Everett1954 Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Hi, I picked up a TS1000 with 9VDC power supply from a rummage. The power supply may not be an original. It is Tip positive is this correct? I get an all black screen , the RF modulator appears to work. I get snow when i unplug or switch channels. Any suggestions? Check regulator, clock crystal, soldering? Looking at some posting there seem to be a lot of these assembled unit that are dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Compumater Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Are you hooked up to a older crt tv? The newer flat panel TV's don't have as sensitive a receive as the older crt tube type TV's, and as a result they rarely pickup on the very weak Timex Sinclair signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 Yep, hooked up to CRT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClausB Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Here is what Sinclair had to say about power: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmetal88 Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 I've found that the TS1000/ZX81 actually will not even display properly on late-model CRTs. You basically have to go back to a unit with analog tuning before you're guaranteed a good picture. I got a very faint, inverted display on my early 2000s Toshiba when I first tried. I found out I had to perform a mod to give the video signal a 'back porch'. I believe the following mod is the one I used, though I think I had to swap a few different values for the resistor at the top of the schematic before I got optimal contrast out of it. Although I suppose in the event that your TS1000 is actually broken, performing the mod may be a waste of time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 You should see if you can test your Sinclair on a old TV, just to see if it is really working... There are some mods to make the Sinclair Composite: http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2016-01-03-composite-video-for-zx81.htm and http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/Sinclair-ZX81-ZXVid---Composite-Video~~ULA-Fix-(self-fit)-2338 MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+nanochess Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 The TS1000 is prone to burnt, just leaving it on for a while without enough ventilation would fry the logic array chip. I used to buy these from flea's markets and got two non-working, I had to order one from eBay marked as fully functional, but if I leave it enough time the screen starts showing trash and I better turn off it before it burns also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almightytodd Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 The TS1000 was my first computer, so it holds a special place in my heart. Having one to physically "have" it is one thing - but if you actually want the experience of "using" one, the next best thing (...maybe better, actually), is the EightyOne emulator. It displays an on-screen keyboard to make it easy to use the clever one-key-per-command BASIC programming interface, and the view screen is size-able and includes adjustable video effects. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 (edited) Well , this is what i found: The TS1000 was not dead, it just did not display on my Sony CRT ( brightness set too low or ??) I tried it on my LCD and got a prompt! However only some of the keys worked. Seems the flex cable from the membrane keyboard has a couple broken traces, The breaks are too high to cut back the flex circuit so I will have to try some other repair. I have been reading about all the broken flex cable problems with the keyboard and the repairs that were done. Seems I will have to use some ribbon cable and make a jumper. Has anyone tried to solder or use some conductive glue to attach wires to keyboard flex? If so, let me know what you used and any tips. If I would find a replacement membrane keyboard that would be the best but did not find any searching. Anyone have one or complete top cover of case? If I end up fixing and keeping, ill search out a nice 12" Black and White TV. Edited January 18, 2017 by Everett1954 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Well , this is what i found: The TS1000 was not dead, it just did not display on my Sony CRT ( brightness set too low or ??) I tried it on my LCD and got a prompt! YEA!!!!! However only some of the keys worked. Seems the flex cable from the membrane keyboard has a couple broken traces, The breaks are too high to cut back the flex circuit so I will have to try some other repair. I have been reading about all the broken flex cable problems with the keyboard and the repairs that were done. Seems I will have to use some ribbon cable and make a jumper. Has anyone tried to solder or use some conductive glue to attach wires to keyboard flex? If so, let me know what you used and any tips. If I would find a replacement membrane keyboard that would be the best but did not find any searching. Anyone have one or complete top cover of case? If I end up fixing and keeping, ill search out a nice 12" Black and White TV. RWAP Software http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/Brand-New-Sinclair-ZX81-Keyboard-Membrane-(inbuilt-keyboard)-2529 I haven't bought any, but these were built in 2010.... Good Job!!!!! MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Here is my Sinclair Collection.. Best of Luck.. MarkO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted January 19, 2017 Author Share Posted January 19, 2017 Thanks almightytood and markO for the emulator and sharing your help and photos of your collection. I am going to try and get one of those keyboards from "across the pond" and will let you know how that works. I have a long way to go to have any collection but once it is fixed would like memory pack and a Basic manual. MarkO do you still use a cassette recorder? Where is a good site for programs and games and general Timex Sinclair info? