2013-05-25T10:29:47Z Ben Versteeg Copyright 2013, Ben Versteeg SPHPBLOG
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This will include a Kempston Joystick interface but will lack the parallel port noone uses anymore.
Not sure what name it will get, something like PlusD mini, PlusD two, PlusD+ or whatever.
Currently discussing the name at WoS (click).

After ordering the boards for the PlusD I will focus on a new DivIDE, codename 'DivIDE 2013'.
This will also include a Kempston Joystick interface and will be very affordable.
I'm also thinking of changing to SD cards which are a lot more easy to get and will always work instead of Compact Flash cards.
Also many modern computers have an SD card reader integrated.

Last but not least for the plans of 2013 is a new Multiface, codename 'Multi-Multiface'.
It will embed several different Multiface versions (if possible).
This means you won't have to choose between versions to get one that is compatible with your ZX Spectrum and storage interface.

These new interfaces will all be designed arount a CPLD.
This CPLD replaces logic chips like GALs and 74xx.
Benefits are smaller boards and hence cheaper products and a technology upgrade so that deprecated parts will not cause problems to find anymore.

If interested in one or more of these, send me a message!
I'll put you on the list then.]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry130415-114013 2013-04-15T00:00:00Z 2013-04-15T00:00:00Z
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These can be used to replace a defective PAL chip.
PAL chips are obsolete and not all universal programmers are able to program blank PAL chips.
So it's far more easy to use GAL chips which are pincompatible.

Be aware that Disciple defects are often caused by bad soldering contacts!! Resolder all contacts before putting in the effort of swapping the PAL's; that solved the problems with 2 Disciples I had my hands on.

The link to the GAL files is within this World of Spectrum topic.]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry130402-200215 2013-04-02T00:00:00Z 2013-04-02T00:00:00Z
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These are comparable to GAL's but with much more marco cells and thus more inputs and outputs.

My first goal was only to put several GAL's into one CPLD, so I wanted to convert GAL equations into Verilog.
It surprised me that there was no tool to do this job.
So I decided to create such a conversion tool myself, and here it is:



Try it out yourself!
Click here for the zipped Windows executable.

Let me know if you liked the tool and especially when you encounter problems!]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry130126-091228 2013-01-26T00:00:00Z 2013-01-26T00:00:00Z
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This is very usefull when a powerfull laser (>500 mW) is used that can damage walls, ceilings, eyes, etc.
It should automatically be turned off when it's not moving.

Here's the circuit:
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/s ... stcount=17
]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry120812-140454 2012-08-12T00:00:00Z 2012-08-12T00:00:00Z
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I'm logging everything I am doing in this topic on World of Spectrum, check it out:
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/s ... p?p=645362

]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry120811-192553 2012-08-11T00:00:00Z 2012-08-11T00:00:00Z
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Click here for the topic.

]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry120609-144322 2012-06-09T00:00:00Z 2012-06-09T00:00:00Z
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It caused a ZX Spectrum not to boot, with garbage on screen etc.

I immediately suspected a PAL chip to be the problem.

I know from the past these died quickly in a Disciple interface, and being very expensive: MGT enabled security on the PAL chips so it was not possible to read the contents and clone them back then.
Fortunately someone once received a repaired Disciple interface with PAL chips that did not have that security, and he was able to read the contents and publish it on the net.

There is no legal limit anymore because MGT does not exist anymore, so I can happily download the PAL files.

I do not have PAL chips in stock; they're obsolete and should be replaced with GAL chips.
But the files I downloaded were not compatible with the GAL chips.
I needed to translate them.

For this, Lattice, the creators and manufacturer of PAL and GAL chips, publiced a GAL to PAL translator.
This command line utility will convert a PAL jedec file to a GAL jedec file.

I downloaded the utility, converted the PAL20L8 files, and tried to program a GAL20V8 chip with the new files.
Then I replaced the PAL chips on the Disciple, and it works!!!

So the Disciple boots again, and everything seemed fine, except for the 7805 voltage regulator on the Disciple, which is overheating.

I replaced the 7805, but it still get's to hot, possibly causing instability.
I am currently adding new cooling paste, and replacing the cpacitor at the 7805.
Hope that will solve all problems.

-Update-

I suspected the inhibit and nmi buttons to have problems due to aging, so I measured the resistance: I found values of about 30 ohms.
I desoldered the switches, and measured again: no problems with high impedances.
So the conclusion is: the soldering contacts are bad.

I resoldered all important contacts on the Disciple board: all chips and more.
Now all problems seem to have gone.
So 20 - 25 years of aging of these Disciple interfaces seem to give result in bad soldering contacts! Just to let you know! ]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry120517-102616 2012-05-17T00:00:00Z 2012-05-17T00:00:00Z
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the Sales page.

From there you can easily check out my currently offered eBay items, and lot's of other rare stuff I am not (or not yet) offering in eBay, but which is available by direct order only.

So check it out (click)!]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry120416-164441 2012-04-16T00:00:00Z 2012-04-16T00:00:00Z
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Click here for the document.]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry120126-204743 2012-01-26T00:00:00Z 2012-01-26T00:00:00Z
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/quantit/m.html

I am offering lot's of rare sets the coming weeks.
On right now: a very complete boxed ZX81 set!

These are some of the items you can expect the coming weeks:
- Boxed 128K heatsink ZX Spectrums (yes, more than one)
- Opus Discovery disk systems (again, more than one)
- Disciple disk interfaces (unbelievable, even more than one of these)
- Lot's of 48K ZX Spectrums
- Interface 1 + Microdrive sets
- Original ROM game-cartridges
- ZX81 sets
- And much more....

So, put my eBay channel in your browsers favorites to not miss one of these incredible offers!]]> http://www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby/hobby/index.php?entry=entry120122-072414 2012-01-22T00:00:00Z 2012-01-22T00:00:00Z