19 résultats trouvés

par RWAP
09 mars 2012 11:14
Forum : Silicium in English
Sujet : Release of the Sinclair QL Games Collection 1
Réponses : 1
Vues : 8528

Release of the Sinclair QL Games Collection 1

Thanks to work by Daniele Terdina and Jiri Dolezal, we have now released the Sinclair QL Games Collection 1.

This is a set of 10 commercial games for you to play on a Windows based PC, running under Q-emulator for £10

We hope this will help distil the comments that the QL was only ever a business machine and will hopefully help promote the QL itself.

The games included are:

Cuthbert in Space by Steve Bak and S J Proctor
Deathstrike by Damon Chaplin and T. Bovingdon
Hoverzone by R G Riley
Jungle Eddi by Stefan Kuhne
QL Hopper by Steve Bak and S J Proctor
QL Pengi by Jochen Merz and R. Bieniek
QL Vroom by Daniel Macré
Stone Raider II by Alex J Herbert
The King by C H Robertson Consultants
The Lost Pharaoh by Stefan Kuhne

More details appear at:
http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detail ... ion_1-2152
par RWAP
14 déc. 2011 10:28
Forum : Silicium in English
Sujet : New ZX-ULA2
Réponses : 0
Vues : 7485

New ZX-ULA2

An upgraded / replacement ULA for the Sinclair ZX81 is now available.

The ZX-ULA2 is a direct replacement for the standard ULA used in the Sinclair ZX81 home computer.

The ULA is a custom chip designed by Sinclair Research Limited and is responsible for control of the functions of the ZX81, including the screen. Early ULAs were dogged by the lack of a back porch signal, which results in black text on a dark background on modern colour and LCD TVs. Until now, if you had one of these chips, you were stuck with either looking for one of the later ULAs (which are rare), or installing a modification, such as the ZXvid module, which alters the composite video signal and adds a back porch signal.

However, the ZX-ULA2 has now been designed to replace both of these ULAs and provide extra functionality for the Sinclair ZX81 at the same time. It will also work to turn a ZX81 in ZX80 mode (with a suitable ZX80 ROM), and also works with the Timex-Sinclair TS1000 computers (but not the TS1500).

Features include: -
• Built in composite video circuit, complete with back porch signal
• Switch between 50Hz and 60Hz output for testing of software which may be used in the USA and Canada
• Switch between black no white or white on black screen output
• Enable the M1Not modification - this allows machine code routines to run in the 32K-48K RAM region of memory.
• Turbo function, which enables the machine to operate at 6.5Mhz compared to the original ZX81 speed of 3.25Mhz. In SLOW mode, the computer will automatically drop out of TURBO to generate the display and switch back when performing another operation.

Each feature can be controlled from within software using a simple POKE command, thereby allowing you to disable Turbo for some programs, and enable it for others.

You can purchase the ZX-ULA2 from SellMyRetro.com
par RWAP
07 juin 2011 20:54
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : floppy sur QL
Réponses : 3
Vues : 5427

Re: floppy sur QL

Congratulations.

You can use a normal PC disk drive - but need to try and ensure it is (a) DD drive (or just use DD disks), and (b) it is set as DS0 (not DS1 as normal on a PC). You can normally achieve this by swapping pins 10 and 12 on a straight floppy cable...
par RWAP
31 mai 2011 22:30
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : floppy sur QL
Réponses : 3
Vues : 5427

Re: floppy sur QL

Have a look at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILICON-EXPRESS-I ... 5d2eeaaaae

I don't have any interfaces in stock at the moment
par RWAP
31 mai 2011 07:43
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : .
Réponses : 21
Vues : 19446

Re: Un lecteur de disquette sans disquette sur Zx81.

Xavier a écrit :Salut,

Oui, la carte ne peut pas être gratuite !
Mais, ce montage existe t'il en kit... à monter soi même?
Hmm - not quite sure what you are asking here ..... (Google translate does not help much!)
The interface does not exist as a kit - the designer decided that would cause too manyproblems, so we only supply them built.
par RWAP
30 mai 2011 21:47
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : .
Réponses : 21
Vues : 19446

Re: Un lecteur de disquette sans disquette sur Zx81.

I ought to correct the original post as well - the ZXpand supports FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 !

I know that you are not moaning about the fact that it is sold 'for profit' really, but this can be a useful discussion as people tend to think that developers should sell their new projects for the cost of parts.

It is always a commercial decision as to whether to charge just the cost of the interface, but any profit is actually split with the designer (SirMorris), who also makes the interfaces.

The price reflects various factors:
- cost of parts to make each interface
- time to make each interface
- cost and time of developing the interface originally (including failed prototypes)
- cost of the finance to be able to build 100 units at a time.

I guess the point is that hardware which is sold for just the cost of the parts soon loses its appeal with the developer and that is then a greater loss to the community, as they will not go on to make new things.

