Amstrad Alt 286

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AMSTRAD ALT 286

Screen Image

Computer:	ALT 286
Processor:	80286
Screen: VGA	*LCD 640480 Pixel Reverse by programming plus contrast and brightness switches**
Graphics:	Cirrus Logic
Memory:	4x 1024 KB
Harddisk:	60 MB
FDD Drive	720 KB FD-235HF
Extensionslots	VGA ISA AT Keyboard FDD Floppydrive
System:	DOS 3.3 and DOS 5.0
Printerport	Centronics
Serial Ports	2x9 Pens. One for mouse
Weight:	7 KG

SetUp

Replacement of

the Original Drive !!

Often the original FD-235HF is out of order, but can be replaced by a normal 3.5"FDD Floppydrive, BUT.....
The Original drive is powered by an extern wire of the power supply-unit, so something must be modified in the flatcable.
Click to enlarge the Replacement Diagram below. Part of it is in Dutch, but there is a translation.

Replacement Diagram

FD-235HF Connector

Accu
ALT386SX/ALT286 Battery Pack (Ni-Cd)
Type Name: BAT - 1
Rating: DC12V 2400mAh
Made in: Amstrad PLC Japan

The Memorybanks

Rear connectors Left

ALT DIP SWITCH SETTINGS
(Bank A):
Sw1=Off, Sw2=On, Sw3=On 512K memory
Sw1=On, Sw2=Off, Sw3=On 1MB memory (default)
Sw1=Off, Sw2=On, Sw3=Off 2MB memory
Sw1=On, Sw2=Off, Sw3=Off 4MB memory
Sw4 (ALT386SX Only) - Page mode - Always On
Sw5 - Wait states - ALWAYS Off
Sw6 - 8/16MHz clock - Off = 16MHz
Sw7 - Mono/Colour - On = Colour
Sw8 - Enable/Disable serial - On = Enable
Sw9 - (ALT386SX Only) - Pipeline - Always ON
Sw10 - Drive B: - type II - Always OFF

(Bank B) are as follows:
Sw1 and Sw2 ON = Onboard VGA enabled
Sw1 and Sw2 OFF = Onboard VGA disabled

Rear connectors Right

Connectors Left:

Serial Printerport
Serial Ports 2 x 9 Pens
Dip Switch System Settings
Coolerfan
Powerswitch: On/Stand By
AC In

Connectors Right:

Expension Slot (With Cdromcard)
Monitor Extern
Dip Switches B

To this ALT 286 I've mounted a 1994 old IBM Cdromplayer.
This player is from the beginning I started with computers. However it is 2x playspeed and doesn't play all Cd's. Also depending is the colour of the Cd's on it. Music Cd's will play, but the so burned Cdr's aren't always succesfully. My own Cdr's will play, those were burned at the speed of 2x in the 90's.

The Cdromplayer is connected to an intern Cdromcard in an ISA slot and hurray the ALT did own such a slot, inwich the card could be mounted. The configuration is done by DOS / MOUSE setup. The IBM Cdromlayer is being seen immediately by the DOS system.
With the DOS installed in this ALT, I can work with this Cdromplayer.

IBM Cdromplayer At the Rear	Cdromcard in ALT 286
Type: 3509-001 S/N: 23-AFNV2 Manufactored: 02/1994 Speed: 2x Made in Japan	Connections: Audio R/L Out ID Switches 2x Slots AC In / Powerswitch

Powersupply Unit

Servicemanual

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