| |
| relevant
links |
Sprinter
The Russian 8-bit "supermicro" – the FPGA-based multiform
architecture allows to an enthusiast to build a brand new Amstrad simply by developing a new configuration. Everything else is
already there, including floppy and IDE controllers, serial port,
even ISA slots. |
| |
| applications |
NATIVE
Wordprocessing:
•
Tassword
•
ProText (also supplied in EPROM for the
Rombox by Rombo)
Databases:
• ProData
CP/M
The Amstrad CPC/PCW range of computers came
either with a built-in disk drive or with a floppy connector (the
controller was built in all the models) and CP/M 2.2 and 3.0 was
available, even bundled with some models and often used. Most
standard CP/M applications can therefore be used if successfully
transferd to a 3" floppy disk.
Wordprocessing:
• WordStar
Spreadsheets:
• Supercalc
Databases:
• dBASE II |
| |
| connector |
What you need in order to be able to use the computer and what
peripherals connect to it.
Amstrad CPC
The CPC comes with pretty much everything you could ask for: a
monitor (green or colour) was a compulsory part of the package
since it also included the computer's power supply (later Amstrad
released a stand-alone PSU with an RF modulator), a built-in tape
recorder or a 3" floppy drive. You can readily use any of the
joysticks for Atari/Amiga.
Parallel printers require a special cable since there's only an
edge mainboard connector on the computer side (Schneider however
sold their CPC's with a regular Canon connector).
Third party
add-ons:
You can find an external 3,5" floppy drive, however with
minor skills you can install one inside, instead of the 3"
one.
One of the most notable devices was the Rombox,
which allowed installation of several EPROMs with software burnt
in (for instance the Arnor's Protext word processor). This idea really
caught up in the Amstrad community and enhanced versions of this
are still available, if only as D.I.Y. procjects. This is actually
required for the FutureOS operating system.
|
| quick
links |
HOME
COMMODORE
SHARP
SINCLAIR |
| |
| check
it out |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| fact
file |
CPC 464
Year: 1984
Tech stuff: Processor Z80/4 MHz, RAM 64 KB, graphics 160x200 16 colours
to 640x200 2 3channel sound; built-in tape recorder,
printer port, FDD port, colour or green monitor which also powers
the computer.
CPC 664
The same as CPC 464 with a 3"
floppy drive replacing the tape recorder.
CPC 6128
The same as CPC 664, with 128 KB
of memory. There also was a version with a 5,25" disk drive!
CPC 464+/6128+
Modernised versions of the above mentioned
models, housed in a new sleek case, with some improvements in the
built-in Basic, sound and graphics. It also came with parallel and
serial ports, headphones connector and an analog joystick
port.
Optional add-ons:
• Power supply with a TV adaptor released
due to popular demand. Some bundles were actaully supplied with it
instead of the otherwise compulsory monitor. |
| |
| spotlight
on |
PcW 16
Anne
Amstrad's
last word in dedicated word processors. Sports a 16 MHz Z80
processor, PC keyboard and a mouse. Not really compatible with the
previous models, it came with 1 MB of RAM and the same ammount of
flash ROM, which held the Roseanne OS, a word processor,
spreadsheet and couple of other apps. The 3,5" drive works
with 1,44 MB disks and can read (although not write) MS-DOS and
older PCW diskettes. There's a regular parallel port for
connecting commodity printers and two RS-232 ports, one of which
is used for the mouse.
This machine however came too late (in 1996) with too little and
can't really be upgraded (not even second FDD can be added) and
nobody's likely to bother developing third party add-ons. It is
still the ultimate 8-bit computer - the most powerful Z80 based
machine that ever left production lines.
|
| fact
file |
PCW 8256 Joyce
Year: 1985
Tech stuff: Processor Z80/4 MHz, RAM 256 KB, graphics 720x256,
single-sided 3" floppy drive - 180 KB on each side - (with
an empty second drive bay), monochrome (green) monitor, a 9-pin
dot-matrix printer with an Epson compatible cartridge. Came with
the LocoScript word processor, Mallard Basic and CP/M Plus (no
software in ROM).
PCW 8512 Joyce
Year: 1985
The same as PCW 8256, but with 512 KB of RAM and a second FDD -
this time double sided, 720 KB.
