website/content/museum/acorn-computer-archimedes.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Acorn Computer Archimedes	Computers	Home Computer	United Kingdom	1987	ARM-2 32 bit RISC	name company company_name specs tabs photos adverts hardware emulators links docs comments related oc_id source Archimedes /companies/acorn-computer Acorn Computer label value NAME Archimedes label value MANUFACTURER Acorn Computer label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN United Kingdom label value YEAR 1987 label value END OF PRODUCTION 1989 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE BBC BASIC V label value KEYBOARD Complete 102 keys full-stroke keyboard - PC/AT layout label value CPU ARM-2 32 bit RISC (ARM-3 in the A500 series) label value SPEED 4 / 8 mHz label value CO-PROCESSOR MEMC (memory), VIDC (Video and Sound), IOC (I/O) label value RAM 512 KB (up to 16 MB) label value ROM 512 KB label value TEXT MODES 132 chars. x 32 lines maximum label value GRAPHIC MODES 21 screen modes, including: 640x480 (256 colours), 640 x 512 (256 colours), 800x600 (16 colours), 896x352 (256 colours), 1280x960 (monochrome) label value COLORS 256 maximum label value SOUND 8 voices label value I/O PORTS Centronics, RS423, Video composite, RGB, Econet (network 250 KBits). Optional 4 expansion slots (podule slots), the 400/500 series came with 4 slots. label value BUILT IN MEDIA 800 KB 3.5'' floppy drive, 3.5'' disk-drive, from 20 to 53 MB label value OS ARTHUR (and RISC OS later) label value POWER SUPPLY Built-in switching power supply unit label value PERIPHERALS Various expansion cards label value PRICE A300: from $800 to £1200 - A400: up to £3150, depending on the monitor supplied photos adverts hardware emulators links docs title subtitle text image LARGE VIEW null title subtitle text image FRONT VIEW null title subtitle text image TOP VIEW null title subtitle text image REAR SIDE null title subtitle text image 440/I FRONT PANEL CLOSE-UP null title subtitle text image KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP The keyboard has the same layout as a standard PC/AT keyboard with the addition of a reset switch, a mouse plug and a plastic stand which allowed users to insert command summaries for various programs. null title subtitle text image REAR CONNECTORS **(1)** Optional buffer card connector. Allows connection of an external 5.25" floppy disk unit.\ **(2)** Monochrome monitor Video and Sync jacks\ **(3)** Analog RGB video output DB9 plug\ **(4)** Serial DB9 plug\ **(5)** Stereo audio output jack\ **(6)** Parallel DB25 plug\ **(7)** Power in and out plugs and power switch null title subtitle text image INSIDE **(1)** Optional drive buffer\ **(2)** 4 expansion connectors back plane\ **(3)** The 440/I version shipped with a 53 MB HDD null title subtitle text image MAINBOARD EXPLAINED **(1)** 2 MB RAM chips (32 x 84256-10)\ **(2)** Memory controller custom chip (improved in the 400 series)\ **(3)** Acorn ARM-2 processor\ **(4)** Expansions back plane connecctor\ **(5)** RISC OS 3 and built-in programs ROM chips\ **(6)** Video controller custom chip\ **(7)** Econet card connector\ **(8)** I/O controller custom chip\ **(9)** MFM hard disk drive connectors. Up to 2 HDD can be connected\ **(10)** Floppy disk drive connector\ **(11)** HDD and FDD controller chips null title subtitle text image ACORN MANUALS null title subtitle text image FIRST AD (SEPT. 87) It is unlikely that this hideous advert helped early sales of the Archimedes.\ It said: Acorn are proud to announce the fastest micros in the world * The Archimedes high performance Computer Systems * Using a 32 bit RISC chip, Archimedes represents a breakthrough in microprocessing technology allowing a new order of magnitude in power... null title subtitle text image 486 CARD Allowed Archimedes series computers to run 32-bit PC-DOS software. It was delivered with a manual, a driver disk and PC-DOS 6.3 null title subtitle text image GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR Graphics accelerator card (called "ColourCard") for A3000, Archimedes and A5000.\ Company : Computer Concepts\ Enhanced potential for Archimedes series including 15-bit desktop modes (i.e. 800*600 @ 256 colours). Thanks to **Chris Syntichakis** null title subtitle text image CUMANA SCSI CARD 16-bit SCSI-1 card\ Company: Cumana.\ There are an external port for scanners/CD-ROM etc. and 2 internal ports for SCSI and Floptical drives. Thanks to **Chris Syntichakis** null title subtitle text image SERIAL CARD From Atomwide's site:\ High speed serial card featuring three ports, each in the shape of a standard 9-pin ‘D’ plug. Each port on the card is capable of running at up to 460,800 bits per second, and employs a 16-byte FIFO buffer to reduce loading on the host computer’s processor, so improving communications reliability. All serial cards are standard single-width podules, and are fully compatible with Atomwide 6 and 8-slot RiscPC backplanes. null title subtitle text image MIDI CARD Allowed Archimedes systems to interact with any midi sound device. null title url platform text Archie http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Campus/5427/ MS DOS Archie is an emulation of