Amstrad User Group
Amstrad User Group
De Amstrad PC2086/30.
Unfortunately, the photographs belonging to this page got lost: I decided to maintain the page until I have the chance to get the pictures back.
This is evidently a member of the PC-2000 family and, although I got this PC later than the PC2386/65, the photographs are of a better quality. I will upgrade the photographs of the PC2386 in the future. First the logo - from this it is evident that it is an older model computer. Because the left panel clearly warns the user to park the hard disc first, before switching the computer off.
This computer does date back from the time when hard disks were not common equipment: it is a 32 megabytes hard disk of the RLL type (the /30 points to 30 megabytes, the 2 additional megabytes were not mentioned in the type designation).
With these older machines you must park the hard disk (before switching off), which means that you have to move the read en write heads to an unused track where no data is stored that possibly could be damaged. The parameters for the hard disk are 612 tracks, 26 sectors per track and 4 heads.
The PC2086 is equipped with an 8 mHz Intel 8086 processor and 640 kilobytes of memory. Technically speaking an XT-clone, produced in the year 1989. The keyboard, however, is of AT-type with 102 keys. At the time the Enhanced VGA graphics card and the corresponding 12" colour monitor were luxurious, although nowadays this no longer is... I have to get used again to the somewhat vague display... Compared to an expensive 21" monitor with a quick refresh rate, a small pitch size and a powerful graphics card, that is...
The system unit is a hallmark of the entire PC 2000-family: not too wide (compared to the tremendously broad unit of the IBM PC/XT) with a raised rear side for fitting the expansion cards internally.
The system unit is made of plastic, as (almost always) common practice with Amstrad. The weight of the computer therefore turns out better than expected.
As with the PC1000 series, the typical 9-pin mouse plug (still dating back from the 8-bits CPC computers) is located on the left side. Utterly awkward, but fortunately the cord is long enough for the average right-handed user. The mouse (on the right upper part of the photograph, partly visible) is of the peculiar type which also comes with the PC 1000-series. The keyboard can be tilted by means of a (visible in the folded-down position) foldable leg.
The half-turned connector for the keyboard and the key-lock (displayed with the keys in it) are located on the left side as well.
To the right of the system unit you will find a Centronics look-alike plug for connecting an external disc-drive. This can be used to connect a 3.5" HD drive with a capacity of 1.44 megabytes. The 2086's own internal 3.5" disc drive is a DD with a capacity of 720 kilobytes. Next to the data plug is the power supply for the external drive plus a switch to connect (optionally) an external screen. The previous owner labeled the machine all over the system unit to identify the ports, although the manual is available too. The rear of the machine (first photograph top right) houses the dip switches for setting the graphics card, a Centronics parallel printer port and a 26-pin serial RS232 port.
You will be able to notice a few Amstrad hallmarks on the computer when seen from above too. First of all, there is the preformed recess for a monitor, on top of the system unit. This recess will fix the monitor in a very stable position but does limit the number of suitable monitors to buy...
Then there is the compartment for four penlight AA batteries that will power the BIOS and will retain these settings. Very accessible and the batteries are cheap. But they do run out of power relatively quickly, when compared to the Varta batteries common with the competition. Amstrad was clever enough to supply the machine with batteries included. Otherwise you, as beginning user, would have to set up the system parameters in the BIOS again with every new early morning start.
The back of the system unit houses the peculiar compartment for expansion slots and cards. Most manufacturers design their machines with the expansion cards placed in the length of the machine but Amstrad often places these widthwise.
The PC2086 has room for three ISA 8-bits expansion cards of the longest type you can find on the market. But due to the peculiar design of the system unit the dimensions still remain reasonable.
The computer comes with MS Dos 3.3 and a Windows 3.1 version with some utilities. The two manuals supplied cover both Microsoft Dos and Windows. This software, however, is not installed on this computer as the previous owner installed a DOS version of Microsoft Works on the hard disc. I must say that this sort of software is performing great on this computer.
Questions about the PC2086/30 via the contact form
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