Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
- vanpeebles
- Commissario Pebbli
- Posts: 2821
- Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:13 pm
- Location: North East UK
Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
What is the best way to identify a QL? From the outside what is best to look for and are there any lines of code that will identify the rom version etc.
I'm about to do a stock take of my collection and I don't want to open them up if I don't need too
I'm about to do a stock take of my collection and I don't want to open them up if I don't need too
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
And certainly German / Samsung QLs are easy enough to spot as they have the standard 9 pin connectors for Joystick / Serial ports, instead of those crappy BT style connectors.
Cheers,
Phill.
Cheers,
Phill.
- 1024MAK
- Super Gold Card
- Posts: 592
- Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:16 am
- Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
The serial number also may help, the first part gives the so called build standard. The service manual gives details.
However, machines modified or serviced since leaving Sinclair may not have any exterior indications that they have had any work done. Then the build standard information indicated by the serial number may be inaccurate. But, if you compare the results returned by VER$ and the build standard, if they don't tally, you know that the ROM's / EPROM's have been changed (upgraded hopefully).
Mark
However, machines modified or serviced since leaving Sinclair may not have any exterior indications that they have had any work done. Then the build standard information indicated by the serial number may be inaccurate. But, if you compare the results returned by VER$ and the build standard, if they don't tally, you know that the ROM's / EPROM's have been changed (upgraded hopefully).
Mark
Standby alert
“There are four lights!”
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
Looking forward to summer in Somerset later in the year
QL, Falcon, Atari 520STFM, Atari 1040STE, more PC's than I care to count and an assortment of 8 bit micros (Sinclair and Acorn)(nearly forgot the Psion's)
“There are four lights!”
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
Looking forward to summer in Somerset later in the year
QL, Falcon, Atari 520STFM, Atari 1040STE, more PC's than I care to count and an assortment of 8 bit micros (Sinclair and Acorn)(nearly forgot the Psion's)
-
- Font of All Knowledge
- Posts: 3973
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:40 am
- Location: Sunny Runcorn, Cheshire, UK
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
On SMSQ/E:
VER$(-2) : Returns Start of System Variables.
VER$(0) : Returns HBA
VER$(1) : Returns SMSQ/E version
On anything other than SMSQ/E, VER$(0) or VER$() or VER$ give the QL Rom version.
VER$(-2) : Returns Start of System Variables.
VER$(0) : Returns HBA
VER$(1) : Returns SMSQ/E version
On anything other than SMSQ/E, VER$(0) or VER$() or VER$ give the QL Rom version.
Regards,
Derek
Derek
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
where "standard serial port" means "connected as in ZX Interface 1".prime wrote:standard 9 pin connectors for Joystick / Serial ports
CTRL ALT ESC 4 turns keyclick on, if there is Hermes inside (otherwise it is standard 8049).
- vanpeebles
- Commissario Pebbli
- Posts: 2821
- Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:13 pm
- Location: North East UK
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
That's a good one anyway to count the ram? I know one of mine has an internal 512 can't remember if it tells you on screen.
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Well I actually meant that the D9 is a standard connector which the BT like thingy is not The QL is the only place i saw them used apart from on phone equipment.dex wrote:where "standard serial port" means "connected as in ZX Interface 1".prime wrote:standard 9 pin connectors for Joystick / Serial ports
Cheers.
Phill.
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Minerva shows it directly.vanpeebles wrote:That's a good one anyway to count the ram?
Toolkit II has the FREE_MEM function.
Or use PRINT SYS_VARS($20) - (HEX("20000"))
(see http://www.qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=322)
- Mr_Navigator
- QL Fanatic
- Posts: 782
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:17 pm
- Location: UK, Essex
- Contact:
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
There is a significant delay on a 512 ram upgrade you should be able tell just by switching onvanpeebles wrote:That's a good one anyway to count the ram? I know one of mine has an internal 512 can't remember if it tells you on screen.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QLick here for the Back 2 the QL Blog http://backtotheql.blogspot.co.uk/
QLick here for the Back 2 the QL Blog http://backtotheql.blogspot.co.uk/