RetroTechCollection - User contributions [en]

Macintosh SE Troubleshooting

2026-07-03T15:56:27Z

Josh:

Begin troubleshooting by confirming the analog board provides correct voltages: ideally, '''+5V''' DC (within '''4.90–5.10V''') and '''+12V''' DC at the floppy or SCSI drive connectors.

If the SE appears completely dead (no fan, CRT glow, or startup chime):
* Check analog board fuses, rectifiers ('''CR2''', '''CR3'''), '''Q2 transistor''', and '''R22 resistor'''
* Test voltages with a multimeter
* Disconnect any peripherals or internal cards
* Inspect logic board for corrosion or capacitor leakage
* Ensure reset and interrupt switches are not jammed
* Perform full capacitor replacement (recap) on the logic board

== "Simasimac" – Horizontal Stripe Pattern ==

[[File:Simasimac issue.jpg|thumb|Macintosh Simasimac]]

The infamous '''Simasimac''' pattern (horizontal B&W stripes, no chime) usually means failed reset circuitry or RAM issues caused by leaky capacitors.

Steps to resolve:
* Clean and reseat ROM and RAM chips
* Replace PRAM battery if below '''3.0V'''
* Verify CPU reset and 16 MHz clock with an oscilloscope
* Check continuity around capacitors for damaged traces
* Inspect the '''Apple Sound Chip (ASC)''' and '''RP2 filter network'''

== Horrizontal Collapse - Single Horrizontal Line ==
Horrizontal collapse is common on both the [[Macintosh SE]] and the [[Macintosh SE/30|SE/30]]. Both devices share identical analog boards. '''It is extreamly important that you power off your Mac as soon as this happens, the concentrated line will cause permanent burn-in on the CRT phosphor in a matter of minutes.''' There are usually four culprets to this issue, P1 & J1 cracked joints (this is very common due to heat cycling of the solder over time), the C15 capacitor leaking or the R19 resistor failing. All of these components are on the analog board.

# '''Check Solder Joints (P1 & J1 Connectors):''' The most common culprit is cracked or cold solder joints around the deflection yoke connector (usually labeled '''P1''') and the flyback transformer area on the analog board. Use a soldering iron to reflow the solder on these pins.
# '''Inspect/Replace C15:''' The non-polar film capacitor ('''C15''', 3.9μF) on the analog board is a known failure point that causes horizontal collapse. Inspect the board for physical damage or leakage around this component.
# '''Check the R19 Resistor:''' Check the '''R19''' resistor (220 ohm) in the horizontal circuit; it may have burnt out and will need to be replaced if it shows signs of charring.

== Chimes of Death and Sad Mac Codes ==

The '''Chimes of Death''' suggest serious logic board issues:
* Reseat and clean ROM SIMM and RAM modules
* Ensure memory banks are filled with identical SIMMs (4 per bank)
* Test RAM slots and address/data lines for continuity
* Replace faulty ICs like '''74F258 multiplexers'''
* Severe cases may involve the VIA or ASC chips

See [[Sad Mac Error Codes]] for full interpretation of error patterns.

== Video Display Issues ==

=== No Video but Chime Present ===
* Confirm CRT glow and brightness control
* Check for missing sync/video signals at P1 connector
* Suspect ICs like '''UE8''' (video multiplexer)

=== Vertical "Jailbar" Stripes ===
* Caused by RAM misconfiguration
* Ensure matching SIMMs in each bank, larger ones in Bank A

=== Checkerboard Pattern ===

[[File:Macintosh SE-30 Checkerboard.png|thumb|Checkerboard screen from logic board fault]]

* Indicates ROM or early memory failure
* Clean and reseat ROM SIMM
* Use compatible ROM for SE (not SE/30 or IIsi)

== Disk Drive and SCSI Issues ==

=== Frozen Mouse on Gray Screen ===
* Suggests '''SCSI controller (NCR 53C80)''' failure
* Disconnect internal SCSI devices to test
* Replace SCSI chip if necessary

=== Floppy Drive Issues ===
* Clean mechanical components
* Check or replace the '''SWIM''' floppy controller
* Resolder or replace nearby ICs

More on this can be found at:
* [[Macintosh HDD Maintenance]]
* [[Macintosh Floppy Drive Maintenance]]

== Audio and ADB Issues ==

=== Audio Issues ===
* No chime could mean bad '''ASC''' or analog amplifier
* Check headphone jack – if it works, analog board is likely at fault
* Replace ASC if digital audio fails

=== ADB Issues ===
* No keyboard/mouse? Check and replace:
* Fuse '''F1'''
* ADB microcontroller (Egret)
* Inspect solder joints on VIA chips and ADB port

== Recurring Reset or Clock Failures ==

* Random resets = failing capacitors or shorted traces
* Clock loss = bad '''32.768 kHz crystal''' or dead PRAM battery
* Clean up any electrolyte residue near ASC, VIA, or Egret chips

== Analog Board Troubleshooting ==

* '''Vertical line only''' = horizontal deflection issue → reflow P1 pins, replace '''C15'''
* '''Horizontal line only''' = vertical collapse → check '''TDA1170A''' vertical IC
* '''Wavy display''' = failing flyback transformer
* '''Clicking power supply''' = logic board short or bad startup circuit ('''CR2/CR3''', '''Q2''', '''R22''')

== Related Pages ==
* [[Macintosh SE General Maintenance]]
* [[Macintosh HDD Maintenance]]
* [[Macintosh Floppy Drive Maintenance]]
* [[Sad Mac Error Codes]]

[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]
[[Category:Apple Troubleshooting Guides]]

Macintosh SE/30 Troubleshooting

2026-07-03T15:55:48Z

Josh: /* Video Display Issues */

This guide provides solutions to common faults experienced in the Macintosh SE/30. From power issues to Simasimac patterns and SCSI failures, these diagnostics will help identify, isolate, and resolve problems.

== Preliminary Checks and Power Supply Basics ==

Begin by verifying the analog board delivers proper voltages:

* '''+5V rail:''' 4.90V – 5.10V
* '''+12V rail:''' Confirmed at floppy or hard drive connectors
{| class="wikitable"
|+
![[File:Analog connector front.png|none|thumb|274x274px|Macintosh SE/30 Logic Board Analog Connector (Front)]]
![[File:Analog connector back.png|none|thumb|311x311px|Macintosh SE/30 Logic Board Analog Connector (Back)]]
|}
If the unit is completely dead (no fan, CRT glow, or chime), inspect

* Fuses
* Rectifiers CR2 and CR3
* Transistor Q2
* Resistor R22

Also:

* Disconnect external peripherals and cards
* Check logic board for '''PRAM battery corrosion'''
* Replace all electrolytic capacitors on the logic board

=== Power Rails ===
Attempting to power up the motherboard on its own with just a bench power supply and minimum rails, using an oscilloscope to see video output.

12V Rail (J12 pin 14) goes to external and internal drives, external PDS connector and sound, '''so will boot without 12V to some degree, however the sound chip UB11 will hold the system in reset so you will only get to horizontal lines/simasimac screen at most'''.

* J6 (External 3.5" Floppy Drive)
* J8 (Internal Floppy Drive)
* J13 (PDS video/expansion slot)
* UB10/'''UB11'''/UA9 (Sound)

-12V Rail (J12 pin 7) goes to the PDS slot only, so should definitely boot without it.

* J13 (PDS video/expansion slot)

-5V Rail (J12 pin 6) goes to the line drivers for the printer and modem, and the PDS port, so again should at least boot without it.

* UE12 / UD12 (Line drivers for printer and modem)
* J13 (PDS video/expansion slot)

This leaves the 5V rail (J12 pin 12/13) which goes everywhere else to loads of logic. This is absolutely needed.

Based on that, the system should at least boot with some video output on J12 (pins 9/10/11) you can observe with an oscilloscope with just the motherboard and 5V rail powered. However, due to UB11 sound chip not having power it will hold the !RESET line at 2.5V getting to horizontal lines/simasimac screen at most.

To get to a further boot, you need to also apply the 12V rail.

== "Simasimac" – Horizontal Stripe Pattern ==

[[File:Simasimac issue.jpg|thumb|Macintosh SE/30 Simasimac pattern]]

The infamous "Simasimac" pattern shows horizontal black-and-white lines with no startup chime. Causes include:

* Leaking capacitors disrupting the reset circuit
* Corroded traces or vias near RAM/ROM

'''Solutions:'''

* Clean and reseat ROM and RAM SIMMs
* Replace PRAM battery if < 3V
* Check for reset pulse at CPU
* Test for 16 MHz clock at CPU
* Inspect Apple Sound Chip ('''ASC''') at UB11 and filter RP2
* Use multimeter or oscilloscope to confirm continuity

== Horrizontal Collapse - Single Horrizontal Line ==
Horrizontal collapse is common on both the [[Macintosh SE]] and the SE/30. Both devices share identical analog boards. '''It is extreamly important that you power off your Mac as soon as this happens, the concentrated line will cause permanent burn-in on the CRT phosphor in a matter of minutes.''' There are usually four culprets to this issue, P1 & J1 cracked joints (this is very common due to heat cycling of the solder over time), the C15 capacitor leaking or the R19 resistor failing. All of these components are on the analog board.

# '''Check Solder Joints (P1 & J1 Connectors):''' The most common culprit is cracked or cold solder joints around the deflection yoke connector (usually labeled '''P1''') and the flyback transformer area on the analog board. Use a soldering iron to reflow the solder on these pins.
# '''Inspect/Replace C15:''' The non-polar film capacitor ('''C15''', 3.9μF) on the analog board is a known failure point that causes horizontal collapse. Inspect the board for physical damage or leakage around this component.
# '''Check the R19 Resistor:''' Check the '''R19''' resistor (220 ohm) in the horizontal circuit; it may have burnt out and will need to be replaced if it shows signs of charring.

== Chimes of Death and Sad Mac Codes ==

The Chimes of Death signify early boot failure—commonly RAM or ROM faults.

'''Checklist:'''

* Use 4 matched SIMMs per bank
* Larger-capacity SIMMs go in '''Bank A'''
* Clean/reseat ROM SIMM
* Check address/data continuity near capacitors
* Replace 74F258 multiplexers or RAM if needed
* Check VIA chips for overheating or corrosion

See: [[Sad Mac Error Codes]] for detailed interpretation.

== Video Display Issues ==

=== No Video but Chime Present ===
* Verify brightness knob
* Confirm CRT glow
* Check UE8 (video multiplexer)
* Probe video/sync signals at P1 connector

=== Vertical "Jailbar" Stripes ===
* Indicates incorrect RAM configuration
* Use identical SIMMs per bank (larger ones in Bank A)

=== Checkerboard Pattern ===
[[File:Macintosh SE-30 Checkerboard.png|thumb|Checkerboard error screen]]

* Typically a ROM failure
* Clean/reseat the ROM SIMM
* Confirm compatibility (use SE/30 or IIsi ROMs only)

== Disk Drive and SCSI Issues ==

=== Frozen Mouse on Gray Screen ===
* Possible failure of SCSI controller (NCR 53C80)
* Disconnect all internal/external SCSI devices
* Inspect and replace termination resistors

=== Floppy Drive Issues ===
* Dirty mechanism
* Faulty SWIM controller
* Cold solder joints on VIA or SWIM ICs

For more, see:

* [[Macintosh HDD Maintenance]]
* [[Macintosh Floppy Drive Maintenance]]

== Audio and ADB Issues ==

=== No Sound ===
* Test audio at the headphone jack
* Inspect ASC (Apple Sound Chip)
* Inspect analog board audio amplifier

=== ADB Malfunction ===
* Blown fuse F1
* Failed ADB microcontroller (Egret)
* VIA chip solder cracks or corrosion

== Reset and Clock Problems ==

* '''Random resets:''' Check power rail stability
* '''No time retention:''' Dead PRAM battery or failed 32.768 kHz crystal
* Check surrounding electrolyte residue near Egret or VIA chips
It is best to check the crystals are operating as nothing on the board will generally work without them.

Using an oscilloscope check the crystal closest to the ROM (front right) which should be 32.77kHz sine wave with the top pad being a little more square. It should be around 3V to 4V peak-to-peak.

=== !Reset Line ===
Several chips can be held in reset or control the reset of other chips. Although the video output circuit works regardless of the state of the reset line (so you can see the horizontal lines/simasimac) the system won't do anything useful until out of reset.

The reset line connects to:

* In/Out 68030 ('''UK8''') !RESET
* VIA1 ('''UK12''') pin 37
* VIA2 ('''UK11''') pin 37
* Apple Desktop Bus ADB Chip ('''UL11''') pin 4 (for keyboard/mouse)
* Super Woz Integrated Machine SWIM ('''UJ11''') pin 25 (for floppy drive)
* 53C80 SCSI Controller ('''UI12''') pin 7 (for HDD)
* ASC stereo sound chip ('''UE10''') pin 40
* Sony Sound Chip ('''UB11''') pin 5

Any or all of these chips can cause the !RESET To not go high even if they are inputs as if they go faulty it could pull the pin lower.

== Minimal Boot Requirements ==
If you have a major issue like no bus activity, no boot sound, or even no AV out, it is best to start with the absolute minimal boot, and look for the address bus toggling constantly on power up, or the initial boot audio chime.

=== Critical ICs ===
The initial startup is done by the Glue Logic chip UI8. I have not fully reverse-engineered its boot-up yet but have found all required chips.

The following ICs are critical for the boot operation of the system to get to the out of reset address toggling state.

* 68030 CPU (UK8)
* Glue Logic (UI8)
* PAL for RAM Signals (UH7)
* PAL for 68k/Video Signals (UI6)
* Resistor Packs for Pull-Ups (RP7 / RP9)
* Sound IC (UE10)
* ROM (J14) if you want to hear boot sounds, if not oscilloscope for address bus activity
To boot from only 5V you want to remove the sound chips too and with up the headphone port so you can still hear audio from the headphones:
[[File:SE-30 5v Power Bridge.png|thumb|312x312px|SE/30 5v Power Bridge]]
* Remove UB10 / UB11
* Jumper between UB11 pins 8 and 9 to short together analog and digital grounds (audio will be a little noisy). This also makes the S2 NMI button work again as once UB11 is removed the analog and digital grounds are separated and the reset button uses the disconnected ground. '''''NOTE: S1 normal reset button won't work with UB10 removed as it is responsible for sensing that button and pulling reset low. So use S2 or disconnect power to reset.'''''

=== Non-Essential ICs ===
You can remove all non-essential chips in case them failing pulls voltage rails or lines bad if you are still struggling to diagnose:

* UD1
* UK4 (RTC)
* UD12 / UE12 / UG12 / UI12
* UK12 / UJ11 / UK11 / UL11
* UI5 (FPU)
* All RAM (Because if it successfully checks RAM but UG12/UI12 or UJ11 fail or are missing you won't hear any beep and get horizontal lines)
* UK6 (Video IC)
* UE6 / UG6 / UE7 / UG7 (PALs)
* UC6 / UC7 (Video RAM)
* UA8 / UB8 / UC8 / UD8 / UE8 / UF8 / UG8
* UI2 / UJ2 / UI3 / UJ3 / UJ4 / UI4 / UJ6 (Logic)
* RP1 / RP4 / RP5 / RP6 / RP8 (Resistor packs)

=== Expected Boot ===
With just the critical ICs installed, if you have also removed the sound chip and bridged the audio jack (otherwise if not you will need 12V power applied also) you should expect to hear a sad mac boot sound when power is applied.

If you have no ROM, instead you can probe the lower address pins of the ROM socket and they should be constantly pulsing.

If you do not see this, perhaps check all the following chips happy to come out of reset:

* In/Out 68030 ('''UK8''') !RESET
* VIA1 ('''UK12''') pin 37
* VIA2 ('''UK11''') pin 37
* Apple Desktop Bus ADB Chip ('''UL11''') pin 4 (for keyboard/mouse)
* Super Woz Integrated Machine SWIM ('''UJ11''') pin 25 (for floppy drive)
* 53C80 SCSI Controller ('''UI12''') pin 7 (for HDD)
* ASC stereo sound chip ('''UE10''') pin 40
* Sony Sound Chip ('''UB11''') pin 5

== Initial Boot Sequence ==
After the Glue Logic chip brings all required pins on the 68k to their initial state the 68k should attempt to walk the bus and you will see constant address pins toggling as it loops over and over attempting a load.

The 68030 has a bi-directional reset signal meaning it can both set the reset signal, and be reset by external sources.
The minimum required to see some activity on the 68k:

* VCC must be 5V
* Valid CLK pulse
* !RESET must be high (to come out of reset)
* !HALT must be high (to not be halted)

[[File:68k pinout and diagram.jpg|none|thumb|756x756px|Macintosh SE/30 68k Pinout and Diagram]]

=== !BERR ===
When the 68030 attempts to access memory or an I/O device, it uses the address and data buses to communicate with the external chips and hardware.

If something goes wrong during this communication, such as a memory access error, a parity error, or a failure to receive a data acknowledge signal, a "bus error" is generated.

This !BERR is then sent low by some other device (the one the 68030 attempted to read/write invalid address data to) and so it halts its execution and goes into an error handling state.

If you see !BERR toggling low it is a sign something isn't happy with the data/address bus and something is invalid.

On the Macintosh SE/30 the following chips connect to !BERR:

* 68030 CPU (UK8)
* PAL1644B (UI6)
* Glue Chip (UI8)
* PDS Header (J13)

It is pulled up to 5V through the resistor pack RP7 so make sure that is connected and pulled high otherwise it would be constantly low.

This means that as the !BERR is an input into the 68030, and the PDS header is generally empty for initial boot attempts, the Glue chip or the PAL must be the ones driving the !BERR low.

== Brief Analog Board Troubleshooting ==

* '''Vertical line only:''' Horizontal deflection fault – reflow P1 connector and replace C15
* '''Horizontal line only:''' Vertical deflection fault – reflow P1 and replace TDA1170A
* '''Wavy or distorted video:''' Failing flyback transformer
* '''PSU clicking repeatedly:''' Shorted logic board or failed CR2, CR3, Q2, or R22

== Related Pages ==
* [[Macintosh SE/30 General Maintenance]]
* [[Macintosh SE/30 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Sad Mac Error Codes]]
* [[CRT Discharge Procedure]]
* [https://www.retrosix.wiki/basics-macintosh-se30 RetroSix Wiki - Macintosh SE/30]

[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]
[[Category:Apple Troubleshooting Guides]]

Category:RetroTechCollection policies and guidelines

2026-06-17T21:08:58Z

Josh: /* Community Support Systems */

__NOTOC__
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; background-color:#e8f4fa; border-radius:10px; box-shadow:0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.2); text-align:center;"
|-
! style="font-size:200%; padding:20px; background-color:#4B9CD3; color:white;" | '''RetroTechCollection Policies & Guidelines'''
|-
| style="font-size:120%; padding:15px;" | ''Standards and best practices for documenting vintage computing hardware and fostering collaborative technical preservation.''
|}
{{pp|vandalism|small=yes}}
This category contains the complete framework of '''policies''' and '''guidelines''' that govern RetroTechCollection's approach to technical documentation, community collaboration, and knowledge preservation. These standards ensure accurate, safe, and legally compliant documentation while supporting the mission of preserving vintage computing knowledge for future generations.

