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The '''''PCW 8256/8512 Personal Computer Word Processor Service Manual''''' is Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc's service manual for the PCW 8256 and PCW 8512, with a cover price of £8.00. It is undated and has no contents page or part number. The hosted scan has 42 PDF pages and the Internet Archive's OCR text layer: the 34 numbered pages, three chassis schematic sheets, three printer circuit diagram sheets and a repeat of the notes to service engineers. Amstrad published no separate "PCW 8000 Series" manual; the file name comes from the Internet Archive item. | |||
== Contents == | |||
The manual has no contents list. Its pages, with the printed page numbers (PDF pages in brackets where they differ): | |||
* 1 cover; 2 safety test and specification; 3 important notes to service engineers; 4 software errors | |||
* 5-9 diagnostic flow charts for drives FD1 and FD2: motor rotation, read error, write error, and seek error (FD2 only) | |||
* 10 drive mechanism drawing; 11 notice that the next four pages are for information only | |||
* 12-14 alignment checks: index burst, amplitude ratio, track 00 to 39 timing, positioning with a CE disk | |||
* 15 FD1 schematic diagram; 16 FD2 schematic diagram | |||
* 17 alignment chart for the monitor | |||
* 18-19 monitor schematic diagram (PDF 18-20, split across three images) | |||
* 20 monitor PCB, marked "danger mains voltage" (PDF 21); 21 monitor PCB component layout (PDF 22) | |||
* 22-23 mechanical exploded view, cabinet exploded view and cabinet parts list (PDF 23-24) | |||
* 24 keyboard circuit diagram; 25 keyboard control PCB with the key matrix (PDF 25-26) | |||
* 26-27 CPU PCB; 28-29 CPU PCB Mk II (PDF 27-30) | |||
* 30 PCW8256 printer mechanical parts list; 31 printer exploded drawing; 32 printer PC board (PDF 31-33) | |||
* 33 monitor/keyboard electrical parts list; 34 electrical parts list (PDF 34-35) | |||
* Unnumbered: three chassis schematic sheets (PDF 36-38), three printer circuit diagram sheets (PDF 39-41) and a repeat of the notes to service engineers (PDF 42) | |||
== What it settles == | |||
=== Specification (p. 2) === | |||
The PCW8256 has a Z80A with 256K of RAM, about 112K of which is used as a RAM disc; a green monitor showing 90 columns by 32 lines; one 3-inch "flip over" drive giving 180K per side, with room for a second; an 82-key keyboard with its own microprocessor; and an integral printer giving about 20 cps letter quality or 90 cps draft (elite pitch), with tractor feed and single-sheet loading. Separate custom microprocessors run the printer and the keyboard. The CPS 8256 serial and parallel interface is an option. The PCW8512 has 512K of RAM, giving a 368K RAM disc, and a second drive (1 MB unformatted) as standard. The software is Amstrad's word processing program, CP/M Plus with GSX, Locomotive Software's Mallard BASIC and Dr LOGO. | |||
=== Service notes and safety test (pp. 2-3) === | |||
The safety test is a 4 kV flash test between the joined mains live and neutral and all accessible exterior metal, and an insulation test requiring at least 4 MΩ. Amstrad's notes say that full diagnostics are not in the manual and that in-depth fault-finding needs the R.P.3 diagnostic tool. Drive mechanisms and their boards, including a second drive, are not to be serviced; exchange units come from Amstrad. Printer parts are listed, but complete printer mechanisms are available on exchange, as are complete circuit boards. The drive alignment pages (12-14) are for information only; during the warranty period the mechanism is returned with its board. | |||
=== Monitor and power supply (p. 17) === | |||
The monitor board carries the 12 V and 5 V supplies. The alignment chart sets 12 V with VR5002 and 5 V with VR5001, each to within 2%, measured at CD102 pins 2 and 3 with CD101 disconnected; then vertical size and linearity (15 mm top and bottom borders, 16 mm left and right, with the RP3 or a pattern disc), horizontal hold at 15.625 kHz, and cut-off. The equipment list is a digital voltmeter, oscilloscope, frequency counter and test pattern generator. | |||
=== Parts lists (pp. 22-23, 33-34) === | |||