the Acorn Archimedes hardware (A3xx/A4xx/A3xxx) for Dos/Windows title url platform text Arculator http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/ Windows An excellent Windows-based Archimedes emulator, plays many games and has simple usage. title url platform text Red Squirrel http://www.red-squirrel.org/ Windows A popular Archimedes emulator title url platform text Red Squirrel http://www.red-squirrel.org/ Windows An Emulator of Arm based Acorn machines for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP title url platform text Virtual Acorn http://www.virtualacorn.co.uk/ Windows Excellent but commercial software - £30 title url platform text ARCHIE http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/campus/5427/ Multiplatform Archie is an emulation of the Acorn Archimedes hardware (A3xx/A4xx/A3xxx) for DOS/Windows title url text Wocki's Acorn-Site http://acorn.revivalteam.de/ Downloads for use with emulators and home of ArcDisc title url cover text TOM'S ARCHIMEDES DOCS (INTERNAL HARDWARE) http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/index.html /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif [**TOM'S ARCHIMEDES DOCS (INTERNAL HARDWARE)**](http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/index.html)written by Tom Mowalker  compiled/archived by Tom Mowalker\  type of document : HTML\  source : [Arculator](http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/index.html) author date text Alex Wilkinson (United Kingdom) Friday 10th August 2018 Hi I need help i have an A3000 and it works fine until i put either an arm610 card or the 486 pc card in the expansion slot on the back then it won''t turn on or light up and the psu makes a squealing noise if i then turn off and remnove card it works fine again i''ve tried different psu to no luck!!! Thanks :) author date text Rob Turner (Ashford, Kent / UK) Wednesday 28th November 2012 Please note that the A310/1 system and A3000 systems mentioned in my 11 July 2012 post have gone to a good home - but I''ve still got 2 pre SVGA Phillips monitors as used with above machines, free to a good home, £10 UK delivery - same email as other post - Rob. author date text Wilton CA (Brasil) Wednesday 28th November 2012 Hi... anyone interested in selling me an Acorn Archimedes? I know postage to my country is high, but I''ll cover all expenses. Please contact me with full specifications of the machine: nightspectre75 at gmail com. Thanks! author date text Jonty (Manchester, NW England) Sunday 11th November 2012 I''d like to know if there is an analogue joystick for the Archie 3010 2MB I just bought to play Elite on, and whether I can fit a hard drive/flash drive module to it. Incidentally,Elite co-creator David Braben is looking for backers/venture capital on Kickstarter to gauge interest in Elite IV. A pledge of £20 gets you the game, of which there are 3820 places left, but higher pledges gets you more goodies: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1461411552/elite-dangerous author date text Rob Turner (Kent, UK) Wednesday 11th July 2012 If anyone''s interested in a whole A310/1 system and A3000 system in full working order, email me on asgardindustries@btinternet.com. Absolutely free but collect from Kent or pay carriage - Rob. Plus up to 5 svga monitors! author date text fyrstyk (Suffolk) Sunday 22nd April 2012 Cath, I''m a bit of a BBC nerd and would be able to give some equipment a good home if it''s still available. email is fyrstyk at gmail dot com author date text trev Thursday 22nd March 2012 Hi, anyone selling any ARM Acorn gear? please email me at tripytrev@hotmail.com author date text cath (halifax england) Thursday 2nd February 2012 hi, my father recently passed away and has left a whole stack of old computers BBC and archimedes, i know at least two of each of these computers are working and then there are programs spares and accessories monitors etc i do remember them as a child but i''m no expert on what make model etc, it would seem a shame to skip/dump them does anyone know where i could sell or give to a good home?\ thanks in advance cath author date text Joseph Nollette (United States) Sunday 29th January 2012 They do not make RISC PCs anymore :-( ($_$) author date text Joseph Nollette (United States) Sunday 29th January 2012 They do not make RISC PCs anymore :-( ($_$) author date text Joseph Nollette (United States) Sunday 29th January 2012 They do not make RISC PCs anymore :-( ($_$) author date text Pete (UK) Thursday 8th December 2011 Can anybody help me please ... I have been given an Archimedes and am anxious to get it running for nostalgic reasons. BUT I wasn''t given a monitor and of course, being so old its not your standard SVGA fitting. But what *IS* it and can anybody help with locating one? Thanks in advance author date text Lee Duke (England) Sunday 19th December 2010 I need some help!!!\ I have a A3020. As of yesterday I thought it was beyond hope until I read about pressing the Delete key on power up and my A3020 booted up. I left it on for a few hours as it hasn''t been on in ages. Then I shut it down. As I was having problems using my Cub3000 monitor with it I tried using a PC monitor which wouldn''t work at all with it. That was the last time it was working correctly. Now when it boots up the floppy drive is accessed, the Numlock key is illuminated, the cursor flashes about 3 or 4 times until it is steady and then freezes. Once the the cursor has frozen I cannot use the keyboard at all.