Amstrad PCW 9512+
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| PCW9512+ with keyboard and daisywheel printer, from the cover of Amstrad's service manual | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Amstrad plc |
| Type | Word processor and CP/M personal computer |
| Released | 1991 |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A at 4 MHz |
| Memory | 512 KB (sixteen 256K × 1 DRAMs) |
| Storage | One 3.5-inch 720 KB drive (U0DC-45A); space for a second |
| Display | Built-in 12-inch paper-white monochrome monitor, 90 × 32 characters |
| Sound | — |
| Ports / interface | Parallel printer port, Amstrad printer (DIN), keyboard (DIN) |
| OS / Firmware | LocoScript 2 with LocoMail and LocoSpell, CP/M Plus |
| Predecessor | Amstrad PCW 9512 |
| Successor | Amstrad PCW 10 |
The Amstrad PCW 9512+ is the 1991 replacement for the Amstrad PCW 9512. It keeps the 9512's 512K of memory, parallel printer port and daisywheel printer, supplied with a 30-sheet automatic sheet feeder and a removable tractor feed, and replaces the 3-inch drive with a 3.5-inch 720K drive. Amstrad also offered it with a Canon BJ-10e bubble jet printer in place of the daisywheel.[1][2]
History
[edit | edit source]Wikipedia dates the 9512+ and the dot matrix Amstrad PCW 9256 to 1991, when they replaced the PCW 9512, and lists the Canon BJ10e, then the BJ10ex and BJ10sx, as the alternative printers sold with it.[2] The Amstrad PCW 10 followed in 1993; sources disagree on whether it was based on the 9512+ or the 9256.[2]
Specification
[edit | edit source]| Item | PCW9512+ |
|---|---|
| Memory | 512K RAM |
| Disc drive | One 3.5-inch 720K drive, with the facility to add a second |
| Display | Paper-white 12-inch monochrome screen, 90 columns by 32 lines |
| Keyboard | Full size, PC style, 82 keys, adjustable legs |
| External connector | Parallel printer port |
| Software | LocoScript 2, LocoMail, LocoSpell, CP/M Plus, Mallard BASIC, GSX, Dr Logo |
| Daisywheel printer | Bi-directional, 20 cps; automatic paper loading by bail bar action; daisywheels in 10, 12 and 15 cpi; 15-inch carriage; 30-sheet automatic sheet feeder and removable tractor feed supplied |
| Canon BJ-10e | 83, 100 and 142 cps at 10, 12 and 17 cpi; 360 × 360 dpi high quality; 64-nozzle head; IBM Proprinter X24E emulation; Centronics interface; 240 V 50 Hz 25 W AC adaptor, optional NiCd pack |
Hardware
[edit | edit source]
The parts list names the main board MC0130, the monitor board MM0041, and small boards MS0101–MS0103, MS0076, MS0077 and the keyboard board MK0004.[1] The main ICs are:[1]
| Ref | Part | Amstrad part no. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC501 | X8400APS | 40080 | Processor; the same part number as the Z8400AP(S) of the 8256 and 9256 |
| IC126 | AMS40028 | 171031 | Amstrad custom device, as in the 8256 |
| IC106, IC107 | AMS40087, AMS40120 | 40087, 40120 | Amstrad custom devices |
| IC110–117 | µPD41256C-15 | 171400 | DRAM |
| IC118–125 | µPD41257C-15 | 171032 | DRAM |
| IC201 | Z765APS | 40018 | Floppy disc controller |
| IC701 | AMS40088 | 40088 | Printer control |
| IC801 | AMS40027 | 171043 | Keyboard controller |
| IC4001, IC4002 | LA1385, AN5753 | 171039, 177040 | Monitor board |
| IC5001 | STK7309 | 177041 | Monitor board, power supply |
| IC5004, IC5005 | L7824V-SA, L7812V-SA | 177043, 177044 | Monitor board, power supply |
The printer control device is the AMS40088, where the dot matrix PCWs use the 40026. The supply hybrid is an STK7309; the 8256 and 9256 use the STK7308.[1][3]
Disc drive
[edit | edit source]The drive is listed as a U0DC-45A, part 272508, the same part number as the PCW 9256's drive.[1][3] John Elliott's notes group the 9512+ with the 9256 and PCW 10 as having the later floppy controller arrangement, and describe how LocoScript and CP/M versions written after the 9256 detect it and the 3.5-inch drives.[4]
