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Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 02 Apr 2025 12:07
by rubber_jonnie
OK, so the expander board, with PicoMEM and no PicoPSU is working just fine. I'm amazed, and all off the PPC power. Didn't see that coming.
I will install it regardless though as it'll be a useful part of the project, though I may need to have B20 switchable in case I want to use the expander without power.
Need to get it some feet too :)
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 03 Apr 2025 10:36
by rubber_jonnie
OK then.
So it looks like I waited for the PicoPSU parts unnecessarily... The ISA board only works when the Pico is unpowered, and works just fine without the PSU installed at all. There you go.
PicoMEM board works just great for hard drives, next I need to test the Adlib section of the PicoMEM.
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 03 Apr 2025 11:58
by HigashiJun
Nice to hear the Picomem suits your PPC512.
Planned to get one for my Tandy but changed my mind at the last minute...
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 03 Apr 2025 12:03
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 03 Apr 2025 11:58
Nice to hear the Picomem suits your PPC512.
Planned to get one for my Tandy but changed my mind at the last minute...
Oh, you really should get one, bit expensive I know but an amazing bit of kit. I have 3 2GB drives mounted on mine, it's so easy and the config tools even allow for creating your own images, not to mention Adlib sound and floppy emulation, as well as extra RAM.
I can't recommend it enough and the XT-IDE get's kicked into touch for sure.
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 03 Apr 2025 12:20
by HigashiJun
@rubber_jonnie
I have no doubt about the Picomem's qualities, and I was going to buy one from SERDASHOP, as they sell a 1.20 revision with the DAC already integrated.
https://www.serdashop.com/PicoMEM
I then realised that it would be a bit problematic to fit it in the Tandy together with the VGA card, as it would require modifying the upper case.
Freddy also sells a low profile version, but that doesn't save me from moifying the case either.
:(
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 03 Apr 2025 12:25
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 03 Apr 2025 12:20
@rubber_jonnie
I have no doubt about the Picomem's qualities, and I was going to buy one from SERDASHOP, as they sell a 1.20 revision with the DAC already integrated.
https://www.serdashop.com/PicoMEM
I then realised that it would be a bit problematic to fit it in the Tandy together with the VGA card, as it would require modifying the upper case.
Freddy also sells a low profile version, but that doesn't save me from moifying the case either.
:(
That's a shame.
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 03 Apr 2025 12:29
by HigashiJun
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 29 Jun 2026 13:40
by rubber_jonnie
Well, I finally bit the bullet and have ordered a colour display for the PPC512 and I'll be following the path of Noels Retro Lab:
PPC Colour upgrade.
Won't be here for a couple of weeks and then I can get onto it.
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 30 Jun 2026 01:31
by HigashiJun
Looking forward to seeing the result !
Re: A new arrival - Amstrad PPC512
Posted: 30 Jun 2026 09:51
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 30 Jun 2026 01:31
Looking forward to seeing the result !
Me too. I got a very similar display to his so I'm hoping it'll work out just as well.