Can't load tapes on ZX81

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
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jak
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Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:09 am

Can't load tapes on ZX81

Post by jak »

Hi. I recently finished building a ZX81 kit. Everything appears to work ok however, I cannot load any tapes. I am attempting to load tapes through wintzx on my laptop. When I play the .p files,I can see that my screen changes to the black and white flickering pattern indicating that it is getting a signal. However, after that it just dumps me back to a k prompt. I did buy a tape recorder to see if that made a difference. I recorded the .p files playing onto the tape,and the playback sounds ok. However,the ZX81 will not even pick up a signal from the tape recorder,even on max volume. I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips to try and get tape loading to work. I did manage to load the start of a program once,a bunch of letters and text fields appeared. However,after that it crashed and I could not reproduce the event. Thanks.
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yerzmyey
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Re: Can't load tapes on ZX81

Post by yerzmyey »

Check out if You have enough of RAM (well, 16K would be required)
then You have to use some amplifier.
If the taperecorder/cables are stereo, then put balance on the amplifier *fully* on one side.
Basses/trembles into middle (not max).
Volume usually on MAX.
IN NIHILUM REVERTERIS - a big text-adventure game for ZX81: http://tiny.pl/g2m6m
"MONOCHROME" issue 5 - (Spring 2014) free paper/PDF magazine about ZX81: http://tiny.pl/q2m44
ZX81 COMPETITIONS 2007/2009: http://zx81.republika.pl/
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yerzmyey
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Re: Can't load tapes on ZX81

Post by yerzmyey »

...and let me know if it helps.
IN NIHILUM REVERTERIS - a big text-adventure game for ZX81: http://tiny.pl/g2m6m
"MONOCHROME" issue 5 - (Spring 2014) free paper/PDF magazine about ZX81: http://tiny.pl/q2m44
ZX81 COMPETITIONS 2007/2009: http://zx81.republika.pl/
jak
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:09 am

Re: Can't load tapes on ZX81

Post by jak »

Check out if You have enough of RAM (well, 16K would be required)
Well,I feel like an idiot. I have a 16k rampack,and I knew in the back of my mind that a program probably couldn't fit in 1K,but I was an idiot and never actually tried it. That was my problem,thanks.

I do have one question though. When I play the tapes through wintzx,I have to wait until they finish before I can play them. This takes a few minutes. Is there any way I can speed this up,or is it normal?
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yerzmyey
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Re: Can't load tapes on ZX81

Post by yerzmyey »

jak:

>Well,I feel like an idiot. I have a 16k rampack,and I knew in the back of my mind that a program probably couldn't fit in
>1K,but I was an idiot and never actually tried it. That was my problem,thanks.
-------------
Well, I suspected the RAM problem because it is usual that ZX-81 shows "K" after loading too big file into RAM.


>I do have one question though. When I play the tapes through wintzx,I have to wait until they finish before I can play
>them. This takes a few minutes. Is there any way I can speed this up,or is it normal?
--------------------
I'm afraid I don't understand what do You mean. Maybe somebody can help this time.

As for me, I don't use WinTZX because this program is *EVIL*.
You'd better us P2RAW - HTTP://TINY.PL/2H3D
It makes RAW samples from the P files. I save them simply as WAVs and use with ZX-81. :)
IN NIHILUM REVERTERIS - a big text-adventure game for ZX81: http://tiny.pl/g2m6m
"MONOCHROME" issue 5 - (Spring 2014) free paper/PDF magazine about ZX81: http://tiny.pl/q2m44
ZX81 COMPETITIONS 2007/2009: http://zx81.republika.pl/
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