Gee-k.net

This modification is one that was done just for the hell of it. I have so many LED's for creating my Ben Eater computer, and I'm not that far on with it yet as I've been doing other things like making this website.
I hope to get a bit more of it done in the coming months and document it on here.
Anyway! I digress again.

I opened up the CPC464 that I have for modding and took the keyboard out to get access to the power LED circuit. After de-soldering the old LED, I simply put in a blue one from my packet and made it fit as far down onto the pcb as I could, as it was a slight bit bigger than the original.
It was a tight fit, but it all went back together fine, and I now have a blue power light on my second ... Read More!

One mod that I found a while back that really peaked my interest was the audio input jack on the cpc464. This mod allows you to bypass using an old cassette to play audio files straight into the Amstrad. This means you are able to load software without having to record it to tape and hope that the recording went ok.
I bought some 3.5mm audio jacks when I ordered the parts to make my Amstrad Controller. Once they arrived I had a look over the how to page on the CPCWiki.eu website and followed the instructions there.

After I had everything soldered in, ... Read More!

My Megadrive extension cable arrived in the post yesterday, so today I set about wiring up the last bits of the prototype controller.

I'm new to soldering, so there was a few screw ups on the way. I had to remove the original header pins that I soldered on as I had removed the plastic that holds them together and in place. I then had to re-solder them and the pins moved a lot as nothing was holding them there except the solder that I was now re-flowing. I thought that the best idea would be to remove them and put a new one on. I had to place it in new holes as I removed some copper pads accidentally.

After the new header pins were on, I soldered in all the wires to the buttons with purple wire as I only have bl... Read More!

I have tried playing some of the games that I have for the CPC 464 using the joystick that I got with the first one that I bought.
The problem with this joystick is that the buttons sometimes don't register and the directions sometimes don't work very well. You can't blame it when it's over 30 years old!
So I thought I'd make a joypad for the CPC myself. I don't see any for sale that are specific for the CPC and new.
The Joypad is going to be similar to an old NES or MasterSytem control pad. Rectangle and simple. What else do you need for retro gaming?!

I ordered a few prototyping boards and a few other items to make the start to my Joypad. They arrived a couple of days ago and I got to work making the st... Read More!

I was searching about the internet for all things Amstrad a while back and came across rockybergen.com Amstrad CPC 464 Papercraft and I got all excited.
I'd never made any papercraft stuff before but thought it looked pretty cool. Right up my street.
Fast forward to Last week and I remembered about this. I downloaded it onto my work computer (during lunch! honest boss!) and printed it off at the end of my shift onto a4 paper. Sadly the printer in the office only prints in black and white. But I got it printed out and took it home anyway.
Once I got home and the baby was asleep, I set about making this little beast. It was a lesson in... Read More!