First off, I should say I’m a complete newcomer to the Amstrad world and don’t know anything about it, which is why I’m posting here.
So i just came across my father’s CPC 6128 again, along with a CTM 644 monitor and a bunch of extras: games, two joysticks still in their boxes, a sealed manual, brand new blank disks, and more. I plugged everything in and it all seems to power up (the monitor light and the keyboard come on), but I get no picture, just green lines scrolling very fast on a black screen. Turning the sync knob on the monitor changes how fast they move.
From what I’ve read, it might just be dead capacitors, which apparently aren’t too hard or expensive to fix, but I honestly can’t tell. The machine has been sitting in my garage for about 40 years, and I’d rather it ended up with a fan or a collector who’d actually appreciate it.
Could anyone tell me if this has any value, if it’s worth getting repaired, or if it’s all pretty common and I should just leave it where it is or get rid of it? I’ve attached some photos below.
I am not interested myself as I have other machines but it would help others if you said where you are located.
Looking at the system are you somewhere in France?
The machines are still wanted and many people often repair them. The computer keyboard part is the main unit and can be used on it’s own with a modern power supply and video cable so even if the monitor was broken then potentially the main unit is fine so.
The issue might be in the machine itself rather than the monitor.
Try this:
turn up the volume with the dial on the keyboard/main unit. press the DEL key. Do you hear a beep from the computer? Yes, then the computer has booted up to basic. No, the computer will need a fix.
If you hear a beep try to type: BORDER 5:INK 0,7. Do you see colours changing on the monitor?
This can help to identify if the main unit is generally ok and you can get more money vs a machine that needs repair.
EDIT: I repaired a BBC Micro that was in a garage for over 20 years and it works fine now so I don’t think that will put people off and it looks like your Amstrad was stored in a dry location anyway.
Hello! Thank you for your detailed response. I went ahead and tested it, and it seems that the issue must indeed be coming from the main unit, as no sound was produced when I pressed the “DEL” key.
However, there is still a continuous electronic sound coming from the machine ever since I turned up the volume.
I assume this means that the console isn’t booting at all, and that the issue could potentially be more serious than just a dead capacitor?
And yes, I’m located in France, near Toulouse!
If anyone is in the area and might be interested, let me know
EDIT : Indeed, it was stored in a fairly dry place, but some of the manuals still show signs of humidity, which must have built up over the past 40 years.
