Search found 278 matches

by MonkZy
Wed Jan 24, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: Changing paper/border colours in LAYER 1,2.
Replies: 5
Views: 363

Re: Changing paper/border colours in LAYER 1,2.

Changing the palette format certainly has an effect on things when using layer 1,2. The only thing I observed was the palette register for the paper changes depending on the format value, the border register is always 135 or at least it is on formats 1,3 and 7. Because layer 1,2 only ever displays o...
by MonkZy
Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:10 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Could standard cassette use stereo tracks to double data density ?
Replies: 21
Views: 1048

Re: Could standard cassette use stereo tracks to double data density ?

The cost of a four track tape deck would diminish the return of using less C-15's for your data. The difference in cost of a C-15 to a C-60 is minimal. It should have been adopted though, because of conservation of resources. Commodore and later Amstrad/Sinclairs shipped with dedicated tape decks..a...
by MonkZy
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:57 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: Changing paper/border colours in LAYER 1,2.
Replies: 5
Views: 363

Changing paper/border colours in LAYER 1,2.

I have been using the next screen mode LAYER 1,2. This mode emulates the Timex hi res mode found on the T/S 2068 and is 512x192 with two colours. I love this mode and think they should have included it on the 128k machines, it allows 64 columns of 8x8 text or 85 columns if a 6 pixel wide font is use...
by MonkZy
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:32 pm
Forum: Emulators
Topic: ZXBaremulator 3.2
Replies: 244
Views: 68606

Re: ZXBaremulator 3.2

The wired PS3 controller will work well. The Joystick type (kempston, AGF, sinclair etc.) can be toggled with the SELECT key on the PS3 controller. Your other controller will most likely not work. Pro-tip : support the usb connector on the ps3 controller with a blob of blue-tack..it will save it wig...
by MonkZy
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:46 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: Amiga 8x8 font convertor
Replies: 0
Views: 240

Amiga 8x8 font convertor

I am working on a project that requires a full ANSI character set. The ZX Spectrums have an ASCII compliant character set which contains the glyphs for character codes 32 through to 126. Only the glyph for character 96 is changed, swapping a left slanted apostrophe with the UK pound sign. An extra g...
by MonkZy
Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:57 am
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: NEXT FAQ’s
Replies: 65
Views: 3430

Re: NEXT FAQ’s

Thank you Seven.FFF and thanks also to the rest of the team, I have had much joy with this machine :) I would recommend all Next users to upgrade....the new BASIC has bitwise operators and hexadecimal conversion as well as some useful string operators...yay! After learning z80 asm I always wondered ...
by MonkZy
Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:39 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: NEXT FAQ’s
Replies: 65
Views: 3430

Re: NEXT FAQ’s

I can answer my own question : The ZX Spectrum Next website links to an older version of the Next Distro...The very latest version can be obtained from the Gitlab @ https://gitlab.com/thesmog358/tbblue/ and is available with cores for both KS1 and KS2 boards. I guess the website will catch up once t...
by MonkZy
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:34 am
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: NEXT FAQ’s
Replies: 65
Views: 3430

Re: NEXT FAQ’s

I have a question that does not warrant a separate thread : When will the KS2 System/NextOS (23.06/2.08) be made available to all NEXT users? I have been exploring the possibilities of the KS2 machine by reading the manual and I will say it has been massive fun. I developed a couple of programs (i t...
by MonkZy
Tue Jan 24, 2023 7:52 pm
Forum: Sales/Commercial
Topic: Commode Amiga A-500 Plus for sale
Replies: 9
Views: 361

Re: Commode Amiga A-500 Plus for sale

Thanks for the advice. The tamper label was already split on closer inspection. I have opened it up and removed the shielding and...I think I have been lucky. There is just a little bit of white fur on the negative end of the cell pack. Some of the fur has crept down to the PCB, and an adjacent capa...
by MonkZy
Tue Jan 24, 2023 1:40 pm
Forum: Sales/Commercial
Topic: Commode Amiga A-500 Plus for sale
Replies: 9
Views: 361

Re: Commode Amiga A-500 Plus for sale

The silver anti-tamper stickers are still present on the screws :) Should I still look?
by MonkZy
Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:52 pm
Forum: Sales/Commercial
Topic: Commode Amiga A-500 Plus for sale
Replies: 9
Views: 361

Commode Amiga A-500 Plus for sale

I know this is a speccy forum, but I thought someone here may also have a fondness for huge slabs of beige plastic. A friend has had to clear out to make room for a baby, and I have offered to test and sell some Amiga gubbins. All proceeds go to baby peripherals. The Amiga is aged and well yellowed ...
by MonkZy
Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:32 pm
Forum: Emulators
Topic: ZXBaremulator 3.2
Replies: 244
Views: 68606

Re: ZXBaremulator 3.2

I think the development of ZXBaremulator is over now, and the developer has said he will not be fixing the pi zero audio problem. Pi zero does output analogue audio on the GPIO but the pins are shared by the magPi keyboard interface, the dev did not want to change pins from the original magPi projec...
by MonkZy
Thu Jun 30, 2022 5:45 pm
Forum: Programming
Topic: Z80 compare instruction
Replies: 9
Views: 425

Re: Z80 compare instruction

Z80 Heaven states : CP N Unsigned If A == N, then Z flag is set. If A != N, then Z flag is reset. If A < N, then C flag is set. If A >= N, then C flag is reset. Signed If A == N, then Z flag is set. If A != N, then Z flag is reset. If A < N, then S and P/V are different. A >= N, then S and P/V are t...
by MonkZy
Wed Jun 22, 2022 11:38 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Raspberry Pi SpecDeck
Replies: 4
Views: 269

Re: Raspberry Pi SpecDeck

I just checked the pi Zero prices on ebay. My gast took some flabbering.