\ Anyone got any ideas? The CMOS battery looks fine but is probably way beyond its use by date but it hasn''t leaked.\ There is no IDE HDD. There are 4 memory modules installed so I''m guessing this is a 4MB A3020.\ Any help what so ever would be greatly appreciated!!\ Many Thanks in advance!. Please email me: leeorg_184@hotmail.com author date text Jeremy Thomson (New Zealand) Friday 12th November 2010 I was one of the first to get an Archimedes in NZ. The ''Lander'' demo just blew me away, as a working programmer I had a fair idea of the MIPs on display. RiscOS was a brilliant OS, each application was in its own directory, this had three files !boot, !run and !sprites. !sprites contained the icons for the application and any associated file types, so what did any wannbe hacker at the Auckland Acorn user group do, they changed the icons to there own personal taste and you could never figure what the files were on someone else Arch . !boot associated file types with icons and the application so you click on a file and it would load into the application, unless some trickster had messed with your !boot files.\ My A305? originally had 512Kb, eventually it was to have 4Mb, ARM3, MIDI ST506 Disk controller SCSI CDROM. I remember wanting a CDROM but it would cost NZ$2000 at the time PC CDROM were NZ$500. That was the downfall of the Arch, they just couldn''t compete with the economies of scale from the Tawanese PCs. Well if you can''t beat em... just look at the ARM now, the worlds most popular (32bit or better) microprocessor. author date text Khephren (UK) Tuesday 9th November 2010 "here it was very well-known and commonly used"\ Erm...no-one I knew had one, and most people had never heard of it. It had plenty of grunt, but no custom chips. A very old fashioned approach compared to the Amiga. author date text Andy (UK) Monday 18th October 2010 Well, I think that they may well have under estimated the market potential for the Archimedes. I remember playing the demo 3d game that came with it ...impressive...but Acorn did not go bust.....They went on to create a joint venture with Apple called Advanced RISC Machines and now just ARM Ltd ..... sound familiar........look at your mobile device..chances are it is powered by one.. author date text ed (UK) Thursday 27th July 2006 The first computer my family ever owned was an archimedes acorn of some sort. i spent hours playing chocks away with my dad. i've been searching all over for a rom of it so i could play it again, does anyone know of a site where i could download one? thanks. author date text Richard Hedderly (UK) Wednesday 14th May 2003 I used to work for an computer store in the mid 80s and one day Acorn came to visit us with their new baby.. The Archimedes. We noticed as others did what an incredible games machine it made but Acorn were insistent that it was only for education and pushed that front. It could of blown the Amiga and STs off the face of the earth but they were too shortsighted to see it. Oh well. Maybe now in hindsight they can see the error of their ways. Oh no they can't, they've gone bust! author date text Helgi Geirhards (Iceland) Monday 14th April 2003 I am scrambling for a Watford Electronics Video Digitiser Card running on my software located on a Acorn RiscPC. Is there any chance that you might know where to locate such an item? Those items where popular for video frame grabbing in the early 90´s author date text Paul Kilfoyle (Somerset) Tuesday 12th March 2002 I am trying to find some information about the standard Archimides colour monitor, used by schools in the UK,(made in Taiwan/Korea?) that was supplied with their A310 computer supplied around 1990. Specifically, what was the "vertical refresh rate" of these momitors? Does anyone out there still have the original specification booklets/manuals that came with the A310 as these may contain this information I am looking for. author date text Gary (United Kingdom) Sunday 3rd March 2002 This morning I was strolling around my local car-boot sale when I turned around to spot an Archimedes A3020 complete with monitor, disks and a couple of games. :D I've been playing Lemmings and James Pond (Robocod) this morning and was wondering if anyone could answer this question to enable me to play more. Is it possible to download a rom image from the internet and convert a disk to the format for the Archimedes and put the game on a disk? If possible please could you explain how to do it, i'm despirate to find out, Thank you /museum/acorn-computer-a4 /museum/acorn-computer-archimedes-a3000 /museum/acorn-computer-archimedes-a3010 /museum/acorn-computer-archimedes-a3020 /museum/acorn-computer-archimedes-a4000 /museum/acorn-computer-archimedes-a5000 /museum/acorn-computer-archimedes-a7000 75 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230609041933/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=75 2023-06-09

