Amstrad PPC640: Part 1 (Stripping/dismantling)
36Growing up with Amstrad (CPC464 then PC1640) I've got a soft spot for these weird little machines - the Amstrad PPC512 and PPC640. A full-sized keyboard with a small LCD and no internal expansion slots ... although a built-in modem ... provision was made for external expansion via a DB25 & DC37 but I don't think anything official was ever released.
I have three examples in various states of repair - all PPC640s. This first machine had some case damage and some pretty bad battery corrosion so I've dismantled it first. Had some issues along the way - good learning experience.
But managed to clean up the battery corrosion excellently - soaked overnight in white vinegar, then an hour or two in phosphoric acid (rust converter).
Here's one type of external ISA expansion - thanks to @RetroTheory:
https://github.com/retrotheory/amstradppc_expansion
... and ...
https://youtu.be/-HxvCWhKLoc
I have some of this design to build:
http://www.enide.net/webcms/index.php?page=ppc512-640-isa-expansion
... and showing them in action - thanks to @TechMadeEasyUK:
https://youtu.be/vkUVjKnjBww
Interestingly it might be possible to add some internal upgrades - here's an excellent example by @GouldFishOnGames:
https://youtu.be/fkfYZ3DVAyU
I had a similar idea ... each PPC has an internal modem connected via the ISA bus ... it should be possible to replace the modem card with an ISA expansion card plus an XT-IDE card, and then replace one of the 3½" floppy drives with a CF card ... ?
Of course, we can't forget@NoelsRetroLab's excellent LCD replacement:
https://youtu.be/vvn2lBFhioQ
My other videos about the Amstrad PPC:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5pwokf56wMKMBxEwF7Jkr8V6Q7_fJ6iU