C5ALIVE Forum

C5Alive Forum - Archive Section => General Archive => Complete Archive => Welcome To The Forum => Topic started by: Robosoft on 01, August, 2011 - 22:19:31

Title: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 01, August, 2011 - 22:19:31

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/6003412966_0670786ccb_m.jpg)

I have been using this site for a couple of weeks now and didn't see this section so here goes.

From a new member to any other new members.

    This is a great site - I had a life long ambition to own a C5.  When a friend said he just got one I said "thats it, its time." 

    Within days I got one from the for sale section on here.

About me.

I am a computer engineer / programmer by trade and owe it all to Sir Clive.

       If anybody needs help with electronics I'm your man.  Have fixed a few c5 pods and main boards now - and its only been two weeks.

Thats it for now.     

And when does the grin where off!
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 02, August, 2011 - 08:56:07
Please check out my QL forum:

http://www.qlforum.co.uk/

Nice to see all those Sinclair machines in your sig  8)
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 02, August, 2011 - 10:53:53
Nice QL forum will join later today.

Some good stuff in there.

I am more of a spectrum fan - I got a Boxed QL to help complete my boxed collection.  My prized Sinclair computer is a never used sealed Spectrum 128k  -   The last true sinclair branded computer.

Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 02, August, 2011 - 11:02:10
I have a heatsink 128k but it's faulty. The only two Sinclairs I don't have is the +3 (which I've never fancied being Amstrad and those awful discs) and the zx80 which always goes for a fortune. Have you tried the z88 notepad computer?
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: copendriver on 02, August, 2011 - 15:57:19
Welcome  ;D

I too have only just taken ownership of my 1st C5 within the last few weeks & grin has yet to wear off.

I was a Spectrum 48K Child and still bear the scars! In that I've an RSI injured small finger from hours of computer play as a kid! One game in particular called "Harrier" or something like that, utilized a key in the extreme Right Hand Side of the keyboard for missile launch & I blame this completely!!!! Still it's a small price to pay for the hours of fun I had.

Neil
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 02, August, 2011 - 16:29:42
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dm2ifr53sM

Harrier Attack?
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: radiomarty on 02, August, 2011 - 16:51:18
Hi Robosoft - great to have you on board - I worked as a electronics prototype engineer back in the 80's and have been fixing control boxes etc for a while now and recently started to look into the pod problems - I have a number now with duff ULA chips giving a motor load on full indication - I know in the past it has been possible to get over certain problems with the ULA chip by using external components attached to the pins - is this something you think you maybe able to look into and overcome - it would be good to maybe get together and bounce some ideas around - Regards Marty
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: copendriver on 02, August, 2011 - 16:56:13
Harrier Attack!

Now that's a blast from the past, yup this was the game alright!

Thanks Van.

Neil
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Karl on 02, August, 2011 - 18:51:36
Good to have you on the c5alive forum mate  8)

As radiomarty says, we are starting to take a more serious look at the pod problem - maybe we could meet up and discuss a few options over a cold beer sometime  ;D
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 02, August, 2011 - 21:04:01
As i have yet to see a board with a ula fault - i have never tried a work around.

Two things

1.  I have a great link with dennis ferranti R&D Labs,  Who made the original ULA's for the spectrums.   They also have a dept. for sourcing old obsolete components (may be able to get the c5 ula).

They have helped me out with some rare zx transistors no longer made.  They also take on small projects and make circuits in runs as low as 20x

2.  My farther in-law is a radio and tv engineer.  b4 retirement worked the local university electronics dept.  If anyone can put together a replacement ULA - via PIC Chip OR SX Chip to perform the same function he is the man.  But I see work on a replacement ULA has already been done.

So plenty of scope for something.





Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 02, August, 2011 - 21:12:15
I have a heatsink 128k but it's faulty. The only two Sinclairs I don't have is the +3 (which I've never fancied being Amstrad and those awful discs) and the zx80 which always goes for a fortune. Have you tried the z88 notepad computer?

