Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
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Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
Hi All,
I have acquired a Timex Sinclair 2040 printer along with a couple of Alphacom 32 printers.
I have been testing them today and found that the 2 x Alphacom printers print without problem when doing the self test. They print the 8's and 1's without problem.
However the TS2040 prints the self test but it doesn't print 8's and 1's, instead it prints different characters. (See Pic).
I was wondering if anyone knew what this problem may be and how I can fix it. Is it a problem with a chip on the board? Hoping it's not the ROM.
Your thoughts are welcome.
Regards
Brett
I have acquired a Timex Sinclair 2040 printer along with a couple of Alphacom 32 printers.
I have been testing them today and found that the 2 x Alphacom printers print without problem when doing the self test. They print the 8's and 1's without problem.
However the TS2040 prints the self test but it doesn't print 8's and 1's, instead it prints different characters. (See Pic).
I was wondering if anyone knew what this problem may be and how I can fix it. Is it a problem with a chip on the board? Hoping it's not the ROM.
Your thoughts are welcome.
Regards
Brett
Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
There is not picture.
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- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:19 am
Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
Hi,
Apologies, it would appear that it didn't accept my picture that I attached.
Here it is, see attached.
Thanks,
Brett
Apologies, it would appear that it didn't accept my picture that I attached.
Here it is, see attached.
Thanks,
Brett
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- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:19 am
Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
Hi,
I've had this printer plugged into my spectrum and printed "Hello World" as a test 10 times.
While it has received the print command and printed the word it is barely recognisable. Its as though it is missing some of the dots.
I note from the schematic that there are 4 IC's that feed the print head. Could it be possible that one or more of these has failed and need replacing? I hope it isn't as they are difficult to get hold of in the UK.
Regards,
Brett
Last edited by BrettRogersUK on Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
Yes, it could either be one of the chips, or a poor connection affecting the data.
Mark
Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Amp
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Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
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ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Amp
Standby alert
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
Looking forward to summer being good this year.
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
Hi,
I hope it isnt one of the IC's that run the print head. They are difficult to get hold of now and I don't know of an alternative.
They are all UCN4401A chips
Regards,
Brett
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
It may also be a mechanical problem.
Mark
Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Amp
Standby alert
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
Looking forward to summer being good this year.
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Amp
Standby alert
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
Looking forward to summer being good this year.
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:19 am
Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
Hi Brett,
It's not a printer problem.
The Spectrum don't target the IR register to the UDG memory. (48kb offset)
The ROM isn't set to a 48k memory ram set up and picking up UDG data in a wrong location.
Spectrum only sends dots, not the real character.
Try a COPY, but try to move(copy) the UDG array to the 16k location, to retrieve the good UDG offset.
(Try the printers on a ZX81 !)
It's not a printer problem.
The Spectrum don't target the IR register to the UDG memory. (48kb offset)
The ROM isn't set to a 48k memory ram set up and picking up UDG data in a wrong location.
Spectrum only sends dots, not the real character.
Try a COPY, but try to move(copy) the UDG array to the 16k location, to retrieve the good UDG offset.
(Try the printers on a ZX81 !)
Xavier ...on the Facebook groupe : "Zx81 France"(fr)
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2040 Printing problem
Hi,XavSnap wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:36 am Hi Brett,
It's not a printer problem.
The Spectrum don't target the IR register to the UDG memory. (48kb offset)
The ROM isn't set to a 48k memory ram set up and picking up UDG data in a wrong location.
Spectrum only sends dots, not the real character.
Try a COPY, but try to move(copy) the UDG array to the 16k location, to retrieve the good UDG offset.
(Try the printers on a ZX81 !)
Thanks for the info, however how does it account for the self test printing wrong when not connected to a computer?
If I had a ZX81 I would gladly test it on there!
Thanks again,
Brett