#### Back to index | # Info for pcw16

#### Amstrad PCW16

This is a successor to the PCW 8xxx and PCW9xxx series.
It is a re-designed machine, with a 16Mhz Z80 CPU, improved graphics and improved hardware,
and a nice GUI system.
This system takes advantage of a Super I/O chip, as used in many PCs, which provides PC
Floppy Disc Controller, Serial and Parallel port hardware. As a result, the system uses
a PC-AT keyboard and PC Serial Mouse.
The PCW16 has a high-density floppy disc drive which uses the MSDOS filesystem.
The OS comes on a rescue disc and is installed into 2MB flash-file memory. This is also used
for storing documents, files and user details. The main purpose of this machine, like the original is
wordprocessing, spreadsheet and other business tasks.
Other programs have been written for it, including a CP/M "shell" by John Elliot
(www.seasip.demon.co.uk), a route-planner and more. You can run these by selecting
"Run External Program" from the "Tasks" menu.
This system contains the "Anne" ASIC custom chip designed by Amstrad. Technical
information is still available and the rescue disc can be downloaded from Cliff Lawsons
Amstrad computer support site at: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/ (the disc is
listed in the files section). Cliff works at Amstrad plc, and has worked on the many
projects from the Amstrad CPC to the latest e-mail phone.

Mess Emulation State:
All major functions are working and the computer is useable, however there
are some accuracy problems.
a. SCREEN DISPLAY
The screen emulation does not support mid-frame or mid-line changes.
I don't think any programs do this yet?
b. PRINTER
Not working. The printer emulation assumes a ECP/EPP compatible parallel port
which is not yet emulated. Therefore you cannot print out documents :(
c. HARD DRIVE
Not emulated. Has anyone used a hard-drive on their PCW16? Please let me know
and I will add support for it.
d. ANALOGUE JOYSTICKS
Not emulated. Are there any programs that use the joysticks?

Notes:
To use the PCW16 you will need the OS rescue disc, when this has been inserted,
and the on/off switch has been toggled (see UI for the dipswitch to do this),
then the OS will be installed.
When the OS is installed the computer is now useable and you can write documents
and perform tasks.
The emulation will run the CP/M implementation by John Elliot. It should run
almost all software provided it is in a disc image.
Development has been halted because this computer is in a working state.
I plan to go back to it to fix the remaining problems at a later date when I
have more time and more information.
If you want to see more added to this driver, please contact me and I will
try and fix it.

created on Mon Dec 09 08:16:57 2002