ScuzzBlog: Diaries September 2019
Entry 12th September 2019: Post 01: Amstrad CPC6128 green across the screen.
Amstrad CPC6128 green across the screen.
Time to check out three of my CPC 6128 computers. I do look forward
to firing these machines up. I really cannot fault them in truth.
They have my favourite floppy drive and the keyboard is just a
dream to use.
There is no power supply to the 6128 which at first may seem a bit
odd. The problem when buying one of these units is that you are also
going to have to invest in an Amstrad monitor. It is not just the
computer that obtains power from the monitor but also the floppy
disk drive has its own power connector on the monitor.
The monitor I used today is the green screen Amstrad GT 65. I do
have the full colour monitors but these are set up on other Amstrads
I have sitting on benches. They may have a carry handle but they are
real heavy. And so it's green across the screen for today.
Having plugged in the two connectors from the monitor to the 6128
you then connect the 12V DC to the front of the monitor. You then
switch on the monitor and then the 6128 and you should be greeted
with the Amstrad opening text.
To run CP/M from the built in drive you need to enter the special
key which is SHIFT and the 'AT' key as used in emails. This then
provides you with |cpm say and with the disk in the drive the
software will then load. Man do I just love CP/M.
All three of these computers were faulty when I had them and the
issues relate primarily to the power switch and the floppy drive.
The switch can be fixed by taking it fully apart and abrading the
metal rocker. The floppy is a little more tricky to take apart and
replace the belt. The issue of the switch also is a problem with
the CPC464 and the belts also come into play on that units cassette
drive.
And so I tested each of the 6128 machines with CP/M and they all
registered green across the screen and working no problem. The
6128 is a firm favourite of mine and a computer that is worth
every penny if you can also get a monitor.
Amstrad CPC 6128 made in the UK starting life in the summer of 1985.
Runs on the Z80 Zilog at 4MHz. RAM is 128kb with a 18kb ROM. The OS
is AMSDOS and or CP/M. Long grey cricket bat with 3" floppy drive.
Outstanding !!
[ Retro Tips ]
For those new to the blog be aware with so many computers I do spend
a lot of time checking machines. I tend to focus on types of computer.
The ones to watch out for are those with moving parts such as belts
and hard drives. Keeping them active does help. Also the way you
store them both in terms of horizontal and also in environmental,
as in cool, dry an out of direct light of any form. Then it is just
a case of running them on a frequent basis.
If you want an issue with an old computer than simply stack vertical
unprotected in a damp loft space or old shed or garage. So store on
a horizontal level fully supported flat dry surface away from variable
heat sources and out of direct light, whether sun or lamp. Make sure
the room is dry and cool. And cover always. The easiest way to do
this is with simple kitchen roll. I get through miles of kitchen
roll in a year. I tend to wrap the roll around the computer to protect
the keyboard and floppy drives. Avoid putting anything on a keyboard
and never like ever lean a computer against any keys. And switching
computers on for me on a regular basis is essential. Bubble wrap may
sound like a good idea but if bound too tight can strangle the keys
and create a vapour check inside that can trap moisture.
One final point relates to electrical discharge. If you have a dead
end circuit running off long extension cables there is a risk of a
mild discharge building up in the circuits. This can be a real problem
with monitors that store charge and can be a killer. I am not going
to give advice on how to discharge this but be aware. I actually
lost an Amiga monitor this summer cus of the problems. I tend to keep
delicate equipment off circuits that are connected to anything with
a resistor inside that can generate heat such as fans and electrical
heaters.
Amstrad CPC6128 green across the screen.
CPC 6128 Number 1
CPC 6128 Number 2
CPC 6128 Number 3
|