== Understanding Policies vs. Guidelines ==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; margin-top:20px;"
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! style="width:50%; background-color:#ffeeee;" | '''Policies'''
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| style="padding:15px; vertical-align:top;" |
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|}

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{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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=== Community Self-Regulation ===
The technical community helps maintain standards:
* '''Peer review''' - Community members review and improve each other's contributions
* '''Collaborative editing''' - Joint efforts to bring content up to policy standards
* '''Expert consultation''' - Technical experts provide guidance on complex issues
* '''Positive reinforcement''' - Recognition of high-quality contributions and policy compliance

== Resources and Support ==

=== Documentation and Help ===
* '''[[RetroTechCollection:FAQ]]''' - Frequently asked questions about policies and procedures
* '''[[RetroTechCollection:Glossary]]''' - Definitions of technical and policy terms
* '''[[RetroTechCollection:Reference materials]]''' - Links to external standards and resources
* '''[[RetroTechCollection:Policy summary]]''' - Quick reference guide to essential policies

=== Community Support Systems ===
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RetroTechCollection:Forum]''' - Discussion spaces for policy questions and feedback
* '''[[RetroTechCollection:Office hours]]''' - Regular times for direct administrator consultation
* '''[[RetroTechCollection:Training resources]]''' - Educational materials for understanding policies
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== Contact and Feedback ==

For questions about policies and guidelines:
* '''General questions''' - Use community forums for broad policy discussions
* '''Specific clarifications''' - Contact administrators for urgent policy interpretations
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* '''Implementation feedback''' - Report on how policies work in practice

RetroTechCollection's policies and guidelines represent the collective wisdom of a technical community dedicated to preserving vintage computing knowledge. They evolve continuously based on community needs and experience, ensuring that documentation standards keep pace with the community's growing expertise and changing technical challenges.

{{DEFAULTSORT:RetroTechCollection policies and guidelines}}
[[Category:RetroTechCollection]]

Category:Amstrad

2026-06-17T21:08:00Z

Josh: /* 💻 Amstrad PC2000 / PC3000 Series — XT and AT Compatibles (1988–1990) */

__NOTOC__
{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Amstrad
| subtitle = Maintenance, Restoration and Repair for the CPC, PCW, PC Compatibles, GX4000, NC and Mega PC (1984–1995)
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Amstrad category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Amstrad logo.svg|right|frameless|220px]]
Welcome to the '''Amstrad''' category! Amstrad (Alan Michael Sugar Trading) was a British consumer electronics company founded in 1968 by Alan Sugar. From 1984 to the mid-1990s, Amstrad produced one of the most diverse home and small-business computing line-ups of any European manufacturer, spanning Z80-based home computers (the CPC range), all-in-one word processors (the PCW range), IBM PC compatibles (the PC1000 through PC9000 series), Z80 notebook computers (the Notepad NC range), a cartridge games console derived from the CPC Plus (the GX4000), and a unique IBM PC + Sega Mega Drive hybrid (the Mega PC). This category covers preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis and capacitor replacement for every member of those families.

Each system features:
* Cleaning, mechanical and electrical maintenance guides
* Common faults and repair procedures
* Capacitor replacement specifications for the planar, PSU and (PCW range) integrated CRT subsystem
* Floppy drive belt and head maintenance — especially for the 3-inch Amsoft / Hitachi drives used across the CPC and PCW ranges
* Period upgrade and modification documentation

== 🖥️ Amstrad CPC Home Computers (Z80, 1984–1990) ==

The CPC range was Amstrad's entry into the home computer market and consists of three original Z80-based machines (464, 664, 6128) and two cartridge-equipped successors (the 464 Plus and 6128 Plus). All five share the Z80A CPU at 4 MHz and use the same 3-inch floppy diskette format (CPC 664 / 6128 / 6128 Plus). Original CPCs use the [[Amstrad CTM-640|CTM-640]] monochrome and [[Amstrad CTM-644|CTM-644]] colour monitors, both of which also supply power to the system unit.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 464]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 664]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 6128]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad 464 Plus]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad 6128 Plus]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎮 Amstrad GX4000 (Cartridge games console, 1990) ==

The GX4000 is a games console based on the CPC Plus hardware, released in September 1990. It shares the ASIC, video and sound subsystems of the [[Amstrad 464 Plus|464 Plus]] and [[Amstrad 6128 Plus|6128 Plus]] but is sold without a keyboard or tape drive, with software supplied only on the new CPC Plus cartridge format.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad GX4000]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 📝 Amstrad PCW Word Processors (Z80, 1985–1995) ==

The PCW ("Personal Computer Word processor") line was Amstrad's all-in-one Z80-based word-processing computer with integrated monitor and bundled daisywheel or dot-matrix printer. All PCW models run [[LocoScript]] and are capable of running CP/M Plus. The 8256, 8512, 9256 and 9512 use the same 3-inch floppy diskette format as the CPC range; the 9256 onwards moved to 3.5-inch diskettes. The PCW 16 (1995) is a radical redesign with an ARM-derived CPU and a GUI ("Rosanne"), and is included here for completeness.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 8256]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 8512]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9256]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9512]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9512+]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 10]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 16]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC1000 Series — IBM PC Compatibles (1986–1988) ==

The PC1000 series was Amstrad's first IBM PC clone line. Both machines house the PSU '''inside the monitor''' rather than the system unit and ship with a CGA-based video adapter that uses a composite sync signal — '''Amstrad PC1000 monitors are not pin-compatible with standard CGA monitors'''. The PC1512 introduced an Amstrad-specific extended CGA mode (640 × 200 in 16 colours). The PC1640 added an EGA-capable video board.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC1512]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC1640]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC2000 / PC3000 Series — XT and AT Compatibles (1988–1990) ==

The PC2000 series introduced the Paradise PVGA1A planar VGA chipset (256 KB VRAM) to the Amstrad PC range and moved the PSU into the standard system-unit position. PC2086 / 3086 are 8086-based XT-class machines; PC2286 / 3286 use a 80286; PC2386 / 3386SX use the 80386DX or 80386SX. The 3000 series is mechanically compacter than the 2000 series.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2086]] || [[Amstrad PC2086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2286]] || [[Amstrad PC2286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2386]] || [[Amstrad PC2386 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2386 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2386 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3086]] || [[Amstrad PC3086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3286]] || [[Amstrad PC3286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3386SX]] || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC4000 / PC5000 / PC7000 / PC9000 Series — Later PC Compatibles (1990–1993) ==

The later PC lines moved Amstrad onto industry-standard PS/2-style keyboards and mice (with a PC5086 oddity: a switch on the back puts the keyboard into XT or AT protocol), industry-standard 40-pin IDE hard drives (replacing the earlier RLL Stratum Sprint), and Citizen-supplied 26-pin floppy drives (PC5086 only).

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC4386SX]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5086]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5286]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5386]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC7286]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC7386SX]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC9486]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💼 Amstrad Portables — PPC and ALT Series (1988–1989) ==

The '''PPC512''' and '''PPC640''' are 12 V "luggable" portables: NEC V30 CPU, supertwist non-backlit CGA LCD, and a 14-pin DIN socket that allows the unit to be powered (and the LCD bypassed) by a PC1640 MD/CD/ECD monitor. The '''ALT-286''' and '''ALT-386SX''' are conventional clamshell laptops with backlit LCDs.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PPC512]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PPC640]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad ALT-286]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad ALT-386SX]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 📓 Amstrad Notepad and PenPad (Z80 and ARM, 1992–1995) ==

The '''Notepad''' line is a series of A4-size Z80-based notebook computers running '''Protext''' word processor and bundled with a Z80 BASIC interpreter, designed by Cliff Lawson. The '''PenPad PDA600''' (1993) is an early pen-based PDA with handwriting recognition, based on the ARM610.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad NC100]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad NC150]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad NC200]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎮 Amstrad Hybrid — Mega PC (1993) ==

The '''Mega PC''' is a 386SX-25 IBM PC with a complete Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) integrated into the system unit, switchable between modes. It was a collaboration between Amstrad and Sega and is one of the most unusual hybrids of the era.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad Mega PC]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖨️ Amstrad Peripherals and Accessories ==

The Amstrad ecosystem includes a number of peripherals that are essential to the CPC, PCW and PC ranges and benefit from their own maintenance pages.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Peripheral !! Maintenance / Notes
|-
| [[Amstrad CTM-640]] || [[Amstrad CTM-640 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CTM-644]] || [[Amstrad CTM-644 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DDI-1]] || [[Amstrad DDI-1 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DMP2000]] || [[Amstrad DMP2000 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DMP3000]] || [[Amstrad DMP3000 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad MP-1]] / [[Amstrad MP-2|MP-2]] || [[Amstrad MP-1 / MP-2 Maintenance Guide]]
|}

== 📖 Related Pages ==

* [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]
* [[Recommended Tools]]

== 🔗 References ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad Amstrad — Wikipedia]. History of the company and the principal product lines.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PC1512 Amstrad PC1512 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PC2286 Amstrad PC2286 — Wikipedia]. Source for the PC1000 and PC2000 series technical specifications.
* [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_PC Amstrad PC — CPCWiki]. Detailed catalogue of every Amstrad PC desktop and portable.
* [https://retroisle.com/amstrad/pcs/techdetail.php Amstrad PC Technical Section — Retro Isle]. Source for the PSU-in-monitor design of the PC1000 series, the Paradise PVGA1A chipset of the PC2000/3000 series, the PC5086 keyboard XT/AT switch, the 4 × AA RTC battery and CMOS quirk, and the GEM/DR-DOS/MS-DOS bundle history.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_NC100 Amstrad NC100 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_NC200 Amstrad NC200 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PenPad Amstrad PenPad — Wikipedia]. Sources for the Notepad and PenPad ranges.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCW Amstrad PCW — Wikipedia]. Source for the PCW range chronology and the PCW 16 ARM-derived redesign.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_Mega_PC Amstrad Mega PC — Wikipedia]. Source for the IBM PC + Sega Mega Drive hybrid.

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Amstrad

2026-06-17T21:07:40Z

Josh: /* 📝 Amstrad PCW Word Processors (Z80, 1985–1995) */

__NOTOC__
{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Amstrad
| subtitle = Maintenance, Restoration and Repair for the CPC, PCW, PC Compatibles, GX4000, NC and Mega PC (1984–1995)
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Amstrad category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Amstrad logo.svg|right|frameless|220px]]
Welcome to the '''Amstrad''' category! Amstrad (Alan Michael Sugar Trading) was a British consumer electronics company founded in 1968 by Alan Sugar. From 1984 to the mid-1990s, Amstrad produced one of the most diverse home and small-business computing line-ups of any European manufacturer, spanning Z80-based home computers (the CPC range), all-in-one word processors (the PCW range), IBM PC compatibles (the PC1000 through PC9000 series), Z80 notebook computers (the Notepad NC range), a cartridge games console derived from the CPC Plus (the GX4000), and a unique IBM PC + Sega Mega Drive hybrid (the Mega PC). This category covers preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis and capacitor replacement for every member of those families.

Each system features:
* Cleaning, mechanical and electrical maintenance guides
* Common faults and repair procedures
* Capacitor replacement specifications for the planar, PSU and (PCW range) integrated CRT subsystem
* Floppy drive belt and head maintenance — especially for the 3-inch Amsoft / Hitachi drives used across the CPC and PCW ranges
* Period upgrade and modification documentation

== 🖥️ Amstrad CPC Home Computers (Z80, 1984–1990) ==

The CPC range was Amstrad's entry into the home computer market and consists of three original Z80-based machines (464, 664, 6128) and two cartridge-equipped successors (the 464 Plus and 6128 Plus). All five share the Z80A CPU at 4 MHz and use the same 3-inch floppy diskette format (CPC 664 / 6128 / 6128 Plus). Original CPCs use the [[Amstrad CTM-640|CTM-640]] monochrome and [[Amstrad CTM-644|CTM-644]] colour monitors, both of which also supply power to the system unit.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 464]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 664]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 6128]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad 464 Plus]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad 6128 Plus]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎮 Amstrad GX4000 (Cartridge games console, 1990) ==

The GX4000 is a games console based on the CPC Plus hardware, released in September 1990. It shares the ASIC, video and sound subsystems of the [[Amstrad 464 Plus|464 Plus]] and [[Amstrad 6128 Plus|6128 Plus]] but is sold without a keyboard or tape drive, with software supplied only on the new CPC Plus cartridge format.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad GX4000]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 📝 Amstrad PCW Word Processors (Z80, 1985–1995) ==

The PCW ("Personal Computer Word processor") line was Amstrad's all-in-one Z80-based word-processing computer with integrated monitor and bundled daisywheel or dot-matrix printer. All PCW models run [[LocoScript]] and are capable of running CP/M Plus. The 8256, 8512, 9256 and 9512 use the same 3-inch floppy diskette format as the CPC range; the 9256 onwards moved to 3.5-inch diskettes. The PCW 16 (1995) is a radical redesign with an ARM-derived CPU and a GUI ("Rosanne"), and is included here for completeness.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 8256]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 8512]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9256]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9512]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9512+]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 10]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 16]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC1000 Series — IBM PC Compatibles (1986–1988) ==

The PC1000 series was Amstrad's first IBM PC clone line. Both machines house the PSU '''inside the monitor''' rather than the system unit and ship with a CGA-based video adapter that uses a composite sync signal — '''Amstrad PC1000 monitors are not pin-compatible with standard CGA monitors'''. The PC1512 introduced an Amstrad-specific extended CGA mode (640 × 200 in 16 colours). The PC1640 added an EGA-capable video board.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC1512]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC1640]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC2000 / PC3000 Series — XT and AT Compatibles (1988–1990) ==

The PC2000 series introduced the Paradise PVGA1A planar VGA chipset (256 KB VRAM) to the Amstrad PC range and moved the PSU into the standard system-unit position. PC2086 / 3086 are 8086-based XT-class machines; PC2286 / 3286 use a 80286; PC2386 / 3386SX use the 80386DX or 80386SX. The 3000 series is mechanically compacter than the 2000 series.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! CPU !! Video !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2086]] || Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC2086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2286]] || Intel 80286 @ 12 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC2286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2386]] || Intel 80386DX @ 20 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC2386 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2386 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2386 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3086]] || Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC3086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3286]] || Intel 80286 @ 12 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC3286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3386SX]] || Intel 80386SX @ 16 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC4000 / PC5000 / PC7000 / PC9000 Series — Later PC Compatibles (1990–1993) ==

The later PC lines moved Amstrad onto industry-standard PS/2-style keyboards and mice (with a PC5086 oddity: a switch on the back puts the keyboard into XT or AT protocol), industry-standard 40-pin IDE hard drives (replacing the earlier RLL Stratum Sprint), and Citizen-supplied 26-pin floppy drives (PC5086 only).

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC4386SX]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5086]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5286]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5386]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC7286]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC7386SX]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC9486]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💼 Amstrad Portables — PPC and ALT Series (1988–1989) ==

The '''PPC512''' and '''PPC640''' are 12 V "luggable" portables: NEC V30 CPU, supertwist non-backlit CGA LCD, and a 14-pin DIN socket that allows the unit to be powered (and the LCD bypassed) by a PC1640 MD/CD/ECD monitor. The '''ALT-286''' and '''ALT-386SX''' are conventional clamshell laptops with backlit LCDs.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PPC512]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PPC640]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad ALT-286]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad ALT-386SX]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 📓 Amstrad Notepad and PenPad (Z80 and ARM, 1992–1995) ==

The '''Notepad''' line is a series of A4-size Z80-based notebook computers running '''Protext''' word processor and bundled with a Z80 BASIC interpreter, designed by Cliff Lawson. The '''PenPad PDA600''' (1993) is an early pen-based PDA with handwriting recognition, based on the ARM610.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad NC100]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad NC150]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad NC200]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎮 Amstrad Hybrid — Mega PC (1993) ==

The '''Mega PC''' is a 386SX-25 IBM PC with a complete Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) integrated into the system unit, switchable between modes. It was a collaboration between Amstrad and Sega and is one of the most unusual hybrids of the era.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad Mega PC]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖨️ Amstrad Peripherals and Accessories ==

The Amstrad ecosystem includes a number of peripherals that are essential to the CPC, PCW and PC ranges and benefit from their own maintenance pages.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Peripheral !! Maintenance / Notes
|-
| [[Amstrad CTM-640]] || [[Amstrad CTM-640 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CTM-644]] || [[Amstrad CTM-644 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DDI-1]] || [[Amstrad DDI-1 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DMP2000]] || [[Amstrad DMP2000 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DMP3000]] || [[Amstrad DMP3000 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad MP-1]] / [[Amstrad MP-2|MP-2]] || [[Amstrad MP-1 / MP-2 Maintenance Guide]]
|}

== 📖 Related Pages ==

* [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]
* [[Recommended Tools]]
* [[LocoScript]] — word-processing software shipped with every PCW
* [[3-inch Floppy Diskette]] — common to the CPC 664/6128 and the PCW 8256/8512/9512

== 🔗 References ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad Amstrad — Wikipedia]. History of the company and the principal product lines.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PC1512 Amstrad PC1512 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PC2286 Amstrad PC2286 — Wikipedia]. Source for the PC1000 and PC2000 series technical specifications.
* [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_PC Amstrad PC — CPCWiki]. Detailed catalogue of every Amstrad PC desktop and portable.
* [https://retroisle.com/amstrad/pcs/techdetail.php Amstrad PC Technical Section — Retro Isle]. Source for the PSU-in-monitor design of the PC1000 series, the Paradise PVGA1A chipset of the PC2000/3000 series, the PC5086 keyboard XT/AT switch, the 4 × AA RTC battery and CMOS quirk, and the GEM/DR-DOS/MS-DOS bundle history.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_NC100 Amstrad NC100 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_NC200 Amstrad NC200 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PenPad Amstrad PenPad — Wikipedia]. Sources for the Notepad and PenPad ranges.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCW Amstrad PCW — Wikipedia]. Source for the PCW range chronology and the PCW 16 ARM-derived redesign.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_Mega_PC Amstrad Mega PC — Wikipedia]. Source for the IBM PC + Sega Mega Drive hybrid.

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Amstrad

2026-06-17T21:06:36Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__
{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Amstrad
| subtitle = Maintenance, Restoration and Repair for the CPC, PCW, PC Compatibles, GX4000, NC and Mega PC (1984–1995)
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Amstrad category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Amstrad logo.svg|right|frameless|220px]]
Welcome to the '''Amstrad''' category! Amstrad (Alan Michael Sugar Trading) was a British consumer electronics company founded in 1968 by Alan Sugar. From 1984 to the mid-1990s, Amstrad produced one of the most diverse home and small-business computing line-ups of any European manufacturer, spanning Z80-based home computers (the CPC range), all-in-one word processors (the PCW range), IBM PC compatibles (the PC1000 through PC9000 series), Z80 notebook computers (the Notepad NC range), a cartridge games console derived from the CPC Plus (the GX4000), and a unique IBM PC + Sega Mega Drive hybrid (the Mega PC). This category covers preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis and capacitor replacement for every member of those families.

