Did I imagine it, or was there a 128k without the heat sink?
I have a standard "+" next to me, and I can't see how you could fit "128K" into the gap between the lower ss key and the logo. At least, not proportionally.
This is a weird one.
EDIT:
I've just re-spun that image using some graphic software, and can conclude that the "128K" bit will occupy about the same space as two normal Spectrum + keys (actually, a little less). So it is possible to fit that text onto a normal Spectrum+.
I still have this thing in the back of my mind though that there was more than one 128K edition (before Amstrad I mean).
Did I imagine it, or was there a 128k without the heat sink?
I have a standard "+" next to me, and I can't see how you could fit "128K" into the gap between the lower ss key and the logo. At least, not proportionally.
This is a weird one.
EDIT:
I've just re-spun that image using some graphic software, and can conclude that the "128K" bit will occupy about the same space as two normal Spectrum + keys (actually, a little less). So it is possible to fit that text onto a normal Spectrum+.
I still have this thing in the back of my mind though that there was more than one 128K edition (before Amstrad I mean).
You're thinking of the 48k+ ... I see you've now edited your post ... so, never mind.
Also, the '128K' text is white rather than the usual red. I seem to remember another auction some time back where the seller pointed this fact out and said something like "I don't know whether this makes it a rarity, but it definitely doesn't look like someone's come along later and painted it".
...Which prompted a flurry of wisecracks about tipp-ex and "Rare Spectrum with unusual case markings - it definitely doesn't look like a toddler's chewed it", as I recall...
Well mine came in a retail red box from boots cookshop all those years ago and as for the missing heatsink, have you considered whoever took the picture intended not to show the heatsink, possibly cos its bent/broke/has paint scratched or chipped off. Could just be coincidence the heatsink isnt shown in the photo. Has anyone thought of just asking the buyer to confirm either way?
To remove one would knack the speccy. Either in removal or when the speccy heated up.
<edit>
It's not just that it has been edited off the close up, it's not there in the long shot either.
</edit>
Oh yeah i didnt notice that. Mine certainly did have the heatsink. I only came by it because my spectrum+ died and we took it back under guarantee and the bloke in the shop said we can send it away for repair or you can pay a little more and have this new 128, think it was about 50 quid. Not wanting to be without a computer i got my 128 and very lush it was too. I wonder if this one has the sink inside like the +2 has hmmmm? Maybe someone can buy it and tell us all the mystery lol. That certainly is odd having no toastrack.
Just a thought it could also be missing and the computer be sh!tpickled as it doesnt say its tested or working that i can see.
Just got a reply from the seller...................
I'm Not sure about a heatsink however there are 2 RGB sockets and 1 TV ariel socket. again there is no serial number that I can find however I will try my utmost to find it.
- jessejames40
If you zoom in on the wide shot you can clearly see the mobo inside the case so its not empty at least. wonder why it has 2 rgb sockets i dont remember this detail, it must have been played with
How easy would it be to remove the heatsink? My 128K is at my parents' so I can't examine it, but if the heatsink is cast, it could crack quite cleanly if dropped, say.
Very easy - it's only screwed in. I took mine off when I built Cookie's regulator fix (but ended up having to put it back again because I had the extra circuit hanging out of the side which made it even more impractical than the heatsink did in the first place...)
Why would you want to remove the heatsink from a 128k+ ?
My friend had one back in the day in hot weather it was not a reliable machine even with that metal toastrack attached to the side! Can't imagine what it would be like without it!
Even the early designs of the +2 have a substantial metal heatsink inside - around the tape deck. There's no space inside a 128k+ for anything like that is there?
I can put you all out of your misery. Some time in the late 80's there was a kit available for £24.95 where you could "upgrade your rubber key Spectrum to a Spectrum+".
My friend bought one and it had the "128k" printed on it. I can't remember if it had holes in the case for the extra ports or was just a wrongly badged "+" case. I'm certain it didn't have the metal heatsink fins on the side though.
I don't recall the supplier, it may have been Video Vault as he bought his CliveDrive from there and used them for repairs.
