A guide to running software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC+ computer

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This article originally came from Kevin Thackers' archive at http://www.cpctech.org.uk.

Restarting a Amstrad CPC+ to load cassette or disc software

If you are using a CPC464+:

  • switch the computer off.
  • insert the system cartridge (this contains the game "Burnin' Rubber" and "Locomotive BASIC").
  • switch on the computer. A menu will be displayed with two options "f1 Amstrad BASIC" and "f2 Burnin Rubber'".

Cpcplus.png

  • Press f1 to select "Amstrad BASIC".
  • The screen will clear then display:
 
 BASIC 1.1

Ready

Cpcplus2.png

  • You can now follow the instructions to use cassette or disc software

Restarting a Amstrad CPC to load cassette or disc software

If you are using a CPC464, CPC664, CPC472 or CPC6128:

  • Switch off the computer and switch it on again. The computer will show the startup message and there will be a "Ready" prompt.

Cpc6128.png

  • You can now follow the instructions to use cassette or disc software

Loading cassette software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC+ system

  • Restart the computer. (see the instructions above for the CPC+ and CPC computers).
  • Insert the cassette into the cassette player.

(On a CPC464 or CPC464+ system you must insert the cassette into the internal cassette player.)

  • If you are using a CPC with a disc interface you will need to type: 
|TAPE

and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+).

NOTE:

  • the "|" symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and "@" (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard.
  • The CPC664, CPC6128 and CPC6128+ have a disc interface built in, and this command must be used to enter cassette mode.
  • The CPC464 and CPC464+ have a cassette player built in. If you have a disc interface (Amstrad/Schneider DDI-1 or Vortex) connected you will need to type this command to enter cassette mode. If you do not have a disc interface, you do not need to type this command.
  • Now type: 
RUN"

and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+).

Tips:

  • On a CPC464 system you can press SHIFT and the small ENTER key (on the keypad) together instead of typing RUN".
  • On a CPC464+, CPC6128, or CPC6128+ system you can press SHIFT and ENTER together instead of typing RUN".
  • The following message will be displayed: 
Press PLAY then any key:

Cpc6128r.png

Cpc464r.png

  • Now press the PLAY button on the cassette player
  • Now press any key on the Amstrad keyboard, and the cassette will start to play.
  • After a short time you will see the following message: 
Loading <filename> block x

where "<filename>" is the filename of the program found and "x" is the number of the block.

Cpcload.png

If you do not see this message:

  • If you see the error "Bad command" then make sure you type in "|TAPE".
  • try rewind the cassette to the start again and waiting. It is possible the Amstrad missed the first file.
  • the cassette is not made for the Amstrad and will not load
  • the cassette is damaged and it is not possible to run the program on it.
  • the wrong side of the cassette has been inserted

For each block that is successfully read, the Amstrad will report the block number.

When all of the blocks of the file have been loaded, the program will start automatically.

If there is a error, a message will be displayed: 

Read error a

or 

Read error b

will be shown.

If this happens, you can rewind the cassette to the start of the block with the error and try again.

If you have a external cassette recorder, then you can try to adjust the volume, this may make a difference.

Loading disc software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC+ system

  • Restart the computer. (see the instructions above for the CPC+ and CPC computers).
  • Insert the disc into the disc drive.
  • Type: 
CAT

or 

|DIR

and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+).

These commands will display a listing (directory) of the files on the disc.

NOTE:

  • the "|" symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and "@" (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard.

There are normally 3 responses to this command:

1. 
Drive A: disc missing

Retry, Ignore or Cancel?

This message will be displayed if the disc is not inserted, or the disc is inserted and the drive belt in the disc drive has worn out and needs replacing.

Discmiss.png

2. 
Drive A: read fail

Retry, Ignore or Cancel?

This message will be displayed if the directory can't be read or the directory is corrupted. It is possible the disc may not have a directory. In this case try the "|CPM" loading method described below.

Readfail.png

3. A message similar to the following will be displayed: 

Drive A: user 0

DISC.BAS	1K

177K free

This is the directory of the files on the disc. Here you will see the names of each file. If you typed "CAT" then you will also see the size of each file. In both cases, the amount of free space is also displayed.

Catalog1.png

Dir.png

  • If there was a "Read fail" error, please try the loading method using the "|CPM" command. (see the instructions below)
  • If the directory is displayed, please continue to follow these instructions.


  • The directory shows the list of files on the disc.
  • If there is a single file, then this should be RUN by typing: 
RUN"<filename>

replacing <filename> with the name of the file.

e.g. 

RUN"disc.bin

Rundisc.png

NOTES:

  • If the file has a ".BAS", ".BIN" or ". " (3 spaces) as an extension then you can omit it.

e.g. if the file is "DISC.BIN" you can type: 

RUN"disc

instead of: 

RUN"disc.bin
  • The disc operating system is not case sensitive. Therefore you do not need to type the name exactly as shown. i.e. "disc.bin" is the same as "DISC.BIN".
  • If there is more than one file, look for a small file with a ".BAS", ".BIN" or ". " extension. e.g. 
Drive A: user  0 

ZAPTBALL.BAS   4K   ZAPTBALL.BI3  14K
ZAPTBALL.BI0   2K   ZAPTBALL.BI4  11K
ZAPTBALL.BI1  13K   ZAPTBALL.BI5   8K
ZAPTBALL.BI2   8K   ZAPTBALL.LEV   8K

112K free

Ready

In this example, the file "ZAPTBALL.BAS" should be run.

Runzapt.png

If the computer crashes, resets or "PROGRAM LOAD FAILED" is displayed, then choose another file and try again.

Loading disc software using "|CPM"

You should attempt to start a program on a disc using this method if there is a "Read fail" error with the "CAT" or "|DIR" commands.

  • Restart the computer (follow the instructions above)
  • At the "Ready" prompt, type: 
|CPM

and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+).

NOTE:

  • the "|" symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and "@" (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard.

Cpm.png

  • The screen will clear. There are 3 possible results:
1. 
Drive A: read fail

Retry, Ignore or Cancel?

If you press the "R" key, then the "read fail" message is repeated. If you press "I" or "C" keys then the following message is displayed. 

Failed to load boot sector

Retry, Ignore or Cancel?

Cpmfail2.png

2. These errors show that the command has failed and that the program can't be started using the "|CPM" command. 

Failed to load boot sector

Retry, Ignore or Cancel?

Cpmfail.png

This error shows that the command has failed and the program can't be started using the "|CPM" command.

3. The program will load and run! The program can be started using the "|CPM" command.

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