PCW 9512
Year: 1987
Tech stuff:
The same as PCW 8256/8512, BW monochrome screen, daisy wheel
printer, single 3" FDD (720 KB) and a parallel port as
standard. Came with LocoScript 2, LocoMail and LocoSpell.
PCW 9256
Year: 1991
Tech stuff:
Very similar to PCW 9512, equipped with a 3,5" drive
(720 KB) and a parallel port as standard.
Came with a dot matrix printer, LocoScript 1.5, CP/M Plus, Mallard
Basic and DrLogo. |
|
| amstrad
cpc/pcw |
|
| |
|
| CPC
Zone [eng] |
Major
Amstrad CPC portal with a search facility and a (not very
frequented) message board. |
| |
|
| Amstrad.dk
[eng][dan] |
A
site packed full of info and links, with full-text search
engine. |
| |
|
| Genesis8
[eng][fr] |
Amstrad
news site with an archive, bunch of links (many of which
unfortunatelly are dead or just don't apear to work...). |
| |
|
| Amstrad
Computer Site [eng] |
The
formerly official Amstrad web site created and managed by an
ex-Amstrad employee. Comprehensive information on the entire
home computer range, loads of technical stuff, downloads etc. |
| |
|
| LocoScript
Software [eng] |
Formerly
known as the Locomotive Software - the Amstrad's Locomotive
Basic is from these guys, as well as the LocoScript word
processor found on PCWs - still being supported and
developped (also for a PC). |
| |
|
| Odiesoft
[eng] |
Original
software - mostly games and demos - for Amstrad CPC. |
| |
|
| CPC
Scene [eng][fr][ger] |
The
demo scene, meeting reports, mailing list, lots of docs and
stuff to download. |
| |
|
| CPC-Hardware
[fr] |
News,
articles, info, links, downloads. All in French only. |
| |
|
Amstrad
Computer
Spares [eng] |
Spare
parts for your Amstrad available here including (refurbished)
3" floppy disks! Also file downloads, odd stuff for
othe 8-bits etc. |
| |
|
| Inicron
[ger] |
Developers
of the ROM BOX and RAM ROM BOX add-on. Download the docs and
build one yoursef. |
| |
|
| Future
OS [eng] |
An
alternative OS with GUI, addressing 2 MB of RAM, program
size up to 512 KB etc. |
| |
|
Futurs'
Freeware
Diffusion [eng][fr] |
Developers
of hardware and software for the Amstrad CPC. Many
interesting HW projects, some downloads, a printed fanzine. |
| |
|
| VN96
[eng][ger] |
A
hardware/software solution for networking two CPCs. |
| |
|
The
Trailing Edge
of Technology [eng] |
Documentation
to firmware, software, Basic tutorial, service manual,
software downloads. |
| |
|
| Martin
Zacho's CPC page [eng] |
Hardware
and software solutions for CPC (serial connection etc.), CPC
schematics etc. |
| |
|
| Merline
Serve [eng] |
Amstrad
CPC/PCW computers, accessories and repair. Software supplied
on floppies, links. |
| |
|
| AmsTech
[eng] |
D.I.Y.
upgrades, docs and software downloads, a handfull of links. |
| |
|
| Le
Site Amstrad [fr] |
Charles
da Silva's Amstrad-dedicated web site with lots of info on
all Amstrad computer products including some very rare ones!