Each system features:
* Cleaning, mechanical and electrical maintenance guides
* Common faults and repair procedures
* Capacitor replacement specifications for the planar, PSU and (PCW range) integrated CRT subsystem
* Floppy drive belt and head maintenance — especially for the 3-inch Amsoft / Hitachi drives used across the CPC and PCW ranges
* Period upgrade and modification documentation

== 🖥️ Amstrad CPC Home Computers (Z80, 1984–1990) ==

The CPC range was Amstrad's entry into the home computer market and consists of three original Z80-based machines (464, 664, 6128) and two cartridge-equipped successors (the 464 Plus and 6128 Plus). All five share the Z80A CPU at 4 MHz and use the same 3-inch floppy diskette format (CPC 664 / 6128 / 6128 Plus). Original CPCs use the [[Amstrad CTM-640|CTM-640]] monochrome and [[Amstrad CTM-644|CTM-644]] colour monitors, both of which also supply power to the system unit.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 464]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 464 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 664]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 664 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CPC 6128]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad 464 Plus]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad 464 Plus Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad 6128 Plus]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad 6128 Plus Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎮 Amstrad GX4000 (Cartridge games console, 1990) ==

The GX4000 is a games console based on the CPC Plus hardware, released in September 1990. It shares the ASIC, video and sound subsystems of the [[Amstrad 464 Plus|464 Plus]] and [[Amstrad 6128 Plus|6128 Plus]] but is sold without a keyboard or tape drive, with software supplied only on the new CPC Plus cartridge format.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad GX4000]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad GX4000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 📝 Amstrad PCW Word Processors (Z80, 1985–1995) ==

The PCW ("Personal Computer Word processor") line was Amstrad's all-in-one Z80-based word-processing computer with integrated monitor and bundled daisywheel or dot-matrix printer. All PCW models run [[LocoScript]] and are capable of running CP/M Plus. The 8256, 8512, 9256 and 9512 use the same 3-inch floppy diskette format as the CPC range; the 9256 onwards moved to 3.5-inch diskettes. The PCW 16 (1995) is a radical redesign with an ARM-derived CPU and a GUI ("Rosanne"), and is included here for completeness.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! CPU !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 8256]] || Z80A || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 8512]] || Z80A || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9256]] || Z80A || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9512]] || Z80A || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 9512+]] || Z80A || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 10]] || Z80A || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 10 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PCW 16]] || Z80 (Anne ASIC) || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PCW 16 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC1000 Series — IBM PC Compatibles (1986–1988) ==

The PC1000 series was Amstrad's first IBM PC clone line. Both machines house the PSU '''inside the monitor''' rather than the system unit and ship with a CGA-based video adapter that uses a composite sync signal — '''Amstrad PC1000 monitors are not pin-compatible with standard CGA monitors'''. The PC1512 introduced an Amstrad-specific extended CGA mode (640 × 200 in 16 colours). The PC1640 added an EGA-capable video board.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! CPU !! RAM !! Video !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC1512]] || Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz || 512–640 KB || Amstrad CGA (extended 640×200×16) || [[Amstrad PC1512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC1640]] || Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz || 640 KB || MDA / Hercules / CGA / EGA || [[Amstrad PC1640 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC1640 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC2000 / PC3000 Series — XT and AT Compatibles (1988–1990) ==

The PC2000 series introduced the Paradise PVGA1A planar VGA chipset (256 KB VRAM) to the Amstrad PC range and moved the PSU into the standard system-unit position. PC2086 / 3086 are 8086-based XT-class machines; PC2286 / 3286 use a 80286; PC2386 / 3386SX use the 80386DX or 80386SX. The 3000 series is mechanically compacter than the 2000 series.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! CPU !! Video !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2086]] || Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC2086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2286]] || Intel 80286 @ 12 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC2286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC2386]] || Intel 80386DX @ 20 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC2386 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2386 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC2386 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3086]] || Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC3086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3286]] || Intel 80286 @ 12 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC3286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC3386SX]] || Intel 80386SX @ 16 MHz || Paradise PVGA1A || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC3386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Amstrad PC4000 / PC5000 / PC7000 / PC9000 Series — Later PC Compatibles (1990–1993) ==

The later PC lines moved Amstrad onto industry-standard PS/2-style keyboards and mice (with a PC5086 oddity: a switch on the back puts the keyboard into XT or AT protocol), industry-standard 40-pin IDE hard drives (replacing the earlier RLL Stratum Sprint), and Citizen-supplied 26-pin floppy drives (PC5086 only).

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! CPU !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PC4386SX]] || Intel 80386SX || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC4386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5086]] || Intel 8086 || [[Amstrad PC5086 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5086 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5286]] || Intel 80286 || [[Amstrad PC5286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC5386]] || Intel 80386SX || [[Amstrad PC5386 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC5386 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC7286]] || Intel 80286 || [[Amstrad PC7286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC7386SX]] || Intel 80386SX || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC7386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PC9486]] || Intel 80486 || [[Amstrad PC9486 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PC9486 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💼 Amstrad Portables — PPC and ALT Series (1988–1989) ==

The '''PPC512''' and '''PPC640''' are 12 V "luggable" portables: NEC V30 CPU, supertwist non-backlit CGA LCD, and a 14-pin DIN socket that allows the unit to be powered (and the LCD bypassed) by a PC1640 MD/CD/ECD monitor. The '''ALT-286''' and '''ALT-386SX''' are conventional clamshell laptops with backlit LCDs.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! CPU !! Display !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad PPC512]] || NEC V30 || Supertwist CGA LCD (mono) || [[Amstrad PPC512 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC512 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PPC640]] || NEC V30 || Supertwist CGA LCD (mono) || [[Amstrad PPC640 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PPC640 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad ALT-286]] || Intel 80286 || Backlit LCD || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-286 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad ALT-386SX]] || Intel 80386SX || Backlit LCD || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad ALT-386SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 📓 Amstrad Notepad and PenPad (Z80 and ARM, 1992–1995) ==

The '''Notepad''' line is a series of A4-size Z80-based notebook computers running '''Protext''' word processor and bundled with a Z80 BASIC interpreter, designed by Cliff Lawson. The '''PenPad PDA600''' (1993) is an early pen-based PDA with handwriting recognition, based on the ARM610.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! CPU !! Display !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad NC100]] || Zilog Z80 @ 6 MHz || 80×8 LCD || [[Amstrad NC100 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC100 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad NC150]] || Zilog Z80 || 80×8 LCD || [[Amstrad NC150 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC150 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad NC200]] || Zilog Z80 || 80×16 LCD || [[Amstrad NC200 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad NC200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600]] || ARM610 || Pen-input LCD || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad PenPad PDA600 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎮 Amstrad Hybrid — Mega PC (1993) ==

The '''Mega PC''' is a 386SX-25 IBM PC with a complete Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) integrated into the system unit, switchable between modes. It was a collaboration between Amstrad and Sega and is one of the most unusual hybrids of the era.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Amstrad Mega PC]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Maintenance Guide]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Amstrad Mega PC Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖨️ Amstrad Peripherals and Accessories ==

The Amstrad ecosystem includes a number of peripherals that are essential to the CPC, PCW and PC ranges and benefit from their own maintenance pages.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Peripheral !! Used with !! Maintenance / Notes
|-
| [[Amstrad CTM-640]] (green monochrome monitor) || CPC 464/664/6128 || [[Amstrad CTM-640 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad CTM-644]] (RGB colour monitor) || CPC 464/664/6128 || [[Amstrad CTM-644 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DDI-1]] (external 3" disc drive) || CPC 464 || [[Amstrad DDI-1 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DMP2000]] (dot-matrix printer) || PCW, CPC, PC || [[Amstrad DMP2000 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad DMP3000]] (dot-matrix printer) || PC1512, PC1640 || [[Amstrad DMP3000 Maintenance Guide]]
|-
| [[Amstrad MP-1]] / [[Amstrad MP-2|MP-2]] (TV modulators) || CPC, PCW || [[Amstrad MP-1 / MP-2 Maintenance Guide]]
|}

== 📖 Related Pages ==

* [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]
* [[Recommended Tools]]
* [[LocoScript]] — word-processing software shipped with every PCW
* [[3-inch Floppy Diskette]] — common to the CPC 664/6128 and the PCW 8256/8512/9512

== 🔗 References ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad Amstrad — Wikipedia]. History of the company and the principal product lines.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PC1512 Amstrad PC1512 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PC2286 Amstrad PC2286 — Wikipedia]. Source for the PC1000 and PC2000 series technical specifications.
* [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_PC Amstrad PC — CPCWiki]. Detailed catalogue of every Amstrad PC desktop and portable.
* [https://retroisle.com/amstrad/pcs/techdetail.php Amstrad PC Technical Section — Retro Isle]. Source for the PSU-in-monitor design of the PC1000 series, the Paradise PVGA1A chipset of the PC2000/3000 series, the PC5086 keyboard XT/AT switch, the 4 × AA RTC battery and CMOS quirk, and the GEM/DR-DOS/MS-DOS bundle history.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_NC100 Amstrad NC100 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_NC200 Amstrad NC200 — Wikipedia]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PenPad Amstrad PenPad — Wikipedia]. Sources for the Notepad and PenPad ranges.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCW Amstrad PCW — Wikipedia]. Source for the PCW range chronology and the PCW 16 ARM-derived redesign.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_Mega_PC Amstrad Mega PC — Wikipedia]. Source for the IBM PC + Sega Mega Drive hybrid.

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Tandy

2026-06-17T21:06:04Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Tandy
| subtitle = TRS-80, CoCo, Model 100, Tandy 1000 and the Radio Shack Computer Line (1977-1993)
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Tandy category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Tandy computer logo.png|right|frameless|220px]]
Welcome to the '''Tandy / Radio Shack''' category! Tandy was one of the founding US home-computer manufacturers, selling its TRS-80 Model I (1977) and the Color Computer (CoCo, 1980) line through thousands of Radio Shack stores. The Model 100 (1983) was the first true notebook computer to sell in large numbers, and the Tandy 1000 family (1984-1993) was the dominant home-PC-compatible line through the late 1980s. This category covers TRS-80 Z80 desktops, the entire CoCo line, the Model 100 portables, the Tandy 1000/2000/3000/4000 PC-compatibles and the TRS-80 Pocket Computer family.

Each system features:
* Maintenance of the cassette and 5.25" floppy mechanisms used throughout the TRS-80 line
* CoCo composite-out, RGB-mod and SuperFloppy upgrade work
* Model 100 LCD ribbon repair and BlueChip / REX flash documentation
* Tandy 1000 PSU service, capacitor replacement and floppy alignment

== 🖥️ TRS-80 Z80 desktops ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model I]] || [[TRS-80 Model I General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model I Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model I Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model II]] || [[TRS-80 Model II General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model II Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model II Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model III]] || [[TRS-80 Model III General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model III Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model III Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model 4]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model 4P]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4P General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4P Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4P Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model 4D]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4D General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4D Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 4D Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model 12]] || [[TRS-80 Model 12 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model 12 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 12 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model 16]] || [[TRS-80 Model 16 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model 16 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 16 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model 16B]] || [[TRS-80 Model 16B General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model 16B Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 16B Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎨 Color Computer (CoCo) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! AV / RGB Mods
|-
| [[TRS-80 Color Computer]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer RGB Mod]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Color Computer 2]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 2 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 2 RGB Mod]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 Color Computer 3]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 3 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 3 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Color Computer 3 RGB Mod]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 MC-10]] || [[TRS-80 MC-10 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 MC-10 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 MC-10 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[TRS-80 MC-10 Composite Mod]]
|}

== 💼 TRS-80 / Tandy portables (Model 100 family) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! LCD / Ribbon Repair
|-
| [[TRS-80 Model 100]] || [[TRS-80 Model 100 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 Model 100 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 100 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[TRS-80 Model 100 LCD Ribbon Repair]]
|-
| [[Tandy 102]] || [[Tandy 102 General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 102 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 102 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Tandy 102 LCD Ribbon Repair]]
|-
| [[Tandy 200]] || [[Tandy 200 General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Tandy 200 LCD Ribbon Repair]]
|-
| [[Tandy 600]] || [[Tandy 600 General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 600 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 600 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Tandy 600 LCD Ribbon Repair]]
|}

== 🖥️ Tandy 1000 family (PC-compatible) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Tandy 1000]] || [[Tandy 1000 General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000A]] || [[Tandy 1000A General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000A Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000A Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 HD]] || [[Tandy 1000 HD General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 HD Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 HD Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 EX]] || [[Tandy 1000 EX General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 EX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 EX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 SX]] || [[Tandy 1000 SX General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 SX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 SX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 HX]] || [[Tandy 1000 HX General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 HX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 HX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 TX]] || [[Tandy 1000 TX General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 TX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 TX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 SL]] || [[Tandy 1000 SL General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 SL Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 SL Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 TL]] || [[Tandy 1000 TL General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 TL Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 TL Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 RL]] || [[Tandy 1000 RL General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 RL Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 RL Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 RSX]] || [[Tandy 1000 RSX General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 RSX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 RSX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 1000 RLX]] || [[Tandy 1000 RLX General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 1000 RLX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 1000 RLX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ Tandy 2000 / 3000 / 4000 / 5000 ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Tandy 2000]] || [[Tandy 2000 General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 2000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 2000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 3000]] || [[Tandy 3000 General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 3000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 3000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 4000]] || [[Tandy 4000 General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 4000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 4000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Tandy 5000 MC]] || [[Tandy 5000 MC General Maintenance]] || [[Tandy 5000 MC Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Tandy 5000 MC Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 📟 Pocket Computers ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[TRS-80 Pocket Computer]] || [[TRS-80 PC-1 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-1 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 PC-2]] || [[TRS-80 PC-2 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 PC-3]] || [[TRS-80 PC-3 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-3 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 PC-4]] || [[TRS-80 PC-4 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-4 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 PC-5]] || [[TRS-80 PC-5 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-5 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 PC-6]] || [[TRS-80 PC-6 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-6 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-6 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 PC-7]] || [[TRS-80 PC-7 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-7 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-7 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[TRS-80 PC-8]] || [[TRS-80 PC-8 General Maintenance]] || [[TRS-80 PC-8 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[TRS-80 PC-8 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ All Tandy ==
{{Navbox-Tandy|state=expanded}}

== 🧪 Tools & Procedures ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools]]''' – Essential tools for restoration, soldering and diagnostics.
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – Recognising and diagnosing failed electrolytic capacitors.
* '''[[CRT Discharge Procedure]]''' – Safety steps for systems with integrated CRTs.

== 🛠️ Service Manuals & Documentation ==
* [[:Category:Service Manuals|Service Manuals]] – Cross-manufacturer manual collection.
* [[:Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides|Capacitor Replacement Guides]] – Model-specific capacitor specs.

== 🔍 See Also ==
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|'''Vintage Computers''']]
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RTC Community Forum]'''

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Sharp

2026-06-17T21:05:35Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Sharp
| subtitle = Sharp MZ, X1, X68000 and PC-1500 Pocket Computers from Japan
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Sharp category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Sharp logo.png|right|frameless|240px]]
Welcome to the '''Sharp''' category! Sharp produced three major lines of Japanese home computers: the long-running MZ series (MZ-40K through MZ-2500), the colour-graphics [[Sharp X1|X1]] (1982) and its X1 Turbo successors, and the legendary X68000 (1987) — Japan's gaming and demoscene workstation of choice through the early 1990s. Sharp also produced the PC-1500 pocket computer line and (via Epcom in Brazil) the Hotbit HB-8000 MSX. This category covers the entire Sharp retro computing line.

Each system features:
* MZ-series clean-and-replace work, including the unique tape-based all-in-one designs
* X68000 PSU service, Manhattan Shape battery replacement and floppy alignment
* Capacitor replacement specs across the MZ, X1, and X68000 chassis variants
* Pocket-computer LCD ribbon and keyboard service

== 🖥️ MZ-80 Series (1978-82) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-40K]] || [[Sharp MZ-40K General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-40K Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-40K Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-80K]] || [[Sharp MZ-80K General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-80K Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-80K Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-80K2]] || [[Sharp MZ-80K2 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-80K2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-80K2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-80C]] || [[Sharp MZ-80C General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-80C Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-80C Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-80B]] || [[Sharp MZ-80B General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-80B Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-80B Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-80A]] || [[Sharp MZ-80A General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-80A Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-80A Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ MZ-700 / 800 / 1500 ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-700]] || [[Sharp MZ-700 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-700 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-700 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-800]] || [[Sharp MZ-800 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-800 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-800 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-1500]] || [[Sharp MZ-1500 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-1500 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-1500 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ MZ-2000 / 2200 / 2500 ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-2000]] || [[Sharp MZ-2000 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-2000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-2000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-2200]] || [[Sharp MZ-2200 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-2200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-2200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp MZ-2500]] || [[Sharp MZ-2500 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp MZ-2500 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp MZ-2500 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ X1 Series ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Sharp X1]] || [[Sharp X1 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X1 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp X1C]] || [[Sharp X1C General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X1C Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X1C Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp X1F]] || [[Sharp X1F General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X1F Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X1F Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp X1 Turbo]] || [[Sharp X1 Turbo General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X1 Turbo Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X1 Turbo Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Sharp X1 Turbo Z]] || [[Sharp X1 Turbo Z General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X1 Turbo Z Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X1 Turbo Z Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ X68000 Series ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! PSU / Battery Service
|-
| [[Sharp X68000]] || [[Sharp X68000 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 PSU Recap]]
|-
| [[Sharp X68000 ACE]] || [[Sharp X68000 ACE General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68000 ACE Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 ACE Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 ACE PSU Recap]]
|-
| [[Sharp X68000 EXPERT]] || [[Sharp X68000 EXPERT General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68000 EXPERT Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 EXPERT Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 EXPERT PSU Recap]]
|-
| [[Sharp X68000 PRO]] || [[Sharp X68000 PRO General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68000 PRO Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 PRO Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 PRO PSU Recap]]
|-
| [[Sharp X68000 SUPER]] || [[Sharp X68000 SUPER General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68000 SUPER Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 SUPER Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 SUPER PSU Recap]]
|-
| [[Sharp X68000 XVI]] || [[Sharp X68000 XVI General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68000 XVI Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 XVI Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 XVI PSU Recap]]
|-
| [[Sharp X68000 Compact]] || [[Sharp X68000 Compact General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68000 Compact Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 Compact Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68000 Compact PSU Recap]]
|-
| [[Sharp X68030]] || [[Sharp X68030 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp X68030 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp X68030 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp X68030 PSU Recap]]
|}

== 📟 Pocket Computers ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Display Repair
|-
| [[Sharp PC-1245]] || [[Sharp PC-1245 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp PC-1245 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1245 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1245 LCD Repair]]
|-
| [[Sharp PC-1251]] || [[Sharp PC-1251 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp PC-1251 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1251 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1251 LCD Repair]]
|-
| [[Sharp PC-1350]] || [[Sharp PC-1350 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp PC-1350 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1350 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1350 LCD Repair]]
|-
| [[Sharp PC-1500]] || [[Sharp PC-1500 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp PC-1500 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1500 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1500 LCD Repair]]
|-
| [[Sharp PC-1500A]] || [[Sharp PC-1500A General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp PC-1500A Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1500A Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-1500A LCD Repair]]
|-
| [[Sharp PC-E500]] || [[Sharp PC-E500 General Maintenance]] || [[Sharp PC-E500 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-E500 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Sharp PC-E500 LCD Repair]]
|}

== 🖥️ All Sharp ==
{{Navbox-Sharp|state=expanded}}

== 🧪 Tools & Procedures ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools]]''' – Essential tools for restoration, soldering and diagnostics.
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – Recognising and diagnosing failed electrolytic capacitors.
* '''[[CRT Discharge Procedure]]''' – Safety steps for systems with integrated CRTs.

== 🛠️ Service Manuals & Documentation ==
* [[:Category:Service Manuals|Service Manuals]] – Cross-manufacturer manual collection.
* [[:Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides|Capacitor Replacement Guides]] – Model-specific capacitor specs.

== 🔍 See Also ==
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|'''Vintage Computers''']]
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RTC Community Forum]'''

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:SGI

2026-06-17T21:05:14Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = SGI
| subtitle = Silicon Graphics IRIS, Indigo, Octane, Onyx, Origin and Fuel/Tezro Workstations
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The SGI category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:SGI Logo.png|right|frameless|220px]]
Welcome to the '''Silicon Graphics''' category! SGI built the high-end 3D graphics workstations and servers that powered Hollywood visual effects, scientific visualisation, and CAD throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The lineup spans the original IRIS 1000 (1984) through the MIPS-based Indigo, Indy, O2, Octane, Fuel, and Tezro desktops, the refrigerator-sized [[SGI Onyx|Onyx]] visualisation systems, the Origin server family, and the late-1990s Windows NT-based Visual Workstation line. This category collects maintenance, troubleshooting, and recap guides for the SGI hardware line.

