Spares, Software, Manuals and Technical Support for

AMSTRAD PCW

WORD PROCESSORS

The original PCW 8256 (left) and the later PCW 9512 

 Quick Links ......

.... or a bit of Background History

The humble PCW has been around since 1985 and over 200,000 were sold in the UK alone. Though superseded by PC's for most applications these days, the good old PCW is still favoured by many people, especially authors and those who find difficulty handling a mouse, for its easy to use LocoScript word processor (or LocaScript to those in the USA) and its friendly keyboard layout . . . . and it's not affected by nasty viruses!

LuxSoft was based in the heart of the Cornish village of Luxulyan - hence the name - but re-located during Summer 2008 to the southern edge of Luxulyan parish, less than half a mile from the renowned Eden Project. 

LuxSoft acquired one of the first Amstrad PCW 8256's in Autumn 1985 and soon released a series of Basic programs for PCW enthusiasts. Sales of this software raised over £500 for the Cornwall Air Ambulance and the RNLI (Lifeboats). LuxSoft was an Authorised Amstrad Business Dealer supplying new Amstrad computers until Amstrad pulled out of this market in the mid-1990's.

While so many PCW orientated businesses have ceased to trade or moved to newer pastures, our PCW business has actually grown year on year as it becomes more and more difficult for dedicated users to source consumables, spares, software and support for the venerable PCW. 

The Achilles Heel of the original PCW's was their belt-driven 3" disc drives. Unfortunately, simply fitting a new drive belt is neither easy nor a panacea for all drive ills as stiffness or even complete seizure of the centre bearing of the drive may be the root cause of belt failure .... or the disc reading problems may be down to another cause, such as the sled motor. Hence we regularly receive PCW drives (by post) or even complete PCW's (personally delivered) for repair and servicing.

It's strange that in a world where PC's go out of date within a month, if not a week, and the computer pundits sounded the PCW's death knell in the press as early as 1986, here we are -  well over 20 years after the PCW's debut - with people actually going back to PCW's because they are heartily sick of the complexity of Windows Vista and the constant threat of viruses. 

The PCW is ideal for the job for which it was intended - a pretty flexible word processor - so it's a shame that when they do go wrong and a visit for advice is made to the local computer store, the average assistant, having been born long after the PCW ceased production, has never heard of them so recommends a sexy new PC and the local tip for the poor PCW ... all for the want of a rubber band or a bit of oil in so many cases. With sales staff also being ignorant of the possibility of converting LocoScript files on "those funny little discs" for use on said new PC, we shudder to think how many autobiographies, how much valuable research work, and how many literary masterpieces have already been lost for ever in this way. 

We are committed to supporting the PCW for as long as is humanly possible - and at this rate we'll peg out before the PCW's do ! - but please note that we do not purchase redundant machines.

For active PCW users, there's a Help & Tips page which gives answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" and problems we find that folks have been having with both LocoScript and CP/M.

We are pleased to be able to offer you the following for your Amstrad PCW:

Amstrad PCW Discs - 3" and 3.5"

- CF2 3" discs for the Amstrad PCW8256, PCW8512 and PCW9512

• Brand NEW 3" CF2 discs by Maxell & original Amsoft (not the cheap imports illegally being sold as Amsoft's) at £3.00 each. 

• Fully tested second user Amsoft or Maxell ones at £1.50 each. Please specify single density format (to suit 8256 & 8512 'A' drive) or double density (8512 'B' drive & 9512) when ordering so that we can reformat them ready for immediate use on your PCW.

- 3.5" 720k (MF2DD) for PCW9512+, PCW9256, PCW10 and 3.5" replacement drives

• Brand new at £10.00 for box of ten. Sorry - now sold out 

• Second user, reformatted for PCW use and fully tested at £5.00 for ten.

Above prices exclude postage as this depends on quantity.

Please e-mail first to check availability and accepted payment methods - 
We can accept payments via  

Amstrad PC & PCW Printer Ribbons

We regret that we are no longer stocking ribbons. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to previous customers.

However all is not lost as there are several suppliers still advertising ribbons at reasonable prices on the Internet, including on E-Bay.

    Search Tips .....

• Amstrad (naturally) referred to their ribbons by their own part numbers (060070 etc) but most 3rd party manufacturers equally used an international standard reference system for ribbons - CARMA numbers. Using these avoids wading through heaps of irrelevant search results as well as guarding against buying the wrong item.

• CARMAs define the ribbon width, orientation and cassette size but, due to rationalisations in manufacturing over the years, each ribbon suitable for an Amstrad PCW has amassed two or three different references, so it is important to search for all variants.

• If the right CARMA ref (from below) is shown as being (say) a Seikosha or Juki ribbon, worry not as many ribbon cassette shapes were used by several different printer and typewriter manufacturers (and the 8256/8512 printer was effectively a Seikosha in disguise).

• The four figure CARMA numbers are followed by a two-letter code for the ribbon type: FN (Fabric Nylon), DN (Double density Nylon), MS (MultiStrike - the shiny-backed type like a videotape) and SC (Self-Correcting)  

• PCW8256/8512/10/9256 - 2741 (try first) plus also 2888 & 2944. These were originally available in both MS and DN flavours but MS - the highdays & holidays good quality species - was dropped many years ago so are best avoided if offered as they are bound to be old stock ... and prone to mould. The original distinction between DN and FN seems now to be less important so try both 2741DN and 2741FN

• PCW9512/9512+ Daisy Wheel - 2746 (try first) and 2949. Similarly originally available as both FN and MS but conversely it was the FN that was dropped many years ago so now it's just MS. BEWARE the 2746SC - this type fits a 9512 but gives a poor print as it is actually a typewriter ribbon. Always check the ribbon spec & CARMA ref carefully as some E-Bayers are unaware of the relevance of the ribbon type suffix.