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Yippee Aye Yay

swordheartswordheart
edited April 2009 in Sinclair Miscellaneous
It looks like i finally got a ZX80 i only need a few more Sinclair items to have a full collection :)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330322711730&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D330322711730%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

I wonder if anything goes wrong with the transaction ? I seem to have got it incredibly cheap do the other bidders know something i don't about this seller ?
Post edited by swordheart on

Comments

  • jpjp
    edited April 2009
    If you look very closely at the keyboard it appears that you may have bought a ZX80 that's been upgraded to a ZX81 - the black background around the keys is a clue.
    You can only be sure by powering it on!
    jp nz | TZXs updated with new loading screens | youtube bits and bobs
  • swordheartswordheart
    edited April 2009
    Oh fook

    i was so excited by the price i just lost all common sense.

    Anyone want to buy a zx80 :)
  • jpjp
    edited April 2009
    Not to worry. It's no big problem to downgrade - the ZX81 keyboard is just a template over the blue ZX80 membrane.
    All you need to do then is replace the ZX81 ROM chip, and I just happen to know where you can get one ;) There are four left on my side of the continent.

    But you never know, the original ZX80 ROM chip might actually be inside the box!!
    jp nz | TZXs updated with new loading screens | youtube bits and bobs
  • dm_boozefreekdm_boozefreek
    edited April 2009
    swordheart wrote: »
    It looks like i finally got a ZX80 i only need a few more Sinclair items to have a full collection :)

    I bet you don't have a C5 :p
    Every night is curry night!
  • BethanBethan
    edited April 2009
    or a copy of Trans-Pennine Express.
  • frobushfrobush
    edited April 2009
    Bethan wrote: »
    or a copy of Trans-Pennine Express.

    Have you got royalties on this or something?

    If you have I'd keep 'stum' about it if I was you! LOL!

    EDIT - I can't get off the loco selection screen!
  • swordheartswordheart
    edited April 2009
    Well i have recieved the zx80 and Jp you are right the x81 keyboard is basically a plastic sheet stuck on to of the original blue keyboard keyboard, the case is actually just about in mint condition but with slight yellowing, my question is, because the picture is so dark, i am displaying it on a lcd screen i cant see the writing very well, as i have seperated the top from the bottom of the case, is there anyway of knowing which rom the machine has by just looking at the rom itself ??
  • jpjp
    edited April 2009
    Sure, the ZX81 ROM that was fitted in my machine is marked as P12579-109 D2364C 550. There are some images of the ZX-81 upgrade kit (and ROM) here

    Also check out these photos. This is an original ZX80 ROM. There are no close ups of the ROM but you can clearly see (C) 1980 Sinclair Research Ltd on the chip.
    jp nz | TZXs updated with new loading screens | youtube bits and bobs
  • swordheartswordheart
    edited April 2009
    Thanks jp mines got the 81 upgrade chip inside never mind.
    Thanks for your help m8
  • swordheartswordheart
    edited April 2009
    dm_boozefreek wrote: »
    I bet you don't have a C5 :p

    :)

    Nah i'm keeping the collection to Sinclair computers
  • jpjp
    edited April 2009
    swordheart wrote: »
    Thanks jp mines got the 81 upgrade chip inside never mind.
    Thanks for your help m8

    Not a problem :) If the picture is dark - i.e. white text on a black background then that sounds like a track has been cut on the board.
    I've got the same problem myself but haven't got round to getting the soldering iron out...
    jp nz | TZXs updated with new loading screens | youtube bits and bobs
  • Scottie_ukScottie_uk
    edited April 2009
    Didn't the ZX80 only have upper case characters? Is that not also a way of telling without having to open it up?
    Calling all ASCII Art Architects Visit the WOS Wall of Text and contribute: https://www.yourworldoftext.com/wos
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