Each system features:
* PSU service and capacitor replacement for the Indigo / O2 / Octane chassis
* L1/L2 console diagnostics on Origin, Onyx and Tezro hardware
* Lithium PRAM/RTC battery replacement and Dallas/Benchmarq fixes
* BlueArc / XIO / NUMAlink expansion documentation

== 🖥️ IRIS (1984-92) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[SGI IRIS 1000]] || [[SGI IRIS 1000 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI IRIS 1000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI IRIS 1000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI IRIS 2000]] || [[SGI IRIS 2000 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI IRIS 2000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI IRIS 2000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI IRIS 3000]] || [[SGI IRIS 3000 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI IRIS 3000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI IRIS 3000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI IRIS 4D]] || [[SGI IRIS 4D General Maintenance]] || [[SGI IRIS 4D Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI IRIS 4D Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Personal Iris]] || [[SGI Personal Iris General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Personal Iris Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Personal Iris Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Power Series]] || [[SGI Power Series General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Power Series Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Power Series Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Crimson]] || [[SGI Crimson General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Crimson Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Crimson Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ Indigo / Indy / O2 (1991-2001) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Battery / Cache Service
|-
| [[SGI Indigo]] || [[SGI Indigo General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Indigo Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Indigo Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Indigo Dallas Battery Replacement]]
|-
| [[SGI Indigo²]] || [[SGI Indigo² General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Indigo² Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Indigo² Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Indigo² Dallas Battery Replacement]]
|-
| [[SGI Power Indigo²]] || [[SGI Power Indigo² General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Power Indigo² Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Power Indigo² Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Power Indigo² Dallas Battery Replacement]]
|-
| [[SGI Indy]] || [[SGI Indy General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Indy Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Indy Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Indy Dallas Battery Replacement]]
|-
| [[SGI O2]] || [[SGI O2 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI O2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI O2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI O2 Dallas Battery Replacement]]
|-
| [[SGI O2+]] || [[SGI O2+ General Maintenance]] || [[SGI O2+ Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI O2+ Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI O2+ Dallas Battery Replacement]]
|}

== 🖥️ Octane / Fuel / Tezro (1997-2006) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! L1 / L2 Service
|-
| [[SGI Octane]] || [[SGI Octane General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Octane Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Octane Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Octane Front-Panel Service]]
|-
| [[SGI Octane2]] || [[SGI Octane2 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Octane2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Octane2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Octane2 Front-Panel Service]]
|-
| [[SGI Fuel]] || [[SGI Fuel General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Fuel Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Fuel Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Fuel L1 Service]]
|-
| [[SGI Tezro]] || [[SGI Tezro General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Tezro Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Tezro Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[SGI Tezro L1 Service]]
|}

== 🖥️ Onyx Visualisation ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[SGI Onyx]] || [[SGI Onyx General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Onyx Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Onyx Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Onyx2]] || [[SGI Onyx2 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Onyx2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Onyx2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Onyx 3000]] || [[SGI Onyx 3000 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Onyx 3000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Onyx 3000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Onyx 300]] || [[SGI Onyx 300 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Onyx 300 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Onyx 300 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Onyx 350]] || [[SGI Onyx 350 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Onyx 350 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Onyx 350 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Onyx 4]] || [[SGI Onyx 4 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Onyx 4 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Onyx 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ Origin Server Family ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[SGI Origin 200]] || [[SGI Origin 200 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Origin 200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Origin 200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Origin 2000]] || [[SGI Origin 2000 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Origin 2000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Origin 2000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Origin 300]] || [[SGI Origin 300 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Origin 300 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Origin 300 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Origin 350]] || [[SGI Origin 350 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Origin 350 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Origin 350 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Origin 3000]] || [[SGI Origin 3000 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Origin 3000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Origin 3000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ Visual Workstation (NT/x86) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[SGI Visual Workstation 230]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 230 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 230 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 230 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Visual Workstation 320]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 320 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 320 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 320 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Visual Workstation 330]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 330 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 330 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 330 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Visual Workstation 540]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 540 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 540 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 540 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[SGI Visual Workstation 550]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 550 General Maintenance]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 550 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[SGI Visual Workstation 550 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ All SGI ==
{{Navbox-SGI|state=expanded}}

== 🧪 Tools & Procedures ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools]]''' – Essential tools for restoration, soldering and diagnostics.
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – Recognising and diagnosing failed electrolytic capacitors.
* '''[[CRT Discharge Procedure]]''' – Safety steps for systems with integrated CRTs.

== 🛠️ Service Manuals & Documentation ==
* [[:Category:Service Manuals|Service Manuals]] – Cross-manufacturer manual collection.
* [[:Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides|Capacitor Replacement Guides]] – Model-specific capacitor specs.

== 🔍 See Also ==
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|'''Vintage Computers''']]
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RTC Community Forum]'''

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Panasonic

2026-06-17T21:04:36Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Panasonic
| subtitle = Panasonic / National 8-bit Home Computers, MSX Systems, 3DO and the Panasonic Q
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Panasonic category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Panasonic logo.svg|right|frameless|220px]]
Welcome to the '''Panasonic''' category! Panasonic (and its National brand for Japan) was one of the most important builders of the MSX family — sole producer of the MSX TurboR — and licensed both the 3DO console (as the FZ-1 and FZ-10 R.E.A.L.) and Nintendo's GameCube (as the SL-GC10 Panasonic Q). The JR-100, JR-200 and JR-300 were Panasonic's own early-1980s home computer line. This category covers the entire Panasonic retro lineup.

Each system features:
* Maintenance of the JR series 6802-based home computers
* MSX troubleshooting across MSX1, MSX2, MSX2+ and TurboR generations
* Capacitor replacement for the FZ-1, FZ-10 and Panasonic Q
* Region-modding and AV upgrades for the 3DO and Q

== 🎮 Panasonic 3DO ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! AV / Region Mods
|-
| [[Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO]] || [[Panasonic FZ-1 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FZ-1 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FZ-1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Panasonic FZ-1 RGB Mod]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO]] || [[Panasonic FZ-10 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FZ-10 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FZ-10 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Panasonic FZ-10 RGB Mod]]
|-
| [[Panasonic N-1005 3DO CD Changer]] || [[Panasonic N-1005 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic N-1005 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic N-1005 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Panasonic N-1005 AV Mods]]
|}

== 🎮 Panasonic Q (GameCube) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! AV / Region Mods
|-
| [[Panasonic Q]] || [[Panasonic Q General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic Q Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic Q Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Panasonic Q Region Mod]]
|}

== 💻 JR-Series Home Computers ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Panasonic JR-100]] || [[Panasonic JR-100 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic JR-100 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic JR-100 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic JR-200]] || [[Panasonic JR-200 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic JR-200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic JR-200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic JR-300]] || [[Panasonic JR-300 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic JR-300 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic JR-300 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Panasonic / National MSX ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Panasonic CF-2000]] || [[Panasonic CF-2000 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic CF-2000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic CF-2000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic CF-2700]] || [[Panasonic CF-2700 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic CF-2700 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic CF-2700 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[National CF-3000]] || [[National CF-3000 General Maintenance]] || [[National CF-3000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[National CF-3000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[National FS-1300]] || [[National FS-1300 General Maintenance]] || [[National FS-1300 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[National FS-1300 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1 General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1MK2]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1mkII General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1mkII Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1mkII Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1F]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1F General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1F Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1F Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1FM]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1FM General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1FM Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1FM Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1WX]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1WX General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1WX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1WX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1WSX]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1WSX General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1WSX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1WSX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1FX]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1FX General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1FX Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1FX Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1ST]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1ST General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1ST Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1ST Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Panasonic FS-A1GT]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1GT General Maintenance]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1GT Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Panasonic FS-A1GT Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ All Panasonic ==
{{Navbox-Panasonic|state=expanded}}

== 🧪 Tools & Procedures ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools]]''' – Essential tools for restoration, soldering and diagnostics.
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – Recognising and diagnosing failed electrolytic capacitors.
* '''[[CRT Discharge Procedure]]''' – Safety steps for systems with integrated CRTs.

== 🛠️ Service Manuals & Documentation ==
* [[:Category:Service Manuals|Service Manuals]] – Cross-manufacturer manual collection.
* [[:Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides|Capacitor Replacement Guides]] – Model-specific capacitor specs.

== 🔍 See Also ==
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|'''Vintage Computers''']]
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RTC Community Forum]'''

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Magnavox

2026-06-17T21:04:08Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Magnavox
| subtitle = The Odyssey, the World's First Home Video Game Console, and its Successors
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Magnavox category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Magnavox_Logo.png|right|frameless|240px]]
Welcome to the '''Magnavox''' category! Magnavox produced the original Odyssey in 1972 — the world's first home video game console — and went on to release a sequence of dedicated Pong-based consoles (Odyssey 100 through 4000) and the programmable cartridge-based Odyssey² in 1978. After Philips acquired Magnavox in 1974, the Odyssey² was sold in Europe as the Videopac G7000. This category collects maintenance, troubleshooting, and recap guides for the entire Magnavox console line.

Each system features:
* Maintenance of the original Odyssey's overlay-based hardware
* Pong-series chip swaps and dead-AY/discrete-logic diagnostics
* Odyssey² cartridge slot and keyboard repair
* Capacitor replacement for the Odyssey² mainboard and power supply

== 🎮 Original Odyssey (1972) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Restoration
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey Overlay Restoration]]
|}

== 🎮 Pong-era dedicated consoles (1975-77) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 100]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 100 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 100 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 100 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 200]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 200 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 300]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 300 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 300 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 300 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 400]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 400 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 400 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 400 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 500]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 500 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 500 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 500 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 2000]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 2000 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 2000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 2000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 3000]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 3000 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 3000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 3000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey 4000]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 4000 General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 4000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey 4000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🎮 Odyssey² / Videopac (1978) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! AV Mods
|-
| [[Magnavox Odyssey²]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey² General Maintenance]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey² Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey² Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Magnavox Odyssey² Composite Mod]]
|}

== 🖥️ All Magnavox ==
{{Navbox-Magnavox|state=expanded}}

== 🧪 Tools & Procedures ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools]]''' – Essential tools for restoration, soldering and diagnostics.
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – Recognising and diagnosing failed electrolytic capacitors.
* '''[[CRT Discharge Procedure]]''' – Safety steps for systems with integrated CRTs.

== 🛠️ Service Manuals & Documentation ==
* [[:Category:Service Manuals|Service Manuals]] – Cross-manufacturer manual collection.
* [[:Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides|Capacitor Replacement Guides]] – Model-specific capacitor specs.

== 🔍 See Also ==
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|'''Vintage Computers''']]
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RTC Community Forum]'''

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Philips

2026-06-17T21:03:51Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Philips
| subtitle = Videopac, CD-i, P2000, VG-5000, NMS MSX Computers and Related Philips Hardware
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Philips category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Philips logo.png|right|frameless|240px]]
Welcome to the '''Philips''' category! Philips produced the Videopac G7000 (the European counterpart to the Magnavox Odyssey²) and its successor the Videopac+ G7400, the long-running CD-i interactive disc platform across the 200, 300, 400, 600 and 700 model series, the P2000 8-bit home computer line, the VG-5000 8-bit machine, and a substantial run of NMS- and VG-branded MSX computers. This category collects maintenance, troubleshooting, and recap guides for the entire Philips retro line.

Each system features:
* Videopac maintenance, key matrix repair and AV mods
* CD-i laser pickup service across the 200/300/400/600/700 chassis variants
* Capacitor replacement specifications for the Videopac+ and CD-i
* P2000, VG-5000 and Philips MSX/NMS computer service

== 🎮 Videopac / Videopac+ ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! AV Mods
|-
| [[Philips Videopac G7000]] || [[Philips Videopac G7000 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips Videopac G7000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips Videopac G7000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Philips Videopac G7000 Composite Mod]]
|-
| [[Philips Videopac G7200]] || [[Philips Videopac G7200 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips Videopac G7200 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips Videopac G7200 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Philips Videopac G7200 CRT Service]]
|-
| [[Philips Videopac G7400]] || [[Philips Videopac G7400 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips Videopac G7400 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips Videopac G7400 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Philips Videopac G7400 Composite Mod]]
|}

== 💽 CD-i 200 series (consumer) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Philips CDI 205]] || [[Philips CDI 205 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 205 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 205 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 210]] || [[Philips CDI 210 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 210 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 210 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 220]] || [[Philips CDI 220 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 220 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 220 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 910]] || [[Philips CDI 910 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 910 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 910 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💽 CD-i 400 / 600 / 700 series ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Philips CDI 450]] || [[Philips CDI 450 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 450 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 450 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 470]] || [[Philips CDI 470 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 470 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 470 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 490]] || [[Philips CDI 490 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 490 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 490 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 601]] || [[Philips CDI 601 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 601 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 601 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 602]] || [[Philips CDI 602 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 602 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 602 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 605]] || [[Philips CDI 605 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 605 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 605 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 615]] || [[Philips CDI 615 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 615 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 615 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 660]] || [[Philips CDI 660 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 660 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 660 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 670]] || [[Philips CDI 670 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 670 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 670 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips CDI 740]] || [[Philips CDI 740 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips CDI 740 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips CDI 740 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 💻 Philips Home Computers (P2000 / VG-5000 / NMS MSX) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide
|-
| [[Philips P2000T]] || [[Philips P2000T General Maintenance]] || [[Philips P2000T Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips P2000T Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips P2000C]] || [[Philips P2000C General Maintenance]] || [[Philips P2000C Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips P2000C Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips P2000M]] || [[Philips P2000M General Maintenance]] || [[Philips P2000M Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips P2000M Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips VG-5000]] || [[Philips VG-5000 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips VG-5000 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips VG-5000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips VG-8010]] || [[Philips VG-8010 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips VG-8010 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips VG-8010 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips VG-8020]] || [[Philips VG-8020 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips VG-8020 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips VG-8020 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips NMS 8245]] || [[Philips NMS 8245 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips NMS 8245 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips NMS 8245 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips NMS 8250]] || [[Philips NMS 8250 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips NMS 8250 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips NMS 8250 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips NMS 8255]] || [[Philips NMS 8255 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips NMS 8255 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips NMS 8255 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|-
| [[Philips NMS 8280]] || [[Philips NMS 8280 General Maintenance]] || [[Philips NMS 8280 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Philips NMS 8280 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|}

== 🖥️ All Philips ==
{{Navbox-Philips|state=expanded}}

== 🧪 Tools & Procedures ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools]]''' – Essential tools for restoration, soldering and diagnostics.
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – Recognising and diagnosing failed electrolytic capacitors.
* '''[[CRT Discharge Procedure]]''' – Safety steps for systems with integrated CRTs.

== 🛠️ Service Manuals & Documentation ==
* [[:Category:Service Manuals|Service Manuals]] – Cross-manufacturer manual collection.
* [[:Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides|Capacitor Replacement Guides]] – Model-specific capacitor specs.

== 🔍 See Also ==
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|'''Vintage Computers''']]
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RTC Community Forum]'''

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Mattel Electronics

2026-06-17T21:03:27Z

Josh:

__NOTOC__{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Mattel Electronics
| subtitle = Intellivision, Aquarius, and the Mattel Handheld Electronic Games of the Late 1970s
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Mattel Electronics category is '''new!'''. Many of the pages do not exist, documentation has not been uploaded, and the category is subject to change. '''If you wish to contribute, please do!'''
}}
[[File:Mattel logo.png|right|frameless|180px]]
Welcome to the '''Mattel Electronics''' category! Mattel Electronics was the toy and electronics arm of Mattel responsible for the Auto Race and Football LED handheld games (1977 onward), the cartridge-based Intellivision console family (1979 onward) with its various add-on modules, and the short-lived Aquarius home computer (1983).

Each system features:
* Maintenance of LED-segment handheld games (battery contacts, button switches)
* Intellivision Master Component troubleshooting (RAM, EXEC ROM, controller disc)
* Capacitor replacement for the Intellivision II and ECS expansion
* Aquarius and Aquarius II keyboard, RAM, and ROM diagnostics

== 🎮 Handheld LED Games ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Display & Switch Repair
|-
| [[Mattel Auto Race]] || [[Mattel Auto Race General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Auto Race Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Auto Race Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Auto Race LED Repair]]
|-
| [[Mattel Football]] || [[Mattel Football General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Football Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Football Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Football LED Repair]]
|-
| [[Mattel Football II]] || [[Mattel Football II General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Football II Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Football II Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Football II LED Repair]]
|-
| [[Mattel Baseball]] || [[Mattel Baseball General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Baseball Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Baseball Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Baseball LED Repair]]
|-
| [[Mattel Basketball]] || [[Mattel Basketball General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Basketball Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Basketball Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Basketball LED Repair]]
|-
| [[Mattel Hockey]] || [[Mattel Hockey General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Hockey Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Hockey Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Hockey LED Repair]]
|}

== 🎮 Intellivision Console ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! AV / Region Mods
|-
| [[Intellivision]] || [[Intellivision General Maintenance]] || [[Intellivision Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Intellivision Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Intellivision Composite Mod]]
|-
| [[Intellivision II]] || [[Intellivision II General Maintenance]] || [[Intellivision II Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Intellivision II Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Intellivision II Composite Mod]]
|-
| [[Intellivoice|Intellivoice Module]] || [[Intellivoice Maintenance]] || [[Intellivoice Troubleshooting]] || [[Intellivoice Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Intellivoice Audio Mods]]
|-
| [[Mattel ECS]] || [[Mattel ECS Maintenance]] || [[Mattel ECS Troubleshooting]] || [[Mattel ECS Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel ECS Keyboard Repair]]
|}

== 💻 Aquarius Computer ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Keyboard Repair
|-
| [[Mattel Aquarius]] || [[Mattel Aquarius General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Aquarius Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Aquarius Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Aquarius Keyboard Repair]]
|-
| [[Mattel Aquarius II]] || [[Mattel Aquarius II General Maintenance]] || [[Mattel Aquarius II Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Mattel Aquarius II Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Mattel Aquarius II Keyboard Repair]]
|}

== 🖥️ All Mattel Electronics ==
{{Navbox-MattelElectronics|state=expanded}}

== 🧪 Tools & Procedures ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools]]''' – Essential tools for restoration, soldering and diagnostics.
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – Recognising and diagnosing failed electrolytic capacitors.
* '''[[CRT Discharge Procedure]]''' – Safety steps for systems with integrated CRTs.

== 🛠️ Service Manuals & Documentation ==
* [[:Category:Service Manuals|Service Manuals]] – Cross-manufacturer manual collection.
* [[:Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides|Capacitor Replacement Guides]] – Model-specific capacitor specs.

== 🔍 See Also ==
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|'''Vintage Computers''']]
* '''[https://forum.retrotechcollection.com RTC Community Forum]'''

[[Category:Vintage Computers]]

Category:Acorn Computers

2026-06-17T21:02:14Z

Josh: /* 🛠️ Tools, Mods & Resources */

__NOTOC__
{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Acorn Computers
| subtitle = Repair, Maintenance, and Restoration Guides for Classic Acorn Hardware
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Acorn Computers section is under development. Many guides and schematics may still be missing. If you have expertise or documentation, please contribute!
}}
[[File:Acorn_Computers_Logo.png|right|frameless|200px]]

Welcome to the '''Acorn Computers''' category! Here you’ll find maintenance procedures, troubleshooting workflows, capacitor-replacement specs, expansion‐and‐modding tutorials and service manual links for Acorn’s pioneering line of microcomputers, from the early 8-bit Acorn Atom through the RISC-based Archimedes and Risc PC series. For the BBC Micro series see the [[:Category:BBC Micro|BBC Micro]] category.

