ScuzzBlog: Diaries March 2017
Entry 16th March 2017: Post: 1
A touch of the DDs
Hi
And there was me thinking I was done with belts. Turned out I did have a
monitor suitable for the 6128Plus
http://www.scuzzscink.com/amiga/a_scuzz_jul2005/a_scuzz_jul30_121.jpg
http://www.scuzzscink.com/amiga/amiga_scuzz356.htm
The monitor is key to Amstrad computers as without one you can't fire the
computer up. This machine varies from the other Amstrads insomuch that there
is a not a separate drive power to a 12V pin on the monitor and annoyingly
the power lead plug from the monitor is a different size to the other
monitors I have. So tonight was the first time I could check both the
464PLUS and the 6128PLUS.
Both computers have BASIC on a cartridge so first thing is to get that
working. My experience with cartridges is bad. The pins do not make a good
contact and my window cleaning fluid doesn't arrive till tomorrow. The boot
screen is real hit and miss and I need to wiggle the cartridge round to get
it working. The computer uses the 3" drive, and guess what it was shot. Just
whizzing round.
Opened up the computer and I gotta say was very clean and simple inside.
Reminded me of an A600. The drive was so easy to remove. and the large
pulley wheel almost fully visible. That was the good news. The bad news was
that the belt had turned to liquorice and was stuck solid to both large and
small pulley wheel. It was a pig to get off and I was unsuccessful in
removing it all. Just so badly degraded and I assume returning to its
original state. Dunno.
Screwed back together and real issues with the cartridge but got to the boot
screen. You get two options.. F1 and F2.... One for BASIC and the other for
the only game I think they made for this range of computer. Anyway I did a
'CAT' scan and the drive worked without issue. Loaded a 3" disc with a BASIC
program of mine and all worked fine. The monitor is clear.
So there you go another one bites the dust. Or not. Add 6128PLUS to the list
of computers using the 3" drive.
I have run out of cotton buds. Drat.
scuzz
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