Amstrad PC7286 Maintenance Guide
.jpg)
The Amstrad PC7286 is the 286 model of Amstrad's PC7000 range. Amstrad's advert gives it a 16 MHz 80286, 1 MB of RAM, a fast-access 40 MB hard disc, VGA graphics and a 3.5-inch 1.44 MB floppy drive, with MS-DOS 5.0, the Amstrad Desktop and Lotus Works 3.0 pre-loaded.[1] No service manual, user manual or photograph of the inside of a PC7286 has been found online. The Amstrad PC7386SX Service Manual covers the 386SX model and its VSC386SXD main board only, so its schematics and parts values do not apply to the PC7286.[2] These notes come from Amstrad's advertising, magazine and dealer listings of 1992 and 1993, and the example in the Centre for Computing History.
Safety
[edit | edit source]Warning: the system unit contains a mains power supply, and the monitor is a separate unit with its own high-voltage circuits.
- Switch off and unplug the system unit and the monitor before removing any cover.
- Before working inside the monitor, read the CRT Discharge Procedure.
- Wear an earthed wrist strap when handling the main board, memory and cards.
Configurations
[edit | edit source]| Package | Contents | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PC7286 | 16 MHz 286, 1 MB RAM, 40 MB hard disc. A dealer priced it in February 1993 with a mono, VGA or SVGA monitor | Amstrad advert;[1] PC Express price list[3] |
| PC7286HD40 | Model badge on the front panel. The Centre for Computing History records its example as having a 40 MB hard disc of drive type 17 | CCH[4] |
| PC7286 Family Pack | £799.99 including VAT at launch in November 1992: the 286 system with a 14-inch colour VGA monitor, mouse, joystick, AdLib-compatible sound card and stereo speakers, and six games pre-installed | PC Review[5] |
Case
[edit | edit source]The front panel has the 3.5-inch floppy drive at the right, with its eject button below the slot, and the model badge at the lower left.[4] From the front it looks like the PC7386SX pictured on the cover of that model's service manual.[2] The Amstrad PC7386SX Maintenance Guide describes how the PC7386SX's top cover comes off. No source confirms that the PC7286 uses the same case fixings, so look for the screws at the back and sides before lifting the cover, and do not lever at the joints.
Before you start
[edit | edit source]- Start the setup program and write down every setting, in particular the hard disc type. The Centre for Computing History's PC7286HD40 has a 40 MB drive of type 17.[4] With the settings on paper, they can be typed in again if the setup memory is lost while the machine is apart.
- Back up the hard disc. MS-DOS 5.0, the Amstrad Desktop and Lotus Works 3.0 came pre-loaded, and the Family Pack also had its six games installed.[1][5] One dealer in 1993 also supplied Counterpoint with the machine.[3]
Memory
[edit | edit source]The PC7286 came with 1 MB.[1] In 1993 Powermark sold 2 MB and 4 MB upgrade kits listed for the "PC7286, 7386", at £72 and £136.[6] No source describes the PC7286's memory sockets, so open the case and look at what is fitted before buying memory.
Drives
[edit | edit source]The floppy drive is a 3.5-inch 1.44 MB unit and the hard disc a 40 MB drive.[1] See Floppy Drive Repair and Hard Drive Maintenance and Repair.
Family Pack sound and joystick
[edit | edit source]The Family Pack added an AdLib-compatible sound card, stereo speakers and a joystick.[5] To use the card, choose AdLib in each game's sound set-up.
Tools
[edit | edit source]- Screwdrivers and an earthed wrist strap
- Digital multimeter
- Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swabs for contacts
- See Recommended Tools.
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Amstrad PC7286 · Amstrad PC7386SX · Amstrad PC7386SX Maintenance Guide
- Capacitor Failure Symptoms · Battery Explosion, Capacitor or Corrosion Damage
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Amstrad plc, advertisement "The advanced PC for beginners", PC Review issue 13, November 1992, p. 22. Scan at archive.org/details/pc-review-13. Retrieved 2026-10-21. PC 7286: 16 MHz 286, 1 MB RAM, fast-access 40 MB hard disc, enhanced VGA graphics; both PC7000 models with a 3.5-inch 1.44 MB floppy drive, keyboard, mouse and MS-DOS 5.0, and the Amstrad Desktop (with an on-screen tutorial) and Lotus Works 3.0 pre-loaded; free 12-month home or office call-out warranty.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Amstrad plc, PC7386SX Personal Colour Computer Service Manual, first published October 1992. Hosted as File:Amstrad PC7386SX Service Manual.pdf. Cover illustration of the PC7386SX; technical specification p. 2; cabinet exploded view p. 18; electrical parts list p. 19 (U13 80386SX-25).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 PC Express, dealer advertisement, Practical PC vol. 2 issue 2, February 1993, Amstrad computers table. Scan at archive.org, scan page n45. Retrieved 2026-10-21. The 7286 with 1 MB RAM, 16 MHz and a 40 MB hard disc, priced with mono, VGA or SVGA monitors; the 7286 Family Pack with a VGA monitor; "Dos 5.0, Counterpoint and Lotus Works 3" free with all 7286 and 7386sx models.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Centre for Computing History, "Amstrad 7286 HD40", exhibit page with photograph. Retrieved 2026-10-21. "The Amstrad 7286 series computer with a 40MB hard disk drive type 17", dated 1993.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Amstrad makes it seven", news, PC Review issue 13, November 1992, p. 24. Scan at archive.org/details/pc-review-13. Retrieved 2026-10-21. PC7286 Family Pack: 16 MHz 286, 1 MB RAM, high-density 3.5-inch floppy drive, 40 MB fast-access hard disc, 14-inch colour VGA monitor, mouse, joystick, AdLib-compatible sound card and stereo speakers; Amstrad Desktop, Lotus Works, DOS 5 and six games (Elite Plus, Steel Empire, Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker, Links, F-15 Strike Eagle II, Prince of Persia) pre-installed; one-year on-site warranty; £799.99 including VAT.
- ↑ Powermark, "Memory for Amstrad" advertisement, Practical PC vol. 2 issue 6, June 1993: "PC7286, 7386 2MB £72 4MB £136". Scan at archive.org, scan page n100. Retrieved 2026-10-21.