Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Printable Version

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Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 03-05-2022

The very, very first "computer" I ever had, was a ZX Spectrum "Toast Rack", I unfortunately no longer have that system, so I'm setting out to build up a complete system!

These are fantastic little machines featuring a really cool modular deign philosophy! SUPER COOL!!!!

The first acquisition I've made in this regard is the following: (A Sinclair ZX Spectrum Expansion System)





The aim here is to build up a system like this one:



Another item that I'm going to purchase is one of these: (A divMMC Future - JUMPERLESS SD Card Interface for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.)



Allowing me to run all of the software off of an SD card. (These work incredibly well)

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - theinonen - 03-07-2022

ZX Spectrum is my favourite 8-bit computer of all 8-bit computers and only MSX comes close.

I have mainly collected Russian ZX Spectrum clones myself and currently have about 16 of those.

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 03-22-2022

I received my ZX Spectrum Interface 1 today and here's a closer look:

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 05-02-2022

I've just bought this ZX Spectrum Issue 1, with the following board number: 1412

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 05-03-2022

This ZX Spectrum issue 1 has all of its original components, which were installed in 1982, so the thing's literally 40 years old. (Many Issue 1's have already been re-capped, so they're not original!)

I'm starting to think that it won't be a good idea to re-cap and run it, as this could effect its future value as a collectors piece. (What are your thoughts on this.)

I still plan on getting a "Toast Rack" as well, which I'll have no problem re-capping and running!

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 05-13-2022

Here's the setup as it stands for now:





I'll soon have this next component on the way: (A ZX Interface 2, which plugs into the rear of the Interface 1, which is already fitted.)

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 05-14-2022

Here's a pic of my system's main board:



The system isn't powering up at all, at this point. So I'm going to follow the procedure as shown in this video to fault find: (I suspect a power circuit failure at this point, and I will also re-cap the system, as it was put together in 1982!!!)

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 05-14-2022

I checked all of the voltages, and they seem fine!

I carried out the composite mod to enable it to output through my Indy and this is what I got:



I found this site which explains exactly what this fault is: (It'a a RAM failure! BIT 0, so it's IC6, the fact that there's the white boarder indicates that the ROM and Processor are working correctly, so it's not a total loss!!!!)

https://spectrumforeveryone.com/features/quickly-diagnose-48k-ram-failures-ninja-style/



I'm wondering if the prime cause of this failure is not due to the fact that the machine needs to be re-capped?

I suppose this is what this hobby's about!!! Getting broken things that cost you a small fortune up and running and learning something along the way!!!

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Irinikus - 05-14-2022

I just ordered a full set of new Lower RAM chips, including sockets, an extruded heatsink for the ULA, and all of the caps necessary to re-cap the machine! (I suppose they'll take at least a month to get here!)

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RE: Sinclair ZX Spectrum - vishnu - 05-14-2022

The area to the right of the crystal oscillator on the mainboard looks kind of gruesome... 😲

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