Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Hello.
I changed the 3 GALs that you sent me.
The "divide +" now at least do something more than before. But it does not work. There must be some other bad component. Not sure if it 29F040 firmware, RAM, a diode or other SMD component. I am able to change the SMD components, but do not want to change all. I need help locating the problem if you tell me where to measure and what values ​​I find.

I tested with a 32M CF already worked before, and rarely detected me. I also tested with a hard drive with your power supply, and either. Both work OK on PC. I checked the other 3 chips are socket (2x74LS245 and 74ALS573), and well. If I can see the switch firmware, but only sometimes, sometimes not reset, the other is blocked with yellow LED on. The fatware not work, and sometimes goes corrupt content, but before damage the CF work and as I said in the CF and PC HD well. The resiDOS not work. If I select ZX BASIC, restarts and crashes, displaying only symbol "©" of the message "© 1982 Sinclair .... / .. © 1982 Amstrad." And then can go into an infinite loop in the menu fatware of detection of IDE devices.

I have also seen that the "divide +" is interfering in any way on the quality of the image, being more prominent problem in the Spectrum 48K (imagine that having worst power supply), and less in the +2 A, is observed a dark horizontal, which slowly descends onto the screen, including the edge.
To Touch I have not seen any overly hot component.
Nor do I know if my PCB version is very old and perhaps updating GALs, does not work, I read diwIDE, and DIWI-225 in the PCB.

I hope news. Thank you.

Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:25 pm
Oops - I have checked with Ian Gledhill - the Zilogs are (in his opinion) the worst for missing the M1 line

As for the DivIDE+ I am surprised that the key has come out, as they are normally secured with glue (possibly it was overlooked on this one) - you may be lucky enough in just replacing the GAL chips - it is normally these which are affected first.

Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: celestinox ON: Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:52 pm
hello. As I mentioned in the previous post, the signal fecuencia DC DC converter is correct, 114KHz, I do not know that this signal can be important on the "divide +" while tensions have needs. On the other hand I have found that the Zilog Z80, no signal M1, and that is why the "divide" does not work. But this is history, because I changed the Z80 one with M1 and working properly.

The major problem to come later, the divide + is now dead and the other world has led to two Spectrums. The problem is that the connector of expansion of the divided + lost leading separator between positions 5 and 6 of the bus, and when I noticed was late. How is it possible that this separator is lost? Why was not glued or screwed?. The truth is that by not getting spectrum centered at times have been lucky and not passed anything, but now dead two Spectrums. I repaired one, changing one z80, 2 transistors, 1 ROM are dead, another faulty and defective ULA.

And now, I do not know if it can be repaired so economical "divide +". First put a spacer on the bus, and then depues I could not be broken. One symptom is that the computer will not start and the temperature of the GAL is single (A_GAL) up in a few seconds to burn your finger. Does that can fix just changing the 3 GALS, and with the new updated version, or do some chip SMD could be spoiled?

I hope news. Thank you.

Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: celestinox ON: Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:28 pm
I tried to measure the frequency between C46 + terminal and ground with an oscilloscope (seeking 114Khz expected) and it has been impossible because the signal is not stable; fluctuates a lot, it looks more like a PWM signal to a fixed . How should this sign? If not well I should replace the electrolytic capacitors and also the 2 transistors?. Measuring with a multimeter, I measured 0.4 V AC and 10V DC. Which should be the correct values​​?
Greetings thanks.

Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:05 pm
Hmm if both processors are Zilog ones, then they should have the M1 line (although it is not guaranteed) - yes, the M1 line is supplied by the chip itself.

At least we know the issue is not with the DivIDE Plus unit. It may be worth trying the upgraded GALs as these fix a couple of bugs in the original GALs, as well as offering enhancements.

The other option would be to check the coil is operating at the correct frequency. I have recently had to have two 48K ZX Spectrums recapped (new capacitors) as the coil was operating at too low a frequency. It seems the capacitors are drying out after all these years! That could also explain why the interface can appear to work initially and then stop working

Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: celestinox ON: Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:48 pm
Hello. When you say that no M1 line, you mean that the microprocessor does it internally? PCBs that "issue4" if coming from the socket properly z80 to the expansion connector. I have verified that both microprocessors are genuine Zilog Z80 (the trouble is that no socket).
I've done other checks, as I've gotten several spectrum and inves_spectrum +2 + (spanish version clone).
In inves_spectrum + the "divide +" works correctly with the power supply of the above. (I have only the power supplies of the speccy rubber), not whether to have fewer chips in pcb, this computer model has lower power consumption and therefore operates divides +.
Neither compact flash if they have a great diversity of electricity consumption, or are negligible.
In the Spectrum +2 A, (4 computers with a single power supply), the divide + works correctly.

