scuzzBlog: Diaries September 2019 Entry 13th September 2019: Post 01: Amstrad CPC464 surprisingly successful. Amstrad CPC464 surprisingly successful. It is often forgotten in the UK and Europe just how successful the Amstrad range of computers were. The CPC464 was actually one of the most successful in terms of sales for its time, with numbers of computers sold exceeding 2 million. Whilst it could be said that the computer was pretty unremarkable, it stormed ahead mainly cus of the low price and the package including monitor and tape drive all inclusive. There was no messy PSU lying on the floor and with a choice of colour and green screen monitor there was no need to hog the TV for computer fun. And fun is where this computer was aimed. With built in tape player the loading of games and software generally made usage much easier than other computers relying on tape machine compatibility. The product was also supported with a very good product range and most games were ported to the platform. For me what I love about the machine is the support of the 3" floppy drive DDI-1 and the use of CP/M 2.2 and Logo. Add to that Locomotive BASIC and you have an all round computer that can play games and program and save to disk, which is so easy to use. Anyhoo.. the purpose of today was to check out the six CPC464 computers that I have to update myself on what was still needed to get them all working. I was aware of problems with a couple. I have two of these computers set up permanently with the DDI-1 drives connected via the rear interface. One of the units uses the green screen and the other the full colour monitor. The first of the computers has always had one button missing. It also has a dodgy rear power connector which I can prop upward to make work. The second of the machines suffered either in transit or from abuse by a previous owner. I did repair quite a few of the computers both to tape drive belts and power supplies. They generally are pretty robust, though a bit annoying to store given their length. For the most part they all worked though the one with the broken plastic to the tape drive needs a new grommet wheel to the one pulley. I'll get there in time. I never used one of these in the day but if I had I would have bought one immediately. Reflecting on matters now I have no idea why I was so loyal to Sinclair and the Spectrum. Even the +2 is poor in comparison to this computer. Kinda scratching my head as to why I got six of these computers. I really can't even recall buying any one of them. I do recall sourcing software and disks plus tapes for the computer and I know I was very interested in the DDI drive. I have always been fascinated by the 3" disk and I guess I may have been trying to get something to read my PCW9512 disks. Sadly that was never going to be possible. The DDI was also problematic and I even sent one away to get repaired. The computer is very easy to take apart though it is wise to fold out the case right to left and hinge on the keyboard connector. The cassette drive can be removed quite easily and worked on. Takes a while to fathom out the drive cogs and belt arrangement. I have provided blogs in the past on making the repairs. One aspect of the computer which I do like is the way it loads in sequential blocks of data. The tape makes a definitive click at various point in the data loading and then progresses. It all is very comforting especially when you have been use to the hit and miss loading of the Spectrum. Do note the colour arrangement of the keys as they are key to operating various functions of the computer. Job done and all back in storage and all laid out horizontal and under cover. Amstrad CPC464. CPC464 Number 1 Working but missing key and dodgy power connector CPC464 Number 2 Working but broken plastic and faulty tape drive CPC464 Number 3 Working without any problems CPC464 Number 4 Working perfectly and boxed CPC464 Number 5 Working perfectly and set up with DDI-1 The computer always defaults to the floppy drive with the DDI attached. To make the computer use the tape the special key is used '|tape' [RETURN]. Mini Office refuses to work with the interface CPC464 Number 6 Working perfectly and set up with DDI-1 This is my Amstrad games machine. Mini Office refuses to work with the interface

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Last updated 13th September 2019

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