# Amstrad PCW 8512

**URL:** <https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/t/amstrad-pcw-8512/1100>\
**Category:** NC100, NC200, PCW, PDA600 etc\
**Tags:** pcw8\
**Created:** [November 2, 2026, 9:20am UTC](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/t/amstrad-pcw-8512/1100 "2026-11-02T09:20:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PlierProbit](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/258eb7/32.png) [@PlierProbit](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/u/PlierProbit)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 9:20am UTC](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/t/amstrad-pcw-8512/1100/1 "2026-11-02T09:20:14Z")

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Hi, I’ve just picked up an Amstrad PCW 8512 from Facebook Marketplace quite cheaply. It’s the green-screen version. The seller said it comes with no software. The monitor powers on, but I just get a plain green screen. What disk(s) do I need to get the computer doing anything? I was hoping to play games on it, but I don’t want to buy games if they’re incompatible. Do I need a startup disk, load that first, and then put a game in the other disk drive? Sorry for my ignorance—I’m very new to vintage computers and don’t want to buy the wrong things for it. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![robcfg](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/user_avatar/forum.cpcwiki.eu/robcfg/32/43_2.png) [@robcfg](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/u/robcfg)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 9:41am UTC](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/t/amstrad-pcw-8512/1100/2 "2026-11-02T09:41:32Z")

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Hi and welcome to the CPCWiki!

For normal use, you’d need the CP/M system disks (let’s say it is kind of MS-DOS).

Now, some games will need CP/M, so you’ll need to start it, then put the game disk and type the command to start it, and some will just boot when the machine powers on and they are inserted in the drive.

You can find the system disks and many programs at the PCWWiki: [https://pcwwiki2.com/](https://pcwwiki2.com/)

The system disks are here: [software:sistema []](https://pcwwiki2.com/doku.php?id=software:sistema)

And games are here: [software:juegos []](https://pcwwiki2.com/doku.php?id=software:juegos)

You’ll also find there manuals, service manuals, magazines, books, etc.

And, of course, we are here to help you and answer any question you may have.

Cheers!

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**Author:** ![genesis8](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@genesis8](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/u/genesis8)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/t/amstrad-pcw-8512/1100/3 "2026-11-02T14:47:31Z")

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Get a PicoZ80 and you won’t need a real disk or a gotek : [engineers@work on X: "picoZ80 and pico6502 are now listed on Tindie and Lectronz, with project pages on https://t.co/u9yOCRszYw. Drop-in RP2350B replacements for the Z80 and 6502: cycle-accurate bus, 8 MB RAM, virtual floppies/cassette/support chips, web interface over USB. Assembled and tested, 1… / X](https://x.com/engineerswork1/status/2116864732141351395)

I will get one myself for my 9512 quickly.

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**Author:** ![pelrun](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/user_avatar/forum.cpcwiki.eu/pelrun/32/219_2.png) [@pelrun](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/u/pelrun)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 5:20am UTC](https://forum.cpcwiki.eu/t/amstrad-pcw-8512/1100/4 "2026-11-03T05:20:03Z")

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Aww man, I just got the motivation to finish work on my own drop-in z80 replacement that’s been languishing for a few years.

I can’t be that mad - if this works, it’s pretty cool.