Problem with new DivIDE+ on ZX +2A?
I just received DivIDE+ from RWAPSoftware and am having trouble getting it to work on my +2/A. The device came with 1GBCF card preinstalled with 3 games. I closed the jumper inside to enable +2/A +3 compatibility, the two jumpers next to IDE slot are also closed. I'm only using the CF card that was provided by RWAPSoft. When I turn the computer on nothing happens and I just see the standard +2/A Start Menu. According to the manual I should see DiveIde screen by default. Pressing the NMI button doesn't do anything. Removing the CF card doesn't do anything. Powering up with SPACE pressed doesn't do anything.
I also received the Mouse Turbo interface from RWAPSoft that plugs into the same slot and that works - tested Joystick on Exploding Fist game loaded from casette, so it looks like the expansion port is working, just not with the DivIDE+ device.
Then I tried to daisy chain the Mouse Turbo card to the DivIDE+. I again loaded a game "Exploding Fist" in 48k mode, the game loaded and the joystick connected to Mouse Turbo that's daisy chained to DivIDE+ worked correctly.
Then I tried to repeat the test, but this time loading the game "Exploding Fist" in 128k mode. The game loaded, the graphics on the initial screen looked fine, but the text at the top of the screen (score, etc.) were unreadable, after about 10 seconds the big divide black screen came up.
It said
Fatware v 0.12 2005 base
hold SPACE to force init
I held SPACE and a new screen came up that said
Detecting ATAPI devices.
0 Flash Module LBA
1 none
1 volume found
press any key
I pressed a key and the first message displayed again asking me to "hold SPACE to force init" and then the whole process is repeated.
After that I hit the reset button, but the same screen keeps appearing and going in loop.
After that I turned off the power and the standard +2 start menu comes on, no sign of DivIde+
I then again loaded the game Exploding Fist in 128k mode and the same scenario repeated.
I then loaded the game again in 128k mode, but without the Mouse Turbo interface and the DivIde+ interface never appeared and the text at the top of the screen during the game appeared normal.
So what do you all think? What do I need to do to get this to work? I'm going to contact RWAP Software about it, but thought I'd ask you all in case you have an idea that may help.
Thank you.
I also received the Mouse Turbo interface from RWAPSoft that plugs into the same slot and that works - tested Joystick on Exploding Fist game loaded from casette, so it looks like the expansion port is working, just not with the DivIDE+ device.
Then I tried to daisy chain the Mouse Turbo card to the DivIDE+. I again loaded a game "Exploding Fist" in 48k mode, the game loaded and the joystick connected to Mouse Turbo that's daisy chained to DivIDE+ worked correctly.
Then I tried to repeat the test, but this time loading the game "Exploding Fist" in 128k mode. The game loaded, the graphics on the initial screen looked fine, but the text at the top of the screen (score, etc.) were unreadable, after about 10 seconds the big divide black screen came up.
It said
Fatware v 0.12 2005 base
hold SPACE to force init
I held SPACE and a new screen came up that said
Detecting ATAPI devices.
0 Flash Module LBA
1 none
1 volume found
press any key
I pressed a key and the first message displayed again asking me to "hold SPACE to force init" and then the whole process is repeated.
After that I hit the reset button, but the same screen keeps appearing and going in loop.
After that I turned off the power and the standard +2 start menu comes on, no sign of DivIde+
I then again loaded the game Exploding Fist in 128k mode and the same scenario repeated.
I then loaded the game again in 128k mode, but without the Mouse Turbo interface and the DivIde+ interface never appeared and the text at the top of the screen during the game appeared normal.
So what do you all think? What do I need to do to get this to work? I'm going to contact RWAP Software about it, but thought I'd ask you all in case you have an idea that may help.
Thank you.
Post edited by pkupcik on
Comments
But try the Divide+ on anther spectrum first just to be on the safe side.
If it is the Z80, then that is an easy fix if the Z80 is socketed (I have some in stock). The problem comes when the Z80 is soldered to the board and you have to desolder it to fit a socket - can anyone point out the best way of doing that?
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
www.sellmyretro.com
Is there any software test to test for it?
Thank you.
Turned out that the connectoin was loose, which could be fixed with a Silver Pen from Conrad in a couple of minutes.
What connection was loose? How did you figure out it was loose, just a guess or you physically saw something?
Test: if a Multiface works, it is okay.
You cannot tell from look if the M1 Line is faulty or not, as you cannot tell from viewing at a computer case to tell, if the mainboard is faulty or not, even not with a serial number (which Z80 did not have).
I tried cleaning all the connections with a rubber which didn't work. Then I used a silver pen on alomost all connections cause they were worn out. Ever since then my divide is working 100%.
pkupick, it could be worth trying the power cable under the divIDE+? My Spectrum is a 48K though.
Where do you get the silver pen from? I have heard about people using that in other systems like Atari 2600.
Hope all goes well with the 128K, something tells me it will.
It is from Conrad in Germnay. The label says "Silberleitlack 3g" which means silver conduct paint. The article number is 530042. Hope it helps.
that's quite interesting I have a 48k that you have to pull an adapter out so far to get it to work, the conectors do look particularly worn
OK, thanks, I may give it a go on my 48K
In general DivIDE should have possibility to boot with test ROM (the best - content loaded from card) without auto-mapper.