P.C.W. (PERSONAL COMPUTING WHIRLED)
By Gareth Pitchford
Zenobi Software
Spectrum 48

This is a short, tidy game written by Gareth for charity purposes. While some 
of the moves are not logical, it nevertheless is enjoyable. While I think I 
played Microfair Madness, it was so long ago, that I remember nothing that 
would be of assistance in this game. There are quite a few “in” jokes which 
are probably quite enjoyable to the people who are deeply into this field.

Hints:

There is one glitch in the game. When you are in the kitchen, you need to 
EXAMINE SIDEBOARD, though you do not know that there is one there.

You need the orcs’ brew to get past the dragon.

The wailing baby needs a toy. The knight doll isn’t it. However, pushing the 
pin into it gets you more points.

Red herrings: WOMBAT game, advert.

To stop the photocopier, PRESS SWITCH (yes, I understand that you do not know 
it is there).

Give photo to the monster at the bridge.

You need the tramp in order to get the laser gun. Give a game to the tramp to 
get him to follow you. 

You need some food to get the hamster. Then give the hamster when you enter 
DTHS’s stall.

Although you can’t drink the brew you make, it gets you more points.

Fire the laser gun at the bricks.

When you see Phil give him your copy of Prise. Don’t be too quick to leave.

When playing the virtual game, open the window first.



Solution:

It is Friday the 13th, and you are ready to go to the Microfair Madness 101st 
convention. You are to deliver your new game to DTHS (Delbert the Hamster 
Software). But the Grue grabs it and your ticket.

INVENTORY (nothing), W, EXAMINE RUBBISH, TAKE LEAFLET, EXAMINE LEAFLET 
(concert advertisement), E, E (Garth is here), GIVE LEAFLET (he returns with 
a ticket and a photograph of himself), EXAMINE TICKET, EXAMINE PHOTOGRAPH, W, 
N (you are admitted), EXAMINE NOTICEBOARD (you see a pin), PULL PIN, N, N, E, 
E, S, EXAMINE STALL (you get a copy of the “Prise”), EXAMINE PRISE, S (Mangy 
is wrestling with the photocopier), EXAMINE PHOTOCOPIER, PRESS SWITCH (you 
get a knight doll), EXAMINE DOLL, INSERT PIN (the doll vanish), N, W, W, N, 
N, W, TAKE ADVERT, EXAMINE ADVERT.

DROP ADVERT, E, E, E, E, N, N, N, EXAMINE BRIDGE (you see a monster),GIVE 
PHOTO (it melts away), N, GIVE PRISE (you get a beard), EXAMINE BEARD, WEAR 
BEARD, EXAMINE PLANTS, TAKE SEED, S, S, S, S, W, W, W, W, N, N, W, EXAMINE 
STRAW (you see a hamster), EXAMINE HAMSTER (it is Delbert), TAKE HAMSTER (he 
allows you to pick him up), E, N, N, (you win the contest and get 2 pounds 
and a copy of Wombat), DROP WOMBAT, S, S, E, EXAMINE STALL, BUY GAME (you get 
a game and a sachet), INVENTORY (you have Arnold VI), EXAMINE SACHET (you 
need to add boiling water), W, N, W, EXAMINE TRAMP, GIVE ARNOLD, E, S, S, S, 
E, E, E, E.

Go E, (as you are about to be arrested the tramp takes off his socks, Smok 
collapses and you take his laser gun; the tramp leaves), W, W, W, S, S, E, E, 
E, N, GIVE DELBERT (you get a cuddly toy), EXAMINE TOY, S, W, W, W, S, W (in 
the creche), EXAMINE DAVE (his daughter is screaming), GIVE TOY (you get a 
fiver), E, N, N, N, E, E, N, N, FIRE GUN, UP (you are in a kitchen), EXAMINE 
SIDEBOARD, TAKE KETTLE, EXAMINE KETTLE (it has a plug), EXAMINE UNITS, TAKE 
CUP, CLIMB COUNTER, N, FILL KETTLE, S, UP, INSERT PLUG, POUR WATER OPEN ORCS, 
DRINK ORCS, CLIMB COUNTER, S, S, W, W, W, W, N, N, N, E ( in virtual reality 
room), READ SIGN (5 pounds).

GIVE 5 (you need to find the hidden microfilm in your apartment), OPEN 
WINDOW, W (you get a letter and a package that is ticking), E, THROW BOMB, W, 
EXAMINE TABLE, TAKE GLASSES, WEAR GLASSES, EXAMINE DESK, READ PAPER (Quantum 
Leap), EXAMINE PLANT, EXAMINE SOIL (you see a gun), TAKE GUN, N, EXAMINE 
TABLE, READ TV GUIDE (Quantum Leap is on at 9 pm), SEARCH DRAWER (locked), 
FIRE GUN (you see a box), EXAMINE BOX, (a keypad and numbers on it), TYPE 
2100 (you see the microfilm and get 5000 pounds), W, S, S, S, E, E, S, S, W, 
W, (you see a puddle and a dragon), GIVE ORCS (the dragon flies out), W, N, 
EXAMINE GRUE (do you have something to bargain with), GIVE CASH.

You are finished. 
Score: 150.

Terri Sheehan

*****************************************************
Displayed on the Classic Adventures Solution Archive:
http://solutionarchive.com