20-04-2014, 06:59 PM
Sinclair QL, initially seen to be intact externally except a rubber foot missing off the back, as usual. Power pack, manual, leads and operating software still in an original foam packing box but no outer cardboard cover. Connections on the unit to the outside world, 2 x Serial, 2 x Control, 1 x ROM, 2 x Net (Sinclair network, allowing connection to Interface 1 fitted Spectrums), 1 x RGB, Power, 1 x UHF, 1 x extension MD units, 1 x expansion port.
First repair order, the cable gland for the mains cable on the PSU was worn, same style case as per the Spectrum+ and 128 models, in this case the outer insulation was worn with the inner conductors showing. Rummaging through the spares box found a CPC pat replacement lead which was fitted. Strangely the low power lead was fine with no fraying of the cable as is usually the case with these sorts of power supplies.
Moving onto the main unit, plugged in and powered up ok with MD 1 spinning on selection of TV mode. Of note, RGB lead for Spectrum 2/+2/+3 will also work on a QL. I found a keyboard membrane which was life expired tucked into the manual but with the lid off the existing membrane looked somewhat tired and will probably require replacement at a later date but this was working quite well at the moment so no touchy.
68008 processor in the bottom left hand corner, looking clean and tidy, Clive S pulled a real marketing stunt with the QL when he claimed it was a 32bit computer, which is correct inside the processor chip but the connections to the outside world are only 8bit. Nice meaty heatsink behind the MD units, lots of fluff to clean off with a paint brush. Both MD units needed a darn good clean, capstan rollers and heads were uber grubby and a couple of applications of VCR cleaning fluid with a Q tip removed the grubbiness. Overall in very good condition considering the age of the machine (29 years).
Powering up, rewarded by cursor, all operational. Software suite supplied loaded up with no issues. I have an adaptor card to fit the QL which adds more memory and 3.5" FDD operation, this the subject of another post. Biggest failing of the computer, no tape ports for external storage operation option, something that 3rd party suppliers corrected later on.
Overall, quite pleased with the unit.
First repair order, the cable gland for the mains cable on the PSU was worn, same style case as per the Spectrum+ and 128 models, in this case the outer insulation was worn with the inner conductors showing. Rummaging through the spares box found a CPC pat replacement lead which was fitted. Strangely the low power lead was fine with no fraying of the cable as is usually the case with these sorts of power supplies.
Moving onto the main unit, plugged in and powered up ok with MD 1 spinning on selection of TV mode. Of note, RGB lead for Spectrum 2/+2/+3 will also work on a QL. I found a keyboard membrane which was life expired tucked into the manual but with the lid off the existing membrane looked somewhat tired and will probably require replacement at a later date but this was working quite well at the moment so no touchy.
68008 processor in the bottom left hand corner, looking clean and tidy, Clive S pulled a real marketing stunt with the QL when he claimed it was a 32bit computer, which is correct inside the processor chip but the connections to the outside world are only 8bit. Nice meaty heatsink behind the MD units, lots of fluff to clean off with a paint brush. Both MD units needed a darn good clean, capstan rollers and heads were uber grubby and a couple of applications of VCR cleaning fluid with a Q tip removed the grubbiness. Overall in very good condition considering the age of the machine (29 years).
Powering up, rewarded by cursor, all operational. Software suite supplied loaded up with no issues. I have an adaptor card to fit the QL which adds more memory and 3.5" FDD operation, this the subject of another post. Biggest failing of the computer, no tape ports for external storage operation option, something that 3rd party suppliers corrected later on.
Overall, quite pleased with the unit.