Each system includes:
* Cleaning, maintenance & restoration procedures
* Common fault diagnosis & repair
* Capacitor replacement & power-supply mods
* Expansion and expansion-slot restoration

== 🧰 System Series (1979–1982) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Documentation
|-
| [[Acorn System 1]] || [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 2]] || [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System Catalogue]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 3]] || [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System Catalogue]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 4]] || [[Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System Catalogue]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 5]] || [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]]
|}

== 🖥️ 8-Bit Era (Acorn Atom & Electron) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Expansion Mods
|-
| [[Acorn Atom]]
|| [[Acorn Atom General Maintenance]]
|| [[Acorn Atom Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Atom Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Atom Expansion Bus Mods]]
|-
| [[Acorn Electron]]
|| [[Acorn Electron Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Electron Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Electron Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|| [[Electron Plus 1 Mod & Repair]]
|}

== 🌲 ARM-Based Desktop Era (Archimedes & A3000/A4000 Series) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Expansion / Upgrade
|-
| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[A3000 Flash ROM & IDE Mod]]
|-
| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[A4000 SCSI & Ethernet Upgrade]]
|-
| [[Acorn Archimedes A5000]]
|| [[Acorn A5000 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn A5000 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn A5000 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[A5000 PC-AT Bridge Mod]]
|}

== 💾 Risc PC Era ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Mods & Upgrades
|-
| [[Acorn Risc PC 600]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 600 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 600 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 600 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[Risc PC ARM7500FX Upgrade]]
|-
| [[Acorn Risc PC 700]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 700 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 700 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 700 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[Risc PC PCI Card Installation]]
|}

== 💾 All Acorn Machines ==
{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=expanded}}

== 🛠️ Tools, Mods & Resources ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools|Recommended Tools for Vintage Repairs]]''' – Essential tools for Acorn disassembly & soldering
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – How to recognize and test aging filter caps
* '''[[Acorn Edge Connector Pin-outs]]''' – Expansion bus wiring & signal tables

== 📚 Service Manuals & Schematics ==
* [[:Category:Acorn Service Manuals|Acorn Service Manuals & Schematics]]

== 🔍 See Also ==
* '''[[List of Acorn Computer Models]]'''
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|Vintage Computers]]
* [[:Category:BBC Micro|BBC Micro]]

Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:26Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 5.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 5 Eurocard rack with two floppy drives.]]

This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 5]]''' (late 1982). As a Eurocard rack it has per-card capacitors (a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers on each card), and as a fully-cased machine it also has bulk smoothing electrolytics in its integral mains power supply. The [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] documents the boards.<ref name="hb">[[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] (1 March 1983), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Per-board reference for the System 5 Eurocards. The [[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] give the wider Eurocard capacitor detail.</ref>

== Per-card capacitors ==

On each Eurocard the recap target is the +5 V regulator electrolytic; the ceramic decouplers are stable and left in place. Read each value from the card and its circuit diagram, and fit a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

* '''CPU card''' (6502 or 6502A) — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers (the 1 MHz 6502 card follows the [[Acorn System 1]] values).
* '''VDU card''' (80×25 or 40×25) — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.
* '''32 KB DRAM cards''' — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers; the DRAM cards draw the most current, so their regulator electrolytics are worth checking first.
* '''Floppy-controller and Econet cards''' — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.

== ⚠️ Mains power supply ==

The System 5's integral PSU is mains-powered and contains the bulk smoothing electrolytics and mains-side suppression parts. '''Disconnect the mains lead and discharge the bulk capacitor before any PSU work.''' Recap the PSU only if competent with mains supplies; otherwise replace it. Read each value from the fitted part.

== Procedure (per card) ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record each electrolytic's value, voltage and polarity.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:25Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 5.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 5 Eurocard rack with two floppy drives.]]

This guide gives diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 5]]''' (late 1982), a 10-slot Eurocard rack with two floppy drives and an integral mains power supply. Diagnose by card as for the [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide|System 4]]; the [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] gives the per-board detail.<ref name="hb">[[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] (1 March 1983), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the standard card set (6502/6502A CPU, VDU, 32K DRAM, Intel 8271 floppy controller, Econet) and per-board information.</ref>

== ⚠️ Mains warning ==

The System 5 has a mains PSU. Disconnect the mains lead before opening; the PSU primary side is at mains potential.

== First: power and backplane ==

# With the mains off, then on (lid open, take care), confirm the backplane rails (+5 V and any ±12 V) at an empty slot. A dead rail points to the PSU or the backplane wiring.
# Reduce to a minimum (CPU + DRAM + VDU) and add cards back to isolate a faulty or shorting card.

== Card-level diagnosis ==

* '''CPU card''' (1 MHz 6502 or 2 MHz 6502A) — verify the clock and the 6502; on a 6502A board confirm the 2 MHz timing. Apply the [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] approach.
* '''VDU card''' (80×25 or 40×25) — check the video output and reseat the CRTC/character generator.
* '''32 KB DRAM cards''' — DRAM faults give corruption or crashes; reseat the card and check its regulator (DRAM cards draw more current and stress the regulator). Confirm the memory-size links match the fitted DRAM.
* '''Floppy subsystem''' — Intel 8271 controller, ribbon and drives (see [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]]).
* '''Econet''' — check the Econet card and the network if the machine is a server.

== DRAM vs static RAM ==

Unlike the earlier static-RAM systems, the System 5 uses 32 KB '''DRAM''' cards, which need correct refresh and timing. A DRAM card that fails the memory test or causes intermittent crashes should be reseated and its links checked before substitution.<ref name="hb" />

== Backplane ==

A shorted card or dirty contact can take down the rack; pull all cards and add them back, cleaning edge fingers and backplane sockets, and inspect the backplane power-input joints.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, no rails''' — mains PSU or backplane wiring.
* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card; apply the System 1 checks (confirm 1 vs 2 MHz board).
* '''Corruption / crashes''' — a 32 KB DRAM card; reseat, check links, substitute.
* '''No disc''' — FDC (8271), ribbon or drive.
* '''Not visible on Econet''' — Econet card or cabling/termination.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] · [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:24Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 4.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 4 double-height Eurocard rack.]]

This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 4]]''' (1980). As a Eurocard rack it has per-card capacitors (a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers on each card), and as a cased machine it also has bulk smoothing electrolytics in its integral mains power supply.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the System 1 card capacitor values.</ref>

== Per-card capacitors ==

On each Eurocard the recap target is the +5 V regulator electrolytic; the ceramic decouplers are stable and left in place. Read each electrolytic's value from the card and its circuit diagram and fit a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

* '''CPU card''' — the [[Acorn System 1]] card: a 15 µF/16 V electrolytic (see [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]).
* '''VDU, RAM, floppy-controller, Econet and interface cards''' — each has its own regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.

== ⚠️ Mains power supply ==

The System 4's integral PSU is mains-powered and contains the bulk smoothing electrolytics (and mains-side suppression parts). '''Disconnect the mains lead and discharge the bulk capacitor before any PSU work.''' Recap the PSU only if competent with mains supplies; otherwise replace the unit. Read each value from the fitted part.

== Procedure (per card) ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record each electrolytic's value, voltage and polarity.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 4]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:23Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 4.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 4 double-height Eurocard rack.]]

This guide gives diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 4]]''' (1980), a 14-slot double-height Eurocard rack with two floppy drives. Diagnose by card as for the [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide|System 3]], with attention to the larger backplane and the integral mains power supply.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set, the Intel 8271 floppy controller and the shared card detail.</ref>

== ⚠️ Mains warning ==

The cased System 4 has a mains PSU. Disconnect the mains lead before opening; the PSU primary side is at mains potential.

== First: power and backplane ==

# With the mains off, then on (lid open, take care), confirm the backplane rails (+5 V and any ±12 V) at an empty slot. A dead rail points to the PSU or the backplane power wiring.
# On a 14-slot rack, reduce to a minimum (CPU + RAM + VDU) and add cards back one at a time to isolate a faulty card or a shorted card pulling a rail down.

== Card-level diagnosis ==

Use the System 1/2/3 guides for the individual cards:

* '''CPU card''' — [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] (1 MHz clock, 6502, ROM, RAM).
* '''VDU / memory cards''' — [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]].
* '''Floppy subsystem''' — [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]] (Intel 8271, ribbon, drives, alignment).

== Econet file-server faults ==

A System 4 used as an Econet server depends on the Econet card and the network: check the Econet card seating, the clock/termination on the network, and the file-server ROM. A server that boots locally but is invisible on the network points to the Econet card or the cabling rather than the CPU.<ref name="cat" />

== Backplane ==

With many slots, a single shorted card or a dirty contact can take down the whole rack. Pull all cards and add them back; clean edge fingers and backplane sockets; inspect the backplane power-input joints for cracks.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, no rails''' — mains PSU or backplane power wiring.
* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card; apply the System 1 checks.
* '''A rail collapses with one card fitted''' — shorted card; isolate by substitution.
* '''No disc''' — FDC (8271), ribbon or drive.
* '''Not visible on Econet''' — Econet card or network cabling/termination.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 4]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:22Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 3.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 3, a disc-based Eurocard system.]]

This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 3]]''' (1980). As a Eurocard rack, its capacitors are per-card: each card has ceramic decouplers plus an electrolytic on its +5 V regulator. The CPU and cassette cards use the verified [[Acorn System 1]] values; the VDU, memory and floppy-controller cards each carry their own regulator electrolytic.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the System 1 card capacitor values.</ref>

== Approach ==

Recap is low-risk per-card bench work (no mains or CRT on the cards). On each Eurocard the recap target is the regulator electrolytic; the ceramic decouplers are stable and left in place. Read each electrolytic's value from the card and its circuit diagram before replacing, and fit a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

== Cards ==

* '''CPU and cassette cards''': the [[Acorn System 1]] cards — a 15 µF/16 V electrolytic each (see [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]).
* '''VDU card''' (40×25 or 80×25): regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers.
* '''Memory card''' (8 KB RAM + 4 KB BASIC ROM): regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.
* '''Floppy-disc controller card''' (Intel 8271): regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.

== Procedure ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record each electrolytic's value, voltage and polarity.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Mains PSU ==

A cased System 3 with an Acorn mains supply has bulk smoothing electrolytics in the PSU; recap that only if competent with mains supplies (discharge the bulk capacitor first).

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 3]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:21Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 3.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 3, a disc-based Eurocard system.]]

This guide gives diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 3]]''' (1980). The System 3 is a Eurocard rack, so diagnose by card (as for the [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide|System 2]]) and add the floppy-disc subsystem. The CPU and cassette cards are the [[Acorn System 1]] cards.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set, the Intel 8271 floppy controller and the shared card detail.</ref>

== Method ==

Reduce to a minimum (CPU + memory/BASIC + VDU) and confirm the machine boots BASIC; then add the FDC card and drive. A fault that appears with one card isolates to it or its slot. Confirm the backplane rails at an empty slot first.

== No display / no boot ==

Use the [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]] for the CPU, memory and VDU cards: verify the 1 MHz clock and 6502, the BASIC ROM and RAM, and the MC6845/SAA5050 on the VDU card.

== Floppy-disc faults ==

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:left;"
! Symptom !! Probable cause !! Action
|-
| Disc not detected / no DOS prompt || FDC card, ribbon cable, or drive || Reseat the 8271 and the ribbon; check drive power; try a known-good drive
|-
| Reads own discs, not others || Head alignment || Align with a reference disc
|-
| Read/seek errors || Dirty head, worn belt, or media || Clean the head; check the belt; try known-good media
|-
| DOS will not load || DOS ROM or its select || Reseat the DOS ROM; verify the FDC card links
|}

The floppy controller is the Intel 8271; reseat it and verify the disc-side cable before condemning the card.<ref name="cat" />

== 6809 / FLEX systems ==

A System 3 fitted with the 6809 CPU card runs FLEX. If such a machine will not boot, confirm which CPU card is fitted and that the matching OS ROM/disc is present; the 6502 and 6809 cards are not interchangeable without the corresponding software.<ref name="cat" />

== Backplane and connectors ==

A machine that works only when a card is pressed has a dirty or loose edge connector; clean the fingers and the backplane socket. Check the backplane power-input joints.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card; apply the System 1 checks.
* '''Boots BASIC, no disc''' — FDC card (8271), ribbon, or drive.
* '''Read/seek errors''' — head cleaning/alignment or media.
* '''No display''' — VDU card or monitor.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 3]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:20Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 2.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 2 in a 19-inch Eurocard card frame.]]

This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 2]]''' (1980). The System 2 is a set of Eurocards, so the capacitors are per-card: each card carries ceramic decouplers plus a single electrolytic on its +5 V regulator. The exact per-card values are in the card circuit diagrams and the [[Acorn System Catalogue]]; the CPU and cassette cards use the verified [[Acorn System 1]] values.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the System 1 CPU/cassette-card capacitor values (a 15 µF/16 V electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers per card).</ref>

== Approach ==

The System 2 has no mains and no CRT on its cards (only the optional Acorn PSU is mains-powered). Capacitor work is low-risk per-card bench work. On each Eurocard:

* The recap target is the '''regulator electrolytic''' (the CPU and cassette cards use 15 µF/16 V; the VDU and memory cards each have their own regulator electrolytic).
* The ceramic decouplers are stable and are left in place.

== CPU and cassette cards ==

These are the [[Acorn System 1]] cards. Their full capacitor lists are in the [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]; the only electrolytic on each is a '''15 µF/16 V''' part (C10 on the CPU card, C5 on the cassette card).

== VDU and memory cards ==

The 40×25 VDU card and the memory (RAM + BASIC ROM) card each regulate their own +5 V and carry a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers. Read each value from the card itself and the card circuit diagram before replacing. Replace any electrolytic with a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

== Procedure ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record the value, voltage and polarity of each electrolytic.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Optional mains PSU ==

If an Acorn mains power supply is fitted, it has its own bulk smoothing electrolytics (and mains-side parts). Recap it only if competent with mains supplies; discharge the bulk capacitor first.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 2]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:54:20Z

Josh: Add machine photo

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 2.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 2 in a 19-inch Eurocard card frame.]]

This guide gives component-level diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 2]]''' (1980). Because the System 2 is a set of Eurocards on an 8-slot backplane, diagnosis is by card: isolate the faulty card, then probe it against its circuit diagram. The CPU and cassette cards are the [[Acorn System 1]] cards, so the [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] applies to them directly.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the shared CPU/cassette/VDU/memory card detail.</ref>

== Method: isolate the card ==

A racked system is best diagnosed by reducing it to a minimum and adding cards back:

# Confirm the backplane rails (+5 V, and any ±12 V used by the VDU) at an empty slot.
# Run with only the CPU card and the memory/BASIC card; confirm the machine starts.
# Add the VDU card, then the cassette card, retesting after each.
# A fault that appears only when one card is fitted isolates to that card (or a dirty slot).

== No display ==

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:left;"
! Symptom !! Probable cause !! Action
|-
| No video at all || VDU card, its rails, or the monitor || Confirm +5 V/±12 V at the VDU slot; reseat the MC6845 and SAA5050; try another monitor
|-
| Garbage / wrong characters || SAA5050 or video RAM on the VDU card || Reseat the SAA5050; check the VDU card's RAM
|-
| Dead machine, no activity || CPU card (clock/6502) or no rails || Apply the System 1 CPU-card checks; verify the backplane supply
|}

== Memory and BASIC ==

The memory card carries the RAM and the Acorn System BASIC ROM. Corrupt operation or crashes point to the RAM; failure to enter BASIC points to the BASIC ROM or its select. Reseat the card, then substitute RAM. Adding the optional second 4 KB RAM or the floating-point ROM changes the memory map, so verify links are set per the card documentation.<ref name="cat" />

== CPU and cassette cards ==

These are the System 1 cards. Use the [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]: verify the 1 MHz clock and 6502, the monitor ROMs, the 2114 RAM, and the LM358 cassette read level. In the System 2 the keypad and LED are unused; the CPU card's keyboard interface drives the external keyboard instead.

== Backplane and connectors ==

* A machine that works only when a card is pressed or wiggled has a dirty/loose edge connector — clean the fingers and the backplane socket.
* Check the backplane for cracked solder at the connectors, especially around the power-input pins.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, no rails''' — power supply or backplane power wiring.
* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card (clock/6502/ROM); apply the System 1 checks.
* '''No display''' — VDU card, its rails, or the monitor; reseat MC6845/SAA5050.
* '''Crashes / corrupt''' — memory card RAM; reseat/substitute.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 2]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System Catalogue]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 2

2026-06-17T20:54:13Z

Josh:

{{Infobox computer
| name = Acorn System 2
| image = [[File:Acorn System 2.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Acorn System 2 in a 19-inch card frame
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type = Modular microcomputer (Eurocard)
| release date = 1980
| price = £320 (£480 with PSU); keyboard £136 (1982)
| cpu = 6502 @ 1 MHz (6809 option)
| memory = 4 KB RAM + 4 KB BASIC ROM (expandable)
| display = 40×25 teletext VDU (MC6845 + SAA5050), 8 colours
| storage = Cassette interface
| os = Cassette Operating System; Acorn System BASIC
| predecessor = [[Acorn System 1]]
| successor = [[Acorn System 3]]
}}

The '''Acorn System 2''' (1980) was the rack-mounted successor to the [[Acorn System 1]]. It put the System 1's Eurocards onto a backplane and added a video card and a BASIC ROM, making the machine straightforward to expand.<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_System "Acorn System"], Wikipedia. Source for the System 2 configuration (8-slot backplane, four cards, external keyboard), the VDU card (MC6845 + SAA5050), the memory card (4K RAM + 4K BASIC ROM, optional +4K RAM and +4K FP ROM), the 6809 CPU option, and the 1982 prices.</ref>

== Configuration ==

The System 2 mounts four Eurocards in a 19-inch sub-rack on an 8-slot backplane, with a separately-supplied external keyboard:<ref name="wp" /><ref name="chris2">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System2.html "Acorn System 2"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the typical card set (1 MHz 6502 CPU with 2K Cassette Operating System, 40×25 8-colour VDU, memory card with 4K RAM + 4K BASIC ROM, cassette interface) and the 8-slot card frame.</ref>

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Acorn System 2 typical cards'''
! Card !! Function
|-
| CPU card || 1 MHz 6502, keyboard interface, 2 KB Cassette Operating System (6809 option)
|-
| VDU card || 40×25 teletext display (MC6845 CRTC + SAA5050 character generator), 8 colours
|-
| Cassette interface card || The System 1 I/O card, with its keypad and LED unused
|-
| Memory card || 4 KB RAM + 4 KB Acorn System BASIC ROM (optional +4 KB RAM and +4 KB floating-point ROM)
|}

The CPU and cassette cards are the same Eurocards as the [[Acorn System 1]]; any of Acorn's standard Eurocards can be added in the remaining slots.<ref name="wp" /> In 1982 the System 2 cost £320 (£480 with power supply), plus £136 for the optional keyboard.

