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+2 no tape loading sound problem

landorblandorb
edited February 2012 in Hardware
Hi All,

I've been a fan of WOS and this forum for a very long time but this is my first post - so be gentle please!

I have a +2 (grey) and a +2A. Both of which appear to be working fine apart from one thing - When I try to load a tape there is not sound. The tape physically runs okay, but nothing else happens - not even a change of border colour, it just stays white.

I have had a good scour of the forum and looked elsewhere but can't find anything on this specific issue.

Any help would be most welcome.
Post edited by landorb on

Comments

  • Alessandro GrussuAlessandro Grussu
    edited February 2012
    Hello and welcome to the WOS forum. Could you please add more details? For instance, did you test both computers with several data tapes (possibly tapes which you know for sure will load on other +2/+2As) instead of just one? Did you attempt to write a simple BASIC program and record it on one blank tape, then try to verify it?
    Spectrumpedia, the most comprehensive book ever written about the Spectrum - Zankle Soft - Corrections for games incompatible with the +2A/+3 - TAP files for DivIDE/DivMMC - SetoLOAD fast tape loading scheme
  • landorblandorb
    edited February 2012
    I have tried a variety of tapes which do work. I know this as the +2 worked up until a couple of days ago and loaded these same tapes no problem.

    I did connect this working +2 tape mech to the +2A a couple of days ago to determine if the +2A had a problem with the PCB or the tape mech - the tape played, but again, no sound. I am wondering if this experiment has damaged my (previously) working +2 tape mech?

    I will try the BASIC program save/verify and post the results...
  • guesserguesser
    edited February 2012
    If you've been fiddling around swapping the drives make sure you haven't got a broken wire. Sounds obvious I know so apologies if you already checked :)
    My rubbish website including the redrawn Amstrad schematics and the Sinclair Wiki.
  • landorblandorb
    edited February 2012
    Yes I did have a quick look but won't do any harm to have a closer inspection. Will post results...
  • landorblandorb
    edited February 2012
    So. I started on the grey. I tried to save+verify a little BASIC program with no luck - did get saving sound, but the tape was empty. So...

    Opened up and checked closely for any loose wires etc but all checked out okay. I loosend off the tape mech PCB to have a good look underneath, again all okay.

    I then put it all carefully back together and now it works! :-o

    The tape mech PCB seamed to be a little un-level before I took it off, so I started thinking that this perhaps had something to do with it. So I then did the same thing with the +2A and guess what? It worked!

    Thanks for the input guys!

    Oh, on a related matter (or should I start a new thread?) does anyone know how to remedy a stuck 'stop' button which CAN stop a tape but won't go far enough to release the door?
  • JeffBJeffB
    edited February 2012
    The amstrad tape recorders have one screw which needs to conduct the GND from the PCB to the mechanism - if it's not there or if you've used the wrong screw (ie one that does not conduct electricity) or even if it's loose, it won't work or will be intermittent - I'd guess that by happy mistake you tightened the offending screw, or swapped screws around so the right screw is holding the PCB on.. something like that!

    Anyway, glad you're back up and running :)
  • landorblandorb
    edited February 2012
    Ahhh, that makes a lot of sense Jeff. Thanks for the info, it will surely save me from running into the same problem again in the future!
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