The cabinet parts list gives separate PCW8256 and PCW8512 part numbers. It lists the CRT as a 340AXB31 (171020) and, for the PCW8512 only, a compact floppy disc drive EME-231 (171224). The electrical parts list gives the main chips: Z8400AP processor (IC102), Amstrad 40028 (IC101), µPD765AC-2 floppy controller (IC203), Amstrad 40026 printer controller (IC701) and Amstrad 40027 keyboard controller (IC801), with eight TMM41257P-15 DRAMs for the 256K machine. The mains fuse F5001 is 2 A time-lag, 250 V (1400253). In the printer mechanical parts list, starred parts are for the PCW8512 only. | |||
=== Memory options (chassis schematic, PDF p. 36) === | |||
The first chassis sheet carries Amstrad's memory options table for the CPU board: | |||
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;" | |||
|+'''Memory options (chassis schematic, PDF p. 36)''' | |||
! Memory (K) !! DRAM size (K) !! Link A !! Link B !! Link C !! Link D !! ICs fitted !! Quantity | |||
|- | |||
| 512 || 256 || off || on || off || on || IC104-119 || 16 | |||
|- | |||
| 256 || 256 || on || off || off || on || IC104-111 || 8 | |||
|- | |||
| 128 || 64 || off || on || on || off || IC104-119 || 16 | |||
|- | |||
| 128 || 256 || on || off || on || off || IC104-107 || 4 | |||
|} | |||
The other chassis sheets cover the CPU board logic, including the printer control section around the Amstrad 40026 (IC701). The printer circuit diagrams include the 24 V power connections. | |||
=== Another scan === | |||
A 34-page scan of the manual (Internet Archive item [https://archive.org/details/amstrad-pcw-8256-pcw-8512-service-manual amstrad-pcw-8256-pcw-8512-service-manual]) lacks the chassis and printer sheets but has one extra page: a typed Mastercare sheet signed P.S. Wright, Mastercare PC+, "Fitting 4 pin CPU PCB in PCW8256 / PCW8512". It explains how to fit a replacement CPU board with a 4-pin power header: the 5-way monitor power connector is cut into a 3-way and a 2-way part, the 3-way part fitted with the yellow wire nearest the piezo buzzer, and the 2-way part fitted by its black wire pin, leaving the brown wire unconnected. The sheet is not part of Amstrad's manual. | |||
== What this manual does not contain == | |||
There is no fault-finding procedure for the computer itself; the flow charts cover the drives, and the notes refer the engineer to the R.P.3 diagnostic tool. There is no memory map or I/O port list; for those see [[Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott)]]. The PCW 9256, 9512 and 9512+ have separate manuals. | |||
<pdf> File:Amstrad PCW 8000 Series Service Manual.pdf </pdf> | |||
Download: [[:File:Amstrad PCW 8000 Series Service Manual.pdf|Amstrad PCW 8000 Series Service Manual.pdf]] | |||
== Pages that cite this document == | |||
* [[Amstrad PCW 8256]] · [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Maintenance Guide]] · [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Troubleshooting Guide]] · [[Amstrad PCW 8256 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]: specification, safety tests, drive procedures and alignment, monitor and supply alignment, parts lists and the memory table (pp. 2–17, 23, 30, 33–34) | |||
* [[Amstrad PCW 8512]] · [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Maintenance Guide]] · [[Amstrad PCW 8512 Troubleshooting Guide]]: the PCW8512 differences, drive B (FD2) figures and the FD2 seek error chart (pp. 2, 5–14, 23, 34) | |||
* [[Amstrad PCW 9256]], [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Maintenance Guide]], [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Capacitor Replacement Guide]]: shared part numbers and the dot matrix printer mechanism parts list | |||
== Related pages == | |||
* [[Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual]] | |||
* [[Amstrad PCW 9512+ Service Manual]] | |||
* [[Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott)]] | |||
{{Navbox-Amstrad|state=collapsed}} | |||
[[Category:Amstrad Service Manuals]] | [[Category:Amstrad Service Manuals]] | ||
[[Category:Service Manuals]] | |||
Latest revision as of 07:10, 2 October 2026
The PCW 8256/8512 Personal Computer Word Processor Service Manual is Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc's service manual for the PCW 8256 and PCW 8512, with a cover price of £8.00. It is undated and has no contents page or part number. The hosted scan has 42 PDF pages and the Internet Archive's OCR text layer: the 34 numbered pages, three chassis schematic sheets, three printer circuit diagram sheets and a repeat of the notes to service engineers. Amstrad published no separate "PCW 8000 Series" manual; the file name comes from the Internet Archive item.