Monitor and power supply
[edit | edit source]
The monitor board carries the switch-mode supply round the STK7309 and the deflection circuits. The mains fuse F5001 is 3.15 A time-lag, 250 V (171621), and the CRT is an MN1416H22AU (272637).[1] Amstrad checks the supply at its 5 V, 12 V and 24 V outputs under load; the Amstrad PCW 9512+ Maintenance Guide has the figures.[1]
Printer
[edit | edit source]The daisywheel mechanism is the AP620/017-032 (177012), with ribbon cassette 620-75006 (177161), tractor 620-83005 (177018) and daisywheel D43-017032N. Amstrad's manual breaks it into nine sub-assemblies, each with an exploded view and parts list: paper feed, tractor, paper end sensor, carrier frame, print head and hammer drive, ribbon drive, wheel set release, ribbon cassette base, and chassis and carrier drive.[1] The hammer current is set with VR701.[1] Dealers in the 1990s sold one ribbon for the PCW 9512 and 9512+.[5]
Service documentation
[edit | edit source]- Amstrad PCW 9512+ Service Manual: specification, alignment, the printer sub-assemblies, board layouts, schematics and the electrical parts list. It has no drive service section and no fault-finding chart.[1]
- Amstrad PCW 9512 User Manual (French): the user manual for the earlier 9512, whose ribbon and daisywheel procedures describe the same kind of printer.
- Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott): ports, the boot process and the floppy controller probe.[4]
Gallery
[edit | edit source]-
Main board, top view -
Monitor/CRT board, with the mains area outlined
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Amstrad PCW 9512+ Maintenance Guide · Amstrad PCW 9512+ Troubleshooting Guide · Amstrad PCW 9512+ Capacitor Replacement Guide
- Amstrad PCW 9512 · Amstrad PCW 9256 · Amstrad PCW 10
- Floppy Drive Repair · CRT Discharge Procedure
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Amstrad plc, PCW9512+ Personal Computer Word Processor Service Manual. Hosted as File:Amstrad PCW 9512 Plus Service Manual.pdf, described at Amstrad PCW 9512+ Service Manual. Technical specification and safety tests p. 2; alignment instructions p. 3; printer sub-assembly exploded views and parts lists pp. 6–15; main board p. 16 (PDF p. 15); monitor/CRT board p. 18 (PDF p. 17); electrical parts list pp. 34–35 and the following page (PDF pp. 28–30).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Wikipedia, "Amstrad PCW" (revision 1361595210). Retrieved 2026-10-02. The PCW 9256 and 9512+ replacing the 9512 in 1991 with a single 720K 3.5-inch drive; the 9512+ with 512K and a choice of the Amstrad daisywheel printer or Canon BJ10e, BJ10ex and BJ10sx inkjet printers; the 4 MHz Z80A.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Amstrad plc, PCW9256 Personal Computer Word Processor Service Manual. Hosted as File:Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual.pdf, described at Amstrad PCW 9256 Service Manual. Electrical parts list p. 16: IC501 STK7308, IC504 L7824V-SA (177043), IC701 Amstrad 40026, FDD201 UODC-45A (272508).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 John Elliott, PCW Hardware. Hosted as File:PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott).pdf, described at Amstrad PCW Hardware Reference (John Elliott). Section 2 (dot matrix and daisywheel boot programs), sections 8.2–8.3 (drive decoding on the 9256, 9512+ and 10, and the controller probe).
- ↑ PCW Today issue 7 (autumn 1997), dealer advertisement: "Ribbon for PCW 9512, 9512+". Scan at archive.org/details/pcw-today-07. Retrieved 2026-10-02.