Actually, while I think about it, maybe this was one half of the Video Vault Spectrum 128 upgrade.
IIRC it was a two part upgrade - the first was the + case like in this advert.
The second part was a device that plugged into the back, turning it into a Spectrum 128.
From what I recall of the advert, it cost around ?79 from Video Vault.
I'm sure it was featured in the back of one of the CRASH magazines from around '87 onwards (I only started reading it from August of that year), surely someone can quickly find it?
The Video Vault + upgrade was in Crash 47, page 143.
Maybe it had a heatsink in the past but someone did remove it while substituting the 5V linear regulator by a switching regulator using a LM2576-5 or similar like here:
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Erm ... but it says Sinclair ZX Spectrum + in the upper left hand corner and then 128k in the lower right hand corner ... anything wrong with that?
I have a standard "+" next to me, and I can't see how you could fit "128K" into the gap between the lower ss key and the logo. At least, not proportionally.
This is a weird one.
EDIT:
I've just re-spun that image using some graphic software, and can conclude that the "128K" bit will occupy about the same space as two normal Spectrum + keys (actually, a little less). So it is possible to fit that text onto a normal Spectrum+.
I still have this thing in the back of my mind though that there was more than one 128K edition (before Amstrad I mean).
You're thinking of the 48k+ ... I see you've now edited your post ... so, never mind.
BTW This pic is taken from this eBay auction.
...Which prompted a flurry of wisecracks about tipp-ex and "Rare Spectrum with unusual case markings - it definitely doesn't look like a toddler's chewed it", as I recall...
Odd that the closeup doesn't show the right hand side.
Do you think it's an empty case? Or a bodge up +
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=1000488
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=1000487
Without a heatsink?
So did yours have a heat sink?
To remove one would knack the speccy. Either in removal or when the speccy heated up.
<edit>
It's not just that it has been edited off the close up, it's not there in the long shot either.
</edit>
Just a thought it could also be missing and the computer be sh!tpickled as it doesnt say its tested or working that i can see.
Ive asked the seller some questions.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9574086@N02/788223656/in/set-72157600607571866/
This page shows both versions, both have heatsinks:
http://www.retromaniax.gr/vb/showthread.php?t=1086
Magenta icon
The auction one is probably an empty shell.
I'm Not sure about a heatsink however there are 2 RGB sockets and 1 TV ariel socket. again there is no serial number that I can find however I will try my utmost to find it.
- jessejames40
If you zoom in on the wide shot you can clearly see the mobo inside the case so its not empty at least. wonder why it has 2 rgb sockets i dont remember this detail, it must have been played with
Very easy - it's only screwed in. I took mine off when I built Cookie's regulator fix (but ended up having to put it back again because I had the extra circuit hanging out of the side which made it even more impractical than the heatsink did in the first place...)
My friend had one back in the day in hot weather it was not a reliable machine even with that metal toastrack attached to the side! Can't imagine what it would be like without it!
Even the early designs of the +2 have a substantial metal heatsink inside - around the tape deck. There's no space inside a 128k+ for anything like that is there?
My friend bought one and it had the "128k" printed on it. I can't remember if it had holes in the case for the extra ports or was just a wrongly badged "+" case. I'm certain it didn't have the metal heatsink fins on the side though.
I don't recall the supplier, it may have been Video Vault as he bought his CliveDrive from there and used them for repairs.
No it doesn't have to have a heatsink as some of the earlier models weren't produced with them.
- jessejames40
Hmmm:confused:
IIRC it was a two part upgrade - the first was the + case like in this advert.
The second part was a device that plugged into the back, turning it into a Spectrum 128.
From what I recall of the advert, it cost around ?79 from Video Vault.
I'm sure it was featured in the back of one of the CRASH magazines from around '87 onwards (I only started reading it from August of that year), surely someone can quickly find it?
The Video Vault + upgrade was in Crash 47, page 143.
http://www.truppel-online.de/ZXREG.jpg
In this case you only need a very small heatsink placed inside the Spectrums case.
Ingo.