Contents
[edit | edit source]The manual has no contents list. Its pages, with the printed page numbers (PDF pages in brackets where they differ):
- 1 cover; 2 safety test and specification; 3 important notes to service engineers; 4 software errors
- 5-9 diagnostic flow charts for drives FD1 and FD2: motor rotation, read error, write error, and seek error (FD2 only)
- 10 drive mechanism drawing; 11 notice that the next four pages are for information only
- 12-14 alignment checks: index burst, amplitude ratio, track 00 to 39 timing, positioning with a CE disk
- 15 FD1 schematic diagram; 16 FD2 schematic diagram
- 17 alignment chart for the monitor
- 18-19 monitor schematic diagram (PDF 18-20, split across three images)
- 20 monitor PCB, marked "danger mains voltage" (PDF 21); 21 monitor PCB component layout (PDF 22)
- 22-23 mechanical exploded view, cabinet exploded view and cabinet parts list (PDF 23-24)
- 24 keyboard circuit diagram; 25 keyboard control PCB with the key matrix (PDF 25-26)
- 26-27 CPU PCB; 28-29 CPU PCB Mk II (PDF 27-30)
- 30 PCW8256 printer mechanical parts list; 31 printer exploded drawing; 32 printer PC board (PDF 31-33)
- 33 monitor/keyboard electrical parts list; 34 electrical parts list (PDF 34-35)
- Unnumbered: three chassis schematic sheets (PDF 36-38), three printer circuit diagram sheets (PDF 39-41) and a repeat of the notes to service engineers (PDF 42)
What it settles
[edit | edit source]Specification (p. 2)
[edit | edit source]The PCW8256 has a Z80A with 256K of RAM, about 112K of which is used as a RAM disc; a green monitor showing 90 columns by 32 lines; one 3-inch "flip over" drive giving 180K per side, with room for a second; an 82-key keyboard with its own microprocessor; and an integral printer giving about 20 cps letter quality or 90 cps draft (elite pitch), with tractor feed and single-sheet loading. Separate custom microprocessors run the printer and the keyboard. The CPS 8256 serial and parallel interface is an option. The PCW8512 has 512K of RAM, giving a 368K RAM disc, and a second drive (1 MB unformatted) as standard. The software is Amstrad's word processing program, CP/M Plus with GSX, Locomotive Software's Mallard BASIC and Dr LOGO.
Service notes and safety test (pp. 2-3)
[edit | edit source]The safety test is a 4 kV flash test between the joined mains live and neutral and all accessible exterior metal, and an insulation test requiring at least 4 MΩ. Amstrad's notes say that full diagnostics are not in the manual and that in-depth fault-finding needs the R.P.3 diagnostic tool. Drive mechanisms and their boards, including a second drive, are not to be serviced; exchange units come from Amstrad. Printer parts are listed, but complete printer mechanisms are available on exchange, as are complete circuit boards. The drive alignment pages (12-14) are for information only; during the warranty period the mechanism is returned with its board.