No not tried the z88 I went the way of the psion organiser 2.  Did bid on one last year via ebay.  Its a cambridge computer - not sure how much sir Clive had to do with it.  Would have loved to see the prototype spectrum portable he was working on (his spectrum come flat tv + microdrive).   I guess he settled on the z88 as Amstrad would have had the rights to all previous designs.

Do you want your 128k fixing? 


(http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showscreen.cgi?screen=screens/in-game/h/HarrierAttack.gif)


Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: radiomarty on 02, August, 2011 - 21:40:55

1.  I have a great link with dennis ferranti R&D Labs,  Who made the original ULA's for the spectrums.   They also have a dept. for sourcing old obsolete components (may be able to get the c5 ula).

They have helped me out with some rare zx transistors no longer made.  They also take on small projects and make circuits in runs as low as 20x


Now that sounds very exciting - please make some enquiries if possible
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 02, August, 2011 - 22:04:38
I have a heatsink 128k but it's faulty. The only two Sinclairs I don't have is the +3 (which I've never fancied being Amstrad and those awful discs) and the zx80 which always goes for a fortune. Have you tried the z88 notepad computer?

No not tried the z88 I went the way of the psion organiser 2.  Did bid on one last year via ebay.  Its a cambridge computer - not sure how much sir Clive had to do with it.  Would have loved to see the prototype spectrum portable he was working on (his spectrum come flat tv + microdrive).   I guess he settled on the z88 as Amstrad would have had the rights to all previous designs.

Do you want your 128k fixing? 


(http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showscreen.cgi?screen=screens/in-game/h/HarrierAttack.gif)




I might do actually it's a shame to have it broken. Does the PSU you use for it matter? As I didn't have the original one. I also have a Psion II organiser  ;D
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 02, August, 2011 - 22:23:15
yes the psu is higher rated then the 48k  versions. 

Do you get a picture (or a nice black screen)

I miss my Psion    I lent it to some one and can't remember who.
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Lancealot on 02, August, 2011 - 22:27:34
Sorry guys but I was a Commadore VIC20 kid. Just got a disc with all the different commadore emulators & 3500 games... Roll on VIC Blitz....................... ;D ;D ;D ;D

Lance
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Karl on 03, August, 2011 - 10:31:48
I had the Binatone games console as a kid, my dad would only allow me to play it using the portable TV in case it damaged the TV in the lounge ! All the games were similar to each other such as "tennis" and "football"  ;D Proper basic stuff  :D
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 03, August, 2011 - 11:29:08
my dad would only allow me to play it using the portable TV in case it damaged the TV in the lounge !

Hahaha you forget all the old rules like that :) Was it brown and orange?
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Karl on 03, August, 2011 - 22:07:53
Oh yes ...and with the lovely "blip blip" noise each time the "paddle" hit the "ball"  ;D

Cutting edge stuff - we were so proud of it.......then along came the Atari console  :-*
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 07, August, 2011 - 08:30:32
yes the psu is higher rated then the 48k  versions. 

Do you get a picture (or a nice black screen)

I miss my Psion    I lent it to some one and can't remember who.

If I remember rightly it just had a black screen. Also you will need to add a Z88 to your collection it's a proper Sinclair machine, Cambridge was his new company after selling on Sinclair to Amstrad(spit spit).

ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/company-pics/SinclairResearchLtd/SirCliveSinclair-HoldingTheZ88.jpg


Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 07, August, 2011 - 22:26:50
Black screen on spectrum 128k - simple fix - 12v Power Down.

I had an email the other day on a z88 that i bid on but lost (Buyer hasn't paid yet) - So im in with a chance. 
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 07, August, 2011 - 23:27:55
12v power down?
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 08, August, 2011 - 00:23:33
the 12v rail is dead

usually just a transistor

very common  -  normally due to wrong psu    if i remember the neg is the centre pin of the psu.  most people try a psu which is pos in the centre pin or is the wrong voltage.

