-> > Hello all, -> > -> > Here's the dimensions of the needed belt: -> > -> > 72mm x 3mm x 0.5mm -> > -> > also acceptable: -> > -> > 71.0mm x 2.8mm x 0.6mm or 69-72mm x 3-4mm x 0.5-0.6mm -> -> Have you tried a VCR spares company, or a TV/VCR repair shop? Most such -> places have an assortment of belts and might be able to provide something -> that's suitable. Buy a number of belts around (particularly smaller than) -> the size you think you want so as to get one that will fit. This is what I'm going to try first. Thanks to all that suggested it. -> > The rest of the story: -> > -> > I picked up an Amstrad PCW8256 today complete with -> printer, original -> -> Strange machine.... Yes, it is. But it runs rock solid. -> Oddest thing is that there's no ROM/EPROM chip on the CPU board. I noticed this. -> There's a tiny bootstrap program (just enough to pull in the boot -> sector of the floppy) in the gate array (the 80 pin surface mount -> chip. IC101). Yes, I had noticed this IC. Right in the center of the board. -> I assume you know that the printer port will drive the original printer -> only, and that that printer only works with the PCW. I figured there wasn't much in it, and the fact that all the options could be set -> The printer -> controller chip is an 8041/8042 on the main CPU board. The electronics in -> the printer is just the stepper motor drivers and head solenoid drivers. -> The signals on the ribbon cable from the computer to the printer are -> basically the TTL-level drive signals for the motors and solenoids. Thanks for the info. My unit doesn't have a ribbon cable, though. Just a round multi-conductor one. -> You can increase the memory to 512K. Stick 8 256K*1 DRAMs (200ns or -> better) in sockets IC112-IC119. Then move the like LK1 from position A to -> position B. This may be the first 2 positions of a DIP switch on later -> CPU boards -- turn off section 1 and turn on section 2. Thanks for the tip. BTW,, this unit has a four position dip switch. Right now, left to right it is up-down-down-up. -> When it came out in 1985(ish), it was already old-fashioned. A 4MHz Z80A -> and 256K of RAM, running CP/M. Quite. -> It sold very well though -- because it was -> marketed as a word processor rather than a computer. Everything you -> needed to do word processing was included (machine, printer, software, -> etc). So for people who didn't know what to buy, this was a machine they -> could take home, plug into the mains, and start typing on. -> > After some poking around I decided to take the floppy drive out and -> > check for head movement. This is when I discovered that the floppy only -> > spun when I pulled up on the pressure pad. At this time it started -> > seeking, so seeing that the spindle is belt driven, I knew where the -> > problem was. I removed enough screws and connectors to get to the old -> -> This is a very common problem... -> -> One word of warning. In one version of the drive (not the version shown -> in the service manual FWIW) there are mechanical sensor pins for disk -> inserted and write protect. These love to fall out when you take the -> PCB off the drive. And then you spend hours looking for them. So do watch -> out when you take it apart to put the real belt in. I discovered the pin issue yesterday, when it fell out. It was no problem figuring out where it went. It just fits in a hole in the frame casting and activates a leaf switch on the PCB. -> -tony Thanks, Tony, for the info. I understand a 3.5' drive can be put on this unit. Do you have any information on this? Anyone have an expansion interface or at least some info on the I/F connector pins? 'til later, Bill

Here's the dimensions of the needed belt: 72mm (diameter) x 3mm x 0.5mm also acceptable: 71.0mm (diameter) x 2.8mm x 0.6mm or 69-72mm x 3-4mm x 0.5-0.6mm And here is an acceptable substitute, which is now installed: Projector-Recorder Belt Corp. PRB Line part # FRW 9.1 (which is 9.1 inch _circumference_)or FRW 231mm (the same belt with the circumference in mm). It does fit tight enough to work well, and yes, I got this at the local VCR repair shop. Thanks to all for this suggestion. -> > Anyone have an expansion interface or at least some info on the I/F connector pins? -> -> I have an interface, but not a _spare_ interface, if you see what I mean :-). Yes, I see. If you do come across another one, since I understand that these units were more popular on your side of the pond, please keep me in mind. -> I don't have a schematic of it, though (although from what I -> remember, it was all standard chips -- a Z80-SIO, etc). -> -> The pinout of the 50 pin connector is : <snip> Thanks for the info, Tony. Bill Bill Dawson whdawson*at*mlynk.com <- Anti-spamming defense d8^) ? Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside. Essay on Criticism, Alexander Pope