== Maintenance and repair ==

* [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== See also ==

* [[Acorn System 1]] · [[Acorn System 3]] · [[Acorn System 4]] · [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]] — the Eurocard range

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 1

2026-06-17T20:53:47Z

Josh: /* The two cards */

{{Infobox computer
| name = Acorn System 1
| image = [[File:Acorn System 1.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Acorn System 1 (Acorn Microcomputer), 1979
| developer = Sophie Wilson
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type = Single-board microcomputer (kit or assembled)
| release date = April 1979
| cpu = Rockwell R6502 @ 1 MHz
| memory = 1 KB RAM (2× 2114), 512 bytes ROM (2× 74S571)
| display = 8-digit 7-segment LED
| sound = —
| storage = CUTS cassette interface (300 baud)
| os = Monitor in ROM
| predecessor = —
| successor = [[Acorn System 2]], [[Acorn Atom]]
| model = 200,000 (CPU card), 200,001 (keyboard card)
}}

The '''Acorn System 1''', first sold as the '''Acorn Microcomputer''', was Acorn Computers' first product. It was designed by Sophie Wilson and shipped in April 1979.<ref name="chris1">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/Acorn_Microcomputer.html "Acorn Microcomputer (a.k.a. System 1)"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the 1978 design by Sophie Wilson, the April 1979 release, the two-Eurocard construction, the CPU-card complement (R6502P, 8154 RAM/IO, 2114 RAM, 74S571 ROM, LM340-T5 regulator), the keyboard-card complement (LED display, hex keypad, CUTS cassette interface) and the board part numbers (200,000 / 200,001).</ref> It was a small machine built on two 100×160 mm Eurocards, sold as a kit or ready-built, and aimed at hobbyists. The modular, Eurocard-based design led directly to the rack-mounted [[Acorn System 2]] to [[Acorn System 5|System 5]], and the experience fed into the [[Acorn Atom]] and the [[BBC Micro Model A/B|BBC Micro]].<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_System "Acorn System"], Wikipedia. Source for the series overview, the Eurocard modular concept, the per-machine configurations and prices, and the role of the System 3 in Atom and BBC Micro development.</ref>

== The two cards ==

The System 1 is two Eurocards linked by a ribbon cable:<ref name="chris1" /><ref name="s1tech">[[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] (Acorn Microcomputer), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the CPU-card and keyboard-card IC and capacitor parts lists, the construction notes and the circuit description.</ref>

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Acorn System 1 cards'''
! Card !! Part !! Key devices
|-
| CPU card || 200,000 || Rockwell R6502 @ 1 MHz; 2× INS8154 RAM/IO; 2× 2114 (1 KB RAM); 2× 74S571 (512 bytes ROM); LM340-T5 5 V regulator; 1 MHz crystal
|-
| Keyboard / cassette card || 200,001 || 8-digit 7-segment LED display; 25-key hex keypad; CUTS 300-baud cassette interface (LM358 amp, 7445 decoder)
|}

One INS8154 drives the keypad ribbon; the second drives the EuroConnector, so the CPU card can be used unchanged in a [[Acorn System 2|System 2]], 3 or 4. The CPU card also has an empty socket for a 2516 EPROM and a second 8154.<ref name="chris1" />

== Operation ==

The monitor program in the 512-byte ROM lets the user examine and modify memory and registers through the hex keypad and the 8-digit LED display, and save or load via the CUTS cassette interface at 300 baud. There is no video output on the base machine; a VDU requires a [[Acorn System 2|System 2]]-style frame with a VDU Eurocard.

== Maintenance and repair ==

* [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== Documentation ==

* [[Acorn System 1 User Manual]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams]]

== See also ==

* [[Acorn System 2]] · [[Acorn System 3]] · [[Acorn System 4]] · [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn Atom]] — the all-in-one home computer derived from this work

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Category:Acorn Computers

2026-06-17T20:53:34Z

Josh: Add Acorn System series (1-5) section with product, maintenance, troubleshooting and capacitor links

__NOTOC__
{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = Acorn Computers
| subtitle = Repair, Maintenance, and Restoration Guides for Classic Acorn Hardware
}}
{{cmbox
| type = notice
| text = The Acorn Computers section is under development. Many guides and schematics may still be missing. If you have expertise or documentation, please contribute!
}}
[[File:Acorn_Computers_Logo.png|right|frameless|200px]]

Welcome to the '''Acorn Computers''' category! Here you’ll find maintenance procedures, troubleshooting workflows, capacitor-replacement specs, expansion‐and‐modding tutorials and service manual links for Acorn’s pioneering line of microcomputers, from the early 8-bit Acorn Atom through the RISC-based Archimedes and Risc PC series. For the BBC Micro series see the [[:Category:BBC Micro|BBC Micro]] category.

Each system includes:
* Cleaning, maintenance & restoration procedures
* Common fault diagnosis & repair
* Capacitor replacement & power-supply mods
* Expansion and expansion-slot restoration

== 🧰 System Series (1979–1982) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Documentation
|-
| [[Acorn System 1]] || [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 2]] || [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System Catalogue]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 3]] || [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System Catalogue]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 4]] || [[Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System Catalogue]]
|-
| [[Acorn System 5]] || [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]] || [[Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide]] || [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] || [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]]
|}

== 🖥️ 8-Bit Era (Acorn Atom & Electron) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Expansion Mods
|-
| [[Acorn Atom]]
|| [[Acorn Atom General Maintenance]]
|| [[Acorn Atom Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Atom Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Atom Expansion Bus Mods]]
|-
| [[Acorn Electron]]
|| [[Acorn Electron Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Electron Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Electron Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
|| [[Electron Plus 1 Mod & Repair]]
|}

== 🌲 ARM-Based Desktop Era (Archimedes & A3000/A4000 Series) ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Expansion / Upgrade
|-
| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A3000 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[A3000 Flash ROM & IDE Mod]]
|-
| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Archimedes A4000 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[A4000 SCSI & Ethernet Upgrade]]
|-
| [[Acorn Archimedes A5000]]
|| [[Acorn A5000 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn A5000 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn A5000 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[A5000 PC-AT Bridge Mod]]
|}

== 💾 Risc PC Era ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Model !! Maintenance !! Troubleshooting !! Capacitor Guide !! Mods & Upgrades
|-
| [[Acorn Risc PC 600]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 600 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 600 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 600 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[Risc PC ARM7500FX Upgrade]]
|-
| [[Acorn Risc PC 700]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 700 Maintenance Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 700 Troubleshooting Guide]]
|| [[Acorn Risc PC 700 Capacitor Guide]]
|| [[Risc PC PCI Card Installation]]
|}

== 💾 All Acorn Machines ==
{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=expanded}}

== 🛠️ Tools, Mods & Resources ==
* '''[[Recommended Tools for Vintage Repairs]]''' – Essential tools for Acorn disassembly & soldering
* '''[[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]''' – How to recognize and test aging filter caps
* '''[[Acorn Edge Connector Pin-outs]]''' – Expansion bus wiring & signal tables

== 📚 Service Manuals & Schematics ==
* [[:Category:Acorn Service Manuals|Acorn Service Manuals & Schematics]]

== 🔍 See Also ==
* '''[[List of Acorn Computer Models]]'''
* [[:Category:Vintage Computers|Vintage Computers]]
* [[:Category:BBC Micro|BBC Micro]]

Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:20Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />

This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 5]]''' (late 1982). As a Eurocard rack it has per-card capacitors (a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers on each card), and as a fully-cased machine it also has bulk smoothing electrolytics in its integral mains power supply. The [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] documents the boards.<ref name="hb">[[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] (1 March 1983), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Per-board reference for the System 5 Eurocards. The [[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] give the wider Eurocard capacitor detail.</ref>

== Per-card capacitors ==

On each Eurocard the recap target is the +5 V regulator electrolytic; the ceramic decouplers are stable and left in place. Read each value from the card and its circuit diagram, and fit a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

* '''CPU card''' (6502 or 6502A) — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers (the 1 MHz 6502 card follows the [[Acorn System 1]] values).
* '''VDU card''' (80×25 or 40×25) — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.
* '''32 KB DRAM cards''' — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers; the DRAM cards draw the most current, so their regulator electrolytics are worth checking first.
* '''Floppy-controller and Econet cards''' — regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.

== ⚠️ Mains power supply ==

The System 5's integral PSU is mains-powered and contains the bulk smoothing electrolytics and mains-side suppression parts. '''Disconnect the mains lead and discharge the bulk capacitor before any PSU work.''' Recap the PSU only if competent with mains supplies; otherwise replace it. Read each value from the fitted part.

== Procedure (per card) ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record each electrolytic's value, voltage and polarity.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:19Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />

This guide gives diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 5]]''' (late 1982), a 10-slot Eurocard rack with two floppy drives and an integral mains power supply. Diagnose by card as for the [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide|System 4]]; the [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] gives the per-board detail.<ref name="hb">[[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] (1 March 1983), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the standard card set (6502/6502A CPU, VDU, 32K DRAM, Intel 8271 floppy controller, Econet) and per-board information.</ref>

== ⚠️ Mains warning ==

The System 5 has a mains PSU. Disconnect the mains lead before opening; the PSU primary side is at mains potential.

== First: power and backplane ==

# With the mains off, then on (lid open, take care), confirm the backplane rails (+5 V and any ±12 V) at an empty slot. A dead rail points to the PSU or the backplane wiring.
# Reduce to a minimum (CPU + DRAM + VDU) and add cards back to isolate a faulty or shorting card.

== Card-level diagnosis ==

* '''CPU card''' (1 MHz 6502 or 2 MHz 6502A) — verify the clock and the 6502; on a 6502A board confirm the 2 MHz timing. Apply the [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] approach.
* '''VDU card''' (80×25 or 40×25) — check the video output and reseat the CRTC/character generator.
* '''32 KB DRAM cards''' — DRAM faults give corruption or crashes; reseat the card and check its regulator (DRAM cards draw more current and stress the regulator). Confirm the memory-size links match the fitted DRAM.
* '''Floppy subsystem''' — Intel 8271 controller, ribbon and drives (see [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]]).
* '''Econet''' — check the Econet card and the network if the machine is a server.

== DRAM vs static RAM ==

Unlike the earlier static-RAM systems, the System 5 uses 32 KB '''DRAM''' cards, which need correct refresh and timing. A DRAM card that fails the memory test or causes intermittent crashes should be reseated and its links checked before substitution.<ref name="hb" />

== Backplane ==

A shorted card or dirty contact can take down the rack; pull all cards and add them back, cleaning edge fingers and backplane sockets, and inspect the backplane power-input joints.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, no rails''' — mains PSU or backplane wiring.
* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card; apply the System 1 checks (confirm 1 vs 2 MHz board).
* '''Corruption / crashes''' — a 32 KB DRAM card; reseat, check links, substitute.
* '''No disc''' — FDC (8271), ribbon or drive.
* '''Not visible on Econet''' — Econet card or cabling/termination.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] · [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:18Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 5 card cage.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 5 card cage and 10-slot backplane.]]

This guide covers preventive maintenance for the '''[[Acorn System 5]]''' (late 1982), the last of Acorn's rack-mounted Eurocard machines. It is a single extra-height 19-inch frame with up to ten Eurocard slots, two 5.25-inch floppy drives and an integral mains power supply. Maintenance is the per-card Eurocard work plus the floppy mechanism and the mains PSU. The [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] is the primary reference.<ref name="hb">[[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] (1 March 1983), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the System 5 frame, the standard card set (6502/6502A CPU, VDU, 32K DRAM, floppy controller, Econet) and per-board detail.</ref>

== ⚠️ Safety: integral mains PSU ==

The System 5 contains a '''mains-powered power supply''' feeding the backplane. Disconnect the mains lead before opening, and treat the PSU primary side as live. The Eurocards carry low-voltage rails only, and there is no CRT.

== Cards and frame ==

As standard the System 5 has a 1 MHz 6502 (a 2 MHz 6502A board was an option), 32 KB of DRAM, a floppy-disc controller (Intel 8271) and an 80×25 (or 40×25 teletext) VDU card, with the remaining slots free for an additional 16 KB DRAM card, an Econet adapter or interface cards.<ref name="hb" /><ref name="chris5">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System5.html "Acorn System 5"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the 10-slot card cage, the example configuration (2 MHz 6502A, 80×25 VDU, 32K DRAM cards, Econet, Intel 8271 controller, two 80-track drives) and the System keyboard connection.</ref> The System keyboard plugs into the CPU card.

== Maintenance ==

* '''Backplane and edge connectors''': clean the 10-slot backplane sockets and each card's fingers; reseat firmly.
* '''Per-card +5 V''': verify the rail on each card; confirm regulator heatsinks. The 32 KB DRAM cards draw more current than the static-RAM cards — check their regulators.
* '''Floppy drives''': two 5.25-inch drives (e.g. 80-track) — clean the heads, check belts and the ribbon to the FDC card (see [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]).
* '''Econet''': clean the Econet connectors and check the network termination if used as a server.
* '''Mains PSU and cooling''': keep the frame ventilated; inspect the PSU for ageing.

== Capacitor health ==

Each Eurocard carries a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers; the DRAM cards and the integral mains PSU are the main electrolytic sites. See [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

== Preventive maintenance checklist ==

# Clean the 10-slot backplane and each card's edge fingers; reseat all cards.
# Verify +5 V on each card, especially the 32 KB DRAM cards.
# Clean both floppy heads; check belts and the FDC ribbon.
# Check the Econet connectors (if a server).
# Inspect the mains PSU; consider its electrolytics (mains caution).

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]] · [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]] · [[Recommended Tools]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Maintenance Guides]]

Acorn System 5

2026-06-17T20:53:17Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

{{Infobox computer
| name = Acorn System 5
| image = [[File:Acorn System 5.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Acorn System 5 (front): Eurocards on the left, two 5.25" drives on the right
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type = Modular microcomputer (Eurocard)
| release date = Late 1982 (handbook dated 1 March 1983)
| cpu = 6502 @ 1 MHz (2 MHz 6502A option)
| memory = 32 KB DRAM (standard), expandable
| display = 80×25 or 40×25 teletext VDU
| storage = Two 5.25" floppy disc drives, disc controller (Intel 8271)
| os = Acorn DOS
| predecessor = [[Acorn System 4]]
| successor = [[Acorn Atom]] / [[BBC Micro Model A/B|BBC Micro]] (home line)
}}

The '''Acorn System 5''' was the last of Acorn's rack-mounted Eurocard machines, released in late 1982. It was housed in an extra-height single 19-inch frame holding two vertically-mounted 5.25-inch floppy drives and either seven or ten Eurocard slots, and was supplied complete with a power supply, fully assembled only.<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_System "Acorn System"], Wikipedia. Source for the System 5 frame (7 or 10 slots, two vertical 5.25-inch drives), the standard configuration (1 MHz 6502, 32K DRAM, disc controller, 80×25 or 40×25 VDU), the 2 MHz 6502A and Econet options, and the late-1982 release.</ref> After the System 5, Acorn sold the Eurocard business to its reseller Control Universal.

== Configuration ==

As standard the System 5 had a 1 MHz 6502 (a 2 MHz 6502A board was an option), 32 KB of DRAM, a floppy-disc controller and either the 80×25 or the 40×25 teletext VDU card; the remaining slots could take interface cards, a further 16 KB DRAM card and/or an Econet adapter.<ref name="wp" /><ref name="chris5">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System5.html "Acorn System 5"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the 10-slot card cage, the example configuration (2 MHz 6502A CPU, 80×25 VDU, 32K DRAM cards, Econet, Intel 8271 floppy controller, two 80-track drives) and the System keyboard plugging into the CPU card.</ref> A documented System 5 (an ex-school Econet server) has a 2 MHz 6502A card, an 80×25 VDU card, 32K DRAM cards, an Econet card and an Intel 8271 floppy-controller card driving two 80-track drives.

== Maintenance and repair ==

* [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== Documentation ==

* [[Acorn System 5 Handbook]]

== See also ==

* [[Acorn System 1]] · [[Acorn System 2]] · [[Acorn System 3]] · [[Acorn System 4]]
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:17Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />

This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 4]]''' (1980). As a Eurocard rack it has per-card capacitors (a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers on each card), and as a cased machine it also has bulk smoothing electrolytics in its integral mains power supply.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the System 1 card capacitor values.</ref>

== Per-card capacitors ==

On each Eurocard the recap target is the +5 V regulator electrolytic; the ceramic decouplers are stable and left in place. Read each electrolytic's value from the card and its circuit diagram and fit a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

* '''CPU card''' — the [[Acorn System 1]] card: a 15 µF/16 V electrolytic (see [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]).
* '''VDU, RAM, floppy-controller, Econet and interface cards''' — each has its own regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.

== ⚠️ Mains power supply ==

The System 4's integral PSU is mains-powered and contains the bulk smoothing electrolytics (and mains-side suppression parts). '''Disconnect the mains lead and discharge the bulk capacitor before any PSU work.''' Recap the PSU only if competent with mains supplies; otherwise replace the unit. Read each value from the fitted part.

== Procedure (per card) ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record each electrolytic's value, voltage and polarity.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 4]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:16Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

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This guide gives diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 4]]''' (1980), a 14-slot double-height Eurocard rack with two floppy drives. Diagnose by card as for the [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide|System 3]], with attention to the larger backplane and the integral mains power supply.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set, the Intel 8271 floppy controller and the shared card detail.</ref>

== ⚠️ Mains warning ==

The cased System 4 has a mains PSU. Disconnect the mains lead before opening; the PSU primary side is at mains potential.

== First: power and backplane ==

# With the mains off, then on (lid open, take care), confirm the backplane rails (+5 V and any ±12 V) at an empty slot. A dead rail points to the PSU or the backplane power wiring.
# On a 14-slot rack, reduce to a minimum (CPU + RAM + VDU) and add cards back one at a time to isolate a faulty card or a shorted card pulling a rail down.

== Card-level diagnosis ==

Use the System 1/2/3 guides for the individual cards:

* '''CPU card''' — [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] (1 MHz clock, 6502, ROM, RAM).
* '''VDU / memory cards''' — [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]].
* '''Floppy subsystem''' — [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]] (Intel 8271, ribbon, drives, alignment).

== Econet file-server faults ==

A System 4 used as an Econet server depends on the Econet card and the network: check the Econet card seating, the clock/termination on the network, and the file-server ROM. A server that boots locally but is invisible on the network points to the Econet card or the cabling rather than the CPU.<ref name="cat" />

== Backplane ==

With many slots, a single shorted card or a dirty contact can take down the whole rack. Pull all cards and add them back; clean edge fingers and backplane sockets; inspect the backplane power-input joints for cracks.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, no rails''' — mains PSU or backplane power wiring.
* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card; apply the System 1 checks.
* '''A rail collapses with one card fitted''' — shorted card; isolate by substitution.
* '''No disc''' — FDC (8271), ribbon or drive.
* '''Not visible on Econet''' — Econet card or network cabling/termination.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 4]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:15Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

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[[File:Acorn System 4 backplane.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 4 14-slot Eurocard backplane.]]

This guide covers preventive maintenance for the '''[[Acorn System 4]]''' (1980), a double-height Eurocard rack with a 14-slot lower frame and two floppy drives in the upper half. Its maintenance is the System 3 work (cards plus floppy mechanism) scaled to the larger frame, plus the integral mains power supply.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set, the 14-slot frame, the Intel 8271 floppy controller, and the per-card +5 V regulators.</ref>

== ⚠️ Safety: integral mains PSU ==

The cased System 4 contains a '''mains-powered power supply''' feeding the backplane. Disconnect the mains lead before opening, and treat the PSU primary side as live. The Eurocards themselves carry low-voltage rails only, and there is no CRT.

== Cards and frame ==

A minimum System 4 has a 1 MHz 6502 CPU card, a VDU card, 16 KB of RAM and a floppy-disc controller (Intel 8271) with two drives in the top of the rack; the 14-slot lower frame leaves room for many more Eurocards.<ref name="cat" /> A documented System 4 fit includes the CPU card (with a System keyboard connector), an 8 KB static RAM card, a 40-column VDU card, an Econet card, a Universal Interface Board and a Bus Extender — a typical Econet file-server build.<ref name="chris4">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System4.html "Acorn System 4"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the example card set and the 14-slot backplane.</ref>

== Maintenance ==

* '''Backplane and edge connectors''': the 14-slot backplane has many contacts — clean each card's fingers and the backplane sockets, and reseat firmly. This is the leading cause of intermittent faults on a large rack.
* '''Per-card +5 V''': verify the rail on each card; confirm regulator heatsinks.
* '''Floppy drives''': two 5.25-inch drives in the upper frame — clean the heads, check the belts and the ribbon cable to the FDC card (see [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]).
* '''Econet''': if fitted as a file server, clean the Econet connectors and check the network termination.
* '''Cooling and PSU''': keep the frame ventilated; inspect the mains PSU for ageing.