I purchase 2x 128k 's  two years ago and both had the same fault   full black screen.

1st was transistor and 5v reg   (previous owner tried to fix and put in a 9v reg)
2nd the same transistor as the 1st



Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Retro Andy on 08, August, 2011 - 18:14:08
Here's the pictures of some of my collection from C5-25

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm29/retroandy/006-3.jpg)

Retro Andy.
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: PLOD11 on 08, August, 2011 - 20:53:24
Hi Andy

Dont know if you have the advert / leaflet for your sinclair TV ?  If not i found one amongst my stuff here if you want it.

John
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 08, August, 2011 - 22:24:44
Love the photo.

Is that a Sinclair 2000 monitor?

Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Retro Andy on 09, August, 2011 - 07:01:23
Hi John, the the sinclair tv is radiomarty's if you mean the one on the right of the picture. The pocket tv isn't a sinclair, but I have since bought a sinclair pocket tv, which came in the box with all the leaflets and the flat battery which still works ! Many thanks,

Retro Andy.
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 09, August, 2011 - 09:23:36
Great pic :) I have an astro wars too. Is that a Sinclair monitor from a PC200? I never played on a vectrex either, they went for loads at one point.
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Retro Andy on 10, August, 2011 - 06:21:56
The vectrex was very popular on the day, the younger kids really enjoyed playing on it, made a chance from playing on their DSi or playstations.

Retro Andy
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: PLOD11 on 11, August, 2011 - 03:19:01
Andy

Its the TV you have, i remember you saying you had got one, this is the leaflet i have, if you already have not to worry. 8)

I have the long thin version with the small screen at the front, you hang it round your neck, not much use anymore now we have gone digital !!  :'(
John

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/PLOD11/DSCF2275.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/PLOD11/DSCF2277.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/PLOD11/DSCF2279.jpg)

Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Robosoft on 11, August, 2011 - 11:28:14
I purchased a sinclair TV brand new from a store.

It worked for 5 Secs and died.   I knew it was the battery. (Same battery from a Polaroid Camera i think - Flat like a pancake.)

As the shop owner didn't have a spare battery he gave me a refund.  Was gutted.   Cost £60

I assume the battery was flat as it had been on his shelf for 10yrs.

Shop gone now - I wonder what happend to that TV.
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: shaggy91 on 11, August, 2011 - 20:30:01
At least i'm not the only one who is an avid collector of 80's technology.  Just added a Z88 to the collection - not a bad piece of kit.  Still gotta get a BBC/Acorn Electron, oric 1/atmos and ZX80 though the ZX80 is one of those pieces that when they do pop on ebay they command a high price.

Regards

Shaggy91
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: Hondaman68 on 11, August, 2011 - 21:06:34
At least i'm not the only one who is an avid collector of 80's technology.  Just added a Z88 to the collection - not a bad piece of kit.  Still gotta get a BBC/Acorn Electron, oric 1/atmos and ZX80 though the ZX80 is one of those pieces that when they do pop on ebay they command a high price.

Regards

Is this you Adrian?  Ha ha.   What about the Dragon 64 then?

Chris S
Shaggy91
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: shaggy91 on 11, August, 2011 - 21:37:43
Okay yeah and the Dragon 64 boxed if possible.........Seriously i am running out of room to stash these things...
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: vanpeebles on 12, August, 2011 - 09:16:30
Hehehe I just got a Z88 too, very impressive little machine.

http://www.qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=199
Title: Re: How Rude....
Post by: C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER on 12, August, 2011 - 18:01:24
I also have a few old computers zx81 +micro drive +printer .Plus spectrum's + amstrad with green screen monitors + apricot laptop + newbrain + commodore 64..and loads of games all in the loft gathering dust..