Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

Ok, Ok, just chalk me up as being thick.

I did the research, determining which parts I needed for my PSU, only to then doubt myself, going down a rabbit hole into internet oblivion.

As I’m sure none of you are surprised, the PSU works as expected.

As for the QL, I couldn’t get a picture using UHF tonight, so I’m going to see about either a composite mod to the UHF port or if I’ve got a din plug to suit, an RGB to GBS8200 lead tomorrow, so I can get it to work on my VGA monitor.

There’s definitely life in the old QL. Pressing the F1 key pulses the micro drive motor, so hopefully once I’ve got the video working we can fix the rest
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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stephen_usher
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by stephen_usher »

It could still be a ULA problem if there's no video but everything else works as the RGB connector at the back is directly connected to the chip without buffering.
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: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:37 pm It could still be a ULA problem if there's no video but everything else works as the RGB connector at the back is directly connected to the chip without buffering.
Ok thanks, I’ll get the scope out tomorrow and see what we’ve got.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:42 pm
stephen_usher wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:37 pm It could still be a ULA problem if there's no video but everything else works as the RGB connector at the back is directly connected to the chip without buffering.
Ok thanks, I’ll get the scope out tomorrow and see what we’ve got.
Hopefully you'll find something obvious.
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 »

Just tried the QL with one of my GBS-8220 and….

6A31DA4C-C059-4458-8EC9-E7B3C9E28823.jpeg
6A31DA4C-C059-4458-8EC9-E7B3C9E28823.jpeg (442.41 KiB) Viewed 1488 times

It’s jumping up and down a lot and I’ve no idea what colour it should really be but then not bad for not fitting any resistors in the cable :lol:

A bit more Googling and resistor fitting and I think I’ll be sorted. Then time to carry out some maintenance and testing on the old girl.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

So if you guys do want to use a GBS with your QL it looks like a 1K resistor on CSYNC will sort out the sync issue. It's now lovely and stable.

Some others have changed the resistors on the RGB line but since I'm going to use this GBS with just the QL I'm going to adjust the RGB pots on the board instead.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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stephen_usher
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by stephen_usher »

Yay!

Of course, the monitor mode will be too wide for any monitors and you'll miss a few characters either side. :-)
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: Tue Jun 14, 2022 4:47 pm Yay!

Of course, the monitor mode will be too wide for any monitors and you'll miss a few characters either side. :-)
Apparently monitor mode does display ok on the GBS. I’ll try it later and will post a pic, not that I’ve got anything to test it with yet.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by Wrangler »

Nice one! Glad it's basically working
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Tue Jun 14, 2022 3:38 pm Just tried the QL with one of my GBS-8220 and….


6A31DA4C-C059-4458-8EC9-E7B3C9E28823.jpeg


It’s jumping up and down a lot and I’ve no idea what colour it should really be but then not bad for not fitting any resistors in the cable :lol:

A bit more Googling and resistor fitting and I think I’ll be sorted. Then time to carry out some maintenance and testing on the old girl.
Sweet :)

:girldance: :girldance: :girldance:
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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