1987 Amstrad PC1512 Part 1 - Dead or No Dead?

Today we look at an Amstrad PC1512 HD20 XT class computer with its PC-MM non CGA monitor.
I've always have a soft spot for these 8086 based low power XT machines as they gave me my entry into PC ownership in the late 1980s.
We try to get this working and see if the built in hard drive works.

[@turntheblueiris4626]

Excellent! 1512 DD with EGA graphics was the first family computer we had. I now have a 2086 with a 30MB RLL hard drive. I also have a 1386 which I'd never heard of until I got one off Ebay a while ago. I was using a XT-IDE card in my 2086, but went back to using the RLL drive as I like the sound of it. When you get a keyboard & can boot it you might be able to use something like SpeedStor to investigate the hard drive further. Looking forward to this project continuing.

[@MarkTheMorose]

I remember at my first job, 3 chaps buying these when they came out. I think I had my Amiga 1000 at the time, and was not much impressed by them, graphics and sound-wise. Of course, you couldn't argue with the range of software. Someone else I knew was a computer novice, and he asked me to help him with his new 1512. I recall making backups of the GEM disks for him, and showing him how a spreadsheet worked.

[@zero0ryn]

Those WD drives seize up on both the spindle and the head stepper motor. A drop of oil is usually all that's needed to get them running.

[@Nephiaust]

I've got the original PC1512DD disks somewhere.....