====== Amstrad PCW16 (1994) ======
===== Features =====
* CPU: Zilog Z80A 16 MHz
* Co-Processor: Winbond 83787 I/O chipset
* RAM: 1 MB DRAM + 1 MB Flash RAM (holds Operating System and built-in software)
* ROM: Unknown
* Text Modes: Bitmapped characters
* Graphic Modes: 640 x 480 dots
* Colors: Monochrome built-in display
* Sound: 1 channel
* I/O Ports: Serial & Parallel Ports, Serial mouse, AT keyboard
* Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, PC-AT type
* Built In Media: One 1.44 MB 3.5" disk-drive
* OS: Roseanne + CP/M 2.2
===== Usage =====
To use the PCW16 you will need the OS rescue disc, when this has been inserted, and the on/off switch has been toggled (see UI for the dipswitch to do this), then the OS will be installed. When the OS is installed the computer is now useable and you can write documents and perform tasks.
The emulation will run the CP/M implementation by John Elliot. It should run almost all software provided it is in a disc image.
Development has been halted because this computer is in a working state. I plan to go back to it to fix the remaining problems at a later date when I have more time and more information.
If you want to see more added to this driver, please contact me and I will try and fix it.
===== Known Issues =====
Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
All major functions are working and the computer is useable, however there are some accuracy problems.
== Screen Display ==
The screen emulation does not support mid-frame or mid-line changes. I don't think any programs do this yet?
== Printer ==
Not working. The printer emulation assumes a ECP/EPP compatible parallel port which is not yet emulated. Therefore you cannot print out documents :(
== Hard Drive ==
Not emulated. Has anyone used a hard-drive on their PCW16? Please let me know and I will add support for it.
== Analogue Joysticks ==
Not emulated. Are there any programs that use the joysticks?
===== History and Trivia =====
The PCW 16 replaced the PCW 9512. Contrary to the previous models, which used a text-based interface, the PCW 16 used a graphical user interface called The Desktop. The computer didn't run CP/M like the old PCW computers, but had its own operating system called Roseanne. Even though CP/M wasn't supplied, it was adapted to this machine by independent developers.
Unlike the previous PCW models which came with only the Locoscript word-processor, the PCW16 came with a complete range of built-in software - word-processor, spreadsheet, address book, diary/alarm, calculator and file manager.
Luckily, Amstrad abandoned the Hitachi 3" floppy format and switched to the standard MSDOS 3.5" 1.44 MB double-density floppy disk. The Roseanne system could use long filenames (up to 31 characters). The display was also standard: 640 x 480 VGA mode.
Amstrad provided Several internal expansions for the PCW-16, 1 MB RAM, 2 MB Flash RAM, Application ROMs, second FDD drive; but it seems that none of them saw the light.
//(info from old-computers.com)//
This is a successor to the PCW 8xxx and PCW9xxx series. It is a re-designed machine, with a 16MHz Z80 CPU, improved graphics and improved hardware, and a nice GUI system.
This system takes advantage of a Super I/O chip, as used in many PCs, which provides PC Floppy Disc Controller, Serial and Parallel port hardware. As a result, the system uses a PC-AT keyboard and PC Serial Mouse.
The PCW16 has a high-density floppy disc drive which uses the MSDOS filesystem.
The OS comes on a rescue disc and is installed into 2MB flash-file memory. This is also used for storing documents, files and user details. The main purpose of this machine, like the original is wordprocessing, spreadsheet and other business tasks.
Other programs have been written for it, including a CP/M "shell" by John Elliot (www.seasip.demon.co.uk), a route-planner and more. You can run these by selecting "Run External Program" from the "Tasks" menu.
This system contains the "Anne" ASIC custom chip designed by Amstrad. Technical information is still available and the rescue disc can be downloaded from Cliff Lawsons Amstrad computer support site at: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/ (the disc is listed in the files section). Cliff works at Amstrad plc, and has worked on the many projects from the Amstrad CPC to the latest e-mail phone.
===== Links =====
* 16 Storm -- http://www.aster.fsnet.co.uk/pcw16.htm
* PCW16 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=52
Generated on Sun Jul 19 10:17:28 2009