== Capacitor health ==

Each Eurocard carries a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers, and the integral mains PSU has bulk smoothing electrolytics. See [[Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

== Preventive maintenance checklist ==

# Clean the 14-slot backplane and each card's edge fingers; reseat all cards.
# Verify +5 V on each card.
# Clean both floppy heads; check belts and the FDC ribbon.
# Check the Econet connectors (if a file server).
# Inspect the mains PSU; consider its electrolytics (mains caution).

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 4]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]] · [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]] · [[Recommended Tools]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Maintenance Guides]]

Acorn System 4

2026-06-17T20:53:13Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

{{Infobox computer
| name = Acorn System 4
| image = [[File:Acorn System 4.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Acorn System 4 (double-height rack)
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type = Modular microcomputer (Eurocard)
| release date = 1980
| price = £1525 (with casing, PSU and 16 KB RAM, 1982)
| cpu = 6502 @ 1 MHz
| memory = 16 KB RAM (minimum)
| display = 40×25 teletext VDU
| storage = Two 5.25" floppy disc drives
| os = Acorn DOS
| predecessor = [[Acorn System 3]]
| successor = [[Acorn System 5]]
}}

The '''Acorn System 4''' (1980) was a larger version of the [[Acorn System 3]], housed in a double-height rack with a 14-slot lower frame and two floppy-disc drives in the upper half.<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_System "Acorn System"], Wikipedia. Source for the System 4 double-height frame (14 lower slots, two drives above), the minimum configuration and the 1982 price.</ref> The extra slot capacity made it suited to roles such as an Econet file server.

== Configuration ==

The minimum System 4 contained a 1 MHz 6502 CPU card, a VDU card, 16 KB of RAM and a floppy-disc controller with two drives mounted in the top half of the rack; further Eurocards could be added in the 14-slot lower frame.<ref name="wp" /><ref name="chris4">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System4.html "Acorn System 4"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the 14-slot double-height frame, the minimum configuration, and the example card set (CPU with System-keyboard connector, 8K static RAM, 40-column VDU, Econet, Universal Interface Board, Bus Extender) on a 14-slot backplane.</ref> A documented example fit includes the 6502 CPU card (with a System keyboard connector), an 8 KB static RAM card, a 40-column VDU card, an Econet card, a Universal Interface Board and a Bus Extender, on a 14-slot backplane.

In 1982 the System 4, with casing, power supply and a basic 16 KB of RAM, cost £1525, plus extra for the keyboard.<ref name="wp" />

== Maintenance and repair ==

* [[Acorn System 4 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 4 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== See also ==

* [[Acorn System 1]] · [[Acorn System 2]] · [[Acorn System 3]] · [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:13Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

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This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 3]]''' (1980). As a Eurocard rack, its capacitors are per-card: each card has ceramic decouplers plus an electrolytic on its +5 V regulator. The CPU and cassette cards use the verified [[Acorn System 1]] values; the VDU, memory and floppy-controller cards each carry their own regulator electrolytic.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the System 1 card capacitor values.</ref>

== Approach ==

Recap is low-risk per-card bench work (no mains or CRT on the cards). On each Eurocard the recap target is the regulator electrolytic; the ceramic decouplers are stable and left in place. Read each electrolytic's value from the card and its circuit diagram before replacing, and fit a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

== Cards ==

* '''CPU and cassette cards''': the [[Acorn System 1]] cards — a 15 µF/16 V electrolytic each (see [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]).
* '''VDU card''' (40×25 or 80×25): regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers.
* '''Memory card''' (8 KB RAM + 4 KB BASIC ROM): regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.
* '''Floppy-disc controller card''' (Intel 8271): regulator electrolytic plus decouplers.

== Procedure ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record each electrolytic's value, voltage and polarity.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Mains PSU ==

A cased System 3 with an Acorn mains supply has bulk smoothing electrolytics in the PSU; recap that only if competent with mains supplies (discharge the bulk capacitor first).

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 3]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:12Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

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This guide gives diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 3]]''' (1980). The System 3 is a Eurocard rack, so diagnose by card (as for the [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide|System 2]]) and add the floppy-disc subsystem. The CPU and cassette cards are the [[Acorn System 1]] cards.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set, the Intel 8271 floppy controller and the shared card detail.</ref>

== Method ==

Reduce to a minimum (CPU + memory/BASIC + VDU) and confirm the machine boots BASIC; then add the FDC card and drive. A fault that appears with one card isolates to it or its slot. Confirm the backplane rails at an empty slot first.

== No display / no boot ==

Use the [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]] for the CPU, memory and VDU cards: verify the 1 MHz clock and 6502, the BASIC ROM and RAM, and the MC6845/SAA5050 on the VDU card.

== Floppy-disc faults ==

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{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:left;"
! Symptom !! Probable cause !! Action
|-
| Disc not detected / no DOS prompt || FDC card, ribbon cable, or drive || Reseat the 8271 and the ribbon; check drive power; try a known-good drive
|-
| Reads own discs, not others || Head alignment || Align with a reference disc
|-
| Read/seek errors || Dirty head, worn belt, or media || Clean the head; check the belt; try known-good media
|-
| DOS will not load || DOS ROM or its select || Reseat the DOS ROM; verify the FDC card links
|}

The floppy controller is the Intel 8271; reseat it and verify the disc-side cable before condemning the card.<ref name="cat" />

== 6809 / FLEX systems ==

A System 3 fitted with the 6809 CPU card runs FLEX. If such a machine will not boot, confirm which CPU card is fitted and that the matching OS ROM/disc is present; the 6502 and 6809 cards are not interchangeable without the corresponding software.<ref name="cat" />

== Backplane and connectors ==

A machine that works only when a card is pressed has a dirty or loose edge connector; clean the fingers and the backplane socket. Check the backplane power-input joints.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card; apply the System 1 checks.
* '''Boots BASIC, no disc''' — FDC card (8271), ribbon, or drive.
* '''Read/seek errors''' — head cleaning/alignment or media.
* '''No display''' — VDU card or monitor.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 3]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:11Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

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[[File:Acorn System 3.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 3, a disc-based Eurocard machine in a card frame.]]

This guide covers preventive maintenance for the '''[[Acorn System 3]]''' (1980), the disc-based member of the Eurocard range. It adds a floppy-disc controller card (Intel 8271), a 5.25-inch drive and a disc operating system to the [[Acorn System 2]] card set, so its maintenance is the System 2 per-card work plus the floppy mechanism.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set, the Intel 8271 floppy controller, the shared CPU/cassette/VDU/memory cards, and the per-card +5 V regulators.</ref>

== ⚠️ Safety ==

The Eurocards run on low-voltage backplane rails. If an Acorn mains power supply is fitted (as in a cased System 3), '''that PSU contains mains voltage''' — disconnect the mains lead before working near it. The cards have no mains and no CRT.

== Cards ==

A minimum System 3 has a 1 MHz 6502 CPU card, a VDU card (40×25 or 80×25), an 8 KB RAM + 4 KB BASIC ROM card, a floppy-disc controller card (Intel 8271) and one 100 KB 5.25-inch drive. A 6809 CPU card was available for running FLEX.<ref name="cat" /> The CPU and cassette cards are the [[Acorn System 1]] cards; the backplane and card care follow the [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]].

== Floppy drive and controller ==

* '''Drive''': clean the read/write head with isopropyl alcohol on a foam swab; check the drive belt (if fitted) and the spindle. Period 5.25-inch drives (single-sided, 40-track on the early System 3) drift and the heads collect oxide.
* '''Controller card''': the FDC card uses the Intel 8271. Reseat the 8271 and check the ribbon cable to the drive. Most "won't read" faults are the drive, the disc or the cable rather than the controller.
* '''Alignment''': a drive that reads its own discs but not others may need head alignment; use a known-good alignment disc.

== Per-card maintenance ==

Follow the [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]: clean the backplane and edge connectors, verify +5 V on each card, reseat the socketed ICs, and clean the VDU and keyboard connectors.

== Capacitor health ==

Each Eurocard carries ceramic decouplers plus a regulator electrolytic; see [[Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

== Preventive maintenance checklist ==

# Clean the backplane and each card's edge fingers; reseat all cards.
# Verify +5 V on each card.
# Clean the floppy head; check the belt and the FDC ribbon cable.
# Reseat the 8271 and the socketed ICs.
# If a mains PSU is fitted, inspect it and consider its electrolytics.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 3]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]] · [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]] · [[Recommended Tools]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Maintenance Guides]]

Acorn System 3

2026-06-17T20:53:10Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

{{Infobox computer
| name = Acorn System 3
| image = [[File:Acorn System 3.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Acorn System 3
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type = Modular microcomputer (Eurocard)
| release date = 1980
| price = £775 (£1075 with PSU and casing); keyboard £136 (1982)
| cpu = 6502 @ 1 MHz (6809 option)
| memory = 8 KB RAM + 4 KB BASIC ROM (minimum)
| display = 40×25 teletext VDU (40 or 80 column)
| storage = 5.25" floppy disc (100 KB), DOS in ROM
| os = Acorn DOS; Acorn System BASIC (FLEX on 6809)
| predecessor = [[Acorn System 2]]
| successor = [[Acorn System 4]]
}}

The '''Acorn System 3''' (1980) added a floppy-disc controller card, a 5.25-inch drive and a disc operating system to the Eurocard rack, replacing the cassette interface of the [[Acorn System 2]].<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_System "Acorn System"], Wikipedia. Source for the System 3 minimum configuration, the disc-based design, the 1982 prices, and the System 3's role as the Acorn lab workhorse from which the Atom was derived and the BBC Micro developed.</ref> The System 3 became the standard development machine in the Acorn lab: the [[Acorn Atom]] has been described as a cut-down System 3, and much of the [[BBC Micro Model A/B|BBC Micro]] development was done on it.

== Configuration ==

A minimum System 3 contained:<ref name="wp" /><ref name="chris3">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System3.html "Acorn System 3"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the minimum configuration (1 MHz 6502 CPU, VDU, 8K RAM + 4K BASIC ROM, floppy-disc controller, 100K 5.25-inch drive), the 6809/FLEX option, and the Intel 8271 floppy controller.</ref>

* A 1 MHz 6502 CPU card (a 6809 card was available for running FLEX)
* A 40×25 teletext VDU card (an 80×25 card was also used)
* 8 KB RAM with a 4 KB Acorn System BASIC ROM
* A floppy-disc controller card (Intel 8271)
* One 100 KB 5.25-inch disc drive mounted in the card frame

Further Eurocards could be added as required. In 1982 the System 3 cost £775, or £1075 with power supply, casing and two further 8 KB RAM cards, plus £136 for the keyboard.<ref name="wp" />

== Maintenance and repair ==

* [[Acorn System 3 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== See also ==

* [[Acorn System 1]] · [[Acorn System 2]] · [[Acorn System 4]] · [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn Atom]] — the home computer derived from the System 3
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:09Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

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This guide covers recapping the '''[[Acorn System 2]]''' (1980). The System 2 is a set of Eurocards, so the capacitors are per-card: each card carries ceramic decouplers plus a single electrolytic on its +5 V regulator. The exact per-card values are in the card circuit diagrams and the [[Acorn System Catalogue]]; the CPU and cassette cards use the verified [[Acorn System 1]] values.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the System 1 CPU/cassette-card capacitor values (a 15 µF/16 V electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers per card).</ref>

== Approach ==

The System 2 has no mains and no CRT on its cards (only the optional Acorn PSU is mains-powered). Capacitor work is low-risk per-card bench work. On each Eurocard:

* The recap target is the '''regulator electrolytic''' (the CPU and cassette cards use 15 µF/16 V; the VDU and memory cards each have their own regulator electrolytic).
* The ceramic decouplers are stable and are left in place.

== CPU and cassette cards ==

These are the [[Acorn System 1]] cards. Their full capacitor lists are in the [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]; the only electrolytic on each is a '''15 µF/16 V''' part (C10 on the CPU card, C5 on the cassette card).

== VDU and memory cards ==

The 40×25 VDU card and the memory (RAM + BASIC ROM) card each regulate their own +5 V and carry a regulator electrolytic plus ceramic decouplers. Read each value from the card itself and the card circuit diagram before replacing. Replace any electrolytic with a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage, observing polarity.

== Procedure ==

# Power off; remove the card from the backplane.
# Record the value, voltage and polarity of each electrolytic.
# Desolder, clean the holes, fit the new part with correct polarity, solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V on the card and refit.

== Optional mains PSU ==

If an Acorn mains power supply is fitted, it has its own bulk smoothing electrolytics (and mains-side parts). Recap it only if competent with mains supplies; discharge the bulk capacitor first.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 2]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:08Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

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This guide gives component-level diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 2]]''' (1980). Because the System 2 is a set of Eurocards on an 8-slot backplane, diagnosis is by card: isolate the faulty card, then probe it against its circuit diagram. The CPU and cassette cards are the [[Acorn System 1]] cards, so the [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] applies to them directly.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set and the shared CPU/cassette/VDU/memory card detail.</ref>

== Method: isolate the card ==

A racked system is best diagnosed by reducing it to a minimum and adding cards back:

# Confirm the backplane rails (+5 V, and any ±12 V used by the VDU) at an empty slot.
# Run with only the CPU card and the memory/BASIC card; confirm the machine starts.
# Add the VDU card, then the cassette card, retesting after each.
# A fault that appears only when one card is fitted isolates to that card (or a dirty slot).

== No display ==

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:left;"
! Symptom !! Probable cause !! Action
|-
| No video at all || VDU card, its rails, or the monitor || Confirm +5 V/±12 V at the VDU slot; reseat the MC6845 and SAA5050; try another monitor
|-
| Garbage / wrong characters || SAA5050 or video RAM on the VDU card || Reseat the SAA5050; check the VDU card's RAM
|-
| Dead machine, no activity || CPU card (clock/6502) or no rails || Apply the System 1 CPU-card checks; verify the backplane supply
|}

== Memory and BASIC ==

The memory card carries the RAM and the Acorn System BASIC ROM. Corrupt operation or crashes point to the RAM; failure to enter BASIC points to the BASIC ROM or its select. Reseat the card, then substitute RAM. Adding the optional second 4 KB RAM or the floating-point ROM changes the memory map, so verify links are set per the card documentation.<ref name="cat" />

== CPU and cassette cards ==

These are the System 1 cards. Use the [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]: verify the 1 MHz clock and 6502, the monitor ROMs, the 2114 RAM, and the LM358 cassette read level. In the System 2 the keypad and LED are unused; the CPU card's keyboard interface drives the external keyboard instead.

== Backplane and connectors ==

* A machine that works only when a card is pressed or wiggled has a dirty/loose edge connector — clean the fingers and the backplane socket.
* Check the backplane for cracked solder at the connectors, especially around the power-input pins.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, no rails''' — power supply or backplane power wiring.
* '''Dead, rails present''' — CPU card (clock/6502/ROM); apply the System 1 checks.
* '''No display''' — VDU card, its rails, or the monitor; reseat MC6845/SAA5050.
* '''Crashes / corrupt''' — memory card RAM; reseat/substitute.
* '''Intermittent when jostled''' — dirty edge connector or backplane joint.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 2]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Acorn System Catalogue]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:07Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 2.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 2 in a 19-inch card frame with an 8-slot backplane.]]

This guide covers preventive maintenance for the '''[[Acorn System 2]]''' (1980), a rack-mounted Eurocard machine. The System 2 is a collection of Eurocards on an 8-slot backplane, so maintenance is largely per-card: edge-connector integrity, the on-card +5 V regulators, socket reseating, and the backplane and power supply.<ref name="cat">[[Acorn System Catalogue]] and [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]], Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the Eurocard set, the per-card LM340-type +5 V regulators, and the CPU/cassette card detail shared with the [[Acorn System 1]].</ref>

== ⚠️ Safety ==

The Eurocards run on low-voltage rails from the backplane. If an Acorn mains power supply is fitted, '''that PSU contains mains voltage''' — disconnect the mains lead before working near it, and treat its primary side as live. The cards themselves carry no mains and no CRT.

== Cards ==

A typical System 2 has four Eurocards: the 1 MHz 6502 CPU card (with 2 KB Cassette Operating System), a 40×25 teletext VDU card (MC6845 + SAA5050), a cassette interface card, and a memory card (4 KB RAM + 4 KB Acorn System BASIC ROM).<ref name="cat" /> The CPU and cassette cards are the same as the [[Acorn System 1]]; their maintenance is covered in the [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]].

== Maintenance ==

* '''Backplane and edge connectors''': clean each card's EuroConnector fingers and the backplane sockets with a soft eraser or contact cleaner. Oxidised edge connectors are the most common cause of intermittent faults on a racked system. Reseat each card firmly.
* '''On-card regulators''': each card regulates its own +5 V with an LM340-type regulator. Verify +5 V on each card and confirm the regulator heatsinks are fitted.
* '''IC reseating''': the cards are socketed; reseat the 6502, ROMs, RAM and the VDU's MC6845/SAA5050.
* '''VDU card''': clean the video output connector; the 40×25 teletext display uses the SAA5050 character generator.
* '''Cassette and keyboard''': keep the cassette DIN socket and the external keyboard connector clean.

== Capacitor health ==

Each Eurocard carries ceramic decouplers plus a regulator electrolytic; the CPU and cassette cards use the System 1 values (a 15 µF/16 V electrolytic each). See [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

== Recommended tools ==

* Screwdrivers and an anti-static strap; DC multimeter for the +5 V checks.
* Contact cleaner and a soft eraser for the EuroConnectors and backplane.
* Temperature-controlled soldering iron and solder wick for the per-card electrolytics.

See [[Recommended Tools]] for the general toolkit.

== Preventive maintenance checklist ==

# Clean the backplane sockets and each card's edge fingers; reseat all cards.
# Verify +5 V on each card; confirm regulator heatsinks.
# Reseat socketed ICs (6502, ROMs, RAM, MC6845/SAA5050).
# Clean the cassette DIN and keyboard connectors.
# If an Acorn mains PSU is fitted, inspect it (mains) and consider its electrolytics.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 2]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]] — the shared CPU/cassette cards
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]] · [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]] · [[Recommended Tools]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Maintenance Guides]]

Acorn System 2

2026-06-17T20:53:06Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

{{Infobox computer
| name = Acorn System 2
| image = [[File:Acorn System 2.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Acorn System 2 in a 19-inch card frame
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type = Modular microcomputer (Eurocard)
| release date = 1980
| price = £320 (£480 with PSU); keyboard £136 (1982)
| cpu = 6502 @ 1 MHz (6809 option)
| memory = 4 KB RAM + 4 KB BASIC ROM (expandable)
| display = 40×25 teletext VDU (MC6845 + SAA5050), 8 colours
| storage = Cassette interface
| os = Cassette Operating System; Acorn System BASIC
| predecessor = [[Acorn System 1]]
| successor = [[Acorn System 3]]
}}

The '''Acorn System 2''' (1980) was the rack-mounted successor to the [[Acorn System 1]]. It put the System 1's Eurocards onto a backplane and added a video card and a BASIC ROM, making the machine straightforward to expand.<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_System "Acorn System"], Wikipedia. Source for the System 2 configuration (8-slot backplane, four cards, external keyboard), the VDU card (MC6845 + SAA5050), the memory card (4K RAM + 4K BASIC ROM, optional +4K RAM and +4K FP ROM), the 6809 CPU option, and the 1982 prices.</ref>

== Configuration ==

The System 2 mounts four Eurocards in a 19-inch sub-rack on an 8-slot backplane, with a separately-supplied external keyboard:<ref name="wp" /><ref name="chris2">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System2.html "Acorn System 2"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the typical card set (1 MHz 6502 CPU with 2K Cassette Operating System, 40×25 8-colour VDU, memory card with 4K RAM + 4K BASIC ROM, cassette interface) and the 8-slot card frame.</ref>

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:95%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Acorn System 2 typical cards'''
! Card !! Function
|-
| CPU card || 1 MHz 6502, keyboard interface, 2 KB Cassette Operating System (6809 option)
|-
| VDU card || 40×25 teletext display (MC6845 CRTC + SAA5050 character generator), 8 colours
|-
| Cassette interface card || The System 1 I/O card, with its keypad and LED unused
|-
| Memory card || 4 KB RAM + 4 KB Acorn System BASIC ROM (optional +4 KB RAM and +4 KB floating-point ROM)
|}

The CPU and cassette cards are the same Eurocards as the [[Acorn System 1]]; any of Acorn's standard Eurocards can be added in the remaining slots.<ref name="wp" /> In 1982 the System 2 cost £320 (£480 with power supply), plus £136 for the optional keyboard.

