Converted CPU/Memory board --- UK to German PCW8256/8512

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UK BOARD CONVERTED TO GIVE GERMAN/US/CANADIAN PCW8256/8512 OWNERS THE OPTION TO USE UK TYPE INTERFACES.

The following project is intended to enable owners of the German/US/Canadian PCW8256/8512 machines to make use of the various types of UK Interfaces available, but, of course, should it be wished, it will enable UK and other European users of the standard machine to be able to use a German type PCW printer.

I have no intention of detailing how to unplug the machine from the mains voltage or how to unplug the keyboard and printer, and then how to remove the rear casing from the machine or how to remove the CPU/Memory board from within the machine ---- if you can not do these extremely simple tasks without the need of advice then you should not be attempting to fit a replacement printer socket!

Whilst the following job is not a difficult one it will probably be found that the removal of the 34 pin Printer Socket can be a little frustrating. Getting all of the pins on the Centronics Socket through their holes in the Printed Circuit Board may also require a few attempts.
As a reminder a Mark 2 CPU/Memory board has five large pins at the top to take the large grey five pin plug from the Power Board --- machines using Mark 1 components uses a large four pin plug to connect the Power board to the CPU/Memory board and has a black wire soldered to the fifth pin on the CPU/Memory board. No German machines so far encountered have used the Mark 1 components.

Parts and tools needed for a DIY job:-

UK Mark 2 type CPU board fitted with either 256K or 512K of RAM (this board was also used for machines sold in many other European Countries).
Centronics Socket with 90 degree PCB connections (commonly used for printer interfaces).
Two suitable nuts and bolts to fix the Centronics socket to the Printed Circuit Board.
Soldering Iron (15 - 25 watt).
Solder.
Desoldering Pump.
An assortment of screw drivers, side cutters and pliers (which all can be found in any DIY tool box).

UK Mark Two CPU Board. Mark 11 board

Take your board and desolder the Printer Socket and do make sure you remove all of the solder. You will now see that there are four rows of holes in the Printed Circuit Board but judging for most boards viewed you will need to remove the solder from the third row in, as this row is normally filled in. The first and second rows of holes in from the edge (which once contained your old 34 pin Printer Socket) will no longer be used and it is the third and forth rows that will be used for the 36 way Centronics Socket.
Standard UK Printer Socket.

The socket you have now removed --- bin it!
A Board with the Printer Socket Removed. Mark 11 board without socket

The above illustration shows (part of) the CPU board without a printer socket. As already mentioned the first two rows of holes, counting in from the right-hand edge, are from where the old 34 pin printer socket was removed. The third and forth rows must now be cleaned and then the 36 way Centronics socket can be soldered into place. The two pairs of nuts and bolts should now be fitted to give extra strength to the unit, as this is required to take the weight of the heavy Centronics plug and cable.
Centronics Printer Socket 90 degree mount type. centronic socket

It would be wise to use a Centronics socket the same as or similar to the above, complete with it's bail latches, as this will stop the Printer plug from being pulled out in error whilst the machine is switched on.
UK Board with a Centronics Socket Fitted. board side one

Should you have purchased a board containing only 256K of RAM you will need to remove a set memory chips from your old board and fit them into your new board and do not forget to alter the switches (see my help page on this subject).
The last job before testing your handy work, will be to offer the panel you have just converted, to the rear casing to see if slight adjustments, to the plastic, need to be made in the expansion port area. If converting a UK type machine to take the German type printer socket you will need to cut the plastic to accommodate the larger Centronics socket.
With this board the option is retained to use the special printer as supplied with the German/US/Canadian machines. An alternative printer can be used via an interface, fitted to the expansion port.
You can not plug an alternative printer into the Centronics socket you have just fitted, it only accepts the printer as supplied by Amstrad for the PCW, should you try you will probably damage the alternative printer or the PCW or both!

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