Search found 3123 matches

by 1024MAK
Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:55 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Making a Scalextric lap counter
Replies: 20
Views: 584

Re: Making a Scalextric lap counter

Yeah, it's now okay :D

Will watch it later.

Mark
by 1024MAK
Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:53 pm
Forum: Website
Topic: 2 second DELAY is FREAK ....
Replies: 5
Views: 432

Re: 2 second DELAY is FREAK ....

See also this topic.

Probably best to post any comments about this problem in the linked to topic rather than continue this topic.

Mark
by 1024MAK
Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:51 pm
Forum: Website
Topic: "Sorry but you cannot use search at this time..."
Replies: 16
Views: 521

Re: "Sorry but you cannot use search at this time..."

The real problem here, is that many built in functions use the search even though the user or member may not be aware that said function is using the search system. For example, using the quick link 'active topics' (top left drop down menu) uses the search system. The second problem is that some oth...
by 1024MAK
Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:33 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Making a Scalextric lap counter
Replies: 20
Views: 584

Re: Making a Scalextric lap counter

No problem, I like helping people.

You may want to check the video settings, it's currently not working, instead we see a "this video is private" message...

Mark
by 1024MAK
Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Incorrect voltages on Spectrum 3b
Replies: 35
Views: 771

Re: Incorrect voltages on Spectrum 3b

The data lines and the keyboard input lines to the ULA are all pulled high by resistors, so yes, without anything to drive them, they should be around VCC (+5V). Which address lines on the ULA socket did you test? IC3 and IC4 will affect A0 to A6. A14 and A15 should be the same level as on the Z80 s...
by 1024MAK
Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:52 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Incorrect voltages on Spectrum 3b
Replies: 35
Views: 771

Re: Incorrect voltages on Spectrum 3b

Note, where I quote 5V, this is assuming your VCC / +5V rail is exactly 5V. So if this rail is 4.9V and you get 4.9V where I state 5V, that's fine. With TR3 removed, the ULA and Z80 not fitted: ULA pin 32 = 5V Z80 pin 6 = 5V TR3 base = 5V TR3 collector = 5V TR3 emitter = 0V Current test (between the...
by 1024MAK
Mon Feb 19, 2024 6:36 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Diagnosing strange 'black screen' video issue
Replies: 6
Views: 246

Re: Diagnosing strange 'black screen' video issue

So, from what I can tell, IC1, the ULA and IC14, the LM1889 are okay.

The problem appears to be TR1, R52 or the components or PCB tracks in this part of the circuit.

Mark
by 1024MAK
Sun Feb 18, 2024 7:14 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Diagnosing strange 'black screen' video issue
Replies: 6
Views: 246

Re: Diagnosing strange 'black screen' video issue

Hello Snipey and welcome :D Question, was this failure mode present before you started work on this board. Specificity, before you renewed TR1, TR2 and the axial electrolytic capacitors. - in the mean time, the Spectrum remains fully functional, even after the screen is black Can you please expand o...
by 1024MAK
Sun Feb 18, 2024 12:02 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

That, but also because of how the ROM code detects how much RAM is present. The ROM is not testing to see how much working RAM there is, it's only testing to see how much RAM there is. This is an important distinction, as the test used assumes that all RAM that is present is fully working. The ROM c...
by 1024MAK
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:45 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Who do you buy your spare parts from
Replies: 8
Views: 397

Re: Who do you buy your spare parts from

Adrian45 wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:05 pm Just spent 20 min on Retroleum.co.uk , 16 items in my basket , went to pay and they only take paypal.
Have you tried contacting the site owner to ask about paying by credit card. He is normally very helpful.

Mark
by 1024MAK
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:42 pm
Forum: Games/Software
Topic: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?
Replies: 67
Views: 1746

Re: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?

