Hi all
I came across a ZX Spectrum and as I have never used a British microcomputer I wanted to try it out (the history of early homecomputers in Britain is vastly different than the rest of Europe / the world).
The computer had a voltage regulator that fell off when I removed the heatsink, due to rust or stress? I replaced it. Then there was also no RF output, just some very faint bars.
As it looks like to be "standard procedure" to composite mod it, I decided to forsake the RF modulator and implement the mod
I was happy to see video output and the boot screen, even though there appears to have been a lot of modifications on the board done (many sockets where added, and the soldering job is mediocre with all of the flux left on the board)
When I tried to type nothing happened and upon inspecting the flex cables, I noticed that one was broken so I fixed that with some tape and a flex circuit repair pen.
Now I only have half of the keyboard working. Is the keyboard on this computer problematic? How do I disassemble it? It looks like I have to pry off the plate and that will surely bend it.
Additionally, I received it with the wrong PSU! It has an audio plug style connector instead of the barrel jack. Are there adapters available and what are the keywords to look for? I don't want to butcher the original supply.
I came across a ZX Spectrum and as I have never used a British microcomputer I wanted to try it out (the history of early homecomputers in Britain is vastly different than the rest of Europe / the world).
The computer had a voltage regulator that fell off when I removed the heatsink, due to rust or stress? I replaced it. Then there was also no RF output, just some very faint bars.
As it looks like to be "standard procedure" to composite mod it, I decided to forsake the RF modulator and implement the mod
I was happy to see video output and the boot screen, even though there appears to have been a lot of modifications on the board done (many sockets where added, and the soldering job is mediocre with all of the flux left on the board)
When I tried to type nothing happened and upon inspecting the flex cables, I noticed that one was broken so I fixed that with some tape and a flex circuit repair pen.
Now I only have half of the keyboard working. Is the keyboard on this computer problematic? How do I disassemble it? It looks like I have to pry off the plate and that will surely bend it.
Additionally, I received it with the wrong PSU! It has an audio plug style connector instead of the barrel jack. Are there adapters available and what are the keywords to look for? I don't want to butcher the original supply.