Page Links

>>Updated 19th July 2011 ..... this site is dedicated to the Amstrad PCW range of computers>>

I no longer offer the facility for selling PCWs on this site because of lack of interest. It's difficult today to even givePCWs away. But there is still a small market for spares. Take a look on eBay under Computers . Vintage Computing and do a seach for Amstrad. To find out what Amstrad stuff is costing, do an advanced search and tick the 'Completed listings' box.

HOWEVER, the Sales and Wants page is still up and contains some useful information if you're looking for a PCW or need help. Need help around Cardiff? Contact Anthony Hill

Anyone who has PCW equipment for sale or to give away can do it on the newsgroup comp.sys.amstrad.8bit

 New to PCWs? Learn more here

Mallard Basic on the PC find out more ............. here

Daisywheel printers for the PCW9512 and PcW9512+ - Spares problem

Emails
I'm always pleased to get Emails and will try to reply promptly, but of late I've been getting too many questions which are fully dealt with in this website. I'm always interested in helping PCW users, particularly beginners and those with obscure problems, but I can't help with PCs and other computers, even Amstrads. Please check for the answer to your problem in this website before Emailing. Check the contents page and don't forget the Otherstuff section.
When using the repairs information it's important that you print out the text and refer to it constantly whilst working. Methods shown were those which I used during many years of repairing PCWs. More than one sheet may be necessary eg 1) How to remove a drive 2) How to replace a belt. ........... never do more than you have to.

JOYCE 2.0.1 has been published by John Elliott. See my notes on JOYCE in the Emulators section.

Download my Mallard Basic tutorial BASTUTOR free from the Software section. Use it to learn Mallard Basic on your PCW or on the JOYCE PCW emulator. Also find out about 22DISK.

If you have any interest at all in PCWs you should try John Elliott's PCW emulators. There are two; one works in Dos the other in Windows. Download free from John's website. Check it out in the Emulators section
I've also added notes on a couple of others ; MYZ80 by Simeon Cram, a CPM emulator, and WinApe a CPC emulator. The latter is an indulgence but I hope that MYZ80 may be complementary to JOYCE.

I'm always very pleased to get Emails from you, whether they be queries, ads, comments, or simply making contact. I shall always answer promply. However, if you have a query please look in the site first. In particular:-

• I don't supply spares or software; look on my Sales and Wants or Weblinks pages for them wot do!
• Want some freebies? Look on the abovementioned page
• Obtained a bare PCW with no software or manual? check out my note below entitled "PCW beginners please" then go to the-you guessed it!- the Sales and wants page.
• PCW worked OK 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 2 years, 4 years ago but won't now? Pound to a pinch of ? it's a manky drive belt. Get a new one from my S & W page contacts and check how to fit it in my REPAIRS section.
  

PCW Beginners please !!

Occasionally I get enquiries from people who have somehow got hold of a PCW with no manual and no software. "The screen lights up but nothing else happens". If you're in this predicament please dig into this site for answers before Emailing. Many people, finding that CF2 discs, software, books and peripherals are worth more than the machines, sell off everything except the machine which they put into a tip or an auction. People come along, and think they've got a bargain until they try to run the machine. Unlike many other classical machines the PCW has no built-in software. Everything has to be loaded from the disc drive.

If this applies to you there is a lot of cheap stuff around but to get the machine running will take effort. You need at least a manual and boot discs. If you're lucky enough to have a Locoscript boot disc and Manual you have the means to make your fortune as an author. Perseverance with the PCW, particularly the PCW8256 or PCW8512 can be a rewarding experience not to be found with a PC.

If you're a PCW enthusiast why not take up repairing PCWs as a paying hobby? Read my article "Make Money" to find out how to start.

Sell your surplus PCW stuff on this website. Loadsa stuff already for sale and wanted. See below.

I'm always being asked about drive belts for Amstrad 3" drives in the PCW8256/8512/9512 and for the Citizen 3.5" drives used in the PCW9512+, PcW9256, PcW10 and some Amstrad PCs. They are used in audio equipment and are flat belts 0,60 thk x 3.00 wide x 69.0 in circumference. A slight variation in these dimensions should be OK, particularly the circumference. Suitable belts are available from John King and others (see my sales and wants pages).

Newsgroups - take a regular look at the two newsgroups most concerned with the PCW and CP/M

news:comp.sys.amstrad.8bit

news:comp.os.cpm

there are comments posted most days in each.

The web page for the older viewer. Click on graphic

Email

Top of page