As it is, sales help us to invest in new ideas and new projects, as well as ensuring that the ZXpand will continue to be developed and supported over the years to come!
par RWAP
30 mai 2011 21:21
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : .
Réponses : 21
Vues : 19446

Re: Un lecteur de disquette sans disquette sur Zx81.

Many thanks for the advert - we have started to promote this interface today - it is called the ZXpand interface:

The ZXpand interface is a brand new interface for the Sinclair ZX81 Home Computer which provides the following facilities:

• SD Memory Card reader - for instant loading from / saving to .p files (used by ZX81 emulators)

• 32K of configurable RAM memory, which can then be set up to use the various hi-resolution graphics schemes for the Sinclair ZX81

• New keywords are added to the system ROM to allow you to load and save programs, produce a catalogue of files on the memory card, configure the ZXpand Interface, and delete files.

• You can still load programs from cassette as well as using the interface, to allow you to copy files onto the SD memory card

• Sub-directories are supported on the memory card.

• The new ROM can be switched off once a program is loaded for full compatability.

• There is a built in reset button to reset the ZX81 without having to pull the power lead.

• You can connect a 9 pin joystick socket to enable you to use it with specially written games, or converted games, such as the latest game, 'Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle '81' by the Mojon Twins.

• We are working on a daughterboard which will plug into the ZXpand and provide an AY sound card!
par RWAP
16 mars 2011 09:05
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : Missing Sinclair QL Software
Réponses : 0
Vues : 3462

Missing Sinclair QL Software

Does anyone have copies of the missing software listed at the start of the thread at:

http://www.qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42

This is needed for the QL software preservation project - there are a few French / Belgian / Dutch software companies on that list - for example Pyramide.

We would also like to hear from the QL software companies / programmers responsible for commercial software, for the Sinclair QL Wiki(and maybe re-releasing some of the software)
par RWAP
16 mars 2011 09:02
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : sinclair QL
Réponses : 1
Vues : 4783

Re: sinclair QL

The easiest way is to find a QL disk interface and a 3.5" disk drive which can be used with the Sinclair QL.

I have a couple of PCML Q+Disk Interfaces (which include extra memory also) for £30 each plus postage.

You then need a disk drive - I have cased external dual disk drives (complete with power supply and cable to the QL) for £90 each plus postage (about £30 to France). Ideally you want a DD disk drive, and note that you cannot use a PC disk drive and cable out of the box - you have to first of all use a straight (untwisted) cable and see if you can set up the floppy disk drive as DS0 (master) - PC drives are shipped with them set to DS1 (slave) which will not work.

Some disk drives have a jumper to allow you to switch from DS0 to DS1, or a solder pad, but the majority have nothing to help here. In that case, you can sometimes get away with swapping pins 10 and 12 on the floppy disk drive cable.

Another alternative is to use the HxC floppy disk emulator - see http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detail ... es%29-1140

This allows you to save to a disk image on an SD memory card instead.

Once you have the hardware sorted, you will need to enable Toolkit II or disk commands, with TK2_EXT or FLP_EXT (depending on your hardware).

Then enter the command:

WCOPY mdv1_ TO flp1_

This will copy the files across.

If you want the files to run from disk, you then have a couple of options:
FLP_USE mdv

will allow the files to run as they are (unless they are copy protected in which case you may still need the original microdrive cartridge).

or, use an Editor (such as The Editor by Digital Precision) to change all references in the files from mdv1_ (or mdv2_) to flp1_

:)

An even better way of transferring files (once you have the hardware sorted out), is dependent on having either a Trump Card / Gold Card / Super Gold Card interface with your QL, OR if you do not have one of these, then the RAM disk supplied with QRAM.

This allows you to make a fast sector copy of the microdrive cartridges to RAM disk, with
FORMAT ram1_mdv1

Corrupt files are marked with an asterisk at the end ( *), so you know which are problem files. You can then try to recover the problem files by either using FORMAT ram2_mdv2, or trying to find a backup cartridge.

Once you have all the files in the ram disk, then use
WCOPY ram1_ TO flp1_

as above.
:D
par RWAP
03 févr. 2011 13:21
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : Extremely rare example of a Sinclair QL with Dongle
Réponses : 0
Vues : 3546

Extremely rare example of a Sinclair QL with Dongle

We have now managed to resurrect an early example of the Sinclair QL home computer as it was first unveiled to the expectant media, complete with the slow v1 Psion software and the infamous Dongle (or Kludge) which contained one third of the QL's operating system.

In 26 years of being involved with the QL, this is the first example we have ever come across and we have managed to resurrect it, complete with early microdrive units and the AH operating system and very early First Edition manual (predates the First Edition dated 6/84).

All of these machines were sent back to Sinclair for upgrades (to replace the operating system with one needing two ROM chips fitted internally, plus various hardware modifications to make the QL more reliable and even useable!).

We even found one of the three EPROM chips required for the PM version of QDOS. Unfortunately, the other two chips (and their code) are missing.

PM was one of the earliest versions of QDOS (pre-release).