A few days ago I have bought the firmware selector to divide +, and I
installed. I loaded the residos from a +3, and I spent one of the spectrum 48 with problems, the fatware continues with the same problem detection loop of CF, but if restarting and pressing "1" to access firmware selector, I residos change to this seems to work for some time (several minutes), until it begins to show corrupted data. And from here I have to change the split + to another computer.

Conclusions.
- "Divide +" appears to be well
- "CF 32M, appears to work well in +2 A, +3 and Inves +
questions:
-Remains to be tested with a good source to see if it is the power consumption problem.
-See if feasible desolder the Z80 to change, although Zilog, management will have the M1.
-It could be some kind of problem in the expansion bus, or on the PCB?.

I accept suggestions for finding the problem.

Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Tue Jan 01, 2013 12:00 pm
It could well be that you would benefit from the new GALs.

The problem with corruption on the file browser when you press the NMI button is normally the compact flash card is not 100% compatible - although you say it works without issue on the +3. I wonder if the compact flash card has been formatted as IDEDOS or is corrupt in some way - it may be worth reformatting the card as FAT-12 and try again.

It could also be your power supply - have you tried a different power supply with the rubber key Spectrums?

The Spectrum where the DivIDE Plus gets stuck in a loop suggests it may be the Z80 needs to be replaced (it may lack the important M1 line used by interfaces such as DivIDE Plus, PlusD and the Multiface).

Replies: 7
Views: 4124
Last Post By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:39 pm
Topic By: celestinox ON: Tue Jan 01, 2013 11:48 am
Hello.
Now I have time, I decided to test the interface "divide +", which was bought second hand through ebay (sn: Z-19). I have 3 Spectrums and after checking that do not work as expected, I want to exhibit different behaviors.
First in a rubber Spectrum 48k 4B issue, "the divide plus" goes into an endless loop, which calls press space to detect storage devices, and does not let you do anything else.
Second, in another Spectrum 48k, 4B also issue "the divide plus" apparently correctly detects flash memory (32M), but pressing fatware NMI and enter the list of directories and files appear corrupt, and nothing works.

and Third, testing with a Spectrum +3, (closing the internal bridge correspodiente "divide plus"), flash memory correctly detected, the fatware works, and seems resiDos also works well.

So the question is: what happens to my splits plus? need an external power supply, because it seems that with the Spectrum +3, works OK, not the case in the other two cases.

I do not know the age of the firmware I have, it would be appropriate to change the GAL for the new date?

I need help, someone can tell me. Thank you.

I want to apologize for using the google translator, but I have little knowledge of English.

Replies: 0
Views: 6522
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:44 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:44 pm
An upgraded set of GALs is now available for the DivIDE Plus.

These incorporate several improvements (mainly bug fixes), but will also allow you to install esxDOS.

See http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detail ... e_Set-2508

Replies: 0
Views: 117282
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:14 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:14 pm
Thanks to work by Daniele Terdina and Jiri Dolezal, we have now released the Sinclair QL Games Collection 1.

This is a set of 10 commercial games for you to play on a Windows based PC, running under Q-emulator for £10

We hope this will help distil the comments that the QL was only ever a business machine and will hopefully help promote the QL itself.

The games included are:

* Cuthbert in Space by Steve Bak and S J Proctor
* Deathstrike by Damon Chaplin and T. Bovingdon
* Hoverzone by R G Riley
* Jungle Eddi by Stefan Kuhne
* QL Hopper by Steve Bak and S J Proctor
* QL Pengi by Jochen Merz and R. Bieniek
* QL Vroom by Daniel Macré
* Stone Raider II by Alex J Herbert
* The King by C H Robertson Consultants
* The Lost Pharaoh by Stefan Kuhne

More details appear at:
http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detail ... ion_1-2152

Replies: 1
Views: 55021
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:44 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:44 pm
I missed this post - not really something I have any experience of...

