Hi Dave
citizenfish wrote: ↑Tue May 11, 2021 2:49 pm
I've got a ZX81 Issue one board with composite mod that is just giving a white screen without a cursor.
Typically, that’s often the symptom of a RAM chip fault. But it can also be caused by a fault with the Z80, the ROM or any of the PCB connections.
citizenfish wrote: ↑Tue May 11, 2021 2:49 pm I've got access to a scope and multimeter where should I start looking? This board appears to be untampered with, the Rom version is 8111.
Are you sure that’s the ROM? That number looks more like the date code printed on the first ULA version. See photo.
- ZX81 issue one board with major parts identified
citizenfish wrote: ↑Tue May 11, 2021 2:49 pmIf it doesn't exist already I'd like to use this as the start of a troubleshooting guide for non-expert tinkerers like me.
You’re far from the first...
IC1 is the ULA
IC2 is the ROM
IC3 is the Z80 CPU
IC4, or IC4a and IC4b is/are the SRAM chip(s)
The ULA runs rather warm. The Z80 runs slightly warm. The ROM runs cool. The SRAM varies depending on the type fitted.
First off, have you checked that the +5V supply from the 7805 voltage regulator is between 4.75V and 5.25V?
Secondly, have you used a ‘scope before? Do you know how to use it?
If yes, have a look at the waveforms / voltages you have on the following pins of the Z80 CPU.
Be very careful, if you short the probe between adjacent pins you may damage one or more of the chips.
Pin Function
6 Clock (should be a 3.25MHz square wave with not very sharp/clean edges)
16 /INT (should be pulsing)
17 /NMI (should be pulsing)
18 /HALT (should be pulsing)
19 /MREQ (should be pulsing rapidly)
21 /RD (should be pulsing rapidly)
22 /WR (should be pulsing)
24 /WAIT (should be pulsing)
25 /BUSRQ (should be high)
26 /RESET (should be high, except for a very short time after power is applied)
27 /M1 (should be pulsing)
28 /RFSH (should be pulsing)
Then test address lines A14 and A15. These give an idea of which memory the Z80 CPU is accessing and if it is trying to generate a TV display.
You can also test the remaining address lines A0 to A13 and the data lines D0 to D7. A lack of activity is suspicious.
Which type of SRAM chip(s) does your board have. And do you have a RAM pack? If yes, have you tried it?
Z80 pin-out
here.
ZX81 schematic circuit diagram
here (this has French video output circuitry, but that does not matter when fault finding the digital circuitry).
Mark