Amstrad PC2386
The Amstrad PC2386 is the 80386 model of Amstrad's PC2000 series, alongside the Amstrad PC2086 and Amstrad PC2286. It has a 20 MHz 80386 with a 64 KB cache, 4 MB of 32-bit parity memory, five 16-bit expansion slots, a Paradise VGA adaptor on the main board and, as the PC2386-65, a 65 MB hard disc. Amstrad's specification lists built-in LIM 4.0 expanded memory and MS-DOS 4.0 with Windows/386.[1] The system unit is larger than the PC2086's, at 415 × 160 × 485 mm.[1][2]
.jpg) | |
| PC2386 with colour monitor, from the cover of Amstrad's service manual | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Amstrad plc |
| Type | IBM PC/AT-compatible personal computer |
| Released | 1989 |
| CPU | 80386 at 20 MHz, 80387 socket |
| Memory | 4 MB with parity, 32-bit; 64 KB 35 ns cache |
| Storage | 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive; 65 MB hard disc (Seagate ST277R) |
| Display | Built-in VGA (Paradise PVGA1), Hercules, CGA and EGA compatible |
| Sound | — |
| Ports / interface | Serial, parallel, mouse, VGA, external floppy drive |
| Expansion | Five 16-bit ISA slots |
| Power | Internal switch-mode supply with fan |
| Dimensions | 415 × 160 × 485 mm (system unit) |
| OS / Firmware | MS-DOS 4.0, Windows/386 |
| Model no. | PC2386-65 |
History
editWikipedia gives 1989 for the launch of the PC2000 series, while the Centre for Computing History dates the PC2086, launched at the same time, to 1988;[3] the Centre for Computing History lists a PC User review of the PC2386, "Power for the People", dated February 1989.[4][5] Wikipedia records that the Seagate ST277R hard discs shipped in the PC2386 had to be recalled and fitted with Western Digital controllers, that Amstrad later sued Seagate and won in 1997, and that the bad press cost Amstrad its lead in the European PC market.[4][6] Amstrad's parts list gives the hard disc as the ST277R (part 176725).[1]
Hardware
edit| IC | Part as listed |
|---|---|
| IC146 | AMS386 (part 176600) |
| IC001–009 | KM41C1000-10 |
| IC151–153 | µPD421000LA-10, nine pieces |
| IC160–170 | HM6789P-30 |
| IC156 | AMS40192, TMS72C256-20 ROS |
| IC157–159 | AMS40191, AMS40190, AMS40189 ROS |
| IC115 | MC146818P |
| IC120 | Z765APS |
| IC307 | PVGA1 video gate array |
| IC305 | IMSG171P-35 |
| IC311–324 (eight) | KM41464-12 |
| IC316 | AMS40193 |
| IC601–607 | STK7458, MB3761M, LA6324, BA707, BA6993, AN7905F, AN7912T |
The ROS (BIOS) is in four ROMs, and the Paradise PVGA1 is the video controller. IC316 is the device whose pin 6 carries the VCO control voltage in Amstrad's alignment; the IC6xx parts are on the power supply board.[1]
The crystals are X101 1.8432 MHz, X102 32.768 kHz, X103 48.0 MHz, X104 14.318 MHz, X105 40.0 MHz, X301 25.175 MHz, X302 28.322 MHz, X303 36.00 MHz, X304 15.00 MHz and X801 11.0 MHz. The floppy drive is listed as an OSDA-45A.[1] An owner's PC2386 has a Citizen OSDA-46 drive connected by a straight cable, with the drive set to ID 0.[7]
Power
editThe supply has its own fan (M601), a 330 µF 400 V reservoir capacitor (C601), an STK7458 hybrid regulator and two optocouplers, a TLP732 (Q602) and a TLP741G (Q603).[1] It is adjusted with VR604 for +5 V and VR603 for +12 V, and VR601 sets the primary protection.[1] Amstrad allowed component-level repair of the supply and monitors, but not of the main CPU board or the drives.[1] The supply schematic is page 48, hosted separately; it prints the DC voltages at the pins of the STK7458 and marks the +5 V and +12 V overload protection and the over-voltage protection circuits.[1]
Repair guides
edit- Amstrad PC2386 Maintenance Guide – supply and clock adjustment, cells, drives, keyboard
- Amstrad PC2386 Troubleshooting Guide – supply, start-up, keyboard and floppy faults
- Amstrad PC2386 Capacitor Replacement Guide – the supply's electrolytics from Amstrad's parts list
Documentation
edit- Amstrad PC 2386 Service Manual – Amstrad's PC2386-65 service manual, with pages 47–48 in a separate file
Gallery
edit-
Main board, top view (service manual p. 4)
Related pages
editReferences
edit- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Amstrad plc, PC2386-65 Personal Computer Service Manual. Hosted as File:Amstrad PC 2386 Service Manual.pdf, described at Amstrad PC 2386 Service Manual. Technical specification, notes to engineers and safety tests p. 2; alignment instructions p. 3; main PCB views pp. 4–5; electrical parts list pp. 44–45. Pages 47 (cabinet parts) and 48 (power supply schematic), missing from that scan, are hosted as File:Amstrad PC 2386 Service Manual pages 47-48.pdf.
- ↑ Amstrad plc, PC2086 S/D/30 Personal Computer Service Manual. Hosted as File:Amstrad PC 2086 Service Manual.pdf, described at Amstrad PC 2086 Service Manual. Technical specification p. 2.
- ↑ Centre for Computing History, "Amstrad PC2086 S", exhibit CH16138. Retrieved 2026-10-02. The PC2086 of 1988, released at the same time as the PC2286 and PC2386.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wikipedia, "Amstrad PC2286" (revision 1353136875). Retrieved 2026-10-02. The PC2000 series launched 1989; the Seagate ST277R recall and replacement with Western Digital controllers; Amstrad's successful action against Seagate, judged in 1997.
- ↑ Centre for Computing History, "Amstrad PC2286/40", exhibit CH1264. Retrieved 2026-10-02. The PC2000 series description, and the related article "Power for the People – Amstrad PC 2386 Review", PC User, February 1989.
- ↑ Wikipedia, "Amstrad" (revision 1373433025). Retrieved 2026-10-02. The PC2000 series, the ST277R problem and the Seagate lawsuit.
- ↑ Tomek TRV, "Amstrad PC2386 floppy drive problem", VOGONS, 3 December 2025, and the same report at the Vintage Computer Federation Forums. Retrieved 2026-10-02. Community report: the Citizen OSDA-46 drive on a straight cable set to ID 0; other drives set to ID 0 that would not work in the PC2386.