Monitor and power supply (p. 17)
[edit | edit source]The monitor board carries the 12 V and 5 V supplies. The alignment chart sets 12 V with VR5002 and 5 V with VR5001, each to within 2%, measured at CD102 pins 2 and 3 with CD101 disconnected; then vertical size and linearity (15 mm top and bottom borders, 16 mm left and right, with the RP3 or a pattern disc), horizontal hold at 15.625 kHz, and cut-off. The equipment list is a digital voltmeter, oscilloscope, frequency counter and test pattern generator.
Parts lists (pp. 22-23, 33-34)
[edit | edit source]The cabinet parts list gives separate PCW8256 and PCW8512 part numbers. It lists the CRT as a 340AXB31 (171020) and, for the PCW8512 only, a compact floppy disc drive EME-231 (171224). The electrical parts list gives the main chips: Z8400AP processor (IC102), Amstrad 40028 (IC101), µPD765AC-2 floppy controller (IC203), Amstrad 40026 printer controller (IC701) and Amstrad 40027 keyboard controller (IC801), with eight TMM41257P-15 DRAMs for the 256K machine. The mains fuse F5001 is 2 A time-lag, 250 V (1400253). In the printer mechanical parts list, starred parts are for the PCW8512 only.
Memory options (chassis schematic, PDF p. 36)
[edit | edit source]The first chassis sheet carries Amstrad's memory options table for the CPU board:
| Memory (K) | DRAM size (K) | Link A | Link B | Link C | Link D | ICs fitted | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 512 | 256 | off | on | off | on | IC104-119 | 16 |
| 256 | 256 | on | off | off | on | IC104-111 | 8 |
| 128 | 64 | off | on | on | off | IC104-119 | 16 |
| 128 | 256 | on | off | on | off | IC104-107 | 4 |
The other chassis sheets cover the CPU board logic, including the printer control section around the Amstrad 40026 (IC701). The printer circuit diagrams include the 24 V power connections.
Another scan
[edit | edit source]A 34-page scan of the manual (Internet Archive item amstrad-pcw-8256-pcw-8512-service-manual) lacks the chassis and printer sheets but has one extra page: a typed Mastercare sheet signed P.S. Wright, Mastercare PC+, "Fitting 4 pin CPU PCB in PCW8256 / PCW8512". It explains how to fit a replacement CPU board with a 4-pin power header: the 5-way monitor power connector is cut into a 3-way and a 2-way part, the 3-way part fitted with the yellow wire nearest the piezo buzzer, and the 2-way part fitted by its black wire pin, leaving the brown wire unconnected. The sheet is not part of Amstrad's manual.
What this manual does not contain
[edit | edit source]There is no fault-finding procedure for the computer itself; the flow charts cover the drives, and the notes refer the engineer to the R.P.3 diagnostic tool. There is no memory map or I/O port list; for those see Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott). The PCW 9256, 9512 and 9512+ have separate manuals.
Download: Amstrad PCW 8000 Series Service Manual.pdf
Pages that cite this document
[edit | edit source]- Amstrad PCW 8256 · Amstrad PCW 8256 Maintenance Guide · Amstrad PCW 8256 Troubleshooting Guide · Amstrad PCW 8256 Capacitor Replacement Guide: specification, safety tests, drive procedures and alignment, monitor and supply alignment, parts lists and the memory table (pp. 2–17, 23, 30, 33–34)
- Amstrad PCW 8512 · Amstrad PCW 8512 Maintenance Guide · Amstrad PCW 8512 Troubleshooting Guide: the PCW8512 differences, drive B (FD2) figures and the FD2 seek error chart (pp. 2, 5–14, 23, 34)
- Amstrad PCW 9256, Amstrad PCW 9256 Maintenance Guide, Amstrad PCW 9512+ Capacitor Replacement Guide: shared part numbers and the dot matrix printer mechanism parts list
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual
- Amstrad PCW 9512+ Service Manual
- Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott)