I have a 128k +2 and when I turn it on, the main menu is not shown to me. Instead, I enter directly on 48k mode. Does anyone know how7why this happens?
(Probably an odd question to ask, but best to cover all the possibilities I think :-) Most firmwares for the DivIDE will force you into 48K Basic, for compatibility reasons.)
"Because there were still large unsold stocks of Spectrum+ in the UK, the Spectrum 128K was first launched in Spain where the Spectrum models were already very popular. It was sold there with an external numeric keypad to connect to the main unit. This “Spanish model” doesn't boot on a “start menu” as the UK version does (thus Spanish 128K models are slightly different than UK models). But even after being introduced in UK it had a short market life and was replaced with the Spectrum +2."
[strike]Aha, if it's a Spanish 128k then it won't have a menu. Sinclair changed the rom for the UK model, adding the menu system and breaking loads of other stuff.[/strike]
The MK1 rom without the menus etc was only in the original 128k. Spanish and French +2s just have a modified version of the UK +2 rom with the error messages etc translated.
First of all, forgive me if this message might read as a bit of misinformation because I'm not sure if I get it right, but that paragraph the colleague just quoted concerns the original "toastrack" 128K version manufactured in Spain, not the +2. So, a fully working +2 should always have a menu ... isn't that it?
It could be that your +2 was fitted with that Spanish toastie ROM, but I wouldn't bet.
It'll be possible for you to tell because the Spanish toastie had the UK pound symbol replaced by something else. I remember also someone saying there was a "tilded N" somewhere in the keyboard, so that symbol might come out too with some key combinations. Just find these symbols in the original ZX keyboard and try them... if something unexpected shows up, you'll know it's the Spanish ROM.
BUT ... you might have a problem with the memory paging circuit as some suggested, that's unfortunate but more likely.
First of all, forgive me if this message might read as a bit of misinformation because I'm not sure if I get it right, but that paragraph the colleague just quoted concerns the original "toastrack" 128K version manufactured in Spain, not the +2. So, a fully working +2 should always have a menu ... isn't that it?
It could be that your +2 was fitted with that Spanish toastie ROM, but I wouldn't bet.
It'll be possible for you to tell because the Spanish toastie had the UK pound symbol replaced by something else. I remember also someone saying there was a "tilded N" somewhere in the keyboard, so that symbol might come out too with some key combinations. Just find these symbols in the original ZX keyboard and try them... if something unexpected shows up, you'll know it's the Spanish ROM.
BUT ... you might have a problem with the memory paging circuit as some suggested, that's unfortunate but more likely.
Thank you for your reply. Indeed, I have a tilded N and some keys labeled in Spanish. However, I tried to print that character on screen with no such lick (maybe some combination I could not find).
Even though, if the problem is on the memory paging circuit, can it be, actually fixed?
Thank you for your reply. Indeed, I have a tilded N and some keys labeled in Spanish. However, I tried to print that character on screen with no such lick (maybe some combination I could not find).
Even though, if the problem is on the memory paging circuit, can it be, actually fixed?
Sorry my awfull english..
I'm sure it can be fixed! I'm not as good as other colleagues here at diagnosing a fault at a distance, but you'll get help.
There might be some diagnostics program you could load up and check.
@thread
Would anyone point a good 128K model BASIC test?
Comments
(Probably an odd question to ask, but best to cover all the possibilities I think :-) Most firmwares for the DivIDE will force you into 48K Basic, for compatibility reasons.)
"Because there were still large unsold stocks of Spectrum+ in the UK, the Spectrum 128K was first launched in Spain where the Spectrum models were already very popular. It was sold there with an external numeric keypad to connect to the main unit. This “Spanish model” doesn't boot on a “start menu” as the UK version does (thus Spanish 128K models are slightly different than UK models). But even after being introduced in UK it had a short market life and was replaced with the Spectrum +2."
Here, at the bottom of this page: http://www.retroisle.com/sinclair/zxspectrum/techdetail.php
Could it be?
Oh, forgot to mention that, indeed, the spectrum is a spanish one...
The MK1 rom without the menus etc was only in the original 128k. Spanish and French +2s just have a modified version of the UK +2 rom with the error messages etc translated.
First of all, forgive me if this message might read as a bit of misinformation because I'm not sure if I get it right, but that paragraph the colleague just quoted concerns the original "toastrack" 128K version manufactured in Spain, not the +2. So, a fully working +2 should always have a menu ... isn't that it?
It could be that your +2 was fitted with that Spanish toastie ROM, but I wouldn't bet.
It'll be possible for you to tell because the Spanish toastie had the UK pound symbol replaced by something else. I remember also someone saying there was a "tilded N" somewhere in the keyboard, so that symbol might come out too with some key combinations. Just find these symbols in the original ZX keyboard and try them... if something unexpected shows up, you'll know it's the Spanish ROM.
BUT ... you might have a problem with the memory paging circuit as some suggested, that's unfortunate but more likely.
Thank you for your reply. Indeed, I have a tilded N and some keys labeled in Spanish. However, I tried to print that character on screen with no such lick (maybe some combination I could not find).
Even though, if the problem is on the memory paging circuit, can it be, actually fixed?
Sorry my awfull english..
I'm sure it can be fixed! I'm not as good as other colleagues here at diagnosing a fault at a distance, but you'll get help.
There might be some diagnostics program you could load up and check.
@thread
Would anyone point a good 128K model BASIC test?
Can you post pictures of this Spectrum please, including some of the the TV image and its keyboard?