaROM|MegaROM]] (Bryce)
* [[MegaFlash|MegaFlash]] (Bryce)
* [[Multi_Cartridge|Multi-Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[Amstrad ROM Expander|Practical Electronics ROMBoard Project]] (Simon Dean)
* [[Ramcard 128]] ([[RAM7]])
* [[Upgrading a Dk'tronics RAM Expansion|Upgrading a Dk'tronics RAM Expansion]] (Bryce)
* [[X-MEM]] ([[TotO]])
* [[X-ROM]] ([[Timatic Systems]])
* [[Y-MEM]] ([[TotO]])

=== Sound ===
* [[Digiblaster|Digiblaster Sound Card]] (8 bit DAC on printer port)
* [[FuturePlayer|FuturePlayer - MP3 Player]] (connected to printer port)
* [[PlayCity]] ([[TotO]])
* [[SP0256_on_Printer_Port_(DIY)|SP0256 Speech Synthesizer for Printer Port]]

=== TV / Monitors ===
* [[Convert an MP1 into an MP2|Converting an MP1 into an MP2]]
* [[LCD And Plasma TV Solution|Getting a CPC to work with an LCD or plasma TV]]
* [[PCAI_Video_Texting_(DIY)|PCAI Video Modulator]]
* [[RGB_SVideo|RGB to S-Video Converter]]
* [[TV SCART cable|TV SCART cables]]

=== Others ===
* [[6 MHz CPC]]
* [[Ambug|Ambug Robot]]
* [[Expanding from CPC 464 to CPC 6128 Spec]]
* [[464Plus Conversion|Converting a 464+ into a 6128+]]
* [[PCAI_A/D_Converter_(DIY)| PCAI Analogue to Digital Converter]]
* [[Schneiderware]] (a series of DIY projects that were released in [[CPC Schneider International]] magazine)
* [[Reset_Button|Reset Button]]
* [[Expansion Converter|UK/DE Expansion Converter]]
* [[Khany]] 's [[BankSwapper]] http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Khany%27s_BankSwapper.jpg

== Hardware Repair ==

* [[Changing the drive belt|Changing the drive belt]]
* [[Changing cassette deck belts|Changing cassette deck belts]]
* [[IC Repair|How to remove/replace an IC]]
* [[Keyboard Membrane Repair/Replacement Guide]]
* [[Joystick_Repair|A Guide To Repairing Digital Joysticks]]
* [[Writepin|Finding and Replacing the Floppy Write Pin]]
* Changing a drive belt video:
{{#ev:youtube|3tfvu1sL9sA|300}}

== How to's / Tutorials ==

* [[A guide to running software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC Plus computer|A Guide to running software on a real CPC!]]
* [[Transfering Alkatraz protected tapes and most games!|Transfering Alkatraz protected tapes and most games!]]
* [[Willem Programmer|Willem Programmer]] - how to program eproms using the Willem eprom programmer.

[[Category:DIY| ]] [[Category:Hardware| ]]

3½" & 5¼" Disk Drives

2018-04-25T10:04:51Z

Flonky tash: /* Beware : HD */

These Floppy Disc Drives are not the original Amstrad standard.

Yet they were far cheaper and are nowadays easier to use.

Especially the 3½" as these disk are still available in some retailers. You can also easily find such drives in any garbage if you properly scavenge old rusty computers.

These Disks couldn't be side switched manually.
The older models used only one side (360 KB)
Double side (DD) or even High Density were available.

[[image:3.5.jpg|200px|thumb|Internal 3.5" drive]]
[[image:5,25_cable.jpg|200px|thumb|advertisement for 5,25" drive cable for CPC in 1990]]

==Formats ==

3"1/2

*DD = 720KB
*HD : 1,44 MB

5"1/4

*360KB
*1.2MB

== Beware : HD ==

Nowaday, only HD 3"1/2 disk can be found at good old retailer's.

But our beloved CPC can't understand easily the concept of High Density Disk with 1,44MB available...

So you have to cheat : just put some duct-tape (scotch-tape, whatever...) on the HD Hole.
Tada, a proper DD disk with 720 KB (if your OS allows it).
Or a common 2x178KB with [[AMSDOS|AMSDOS]] (stock CPC firmware) - if you have a manual side switcher button of course to read second side of disk.

PC users used to do the opposite : file a HD hole on DD disk...this worked well sometimes.

You can also modify your HD drive to behave as a DD one (but this would be permanent of course).. Check for appropriate jumpers on your drive!

== A clever choice ==

A great advantage at the time (in the 80's) was to get access to CP/M sofware library, as most of those were on such Floppy Disks.

Also, those Floppy Disks were far cheaper than the exotic 3", but... few CPC users actually own such drives.

Mostly professionnal users...The common snotling Gamer couldn't even dream of this (nor even knew it possible)... until nowadays.

As the magnetic disk is bigger...well the format is bigger too.
It is common to get 720KB disk (using the 2 sides, so 80 tracks)

== Software's issues ==

Many Modern CPC users replace their old 3" with an external 3"1/2, often adding a Disk drive A-B / B-A switcher (allowing the use of an external disk Drive as if it were the internal one = Drive A) and/or a side switcher to allow the use of a 3"1/2 disk like a 3" disk... switching manually the sides as needed by good old 3" disk drives (yet a decent software can do it).

The side switcher and A-B drive's switchers are needed only if you use old software (using [[AMSDOS|AMSDOS]]), as most of them couldn't really figure they were loaded from B drives, or had no such feature as double sided drives.

They were designed for good old 3" drive so the 720KB DD external 3"1/2 is not implemented.

But modern software designers can allow this fairly easily.

Orion Prime uses the Double side feature, enabling a simple 720KB disk with no manual side switches.

Rick Dangerous 128+ (1.1 add-on) seems to allow the game to be loaded from the B drive.

It is up to the CPC-scene to design their software to include those options, allowing more un-modded drives to be simply used as external B drives with no need to add extra buttons and cable assemblies on the Amstrad.

As modifying all the software library of the good old times seems impractical, yet modern era software have to use this.

== Software released on 3.5" disk==

* [[Orion Prime]] - This pure awsomeness even uses a full DD disk's 80 tracks with more than 700KB of Data, but you have to have a proper DD disk drive, as some older models may lack this feature...

== Software released on 5.25" disk==

* [[Data Media]] released several software titles for use with their [[Data Media Disc System]]

== Non 3" CPC disk drives ==

* [[Data Media Disc System]]
* [[Jasmin AM5D 5 "1/4 floppy drive]]
* [[KDS 5¼" Disc Drive]] ([[KDS Electronics]])
* [[F1|Vortex Disc Drives]] ([[Vortex Computersysteme|Vortex]])

*any scavenged rusty junk may be good enough nowaday, if you have a 664 or 6128...

== Guides ==
[[Guide on how to connect a 3.5]]<br>
[[Guide on how to connect a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664]] with photos

[[Amstrad Computer User]] magazine published a two-page guide on how to connect a 5.25" drive to a CPC 464:
<gallery>
image:ACU8505-082.jpg
image:ACU8505-085.jpg
</gallery>
[[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:DATA Storage]]