Expanding from CPC 464 to CPC 6128 Spec

Step-by-step instructions
There are two ways to replace the CPC 464 ROM chip.

While everything is switched off and if you have the right set of tools and have any electrical knowledge, remove six screws from the keyboard and carefully take the keyboard a part. Look for the CPC 464 ROM chip with the letters printed "IC103 AMSTRAD 40009" which is already soldered onto the motherboard. Here comes a real challenge....

Firstly, you have to remove additional nine screw using a philips screwdriver. And then, you have to de-soldier all the legs from the CPC 464 ROM chip, remove it and replace with DIL Socket 28-Pin (Maplin ref no: BL21X, which it costs about 14p each - current price is now 44p each), making it easier to swap 464 or 6128 ROMs and visa versa, then solder all the legs from that socket onto the motherbaord.

Next, put the CPC 6128 ROM chip printed "AMSTRAD 40025 8902 B" inside the DIL 28-way socket. Put all the bits into place, put the keyboard cover back on and then put six screws back on. Now to test your handy work... After your computer powered up with all accessories, your screen should show exactly the same as CPC 6128 start-up screen.

NOTE:

All versions of CPC 464 keyboards including Arnold 1 (according to comp.sys.amstrad.8bit FAQ) version with big "AMSTRAD" letters printed onto the keyboard, like the one shown on the photo. Also with the "Cost-Down" version as well doesn't have a socket to remove and replace Operating System ROM chips, instead all the legs are soldiered on and its impossible to remote it straight away, unless you know how to de-soldier - 31/6/05.

Simply exchange your CPC 464 keyboard to Amstrad Specialist (Arthur) for another CPC 464 keyboard with CPC 6128 ROM chip fitted. (That's what I did on 12-10-00, by the way, as I was rushing to get home from Worthing and that time, I didn't know how to replace Operating System ROMs) or ask him to do it for you and paid for it, of course.

Now you have a choice to do the following option:

Replace the AMSDOS / CP/M bootstrap ROM with ParaDos ROM inside the disc interface (optional, but it allows you to use the full capacity on 3.5" disc drive), RECOMMENDED to do so, if you're using CPC 464+ or unexpanded CPC 464 with both DDI-1 3" and 3.5" external disc drives only.

To do that, you must remove six screws first, open the cover, carefully remove the AMSDOS ROM chip and replace it with ParaDos ROM. Then put the cover back on, put the six screws back on.

Leave the AMSDOS / CPM bootstrap ROM inside the disc interface (if you want to use DR. LOGO 2 & 3 on upgraded CPC 464) and put ParaDOS ROM inside the Rombo ROMBOX with other ROMS (as shown below).

Connect all the peripherals to "Expansion" connector (located at the back of the keyboard) in the following order:

DK'tronics 64K RAM pack with removable RAM chips, if you're very lucky, you can easily upgraded it to 256K

Rombo ROMBOX with the following ROMS from the pass-through connector on the RAM pack (OPTIONAL!! But it makes computing more easier) Utopia v 1.25 Maxam v 1.25Protext v 1.22 BCPL v 1.0 or ParaDos v 0.50 as well - only, if you choose to leave the AMSDOS ROM chip inside the disc interface

DDI-1 external disc drive with Disc interface (a choice of either replaced with ParaDOS ROM - recommended to do it for CPC 464+ or leave the AMSDOS ROM inside the disc interface - for using DR. LOGO on upgraded CPC 464) from the pass-through connector on the ROMBOX

3.5” external disc drive with external power supply, Side Switch, READY signal and a drive lead with 34 way IDC Male connector (34 pins sticking out) to the back of DDI-1 disc interface and place this disc drive on top of DDI-1 external disc drive - if you not sure how to, then follow "3.5" Disc Drive 'B' - For CPC 464 Series with DDI-1 only!!" instructions.

Follow the "READY signal" instructions (if necessary) for 3.5" disc drive Ready signal test.

After all that, your computer set-up look similar like this.

Now you have a choice to play games or load programs on tape, either 3” or 3.5” discs! As software is concerned, its the same as CPC 6128 with a few add-ons included.

Note:

This idea originally comes from David Cantrell's CPC 464 at Obsolete Computer Museum but he didn't write out the instructions how to do it like I did. Its took me months of research to work out how it works on my own CPC 464 one by one and writing it out on rough paper, after I have looked at his web site for the first time and thinking that "Wow! That's what I always wanted on my CPC 464" while I was searching for Amstrad CPC 464 Specs on Internet. Now its here on this web site and I'm very proud that it works perfectly on my expanded CPC 464.

Links

How to convert a Amstrad CPC464 into a CPC6128. | Retro Computers