I should imagine it would initialise OK, but may be only useable from 48K BASIC.

Best bet is to ask on the World of Spectrum forums - lot more Spectrum users on there!

Replies: 1
Views: 55021
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:44 pm
Topic By: prolog ON: Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:05 pm
Hi
Does anyone know if the currah microspeech synthesizer would initialise directly with a +128 or +2? Obviously there's no opportunity to select 48k before switching on!
cheers

Replies: 2
Views: 69647
Last Post By: prolog ON: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:27 am
Topic By: prolog ON: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:27 am
Hi Rich,
Yes this does seem most likely. I had a quick look last night - the tails seem good (sinewy as opposed to brittle) and securely attached to the connectors, though the outer layer of plastic on the tails has come away a bit from the cable itself. I can't see any cracking, but then I guess it's not always visible, and I haven't looked at the entire thing. Since I got this only last week I've contacted the seller suggesting a new membrane. I'll see what he says (as this wasn't the cheapest item I've got off the bay!) I'd rather just replace the membrane than have to send the whole thing back. Hopefully you'll be hearing from me with a membrane order soon!!

Thanks for the quick reply!
all the best
Jeff

Replies: 2
Views: 69647
Last Post By: prolog ON: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:27 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:45 am
It could be that as the keyboard membrane has heated up, the cracks have opened up to damage the keyboard membrane tails (presuming it is not a new membrane!)

Replies: 2
Views: 69647
Last Post By: prolog ON: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:27 am
Topic By: prolog ON: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:51 pm
Hi,
I wonder if there are any simple solutions to this - I actually have a technical problem! I got the new toastrack out tonight as, having played with it only twice for a total of 20 minutes, I decided to wait until my new scart lead arrived. So, having set up I loaded a few tapes fine and tried a bit of programming all fine. Then I loaded the 128+ companion tape and was going through the tutorial when it got stuck in the extended mode. So I reset and then none of the keys worked except enter and break! So, I turned off and re-booted a little later got the menu and again none of the keys worked! So, can't choose a menu option except tape loader! Weird! Ouch!!

Any ideas out there?

Cheers

Replies: 3
Views: 271981
Last Post By: prolog ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:50 pm
Topic By: prolog ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:50 pm
Ah! cheers Rich that's useful. And also for the scart/rgb info yesterday - looks like the leads are still available.

I hope I'm not distracting you too much from meeting the publication deadline for the AY manual!

all the best

Replies: 3
Views: 271981
Last Post By: prolog ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:50 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:34 pm
As for joysticks - the ports on the +2, +2A, +2B and +3 are all Sinclair joystick ports (as per the ZX Interface 2).

They will not work with a standard Atari joystick

You therefore need a joystick adaptor - Sintech offer these (I used to, but they are now too expensive!)

Replies: 3
Views: 271981
Last Post By: prolog ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:50 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:28 pm
The startup menu on the +2, +2A and +2B all show +3 BASIC from memory
No idea why - it should show 128K basic really !

There were extra manuals for the Spectrum +2A - I have one here at least - or you can download them from
WorldofSpectrum

Replies: 3
Views: 271981
Last Post By: prolog ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:50 pm
Topic By: prolog ON: Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:34 pm
Hello!
I am a zx81 person and have annoyed people on that forum, so I thought I'd come and spread my ignorance here. I've also been bothering Moggy too much and he needs a rest. Unlike the 81 I never had a spectrum in the 80s so the world of colour is all new to me. I've now acquired a couple of spectrums and my query is for the one I've just been given last night, this is a black amstrad which tells me it believes that it's a +2a. That comes up at the top of the menu. However, the manuals with it are very clearly first issue rubber key manuals. But the odd thing is that the startup menu shows a 48k option but also a +3 Basic option. So, I'm checking on my hunch that someone has re-ROMed this machine??
What do you think? And if so any thoughts on requirements for joysticks on the onboard 9pin ports?

Many thanks
Prolog

Replies: 0
Views: 9902
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:25 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:25 am
An upgraded / replacement ULA for the Sinclair ZX81 is now available.

The ZX-ULA2 is a direct replacement for the standard ULA used in the Sinclair ZX81 home computer.

