Amstrad PCW 10
.jpg) | |
| PcW10 with its 9-pin printer on the monitor platform and the keyboard (Joyce Computer Club photograph) | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Amstrad plc |
| Type | Word processor / personal computer |
| Released | 1993 |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A at 4 MHz |
| Memory | 512 KB |
| Storage | 3.5-inch floppy drive |
| Display | Built-in monochrome monitor |
| Sound | — |
| Ports / interface | Parallel printer port |
| OS / Firmware | LocoScript, CP/M Plus |
| Predecessor | Amstrad PCW 9256 and Amstrad PCW 9512+ |
| Successor | Amstrad PCW 16 |
The Amstrad PCW 10 is a Z80 word processor in Amstrad's PCW range, released in 1993 and sold with the range's 9-pin dot matrix printer. Retro Gamer calls it the last "true" PCW: the Amstrad PCW 16 that followed it shares only the Z80 processor with the earlier machines.[1][2] The machine sold in small numbers.[2]
Relation to the PCW 9256 and 9512+
[edit | edit source]Published accounts differ:
- Wikipedia, citing the Luxsoft PCW FAQ, calls it a PCW 9256 with 512 KB of RAM, a parallel printer port and LocoScript 1.5 in place of LocoScript 1. A Spanish users' magazine also describes it as a 9256 with its memory expanded to 512 KB.[2][3]
- Retro Gamer calls it "essentially a 9512+ with an updated case", and the Amstrad CPC User Club's magazine calls it essentially a PCW 9512 with upgraded LocoScript.[1][4]
The 512 KB of RAM and the parallel port that Wikipedia gives are features of the 9512+ that the 9256 lacked.[5][6] The printer is the 9256's dot matrix type; the 9512+ had a daisywheel. A 1990s guide to computers for family history groups the PcW9256 and PcW10 as the models with a dot matrix printer, and John Elliott's hardware notes treat the PCW 10 printer controller together with those of the 8256, 8512 and 9256.[7][8]
The 9256's LocoScript version is itself reported differently: Amstrad's PCW 9256 service manual lists LocoScript 1.5, while Wikipedia says the 9256 came with LocoScript 1 and the PCW 10 with 1.5.[6][2]
Hardware
[edit | edit source]- Floppy drive: a 3.5-inch drive. John Elliott's notes place the PCW 10 with the 9256 and 9512+ in the floppy controller probe that later LocoScript and CP/M versions use to identify the controller type.[8]
- Printer: the 9-pin dot matrix printer. Dealers in the 1990s sold the same ribbon for the PCW 8256 and 8512, the 9256 and the PCW 10, and second-hand traders listed "dot matrix printer to fit PcW10" separately.[9][10]
- Keyboard: second-hand dealers sold the same keyboard for the PCW 10 and the PCW 9256.[10]
- Processor: a 4 MHz Z80A, as in the earlier PCWs.[2]
Servicing
[edit | edit source]The PCW 10's nearest documented relatives are:
- Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual: CPU board, monitor and power supply alignment, dot matrix printer controller and printer mechanism, keyboard. The power supply is set up at connector A with 5 V adjusted by VR501 and 12 V by VR502.[6]
- Amstrad PCW 9512+ Service Manual: the 512 KB CPU board with the parallel port.[5]
- Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott): ports, printer controller commands, keyboard protocol and the floppy controller probe.[8]
Compare your machine's boards with the drawings in both manuals before using their component values; the sources above disagree on which machine the PCW 10's main board follows. The monitor is a CRT in the main unit; see CRT Discharge Procedure before working near it.
Repair guides
[edit | edit source]- Amstrad PCW 10 Maintenance Guide: identifying the boards, opening the case, drive, printer and connections
- Amstrad PCW 10 Troubleshooting Guide: start-up, drive, printer controller errors, supply and keyboard
- Amstrad PCW 10 Capacitor Replacement Guide: which published list applies to your boards
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Amstrad PCW 16 · Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual · Amstrad PCW 9512+ Service Manual
- Floppy Drive Repair · CRT Discharge Procedure
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "PCW Power", hardware feature on the Amstrad PCW, Retro Gamer issue 12, 2005. Scan at archive.org (file "Retro Gamer 012"). Retrieved 2026-10-02. The PCW10 released later in 1993, "essentially a 9512+ with an updated case", and the last "true" PCW.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Wikipedia, "Amstrad PCW", sections "PCW 10" and "Hardware". Retrieved 2026-10-02. The PCW 10 as a PCW 9256 with 512 KB of RAM, a parallel printer port and LocoScript 1.5; few produced; a 4 MHz Z80A, citing the Luxsoft PCW FAQ.
- ↑ Revista de usuarios Amstrad (2006–2011), article on the PCW range. Scan at archive.org/details/revista-de-usuarios-amstrad. Retrieved 2026-10-02. "El PCW 10 era un 9256 con la memoria ampliada a 512 KB"; the PCW 10 and PcW16 almost unknown in Spain.
- ↑ Amstrad CPC User Club magazine (ACUC) issue 1, PCW model summary. Scan at archive.org. Retrieved 2026-10-02. "PCW10: Essentially, PCW9512 with upgraded Locoscript".
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Amstrad plc, PCW9512+ Personal Computer Word Processor Service Manual. Hosted as File:Amstrad PCW 9512 Plus Service Manual.pdf, described at Amstrad PCW 9512+ Service Manual. Technical specification p. 2: 512K RAM, 3.5-inch 720K drive, parallel printer port, daisywheel printer.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Amstrad plc, PCW9256 Personal Computer Word Processor Service Manual. Hosted as File:Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual.pdf, described at Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual. Technical specification p. 2: 256K RAM, 3.5-inch 720K drive, 9-pin dot matrix printer, LocoScript 1.5.
- ↑ David Hawgood, Computers for Family History: An Introduction. Scan at archive.org/details/computersforfami0000hawg_y5k2. Retrieved 2026-10-02. "PcW9256 (£330) and PcW10 have a dot matrix printer. PCW9512+ is £400".
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 John Elliott, PCW Hardware. Hosted as File:PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott).pdf, described at Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott). Section 6.1, "PCW8256/8512/9256/10 printer controller"; section 8.3, the floppy controller probe that groups the 9256, 9512+ and 10.
- ↑ PCW Today issue 9, accessories advertisement: "Ribbon for PCW 8256/8512, 9256, PCW10". Scan at archive.org/details/pcw-today-09. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 8BIT issue 16, small advertisements: "keyboard to fit PcW10/PcW9256", "Dot matrix printer to fit PcW10". Scan at archive.org/details/8Bit-fanzine-16. Retrieved 2026-10-02.