Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Any 680x0 based information, repairs, images, upgrades and other cool stuff that is not Atari and Amiga based but based on the Motorola 68K range of processors
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

@rubber_jonnie I'll have a look at the emulator a little later on. Have just found a floppy drive that seems to work okay with it

The floppy formats great, so Just the microdrives to fix now.

You're right about the QL keeping me busy as its almost a whole new thing to learn compared to any other computer
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stephen_usher
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by stephen_usher »

If you can find the book "Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide" it's a good OS programming reference.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 5:59 pm If you can find the book "Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide" it's a good OS programming reference.
Ok will have a look for that.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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Icky
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by Icky »

PhilC wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:18 pm
stephen_usher wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 5:59 pm If you can find the book "Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide" it's a good OS programming reference.
Ok will have a look for that.
Also you can usually pick up an original QL manual cheaply on eBay, worth doing that too.

EDIT: Or not so cheap - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203256843740
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

@Icky ive got an electronic copy but will see if I can get a paper copy cheap enough
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Icky wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 7:25 pm
PhilC wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:18 pm

Ok will have a look for that.
Also you can usually pick up an original QL manual cheaply on eBay, worth doing that too.

EDIT: Or not so cheap - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203256843740
I paid about £30 for my manual about 10 years ago, so I don't think the price is that bad, but then I do have a boxed machine and wanted the manual for it :)

I also have a copy of the Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide, it came with my 2nd QL from eBay, probably also about 10 years ago. That QL is since sold on :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

I did a bit more on the QL today in between working.

The rom adaptor pub arrived, so I've built that up and the QL now runs Minerva 1.98 (not that I know the difference.)

Just waiting on the two missing keys to arrive and then give the QL a good clean up and we are good to go.

I'm thinking of printing another case for the Trump card that some how builds in a floppy or gotek and that matches the QL case.
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

So it seems like QLs are like buses, don’t ever own one and then two come along

ABD6CD6E-4F23-4786-BC50-D2455808A163.jpeg
ABD6CD6E-4F23-4786-BC50-D2455808A163.jpeg (271.37 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

This one has a broken key stem which I’ll replace but then that’s it. Two working microdrives as well.

It needs a bl**dy good clean as usual though.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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mfro
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by mfro »

Out of curiosity, I have been checking QL prices on e**y. Crazy. Several hundreds of € for a 128K unexpanded machine with broken keyboard in sad state.

I still remember when at the end of its "Quantum Leap" these were dumped for less than 100DM in the stores.
And remember: Beethoven wrote his first symphony in C.
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

@mfro thst would be like £25 right? That’s crazy money.

I will fix both of these up but then pass one of them on once I’ve had my fun with it.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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