Pitty this one's French only... |
|
|
Amstrad
CPC and C64
Nostalgia [fr] |
Some
basic info, a few games to download, links. |
| |
|
The
Amstrad CPC Poke
Database [eng] |
Download
a database of pokes in text or DBF format. |
| |
|
| WACCI
On-Line [eng] |
A
U.K. based user group and a publisher of a printed
subscription based magazine. |
| |
|
WACCI
The CPC
User Group [eng] |
Another
(rather outdated) WACCI web site |
| |
|
| WACCI
[eng] |
And
yet another one! |
| |
|
| Unofficial
Amstrad WWW Resources [eng] |
Kevin
Thacker's web site with lots and lots of docs, downloads,
source code and links. Also stuff for the KC Compact (East
German CPC clone). |
| |
|
| SD
Microsystems [eng] |
A
U.K. based company which still supports the Amstrad
computers. Commercial software packages (including
LocoScript, accounting etc.), alternative printers
connection to PCWs, and more. |
| |
|
| Turbo
Transfer [eng] |
A
utility for transfering DSK and EDSK files from a PC to CPC
via a parallel cable |
| |
|
| CPC
Reviewer [eng] |
Amstrad
CPC games reviews plus a few links. |
| |
|
| CPC/IP
[eng] |
TCP/IP
stack for Amstrad CPC with serial interface: PPP, SLIP, IP, ICMP, UDP, TCP, DNS, TFTP, HTTP, ping, finger and telnet protocols. |
| |
|
Amstrad/Schneider
Department [ger] |
A
comprehensive Amstrad/Schneider German only web site with
lots of info, sections and links |
| |
|
| CPC
Game Reviews [eng] |
A
web site that, well, reviews CPC games. Pretty much all of
them... |
| |
|
| The
Basic Idea [eng] |
Sean
McManus' CPC web site - mostly good advice, tips and tricks
(a tutorial) on programming in Basic. |
| |
|
| CPC
Szene [eng] |
A
German language Amstrad/Schneider web site. |
| |
|
Ulrich
Corders's
CPC Page [eng][ger] |
A
nice Amstrad/Schneider CPC web site with some tech solutions,
a download section (DTP, games, the Desk Royal menu library
etc.), CPC Emulator for Linux, links. |
| |
|
| Phenix
Informatique [fr] |
A
comprehensive French language web site |
| |
|
| La
Página de Amstrad CPC/CPC+/PCW [sp] |
A
Spanish Amstrad web site. Lots of useful stuff, docs and
links. |
| |
|
| Amstrad
[eng] |
And
yes - THE Amstrad. The company is into consumer electronics
these days and no trace of support for their computers can
be found on their site. |
|
|
|
The C64 Banner Exchange
|
|
| other
amstrad computers |
|
| |
|
| Tim's
Amstrad NC User's Site [eng] |
Amstrad
NC laptop users' heaven and user group. Lots of info,
software, screenshots and more. |
| |
|
| 16
Storm [eng] |
Amstrad
PcW 16 (Anne) web site with lots of info, docs and links.
Not terribly up-to-date though. |
| |
|
| Ron's
Amstrad PCW Page [eng] |
Loads
of more or less usefull information on all PCW range. Tips
and hints on maintenance and a decent links section. |
| |
|
| PCW
Gallery [eng] |
Kathleen
Thorpe's site with PCW, compatibility overview, history line
with pictures and a FAQ section. The links page however
doesn't quite seem to be there... |
| |
|
| Amstrad
PCW [eng] |
Spares,
repairs and disc conversion services. |
| |
|
| PCW
Today [eng] |
A
printed magazine that's currently undergoing a painful death. |
| |
|
Info-Zentrum der
JOYCE-User-AG e.V. [ger] |
A
German Amstrad/Schneider's user group's web site |
| |
|
| Joyce
for Unix [eng] |
Amstrad
PCW emulator for Unix and Windows. Also bunch of useful
links and info on connecting a TV set to your Joyce... Wow. |
| |
|
| PCW
Joyce Computer Club [eng] |
A
Dutch Amstrad PCW users club web site. Galleries, software
downloads, links and more. |
| |
|
| La
Página de Amstrad CPC/CPC+/PCW [sp] |
A
Spanish Amstrad web site. Lots of useful stuff, docs and
links. |
| |
|
| Novedades
[sp] |
Another
Spanish web site containing useful information for today's
Amstrad CPW users. |
| |
|
| Highstreet
Micro [eng] |
Amstrad
PCW - used computers, spares and manuals to buy. |
| |
|
| Amstrad
PCW8256 [fr] |
An
overview information on the Amstrad PCW range in French. |
| |
|
| O'WONDER
- Stop Press [eng] |
A
review of the Stop Press DTP package for Amstrad PCW. |
|
| |
| user
groups and magazines |
|
| |
|
| WACCI
On-Line [eng] |
A
U.K. based user group and a publisher of a printed
subscription based magazine. |
| |
|
| Amstrad
Cent Pour Cent [fr] |
An
online archive of a major French CPC magazine. |
| |
|
| The
Arkos Dungeon [fr][eng] |
Not
quite an up-to-date web site of a French CPC users group. |
| |
|
| CPC
Telegramm [eng][ger] |
An
online archive of the CPC Telegramm disk zine published
between 1995 and 1998. |
| |
|
| Overlanders
[fr] |
A
French demo group's web site |
| |
|
| Lamers
International [ger] |
A
cool web site of a seemingly cool German demo group. |
|
| |
| emulation |
|
| |
|
| CaPriCe32
[eng] |
Amstrad
CPC emulator for Windows (requires DirectX 7+) and utilities.
