🇩🇪 Schneider CPC464: Part 2 (Refurbish & Upgrade) [TCE #0506]
23Time stamps below:
00:00 ... Intro
01:35 ... 40007 gate array replacement
02:30 ... First test
03:05 ... ROM replacement: firmware (v1) to (v3) and BASIC 1.0 to BASIC 1.1
04:50 ... Datacorder cleaning
16:20 ... Reassembling the case
20:10 ... Diagnostics
21:40 ... loading Combat Lynx from tape
26:20 ... using Zaxon's DDI-5 interface
27:05 ... to load the 6128-only Microprose Pirates! (by Sid Meier)
30:45 ... Outro
Refurbishing (stripping & cleaning) this nice Schneider CPC464. I like to use "Armour All" (or equivalent) on the Amstrad cases as it makes them come up quite nice.
This machine has one of the intermediate motherboards that can use either a 40007 or a newer 40010. In this machine I've decided to use one of Charlie's new VR40007 replacement GALs, but I've also added a socket for a 40010.
https://www.vretrodesign.com/collecti...
I've also upgraded the firmware/BASIC from the original (v1) firmware to the Amstrad CPC6128 (v3) firmware, and also upgraded the Locomotive BASIC 1.0 to BASIC 1.1.
This means it can run Microprose Pirates!, a CPC6128-only game.
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Pirates!
From Part 1:
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The original plan was to take a look at the internal Vortex RAM expansion board included in this »CPC464« ... but unfortunately the seller mistakenly sent it to someone else ... so, whoever you are, you scored! 🥺
The only real difference between this machine and a non-Schneider one (apart from case & keyboard cosmetics) are the LK1/2/3 link settings on the motherboard.
As this is a machine distributed in Germany by Schneider only LK2 is set.
Here in Australia, where the machine was distributed by AWA, we have LK1+LK2 set.
For the rest of the world, with no links set, you would see AMSTRAD being displayed.
There are other combinations possible (vendor name included in the ROM) but these were either never used officially or in very small quantities.
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/LK-s...
Of course ... nothing to stop you modifying them to have something unique on the boot screen.
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Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com
/ @whitebataudio