Amstrad · Series 5
Amstrad PC5286
Compact 16 MHz 80286 with integrated C&T VGA and an optional AdLib-compatible Games Pack.
Experimental model: POST, Setup, all documented RAM populations, VGA diagnostics, BIOS modes 63h/64h and LIM 4.0 EMS pass. The exact keyboard controller, factory hard-disk geometry, Games Pack card/game port and physical advanced-video timing remain approximations or pending.
History
Introduced in 1991, the PC5286 paired a 16 MHz 80286 with one megabyte of RAM, integrated VGA and either floppy-only or 40 MB IDE storage. The Games Pack added Amstrad's AdLib-compatible card, speakers, an AJ-5 joystick and three games.
Hardware
- Processor
- Intel 80286, 16 MHz; Intel 80287 socket
- Memory
- 1 MB standard; documented 2 MB and 4 MB paired-SIMM expansions
- Chipset
- C&T F82C235-12 Single Chip AT and F82C710A I/O controller
- Video
- Integrated C&T F82C452 with ADV476KP35E RAMDAC and 256 KiB VRAM on the photographed MC0128A board
- Floppy drive
- One 3.5-inch 1.44 MB drive
- Hard disk
- Diskless and 40 MB IDE commercial configurations
- Expansion slots
- Two half-length 16-bit ISA slots; Games Pack sound card occupies one slot
- Interfaces
- Serial, parallel, keyboard, mouse; dual analogue joystick port on the Games Pack sound card
- Sound
- Optional Amstrad AdLib-compatible card with external stereo speakers in the Games Pack
Catalogue classification
- Form factor
- Desktop
- Mobility
- Stationary
- Processor generation
- 80286 class
- Graphics standard
- VGA
- Storage interface
- Floppy drive, IDE
Research
This page separates documented hardware facts, behavior observed in original firmware, and the current fidelity of BluMach emulation.
Sales and commercial configurations
Evidence: documented or confirmed hardware
- Markets and period
Documented in UK material from August–October 1991; an Australian owner reports purchase in 1992. Games Pack price: £899 excluding VAT (£1,056.33 including VAT) in October 1991.
- Commercial models
Single 1.44 MB floppy without hard disk; floppy plus 40 MB IDE; Games Pack with 40 MB IDE, sound card and game accessories. One megabyte was standard, with 2 MB and 4 MB expansions documented.
- Options and accessories
Games Pack: Amstrad AdLib-compatible ISA card, two speakers, AJ-5 analogue joystick, Links, F-15 Strike Eagle II and Prince of Persia.
Architecture and memory
Evidence: manufacturer manual compared with the BluMach implementation
- CPU and bus
Intel 80286 at 16 MHz, AT bus and optional 80287 socket.
- Memory
Paired 80 ns SIMMs: 1, 2 or 4 MB commercial populations. BluMach also supports the manual's 512 KB map but does not present it as a sold configuration.
- Main circuits
Owner-reported C&T F82C235-12 and F82C710A. SCAT version 04h and memory/EMS behaviour are observed; exact board schematics and KBC firmware are unavailable.
- Video
Integrated C&T F82C452 with ADV476KP35E RAMDAC and 256 KiB VRAM observed on the MC0128A board. Standard VGA, BIOS 720×540×16 and 800×600×16, advanced registers and an experimental graphics cursor are modelled.
- Storage
One 1.44 MB floppy and optional 40 MB IDE. BluMach uses generic ISA IDE and a CP346-compatible 805/4/26 geometry for creation; the exact factory drive remains unknown.
- Serial and parallel
F82C710-compatible serial, parallel and floppy functions; generic AT keyboard controller and mouse path remain compatible approximations.
BIOS and firmware
Evidence: observed in preserved firmware and boot testing
- Known revisions
AM52V004 64 KiB system BIOS and C&T Version 220 32 KiB VGA BIOS. Local files are required and checked against recorded hashes; firmware is not distributed.
Emulation status
Evidence: current BluMach status; not necessarily a description of the original circuit
- Verified
Cold POST and reset recovery, Setup save, 1/2/4 MB memory reporting, SCAT shadow/remap, direct EMS, SCATEMM 1.4 LIM 4.0, standard VGA, BIOS modes 63h/64h and guest graphics cursor demonstration.
- Pending or approximate
Experimental. Generic AT KBC/NVR and ISA IDE are substitutes. Games Pack uses the generic AdLib device without the Amstrad card's game port. Advanced C&T timings, frame IRQ, external sync and physical cursor behaviour need hardware comparison.
Sources
Preserved research material
Evidence: primary sources and research notes