An MS-DOS/Win9x version also available. |
| |
|
| WinAPE
[eng] |
Amstrad
CPC emulator for 32bit Windows. |
| |
|
| CPCE
[eng] |
Amstrad
CPC emulator for DOS, DPMI and Win32. Also many games,demos
and tapes to download. |
| |
|
| NO$CPC
[eng] |
No
cash CPC emulator and debugger of Amstrad CPC - versions for
PC/XT, 386, 486, DOS and Window. Also usefull conversion
utilites.
Also an MSX, ZX80/81 and GBA emulator. |
| |
|
| Arnimedes
[eng] |
Another
Amstrad CPC emulator for DOS/Windows. |
| |
|
| Arnold
[eng] |
Kevin
Thacker's Amstrad CPC emulator for Win9x. |
| |
|
| Multimachine
[eng] |
An
emulator for several Z80 based computers including Amstrad
CPC for Win9x. |
| |
|
Ulrich
Corders's
CPC Page [eng][ger] |
An
Amstrad CPC emulator for Linux (as well as other software
downloads and usefull stuff) |
| |
|
| Ami-CPC
[fr][eng] |
Home
of a CPC emulator for the Amiga computers (also works under
WinUAE). Comes with source code. |
| |
|
| CPC++
[eng] |
A
CPC emulator for MacOS (68k, PPC), SunOS/Solaris and Linux |
| |
|
| CoPaCabana
[eng] |
Another
CPC emulator for Windows. MacOS and Palm OS versions are
aparently comming. |
| |
|
| Joyce
for Unix [eng] |
Amstrad
PCW emulator for Unix and Windows. |
| |
|
| Joyce/MacOS
[eng] |
An
Amstrad PCW emulator for MacOS, whose further development
was stopped by a screwed up CD-R. Crmbs... |
| |
|
Amstrad
PCW page
[sp][fr][ger][eng] |
A
comprehensive and actually useful web site in four languages.
Docs for software, emulators, links and much more. |
| |
|
| Turkish
Emulator Page [turk] |
A
Turkish page of Amstrad CPC and PCW emulators. |
| |
|
| Joyce
1.36 [eng] |
Download
the Joyce emulator for PC from this site. |
|
| |
| games
and software downloads |
|
| |
|
| CPCE
[eng] |
Amstrad
CPC emulator for DOS, DPMI and Win32. Also many games for
download. |
| |
|
| The
Amstrad CPC Games Resource [eng] |
A
great gaming and emulation resource. Also includes links,
forums, manuals, reviews and more. |
| |
|
| Demon
FTP archive |
A
great CP/M software resource |
| |
|
| Barnyard
FTP archive |
Another
CP/M software resource |
| |
|
| LIP6
FTP Archive |
An
FTP archive of all things Amstrad CPC: software (games, CP/M...),
documentation, ROMs, zines and more. |
| |
|
| NVG
archive |
Yet
another FTP archive with lots of stuff including games,
emulators, PCW stuff etc. |
| |
|
| CPC
Games Page [eng] |
A
games download web site with Action Arcade, Graphics
Adventure, Simulation and Arcade sections. |
|
| |
| projects |
|
| |
|
| CPCng
[eng] |
CPC
Next Generation project. Another attempt to revive and old,
time-proven hardware. The specs look pretty impressive, like
the Sprinter or C=1 uses an FPGA chip to implement the
chipset functions as well as new features. |
| |
|
| MF-2
Keyboard Interface [eng] |
Ever
wanted to install your CPC's mainboard in a PC case? This is
how to connect a PC keyboard to it... |
| |
|
| Future
OS [eng] |
An
alternative OS with GUI, addressing 2 MB of RAM, program
size up to 512 KB etc. |
| |
|
| CPC/IP
[eng] |
TCP/IP
stack for Amstrad CPC with serial interface: PPP, SLIP, IP, ICMP, UDP, TCP, DNS, TFTP, HTTP, ping, finger and telnet protocols. |
|
|
|
|
| Didn't
find your website here? Do you know about a site that
absolutely has to be here? Found a broken/dead link?
Please write to siliconcave@seznam.cz. |
|
|
|