The ULA is a custom chip designed by Sinclair Research Limited and is responsible for control of the functions of the ZX81, including the screen. Early ULAs were dogged by the lack of a back porch signal, which results in black text on a dark background on modern colour and LCD TVs. Until now, if you had one of these chips, you were stuck with either looking for one of the later ULAs (which are rare), or installing a modification, such as the ZXvid module, which alters the composite video signal and adds a back porch signal.

However, the ZX-ULA2 has now been designed to replace both of these ULAs and provide extra functionality for the Sinclair ZX81 at the same time. It will also work to turn a ZX81 in ZX80 mode (with a suitable ZX80 ROM), and also works with the Timex-Sinclair TS1000 computers (but not the TS1500).

Features include: -
• Built in composite video circuit, complete with back porch signal
• Switch between 50Hz and 60Hz output for testing of software which may be used in the USA and Canada
• Switch between black no white or white on black screen output
• Enable the M1Not modification - this allows machine code routines to run in the 32K-48K RAM region of memory.
• Turbo function, which enables the machine to operate at 6.5Mhz compared to the original ZX81 speed of 3.25Mhz. In SLOW mode, the computer will automatically drop out of TURBO to generate the display and switch back when performing another operation.

Each feature can be controlled from within software using a simple POKE command, thereby allowing you to disable Turbo for some programs, and enable it for others.

You can purchase the ZX-ULA2 from SellMyRetro.com

Replies: 3
Views: 30573
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:23 pm
Topic By: RWAP ON: Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:23 pm
There are now some more ZXpand and ZXpand-AY modules available for sale -

http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/1930

and

http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/1929

Replies: 1
Views: 13123
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:52 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:52 am
We have now released this fix as the ZXvid - see viewtopic.php?f=6&t=69 for more details

Replies: 0
Views: 11939
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:51 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:51 am
We have now launched the ZXvid module for the Sinclair ZX81.

This replaces the inner workings of the UM1233 TV UHF modulator built into the ZX81 to provide a stable composite video out, plus fixes the missing back porch latch issue on some ULAs (which causes black text on a very dark screen).

Compatible with all types of TV, including LCD and LED television sets.

Buy the ZXvid module on sellmyretro.com

Replies: 15
Views: 241385
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:48 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:48 am
We still have a couple of DivIDE Plus units available for sale

Replies: 24
Views: 410648
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:34 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:34 am

gtsamour wrote:I am under the impression I have a lesser version than 1.2 but i have to check on that...

You are emailing the latest versions to people that bought the fw selector right?

Replies: 24
Views: 410648
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:34 am
Topic By: gtsamour ON: Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:15 am
I am under the impression I have a lower version than 1.2 but i have to check on that...

You are emailing the latest versions to people that bought the fw selector right?

Replies: 0
Views: 12445
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:33 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:33 am
The plug-in sound module has now been released for the Sinclair ZX81 ZXpand.

The module cannot be used on its own, as it plugs into the rear of the ZXpand interface.

The ZXpand-AY Sound Module is a full AY sound interface for the Sinclair ZX81, and Timex-Sinclair TS/1000, TS/1500 Home Computers which plugs into our own ZXpand interface to provide the computer with AY sound output and a joystick port.

The ZXpand-AY Sound Module comes complete with a full Yamaha YM1249 sound chip (equivalent to the AY-3-8910) and an Atari style DB-9 joystick port. The ZXpand-AY module is fully Zon-X compatible, and uses a mixer circuit to provide stereo output.

Files can be converted using MIDI2AY and then using a custom ZX81 player.

More details and to order - see http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detail ... odule-1859

Replies: 24
Views: 410648
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:34 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:31 am
It is rather quiet....

I have been busy on other projects I guess.

The latest version of the firmware selector is v1.2 - although I know Tygrys was working on v1.3 so I have emailed him to see where it stands.

Replies: 24
Views: 410648
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:34 am
Topic By: gtsamour ON: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:22 am
WOW
this forum is a real ghost town...

So, whats the latest version of the Firmware selector? I think I'm still left with v1.0 on mine but its been a while since i used it so im not sure...

Replies: 15
Views: 241385
Last Post By: RWAP ON: Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:48 am
Topic By: RWAP ON: Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:10 pm
Finally, we have a small batch of DivIDE Plus interfaces available - http://www.sellmyretro.com/search?keywo ... zip=&type=