New Acquisition: Amstrad PC1640
| Make | Model | Serial Number |
|---|---|---|
| Amstrad | PC1640 | 531-8Y34376 |
Overview
- Manufacturer: Amstrad.
- Production Years: The Amstrad PC1640 was released in 1987.
- Historical Significance: The PC1640 was an enhanced version of the earlier PC1512, offering improved graphics capabilities and expanded memory. It was designed as an affordable IBM-compatible system, making it popular among home users and small businesses.
- Architecture: The PC1640 featured an Intel 8086 processor and supported multiple graphics modes, including CGA, EGA, and Hercules, making it versatile for both business applications and gaming.
Specification
- Processor: Intel 8086 running at 8 MHz.
- Memory: 640KB RAM.
- Storage: Configurations included dual 5.25-inch floppy drives or a combination of a floppy drive and a 20MB hard disk.
- Display: Supported CGA, EGA, and Hercules graphics modes.
- Audio: Basic PC speaker functionality.
- Connectivity:
- RS-232 serial port.
- Centronics parallel port.
- Keyboard with integrated joystick port.
- Expansion: Three ISA expansion slots for additional peripherals.
- Operating System: MS-DOS 3.2, bundled with GEM Desktop and various productivity software.
- Common Faults:
- Failure of the power supply due to aging capacitors.
- Degradation of floppy disk drive mechanisms, leading to read/write errors.
- Battery leakage from the onboard real-time clock, potentially damaging the motherboard.
- Monitor issues, including fading or distorted display due to aging components.
How Did I Acquire It?
Where Did I Get It From?
Good old facebook marketplace
How Was It Described to Me?
Amstrad base unit has been sat in our warehouse fro the past 30 years, no monitor or keyboard.
Supplier Photos
| Supplier Photos |
 |
Now That I Have It in My Hands
Initial Observations
Initial Inspection
This is very much as described a 30 year old PC,
The keyboard and mouse are proprietary and not standard PC-XT so we will need to do something about that.
Power would historically come from the monitor
There is no onboard battery as real-time clock backup would have come from a number of AA batteries that fit onto the top of the case under the monitor.
Inspection Photos
| Inspection Photos | |
 |
 |
Next Steps
Repair and Restoration Plan
At this stage nothing loos in need of repair
But we will need to sort out keyboard/mouse connectivity
Goals & Challenges
The first aim is to get this fully up and running with all the correct kit including the monitor to display the built in CGA resolution and provide power.
However not only is the additional space that the CRT takes up an issue but they also are harder to come by, not to mention at that age the boards will need recapping and re-aligning
The fall back position would be to get it working with a modern monitor.
This provides a third issue of how do we then power the PC?
Wishlist
- - Original keyboard and mouse
- - Original manual set
- - Original monitor
- - Packaging of course!
0 Comments