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 I don't know about general ZX-81 sites, but Bob Smith is doing some amazing games. https://bobs-stuff.co.uk/zx81.html I can't tell if they will run on a TS1000, and you probably need a good chunk of memory expansion. You didn't mention if your computer is mostly barebones but 16K or more memory expansion seems to be a standard accessory. There also are other hardware expansions like the ZXpand etc that will set you back quite a bit of money, but if get serious about the system you might want to consider some of those anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Thanks almightytood and markO for the emulator and sharing your help and photos of your collection. No Problem... I am going to try and get one of those keyboards from "across the pond" and will let you know how that works. Keep us informed on how it works... I might be needing to get one or five at some point... I have a long way to go to have any collection but once it is fixed would like memory pack and a Basic manual. The ZX-81 only has 1K, ( the TS-1000 has 2K, the TS-1500 has the 16K Built In ), so a 16K RAM Pack is a really good idea.. It can and will Wobble, so Velcro is Your Friend!!! MarkO do you still use a cassette recorder? Not any that work correctly, at this time... So no... I have been looking at one of those RAM + Battery cards for the ZX81. That might be a nice add on... Where is a good site for programs and games and general Timex Sinclair info? I haven't really spent much time in the past few years looking for ZX-81 "stuff".. So I would use Google to locate a few sites... ( Sorry... ) MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClausB Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 Here's the ZX81 kit I built in '82 and later upgraded to 16K SRAM. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgabbard Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 I've done the video mod along with the new keyboard from the source above. Both work great. I have one that I actually modded to use a tactile keyboard that I build and installed into the case. It works as it should. Hope you get it working. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted January 23, 2017 Author Share Posted January 23, 2017 I have the new replacement keyboard coming from England. I would be interested in modding mine to 16KB...can someone point me to the mod? Also, how does everyone load games now? Cassette play, mp3 or carts on memory expansion slot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpatte02 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 (edited) This is where you can find an extensive collection of ZX-81/ T/S 1000 games - Many will need the 16k expandable ram http://www.zx81stuff.org.uk/zx81/tape/c There is a utility here called Tape2Wave that will convert the .TZX files into a wave file that you can either put on a tape or play it though an mp3 player or a smart phone. http://www.worldofspectrum.org/utilities.html I suggest Sea Wolf, City or Xon (Zaxxon Clone) and Pioneer Trail (Oregon Trail for the T/S 1000). Word of warning: You might have to load it a couple times as it may not load the first play-through. Edited January 23, 2017 by bpatte02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClausB Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 I never published the 16KB SRAM mod. I piggy-backed two 8KB chips and cut and jumpered the upper address lines to the IC4 socket. Doing it now I would use a single 32KB chip instead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClausB Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 If you are interested I could write up the SRAM mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 Sure if you could write up the SRAM mod it would be appreciated. I understand electronic schematics and have done alot of soldering and repairs. Are the 32KB ram chips still available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClausB Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 (edited) Looks like someone already has: http://www.sinclairzxworld.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2120 http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2014/07/zx81-internal-16k-ram.html?m=1 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907000745/http://bitcycle.org/retro/zx81/internal_RAM/ Edited January 26, 2017 by ClausB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) I found a lot of the TS 1016 16KB memory modules on ebay for very good prices. I purchased two for $9.95 (both) so hopefully one will work. Once i have a working unit (keyboard replaced) I plan on doing the composite modification. I will try the tape to wave program with an MP3 player also. How can I verify that my TS1000 see's the TS1016 module? Can I see free ram available somehow? I would like to find PDF's of all the manuals. Any help? Thanks for all the great info everyone has provided! Edited January 27, 2017 by Everett1954 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I think you can PEEK some addresses to determine RAMTOP. I can't recall the exact location, but I've tried it before and it is relatively easy to look up on the Internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 Anyone have the ZX81 Basic manual in PDF form that they could attach? No luck finding a downloadable copy. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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