Oh, and I feel that the small minority with an "80K" RAM upgrade are being left out :cry: Technically it is also possible to have a 32K Speccy (16K rubber key with 16K of expansion RAM). I don't know if anyone ever made expansion packs or fitted suitable DRAM chips internally for this thou...
by 1024MAK
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:38 pm
Forum: Games/Software
Topic: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?
Replies: 67
Views: 1746

Re: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?

Yeah but, no, but... Are we speaking about "straight" AY sound chip data, music notation, samples or what? 6K bytes of AY sound chip music data <> as data for samples. Then there is the mass storage system being used. Real tape LOADing on a real ZX Spectrum is rather slower than being LOAD...
by 1024MAK
Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:55 pm
Forum: Website
Topic: Forum e-mail alerts corrupted?
Replies: 7
Views: 239

Re: Forum e-mail alerts corrupted?

Last one I had was okay...
Image

Mark
by 1024MAK
Thu Feb 15, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

No problem.

It's a lot easier when a DRAM chip fails and produces a binary 1 regardless. When they produce 'random' outputs or bianry zeros, it's a bit more tricky.

Mark
by 1024MAK
Thu Feb 15, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Games/Software
Topic: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?
Replies: 67
Views: 1746

Re: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?

And artists are often capricious people ;) They may draw some stuff that won't fit you from a coding point of view, as the others said. If you tell them to redraw it, they will get offended and leave. That's it, I'm done with this, I quit, you can finish this topic on your own... :twisted: Mark PS ...
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:18 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

strangely the speaker makes no sound when i connect the meter - still reads 39 ohm , the diaphram looks good , moves nicely - does not appear to be held up from vibrating , but no noise - can i put 5 volts into it ? Err, not if you want it to work after. Wire a 220Ω or similar resistor in series to...
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:11 pm
Forum: Games/Software
Topic: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?
Replies: 67
Views: 1746

Re: How big should new Speccy games be? 48k? Bigger? Release 2 versions?

So… I was doing some AY music for an upcoming game by @gabriele amore. The actual game is under 48k, so I figured I'd have over 80k for the music, since it can only play on 128k machines. :shock: Oi! My AY card for the rubber key / + Speccy says otherwise... :dance As this is a hobby, I went for op...
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:23 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

I will be replacing every cap in the machine Just the electros I presume? Apart from C5 to C8 I mentioned above, the ceramics don't normally cause any problems. took the speaker out , getting 39 ohms across the terminals , from reading , thats good Yes. Does it click if you tap a meter lead as you ...
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:55 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

I feel your pain. Buying items from abroad is now a right pain. The U.K. leaving the E.U. has not helped. The real problem is IMHO called VAT. But let's not get into politics. Else we will get into trouble (in this forum, talking politics is almost taboo). The owner of Retroleum is very helpful. But...
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:04 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

Tell ya what, here a link to the seller I recommend ;-)

Mark
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:02 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

Adrian45 wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:55 pm its a 128K +2 B Mark

Opened it up and had a look - what I think are 4 ram chips , socketed

one of these work ?
Only if shoehorned in.. These are 64k X 4 bit types, hence the pin-out is not the same.

Mark
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:42 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

Post above edited.
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:40 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

So, I'm back :!: :P :lol: For a replacement chip, you either need a TMS4532 - 15NL3 (which are long out of production and nearly as rare as a live Dodo). Or a 4164 DRAM chip, preferable a Texas Instruments (TMS) one. Although various other makes will work as well. If you find any or intend to buy so...
by 1024MAK
Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:59 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Cant load anything
Replies: 41
Views: 1138

Re: Cant load anything

Yes, different DRAM chips are used for 'lower' and 'upper' RAM. 4116 are not suitable to replace a upper DRAM chip.

Be back later, as the site is about to go off-line...

Mark
by 1024MAK
Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:16 pm
Forum: Games/Software
Topic: C.S.S.C.G.C 2024 is/will be/has open/ing/ed
Replies: 102
Views: 4587

Re: C.S.S.C.G.C 2024 is/will be/has open/ing/ed


H2G2 detected :!:

Mark