The Archimedes was the first RISC home computer. There were three series, the 300, 400 and 500 which shared the same hardware basis: the ARM-2 processor (ARM-3 for the A500) and three custom chips dedicated to memory (MEMC), video (VIDC) and I/O (IOC) controls.

The ARM 2 RISC (8Mhz) had about 4 Mips, this means seven times faster than a Amiga 500 (68000 CPU)!

The 300 series had 512 KB to 1 MB of memory and two expansion slots (64 pin). The 400 series had 1 to 4 MB of memory and four slots (three 64 pin and one 96 pin). The 500 series had 16 MB of RAM.

The operating system, first named Arthur then subsequently RiscOS, was in ROM along with the WIMP graphic interface (Windows Menu Icon Pointer), the fast BBC BASIC V interpreter and various utility programs, among them a Paint package, a music editor and an Acorn BBC model 2 emulator.

The built-in 800 KB 3.5" floppy drive was compatible with the old 640 KB format. A lot of expansion cards were developed for the Archimedes : MIDI, SCSI, Oscilloscope, IEEE 488, speech recognition, scanner, floating point co-processor.

Many programming languages were released as well : BASIC (which could be loaded from disk and ran faster than the ROM BASIC), C, Fortran 77, Pascal, Prolog and Lisp.

Although it was at least two times faster than the Atari ST and Amiga models, the Archimedes had no real success because of its high price, except in its country of origin (Great Britain) where it was very well-known and commonly used (especially in schools).

These computers were followed by a great family of computers called RISC PC which are still in production.

Here are the different Archimedes A300 - A400 - A500 versions :

A305 - 512 KB RAM
A310 - 1 MB RAM
A410 - 1 MB RAM
A420 - 2 MB RAM, 20 MB Hard disk
A440 - 4 MB RAM, 40 MB Hard disk
A540 - 16 MB RAM, 120 MB Hard Disk

We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.