New QL user & owner

[MetroZodiac]

Thank you all for the advice; I have attached some extra photos of the case as requested.

For some reason, none of the led lights are present, neither is the wiring, but the socket is on the motherboard where these plug into.

Also, there was a screw missing on the case, and the membrane was disconnected (and fell apart so bought a replacement), so maybe someone has been inside this before.

I have also emailed the Russian chap regarding interfaces, thank you for the info.

[Chr$]

Yes, it's the early case type, missing the 3 vent holes at the back. Was it a random ebay find?

Without the LEDs fitted, I wonder if they ever were.

[MetroZodiac]

Yes I found this on ebay, along with some other miscellaneous spectrum items.

Did the majority of software require additional RAM? Or were they all designed to run with the original 128k?

Looking at the board, there is a jumper wire running underneath from one end to the other, but looks original. All the solder points look original and nothing looks 'messy'.

There was an old RGB cable that came with it, with a connector I hadn't seen before....looks like it may have connected to an 80s Japanese TV/monitor (might be a digital RGB connector).

[Chr$]

Yes I found this on ebay, along with some other miscellaneous spectrum items.

Did the majority of software require additional RAM? Or were they all designed to run with the original 128k?

Looking at the board, there is a jumper wire running underneath from one end to the other, but looks original. All the solder points look original and nothing looks 'messy'.

There was an old RGB cable that came with it, with a connector I hadn't seen before....looks like it may have connected to an 80s Japanese TV/monitor (might be a digital RGB connector).

Most of the original software runs on 128k. Later things (including very useful things) benefit hugely from more RAM and it's also very useful to have for a RAMdisk. Be interesting to see where the jumper wire goes to and what it does.

Seriously though, it's a rare beastie and even though lots of upgrades are plug-in and therefore ultimately removeable, I really think it should be left as original as possible. I'd even swap for cash and a 'normal' working QL. But enough on that subject (of you ever want to sell it you can find me via my website), I'm also very interested in seeing more of an Issue 2 up close.

I wonder what ROM version is on those EPROMS labelled 'BASIC'. Do you have an EPROM reader? I bet it had the dongle originally, it's that early.

Edit: I think the 8049 with 'Blown' written on it might indicate that it's been written with the code, just to differentiate it from a blank one. You should probably cover that glass window to prevent UV getting in and wiping any data.

[QLvsJAGUAR]

Hi MetroZodiac & Welcome to the QL community!

Speaking of QL community, I was off a while due to life and work issues, plus the fact that I had to move my Retro Lab & Collection to a new place recently. Just last night I had a short look into the forum and just saw this thread. Coincidence?

I'm with Chr$, this QL should be left exactly as it is as it is a historic item of Sinclair history. If any work to be done, then only fix what got broken over the years and revert mods done by previous owners.

Plus, the EPROM code should be saved & shared with the QL community. Some 5 years ago, I saved and shared the PM ROM.
https://www.sinclairql.net/repository.html#Firmware

From the pictures provided, I see potential problems:
- IPC: D8749H with label BLOWN, most likely sticked-on by one of the previous owners (Sinclair did usually stick round yellow labels on early machines IPCs, see: https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=C250D874 ... 11&o=OneUp), if this IC is not working anymore as intended > to be replaced by a original Philips/NEC IPC with masked ROM 8049H SZX83V0*7.
- Master Chip ZX8301: CLA2310 with date code 8449 (week 49 of 1984) is definitely not the original IC this machine had. Most likely it had a gold plated IC (similar to the ZX8302) or a ceramic package with date code 8402
- Most likely this QL came with a ROM port dongle holding at least additional 16 KB of the firmware (in a third 27128 EPROM IC), usually labelled 8000 (at address 8000 Hex). Do you have got a ROM port dongle or any additional EPROM ICs?

Regarding (early) QLs and this specific unit with a ZX-23 ISS. 2 PCB, some additional information/resources/question:
- https://www.sinclairql.net/build_standards.html
- https://onedrive.live.com/?id=C250D8748 ... 748980CE5A
- https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=C250D874 ... 79&o=OneUp
- Please look for a date code on component side of PCB, most likely left of CTL2, there should be a date code like 8350. Right?

Can you please do a full scale PCB view picture from expansion port on the left to reset button on the right?

What a happy rainy Sunday!

Best regards,
Urs

[Chr$]

Hello Urs. I kept meaning to tell you that your images at:

https://www.sinclairql.net/pic/

don't work, but I suspect you've noticed that (hence the onedrive images)!

[MetroZodiac]

Without knowing what works and what doesnt work (until I've had the RGB cable delivered and done some basic checks) I won't know whats/whats not working, and take it from there. I don't have an EPROM reader unfortunately, I will however leave everything as it is. It has date code 8350.

Attached is the picture of the PCB.

[Chr$]

Nice one. Lots of '83 date codes. The heatsink is an earlier shaped type. Don't know why there's another 7805 regulator next to the right-most SER port. Lots of bodge wires, all very interesting indeed.

[MetroZodiac]

The pink wires are for the speaker, just to save any confusion. I can only identify x1 blue wire underneath.

Could anyone advise on any multimeter/oscillioscope tests to carry out first? (I'm a dab hand with spectrums and commodore amigas but not QLs!)

[Chr$]

Looks like it's all there, so perhaps remove and re-seat the socketed chips and then try it out for a very short time to see if you get a picture (even just with an RF cable and suitable TV). Hopefully you'll see the normal boot screen, but if you don't it may reveal clues and you can investigate further. It may just work, very often they do. Make sure the 7805 regulator on the black heat sink is properly attached to it as it will get very hot if left on for too long. Monitor that other 7805 too to make sure it also doesn't get too hot.