It was followed by FB which may never have left the factory - we know that Psion had to alter their boot programs to cope with the difference in the AT command in the FB ROM compared to later QL ROMs (they didn't bother checking for the earlier PM ROM). No-one else had to make this change or ever use it, so it looks as though by the time the public got their hands on the QL, the operating system was at least AH (which was soon followed by JM, JS and MG ROMs).

The biggest surprise to us when putting this machine back together, was the fact that it seems to work quite well, despite the Kludge and lack of modifications to the motherboard / ZX8302 chip etc. The microdrive units both seem reliable, and if anything, they are much quicker at formatting microdrive cartridges than the later models, although they only seem to be able to format in the region of 210/212 sectors (compared to later ones which could do 222/225 on average, up to 229/231 sectors on one QL we have here).

This could be a unique QL and it is unlikely any other Sinclair collector will have one like it in their collection (we would love to find other examples of this and maybe find the missing PM ROM code at some stage).

Sorry for the plug, but we are traders, so we have therefore decided to list it [edit modo] Sorry, no auctions here, no exceptions [/edit modo]
par RWAP
24 janv. 2011 12:54
Forum : Sinclair
Sujet : ZX Microdrive
Réponses : 13
Vues : 10213

Re: ZX Microdrive

Issues with reading Microdrive cartridges can be down to various reasons:

a) The data is corrupt due to ageing of the magnetic tape.

b) Mechanical issue with the cartridge - often the small felt pad between the plastic case and the exposed area of tape (this sits on a small metal spring) is too worn away to apply enough pressure to push the tape against the tape head. This can be replaced with some care, but the method does not work very well.

Sometimes the pad has split and part of it has stuck to the tape itself or gone inside the cartridge - this can lead to the tape jamming or running too slowly.

c) Mechanical issue with the microdrive unit. One of the main problems here is the small rubber wheel which you can see on the left hand side of the microdrive cartridge slot when you look through it.

- The rubber wheel can rise up the metal post on which it sits (you can try pushing it back down, but you need to ensure a small gap - 0.5mm below the bottom of the wheel - I normally use a piece of thin card until the wheel is pushed back down, and then remove the card).

- The rubber wheel also becomes badly worn - luckily only the top half of the wheel wears away, therefore you can often simply turn the wheel upside down and use the other half!

d) Finally, clean the tape head, as you would a cassette tape, with some alcohol and a cotton bud.
par RWAP
14 janv. 2011 13:33
Forum : Tous les ordinateurs
Sujet : Enterprise 64 /128 Home Computer
Réponses : 1
Vues : 4374

Enterprise 64 /128 Home Computer

The Enterprise 64 and 128 computers marked an odd history in the development of the computer.

Developed by Intelligent Software in the UK, the computers were actually quite a good machine. It had a built in operating system (EXOS) as well as a built in screen editor, word-processor and BASIC.

The memory could be expanded up to 4MB and the machine was built into a large case with full sized keyboard, built-in joystick and programmable function keys.

The machine also had various graphics mode, supporting up to 256 colours (at 80 x 256), 16 colours (320x256), 4 colours and 2 colours at a maximum resolution of 640x512.

Built in sound chips, RGB output, RS232/RS423 serial port, centronics printer port, external joystick ports, cassette interfaces and ROM cartrdge slots made this machine easily adaptable to your needs. You could even use a ZX Spectrum emulator ROM cartridge to allow you to use ZX Spectrum software with the machine.

Unfortunately, it is believed only 80,000 units were made - with 20,000 of them being shipped to Hungary, where a large user base still exists today - with its own large forum at http://enterpriseforever.com/

We have now arranged for replacement keyboard membranes to be made for this machine - see
http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detail ... brane-1344
par RWAP
13 janv. 2011 21:42
Forum : Tous les ordinateurs
Sujet : carte QL
Réponses : 10
Vues : 9007

Re: carte QL

Hi - maybe I can help if this query is still outstanding?

Google translation of the french is fairly poor, so I understand that the query is about how to connect a disk drive to a Trump Card for the Sinclair QL?

Basically you need a straight floppy disk drive cable (no twists in it) iF you have the QL disk drives (one marked Sinclair and one marked Cumana as per the user).

The drives have jumpers on them to decide which is master (DS0) and which is slave (DS1) so you need to check that the jumpers are in the right position!

You can use any PC floppy disk drive with the QL if it has these jumpers.
If it lacks the jumpers, then most drives will work if you swap pins 10 and 12 on the cable to make one drive DS0 (PC drives are normally set up as slave - DS1).

Hope this helps
par RWAP
11 janv. 2011 18:45
Forum : Présentation
Sujet : Hello
Réponses : 8
Vues : 4578

Re: Hello

Pocket a écrit :Salut,
Melaure a écrit :Mais ce n'est pas de la pub déguisé pour un site de vente ? :D
Oui, mais on a le droit (si c'est une seule fois et in-topic)

A+
Thanks - it is not intended as an advert really, but my business is what makes me who I am - after all I have been working with the same retro computers since 1982 - they must be part of me by now!

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