I have a W in the shed but it has no pins :shock:

I really want one of these for my speccies, so I guess I will be taking my chances soldering the header.
by MonkZy
Thu May 12, 2022 8:12 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Gotek Fitting
Replies: 8
Views: 357

Re: Gotek Fitting

@PeterJ I can reprint this if @TomD can send me the gcode. I don't need the .stl files that way. I can post my printer specific g-code. Sounds like a re-print is what you need.
by MonkZy
Sun May 01, 2022 11:53 am
Forum: Programming
Topic: ld bc,(hl)
Replies: 22
Views: 1436

Re: ld bc,(hl)

777 I have just realised you are working from some code I wrote on an old thread, complete with my cryptic annotations :oops: , at least I had credited Steve Wetherill in the notes. :D That code was pretty botched and messy. I used floating bus to see if I could do the cube draw in one frame. I cou...
by MonkZy
Sun May 01, 2022 9:23 am
Forum: Programming
Topic: ld bc,(hl)
Replies: 22
Views: 1436

Re: ld bc,(hl)

@777

The sync routine is the floating bus hack developed by Steve Wetherill.

https://blog.stevewetherill.com/2022/02 ... -1986.html

Scroll down to the Sidwize section.

This routine will hang forever if it is ran on a 128k machine.
by MonkZy
Mon Apr 04, 2022 12:58 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: Next not coming until June 2023
Replies: 14
Views: 1045

Re: Next not coming until June 2023

Just in case I'm not around when they deliver. https://c.tenor.com/v0cBeb_yBgUAAAAC/its-been84years-titanic.gif Jokes aside, I am a bit disappointed with this announcement but I do remain optimistic that I will one day receive the Next. It would seem that FPGA's are used in many products from car v...
by MonkZy
Thu Mar 24, 2022 1:55 pm
Forum: ZX Spectrum Next
Topic: NextDows - Windows on your Next!
Replies: 9
Views: 867

Re: NextDows - Windows on your Next!

NextUX would have been cooler 8-)

Looks like a fun project!
by MonkZy
Fri Mar 04, 2022 5:43 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: zx80 powersupply 3d case anyone ??
Replies: 9
Views: 256

Re: zx80 powersupply 3d case anyone ??

Does anyone have a zx80 PSU and can measure the case? If a case is out there, i can draw up the shape and post the drawing, and the dimensions can be added.
by MonkZy
Fri Mar 04, 2022 5:39 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: zx80 powersupply 3d case anyone ??
Replies: 9
Views: 256

Re: zx80 powersupply 3d case anyone ??

Design it to accept a separate earth pin that pushes through like standard plugs? I think that would be the best way. I was interested to know what 'innards' [mention]jojo[/mention] was going to use, It may be that the original had an inserted earth pin already. It may be that on the original, the ...
by MonkZy
Wed Mar 02, 2022 11:27 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: ZXBaremulator - GPIO "Cursor" Joystick Port
Replies: 14
Views: 2813

Re: ZXBaremulator - GPIO "Cursor" Joystick Port

If you are making the console yourself, the Pi Pico option sounds good if you can master it. For a console you would need a macro for the J shift-P shift-P, a simple 'start game' button. https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-pico-mechanical-keyboard-with-fritzing-circuitpython/code-the-pico-keyboard : Adaf...
by MonkZy
Wed Mar 02, 2022 6:14 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: ZXBaremulator - GPIO "Cursor" Joystick Port
Replies: 14
Views: 2813

Re: ZXBaremulator - GPIO "Cursor" Joystick Port

I have always used a PS3 controller with a USB lead. I think you have to stick to the controllers listed on the ZXB website, there is a reasonably long list but they are all from consoles. Anything off list will be 'suck it and see'.

https://zxmini.speccy.org/en/index.html
by MonkZy
Tue Mar 01, 2022 9:21 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: ZXBaremulator - GPIO "Cursor" Joystick Port
Replies: 14
Views: 2813

Re: ZXBaremulator - GPIO "Cursor" Joystick Port

I missed this, so late reply. The two USB dongles are for when I use retropie on the same box. I have abandoned this setup now, because the GPIO/ZX keyboard is hopeless outside of ZXBaremulator.
by MonkZy
Tue Mar 01, 2022 9:15 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: zx80 powersupply 3d case anyone ??
Replies: 9
Views: 256

Re: zx80 powersupply 3d case anyone ??

Why do you need the print? Is it to repair a broken PSU and you have the original transformer and PCB? or will you use a modern PSU circuit inside? I ask because looking at the original PSU, it would be hard to 3d-print the earth pin in a way that would guarantee it would not snap off in the socket....