Repairs, FDD Not Working, Battery Damage
The Amstrad ALT-286 is a very nice machine, its a mix between the TOSHIBA T3100/20 and the SHARP PC-4500.
It shares same technology like the two mentioned above but the display its superior due to the fact it came on the market almost 3 years after the Toshiba and Sharp. Even if it was more budget oriented the computer has a lot of features and the quality build is impressive.
I got this computer from a local sales site and the computer was stated as working. The amount requested was 699 LEI, that means in EUR 155. I called the seller and he was OK to sell it for 40 EUR.
Short technical description
Processor: 80286
Screen: VGA LCD 640*480 Pixel
Graphics: Cirrus Logic
Memory: 4x 1024 KB Max
Harddisk: 20 to 60 MB
FDD Drive 720 KB FD-235HF
Extensionslots VGA
AT Keyboard
FDD Floppydrive
System: DOS 3.3 and DOS 5.0
Printerport Centronics
Weight: 7 KG
Issues
This computer had seen better days, the HDD spins up but OS is not found, and the FDD is not working for sure as it has a very unlikely sound when booting and it does not spin the floppy disk.
I will take the computer apart and I will replace the HDD and the FDD unit. The FDD unit can be replaced but there is a custom mod you have to do on the Floppy cable. I found an interesting article of someone that replaced the original unit with a standard one.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Capture.jpg)
Step 1 Disasembly
Remove the screws from the bottom \ back and aside.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/1-1024x813.jpg)
Step 2 Remove top cover
To do this you need to have your screen in OPEN position and then just lift the top cover from the bottom and put the cover on a side like in the photo. The display cables are pretty long so you can leave it like that or remove the cables to fully take apart.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2-1024x765.jpg)
STEP 3 REMOVE EXTENSION MODULE
For this you need to remove the 4 screws in the picture and just lift up the socket on the right top of the module. (this is not mandatory but you need space to remove the FDD)
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/3.jpg)
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/4.jpg)
STEP 4 REMOVE FDD UNIT
Remove the 5 screws and lift up the FDD unit.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/5.jpg)
STEP 5 REMOVE ALUMINUM COVER
Next part is to remove the aluminium cover (note that this cover has also the role to spread the heat of the chips)
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/6.jpg)
Even if the battery looks in sharp condition you have to remove it. If it hasn’t leaked, it will! So just replace it or cut it off. I just removed it cause I use this computer rarely so I just don`t care the setup will forget the HDD config or the clock…
STEP 6 REMOVE METAL FRAME
Next part is to remove the metal frame like in the picture below:
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7-1024x668.jpg)
STEP 7 BATTERY DAMAGE REPAIR AND SOLDER NEW CAPACITOR IN PLACE
STEP 8 FDD REPAIR
Basically you need a standard 3.5 FDD, I got one with the DS jumper so for me its very easy to make the mod. Basically I just have to remove 5 7 9 11 wires stated in above diagram and get the +5V on the new FDD unit.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE DS OPTION
Cut 10 and 12 and reverse 10-12 \ 12-10
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/11-1024x767.jpg)
I was able to change the plastic front ornament from one to another, they are both made by TEAC company.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/12-1024x787.jpg)
I think the picture above is very descriptive and for those who are technical people will manage easy.
Where my hand is is the connector that fits the motherboard.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/13-1024x690.jpg)
I had put some isolating tape just to make sure the wires won`t touch something inside the computer.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/14.jpg)
Now Place the red wire on the +5V connector on your new Floppy Disk.
![](https://muzeuldecalculatoare.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/16-1024x364.jpg)