Sinclair Spectrums and Repairs

Moley · 17 Mar 2009 at 14:12

I've just moved house and for the first time in ages actually have enough room to unpack all of my old computer kit and setup a decent games playing room.

I've been going through my boxes and found several Sinclair Spectrums (rubber key models, both 16k and 48k) including one absolutely mint model in complete original packaging with manuals etc.

Now I seem to remember this particular machine having ram problems which typically manifested when you tried to load a game from tape - the game would load and then when the RUN statement hit the computer would reset.

I'm looking to get the speccy's I have up and running and remember there used to be a few guys in the country who did repairs. I'm just wondering if anyone on here can recommend anyone before I have to rely on google and sending my toys off to a complete stranger!

Thanks in advance.

mcwildcard · 17 Mar 2009 at 14:33

Wrap it in a towel and leave it on for a few hours, then ring Sinclair customer support and tell them you've had a CUTOD error (Chewed up tape of death).
They'll courier over a replacement for you within a few days, they extended the warranty to deal with this common problem, although the RKGSFNAR error (Rubber keys getting stuck for no apparent reason) is still being ignored! :mad:

~J~ · 17 Mar 2009 at 14:37

Personally I'd try the WoS forums : http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/

Bound to be someone on there that can recommend a handful of people.

vcl_X1 · 17 Mar 2009 at 14:49

Try and get hold of Z80B processor and then overclock it !

Heatsinked · 17 Mar 2009 at 14:57

I don't know where you could send your existing speccy off to be repaired. To be honest, I doubt it would be worth the postage and packaging costs, unless there is sentimental value of course

My advice would be to pick up a decent second-hand +2 with a functional integrated tape deck. The extra memory will enable enhancements in various games, such as additional sound effects, music, graphical effects / sprites etc.

*dreamy sigh*

I have my very first +2 up in the attic. It's covered in Dizzy stickers, has various mods and looks quite worn these days.... if it ever went wrong, I would try and get it fixed as I never want to get rid of it. If you do find someone who does speccy repairs, please let me know... just in case

Can't wait to get it down one day, once I have finished decorating my new place

Have fun! All glory to the Spectrum!

Moley · 17 Mar 2009 at 15:26

Heatsinked said:
My advice would be to pick up a decent second-hand +2 with a functional integrated tape deck.

Got one already! +2 was my first speccy and I regretted losing it when I went up to PC's so I pulled one off the bay a few years ago.

I want to get the 48k's up and running just for the hell of it. I have a couple of interface 1's, a microdrive and a Romantic Robot Multiface 128 too!.

Actually I think I should get a Spectrum 48+ for the collection too....

Heatsinked · 17 Mar 2009 at 16:57

Let me know if you manage to get them networked! Two 48K speccys with Interface 1s had that functionality I believe, never tried it myself though!

I have a couple of Microdrives too but I guess the cartridges would be wiped now after years of neglect. I can't even remember what I had on them. I wonder how many multiface+2s still exist? I have one myself, hope it still works!

I hated the keyboard on the 48+

Perhaps I just prefer rubber...

vodkacokebloke · 18 Mar 2009 at 01:04

If anyone wants to play any spectrum games via their PC then visit zxspectrum.net

no roms or installing required - just click on a game from the huge list on there and play!

Moley · 23 Mar 2009 at 13:01

So I finally managed to make some space in my new computer room and hooked up the +2 - worked fine. Then I plugged in an Interface 1 and killed the +2. Grrr.

48k looks like it is running fine, but loading from tape isn't working - brand new tape player volume on 3/4-Full, get the red/cyan border but loading is failing.

So annoying.

DirtyRaver · 23 Mar 2009 at 17:20

vodkacokebloke said:
If anyone wants to play any spectrum games via their PC then visit zxspectrum.net

no roms or installing required - just click on a game from the huge list on there and play!

Excellent! Scrolled down to 1985 and there it was, Formula One! played that game almost every day with a friend of mine back then on his rubber keyed speccy.

Bookmarked that page so i can indulge in a bit of my youth once again.