== Maintenance and repair ==

* [[Acorn System 2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== See also ==

* [[Acorn System 1]] · [[Acorn System 3]] · [[Acorn System 4]] · [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn System Catalogue]] — the Eurocard range

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:05Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 1 CPU board.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 1 CPU Eurocard. The only electrolytic on each card is the 15 µF/16 V part on the LM340-T5 regulator; the rest are ceramic decouplers.]]

This guide lists the capacitors on the '''[[Acorn System 1]]''' (Acorn Microcomputer) and gives the replacement procedure. The values and designators are taken from the [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] parts lists for the CPU card (200,000) and the keyboard/cassette card (200,001).<ref name="s1tech">[[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] (Acorn Microcomputer), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. CPU-card and keyboard-card parts lists: capacitor designators and values, and the note that the ten 0.1 µF decouplers may be substituted with 0.047 µF, and that the 15 µF electrolytics are polarised.</ref>

== Why (and why not) recap a System 1 ==

The System 1 has '''no mains wiring and no CRT''' and runs on a low-voltage supply, so capacitor work is low-risk bench work. Each card carries only ceramic decouplers plus a single '''15 µF/16 V electrolytic''' on the +5 V regulator. There is no large reservoir capacitor and no notorious failure pattern; replace the two electrolytics only when a card is already open or shows ripple-related instability.

== Capacitor list ==

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+'''CPU card (200,000)'''
! Designator !! Value !! Type
|-
| C1, C2, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9 || 100 nF || Ceramic decoupler
|-
| C3, C4 || 10 nF || Ceramic
|-
| C10 || 15 µF / 16 V || '''Electrolytic''' (regulator)
|}

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Keyboard / cassette card (200,001)'''
! Designator !! Value !! Type
|-
| C1 || 100 pF || Ceramic
|-
| C2, C4 || 1 nF || Ceramic
|-
| C3 || 10 nF || Ceramic
|-
| C5 || 15 µF / 16 V || '''Electrolytic''' (regulator)
|-
| C6, C9, C10 || 100 nF || Ceramic decoupler
|-
| C8 || 22 nF || Ceramic
|-
| C7 || — || Not fitted
|}

The Technical Manual notes that the 0.1 µF (100 nF) decouplers may be substituted with 0.047 µF if needed, and that the 15 µF electrolytics are polarised (observe the + marking).<ref name="s1tech" />

== Replacement summary ==

The only recap targets are the two electrolytics:

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
! Value !! Voltage !! Type !! Where
|-
| 15 µF || 16 V (or higher) || Aluminium electrolytic, radial || C10 (CPU card), C5 (keyboard card)
|}

Use a 105 °C low-ESR part of equal capacitance and equal-or-higher voltage. The ceramic decouplers are stable and are left in place.

== Procedure ==

# Power off and separate the two cards.
# Mark the polarity of each 15 µF electrolytic (the silkscreen marks the + end).
# Add fresh solder/flux, remove the old cap, clear the holes with solder wick.
# Fit the new cap, matching polarity; solder and trim.
# Verify +5 V at the regulator and confirm the monitor prompt and keypad on power-up.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 1]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]

Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:04Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />

This guide gives component-level diagnosis for the '''[[Acorn System 1]]''' (Acorn Microcomputer). The System 1 has no video and no POST: faults are diagnosed by the monitor program's behaviour on the 8-digit LED display, by probing the 6502 bus against the circuit diagram, and by substituting socketed parts. The IC references below are from the [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] and the [[Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams]].<ref name="s1tech">[[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] (Acorn Microcomputer), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the IC complement (IC1 R6502, IC2/IC8 8154 RAM/IO, IC3/IC4 2114 RAM, IC5/IC6 74S571 ROM, IC9 74LS20, IC10 74LS139, IC11 74LS04, IC12 74LS00, IC13 LM340-T5; keyboard card IC7 LM358, IC8 7445), the address decoding (IC8 chip selects on A7/A8), the cassette read level (IC7 pin 7), and the +5 V regulation.</ref>

[[File:Acorn System 1 circuit diagram (1 of 3).png|center|thumb|680px|Acorn System 1 circuit diagram, sheet 1 of 3 (Technical Manual). All three sheets are on the wiki at [[Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams]]. (Source: The Centre for Computing History.)]]

== Power-up behaviour ==

On power-up the monitor program in the 74S571 ROMs (IC5/IC6) drives the 8-digit LED display through the 7445 (IC8) and the 8154 (IC2) on the keyboard card, and waits for hex-keypad input. A healthy machine shows a prompt/address on the display and responds to the keypad. A dark or frozen display points to a supply, clock, CPU, ROM or RAM fault.

== Dead machine ==

# '''Supply''': verify +5 V at the LM340-T5 (IC13) output on the CPU card and at the IC VCC pins. Out of range → regulator or supply.
# '''Clock''': scope the 1 MHz crystal and the 6502 (IC1) clock input. No clock → the master oscillator is dead and nothing runs.
# '''Reset''': check the 6502 reset line releases after power-on.
# '''Address activity''': with the clock present, the 6502 address lines should toggle. If static, reseat or substitute IC1 (6502).
# '''ROM fetch''': the monitor lives in IC5/IC6 (74S571). The address decoder IC8 (74LS139 on the CPU card) and the glue (IC9 74LS20, IC11 74LS04, IC12 74LS00) select the ROM; check for activity on the ROM pins. A blank display with clocks present is often a ROM-select or ROM fault — reseat IC5/IC6.

== Display and keypad ==

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:left;"
! Symptom !! Probable cause !! Action
|-
| Whole display dark, machine seems alive || 7445 decoder (IC8) or 8154 (IC2) on the keyboard card || Reseat IC8 / the 8154; check the display drive lines
|-
| One digit or segment dead || LED display or its drive || Check the segment/digit lines from IC8
|-
| Keypad dead or wrong keys || 8154 (IC2) keypad port, or keypad contacts || Clean the keypad; reseat the 8154; check the ribbon to the CPU card
|-
| Garbled values / crashes || 2114 RAM (IC3/IC4) || Reseat; substitute a known-good 2114
|}

== RAM and ROM ==

* '''RAM''': the 1 KB of RAM is two 2114 devices (IC3/IC4). A failed 2114 corrupts the monitor's scratch/zero-page area and crashes it. Reseat, then substitute.
* '''ROM''': the 512-byte monitor is in two 74S571 bipolar ROMs (IC5 "Blue", IC6 "Yellow"). These are robust; a blank or wrong display with good clocks and RAM points to a ROM seating or select fault. Reseat IC5/IC6 and verify the decode (the Technical Manual notes the CS lines on address lines A7/A8 at IC8).<ref name="s1tech" />

== Cassette interface ==

The CUTS 300-baud cassette circuit is built around the LM358 (IC7) on the keyboard card. When reading a known-good tape, the signal at '''IC7 pin 7''' should exceed about 2 V; a low or absent level there points to the read amplifier or the input level.<ref name="s1tech" /> If save/load fails with a known-good recorder, probe IC7 and check the DIN wiring before suspecting the 8154.

== EuroConnector / expansion ==

The CPU card's second 8154 (IC8) and the EuroConnector let the card run in a [[Acorn System 2|System 2]]/3/4 frame. A System 1 that misbehaves only when fitted to a backplane usually has a dirty or bridged edge connector — clean the fingers.

== Common fault catalogue ==

* '''Dead, +5 V present''' — 1 MHz clock/crystal or the 6502 (IC1); reseat IC1.
* '''Blank display, clocks present''' — ROM (IC5/IC6) seating/select, or the 7445 (IC8) display decoder.
* '''Garbled values / crashes''' — a 2114 (IC3/IC4); substitute.
* '''Keypad dead''' — 8154 (IC2) or keypad contacts.
* '''Won't load tapes''' — recorder/tape first, then the LM358 (IC7); confirm IC7 pin 7 read level.
* '''Intermittent when racked''' — dirty EuroConnector; clean.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 1]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams]] · [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]]
* [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting Guides]]

Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide

2026-06-17T20:53:03Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
[[File:Acorn System 1 CPU board.jpg|thumb|360x360px|Acorn System 1 6502 CPU Eurocard (part 200,000): R6502P, the two INS8154 RAM/IO devices, 2114 RAM, 74S571 ROMs and the LM340-T5 regulator.]]

This guide covers preventive maintenance for the '''[[Acorn System 1]]''' (Acorn Microcomputer, 1979), a two-Eurocard 6502 machine. The System 1 has '''no mains wiring and no CRT''': it runs on a low-voltage external supply that is regulated to +5 V on each card by an LM340-T5 (7805-type) regulator. Maintenance is cleaning, contact integrity, socket reseating and supply-voltage checks.<ref name="s1tech">[[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] (Acorn Microcomputer), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the CPU-card and keyboard-card IC and capacitor parts lists, the LM340-T5 regulator and heatsink, the construction notes and the circuit description.</ref>

== Safety ==

The System 1 contains no mains voltage and no CRT. It is powered from an external low-voltage supply and regulates +5 V on the board. Standard anti-static precautions apply (the 6502, the 8154 RAM/IO devices and the 2114 RAM are sensitive to ESD). The Technical Manual specifies a heatsink on the LM340-T5 regulator.<ref name="s1tech" />

== The two cards ==

The System 1 is the '''6502 CPU card (200,000)''' and the '''keyboard/cassette card (200,001)''', joined by a ribbon. Both cards are socketed throughout, so reseating ICs is the first response to an intermittent fault.

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+'''System 1 ICs'''
! Card !! Devices
|-
| CPU (200,000) || IC1 R6502; IC2/IC8 INS8154 RAM/IO; IC3/IC4 2114 RAM; IC5/IC6 74S571 ROM; IC9 74LS20; IC10 74LS139; IC11 74LS04; IC12 74LS00; IC13 LM340-T5 regulator
|-
| Keyboard/cassette (200,001) || IC2 4024; IC3 4011; IC4 4013; IC5 4001; IC6 4024; IC7 LM358 (cassette amp); IC8 7445 (keypad/display decoder)
|}

== Regular cleaning ==

* Clear dust with a soft brush and low-pressure air.
* Clean the EuroConnector edge fingers and the inter-card ribbon connector with a soft eraser or contact cleaner — edge-connector oxidation is a common cause of intermittent faults on Eurocard machines.
* Reseat every socketed IC, especially the 6502 (IC1), the ROMs (IC5/IC6) and the RAM (IC3/IC4).
* Clean the cassette DIN socket and the keypad contacts.

== Power and the regulators ==

Each card regulates +5 V with an LM340-T5. Verify '''+5 V''' at the regulator output and at the IC VCC pins before suspecting a logic fault. Confirm the regulator heatsink is fitted; a regulator running hot into thermal shutdown causes intermittent resets.<ref name="s1tech" />

== Display, keypad and cassette ==

* The 8-digit 7-segment LED display and the 25-key hex keypad are decoded by the 7445 (IC8) on the keyboard card; clean the keypad and reseat IC8 if digits or keys misbehave.
* The cassette interface is the CUTS 300-baud circuit around the LM358 (IC7). Keep the DIN socket clean; most loading problems are the tape or the external recorder.

== Capacitor health ==

Each card carries ceramic decouplers plus a single 15 µF/16 V electrolytic on the regulator. These are low-risk, leaded parts; replace the two electrolytics pre-emptively only if a board is already open or shows ripple-related instability. Full list and procedure: [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

== Recommended tools ==

* Posidrive/Philips screwdriver and anti-static strap.
* DC multimeter for the +5 V checks.
* Contact cleaner and a soft eraser for the EuroConnector.
* Temperature-controlled soldering iron and solder wick for the two electrolytics.

See [[Recommended Tools]] for the general toolkit.

== Preventive maintenance checklist ==

# Verify +5 V at both regulators; confirm the heatsinks are fitted.
# Reseat all socketed ICs (6502, ROMs, RAM, 8154s).
# Clean the EuroConnector fingers and the inter-card ribbon.
# Clean the keypad and cassette DIN socket.
# Consider replacing the two 15 µF electrolytics while a card is open.

== Related pages ==

* [[Acorn System 1]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 2]] — the rack-mounted successor that reuses these cards
* [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] · [[Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams]]
* [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]] · [[Recommended Tools]]

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Maintenance Guides]]

Acorn System 1

2026-06-17T20:53:01Z

Josh: Create Acorn System series page (cited; sourced from System manuals/catalogue)

{{Infobox computer
| name = Acorn System 1
| image = [[File:Acorn System 1.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Acorn System 1 (Acorn Microcomputer), 1979
| developer = Sophie Wilson
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type = Single-board microcomputer (kit or assembled)
| release date = April 1979
| cpu = Rockwell R6502 @ 1 MHz
| memory = 1 KB RAM (2× 2114), 512 bytes ROM (2× 74S571)
| display = 8-digit 7-segment LED
| sound = —
| storage = CUTS cassette interface (300 baud)
| os = Monitor in ROM
| predecessor = —
| successor = [[Acorn System 2]], [[Acorn Atom]]
| model = 200,000 (CPU card), 200,001 (keyboard card)
}}

The '''Acorn System 1''', first sold as the '''Acorn Microcomputer''', was Acorn Computers' first product. It was designed by Sophie Wilson and shipped in April 1979.<ref name="chris1">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/Acorn_Microcomputer.html "Acorn Microcomputer (a.k.a. System 1)"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Source for the 1978 design by Sophie Wilson, the April 1979 release, the two-Eurocard construction, the CPU-card complement (R6502P, 8154 RAM/IO, 2114 RAM, 74S571 ROM, LM340-T5 regulator), the keyboard-card complement (LED display, hex keypad, CUTS cassette interface) and the board part numbers (200,000 / 200,001).</ref> It was a small machine built on two 100×160 mm Eurocards, sold as a kit or ready-built, and aimed at hobbyists. The modular, Eurocard-based design led directly to the rack-mounted [[Acorn System 2]] to [[Acorn System 5|System 5]], and the experience fed into the [[Acorn Atom]] and the [[BBC Micro Model A/B|BBC Micro]].<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_System "Acorn System"], Wikipedia. Source for the series overview, the Eurocard modular concept, the per-machine configurations and prices, and the role of the System 3 in Atom and BBC Micro development.</ref>

== The two cards ==

The System 1 is two Eurocards linked by a ribbon cable:<ref name="chris1" /><ref name="s1tech">[[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]] (Acorn Microcomputer), Acorn Computers — hosted on this wiki. Source for the CPU-card and keyboard-card IC and capacitor parts lists, the construction notes and the circuit description.</ref>

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:95%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Acorn System 1 cards'''
! Card !! Part !! Key devices
|-
| CPU card || 200,000 || Rockwell R6502 @ 1 MHz; 2× INS8154 RAM/IO; 2× 2114 (1 KB RAM); 2× 74S571 (512 bytes ROM); LM340-T5 5 V regulator; 1 MHz crystal
|-
| Keyboard / cassette card || 200,001 || 8-digit 7-segment LED display; 25-key hex keypad; CUTS 300-baud cassette interface (LM358 amp, 7445 decoder)
|}

One INS8154 drives the keypad ribbon; the second drives the EuroConnector, so the CPU card can be used unchanged in a [[Acorn System 2|System 2]], 3 or 4. The CPU card also has an empty socket for a 2516 EPROM and a second 8154.<ref name="chris1" />

== Operation ==

The monitor program in the 512-byte ROM lets the user examine and modify memory and registers through the hex keypad and the 8-digit LED display, and save or load via the CUTS cassette interface at 300 baud. There is no video output on the base machine; a VDU requires a [[Acorn System 2|System 2]]-style frame with a VDU Eurocard.

== Maintenance and repair ==

* [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]

== Documentation ==

* [[Acorn System 1 User Manual]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Technical Manual]]
* [[Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams]]

== See also ==

* [[Acorn System 2]] · [[Acorn System 3]] · [[Acorn System 4]] · [[Acorn System 5]]
* [[Acorn Atom]] — the all-in-one home computer derived from this work

== References ==

<references />

{{Navbox-AcornComputers}}

[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 5 Handbook

2026-06-17T20:45:33Z

Josh: Create Acorn System manual page (host PDF on-wiki, PDFEmbed)

The '''Acorn System 5 Handbook''' (1 March 1983) covers the [[Acorn System 5]] and its Eurocards (6502/6502A CPU, VDU, 32K DRAM, floppy-disc controller and Econet). It is a primary reference for the [[Acorn System 5 Maintenance Guide]], [[Acorn System 5 Troubleshooting Guide]] and [[Acorn System 5 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

<pdf> File:Acorn System 5 Handbook.pdf </pdf>

Download here: [[:File:Acorn System 5 Handbook.pdf|Acorn System 5 Handbook.pdf]]

[[Category:Acorn Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System Catalogue

2026-06-17T20:45:33Z

Josh: Create Acorn System manual page (host PDF on-wiki, PDFEmbed)

The '''Acorn System Computers and Eurocards catalogue''' describes the [[Acorn System 1]], [[Acorn System 2]], [[Acorn System 3]], [[Acorn System 4]] and [[Acorn System 5]] machines and the Acorn Eurocard range (CPU, VDU, memory, floppy-disc controller, Econet and interface cards).

<pdf> File:Acorn System Catalogue.pdf </pdf>

Download here: [[:File:Acorn System Catalogue.pdf|Acorn System Catalogue.pdf]]

[[Category:Acorn Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 1 User Manual

2026-06-17T20:45:32Z

Josh: Create Acorn System manual page (host PDF on-wiki, PDFEmbed)

The '''Acorn System 1 User Manual''' (Acorn Microcomputer) for the [[Acorn System 1]].

<pdf> File:Acorn System 1 User Manual.pdf </pdf>

Download here: [[:File:Acorn System 1 User Manual.pdf|Acorn System 1 User Manual.pdf]]

[[Category:Acorn Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams

2026-06-17T20:45:32Z

Josh: Create Acorn System manual page (host PDF on-wiki, PDFEmbed)

The '''Acorn System 1 circuit diagrams''' for the [[Acorn System 1]] CPU and keyboard/cassette Eurocards.

<pdf> File:Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams.pdf </pdf>

Download here: [[:File:Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams.pdf|Acorn System 1 Circuit Diagrams.pdf]]

[[Category:Acorn Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Acorn Computers]]

Acorn System 1 Technical Manual

2026-06-17T20:45:31Z

Josh: Create Acorn System manual page (host PDF on-wiki, PDFEmbed)

The '''Acorn System 1 Technical Manual''' (Acorn Microcomputer) covers the construction, circuit description and full parts lists of the [[Acorn System 1]] — the 6502 CPU Eurocard and the keyboard/cassette Eurocard, including the capacitor designators and values. It is the primary reference for the [[Acorn System 1 Maintenance Guide]], [[Acorn System 1 Troubleshooting Guide]] and [[Acorn System 1 Capacitor Replacement Guide]].

<pdf> File:Acorn System 1 Technical Manual.pdf </pdf>

Download here: [[:File:Acorn System 1 Technical Manual.pdf|Acorn System 1 Technical Manual.pdf]]

[[Category:Acorn Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Service Manuals]]
[[Category:Acorn Computers]]