Unusual ZX Spectrum 48k motherboard
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Today I am restoring this unusual yellow motherboard with blue silkscreen issue 4A Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k. After the capacitors are replaced, a new(ish) keyboard and faceplate, and a wash and wax, this machine will be auctioned for charity! Come and take part in the fundraising on the 16th of September. The link to the fundraising page is below.
Just Giving Page for The Befriending Scheme
www.justgiving...
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/ @morefunmakingit2
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**UPDATE**
I perormed a DC-DC mod to this computer today, something I wasn't aware until recently was needed on an issue 4a. All the power problems are gone. With no peripherals connected this only draws 370mA now! Although I did replace the voltage regulator with a traco, something I will reverse at the winner of the auctions request.
I wrote my first program on the ZX81 at school when I was 8. My first computer was the 48k Speccy. I wrote a fruit machine program on that when I was 10. I am now head of architecture at a software house that is owned by the biggest family owned gaming company in the UK. For me, this is all down to Sinclair. Thank you, Sir Clive
A lot of us here in the UK owe a great deal to that man!
My parents almost got me a ZX81 for Christmas but decided against it as they realised it was crap. Years later I was pleased they didn't.
I ended up learning to program on an Apple 2 which belonged to a brother of mine.
I have never owned or used a computer with crappy rubber keys for programming. And I am grateful for that.
Superb work Good for many years to come
This video appearing in my feed has brought me to your channel for the first time. I loved this, and have subscribed. Content is right up my alley, and your presentation and production is also similarly pleasing. Keep up the good work, I'm so glad to have discovered your channel. Best wishes going forward, hope your subscriber numbers skyrocket now!
Comments like this are what keep me excited and keen to keep going. Thank you.
His channel is great and well worth hanging around for 😊
Nice video and anyway nice content on your channel.
I also own a yellow pcb speccy beside my other 8 working ones.
As well I own 10 different zx81 and, of course, one yellow pcb😊
Ah the humble Speccy, to which I owe my entire career and many happy childhood days. Restored a few back in the 1990s but have just recently started getting back into the game, with the added complication I'm now living in the US. So, I get to play with the NTSC conversion, always fun!
So many people had the same start to their computer journey. Truly a special machine.
Nice! I need to educate myself about Spectrum's as I have two in need of repair and don't know much about them. First is the composite mod as I don't have RF monitors or capture devices here. Even though the owner asked me NOT to make that mod permanent.
I should be able to tell you all you need to know Tony. And you know where to find me! 😉
Nice video shot, keep it up, thanks for sharing it with us :)
HIIIIII!!! I don't care about the Sinclairs but I watch all your videos! Thos flight cases you made look awesome!
Glad you like them! :)
@@MoreFunMakingItI love em, you put so much love and work in them, it shows.
Lovely stuff Lee!
Glad you enjoyed it
I know a lot of non British people make fun of the spectrum and its ancestors and well its descendants to be honest, and I understand why, usually it is the Keyboards which are probably a huge part of its Toy aesthetic, (as an American I had a US version of the 81 so I experienced the frustration and yes I do miss that little machine) but honestly it is interesting in just how minimalistic Clive and his people were designing a functional computer, and honestly though tiny compared to the offerings from Commodore, Atari Tandy etc, they all looked good, even the 80,
Its an undeniably beautiful object. Even today it will stand out in the crowd of brown and beige.
Cool specky, cannot remember ever coming across one with that colour PCB before.
Isn't it pretty!
1.1A? My guess is something is about to break. I would suggest checking what is getting hot.
I think you're right. I will investigate
@@MoreFunMakingIt last time I was fixing a Speccy it took only 800mA, and after burning my finger on the voltage converter coil I've managed to save it from serving me a magic smoke.
Well, 4A yellow is kinda rare, all things considered, but what I think makes it somewhat rarer is I think it being in a rubberkey casing. It was the time of the plus casing when issue 4's were around. I can't say I am any kind of expert here, but if the serial number gurus can confirm it is in fact its original casing, then it should go for a similar price seen on that web page. And again, not an expert here but that's a bit too much current, might be something wrong with the ceramic decoupling capacitors, needs further testing, IMHO.
Interesting thoughts on the serial number. I'll look into that.
Also going to chase down the reason is pulling so much current.
That's a MINT keyboard sir to go along with a MINT job, as ever great work. Almost looks untouched by human hands ... remind me again your hands are human right?
You'll have to tell me next time I give you a back rub...
Now I suddenly realize that there is room enough for a cap-lock key, besides a A there is sufficient space for an extra key. Many people it would have helped if there would have been a way to type all in capitals. The people who like to shout on BBS'ses and the many partially disabled persons who can only type with one hand at the time. Policemen when they make a report! Those would have loved the cap-lock key on the Spectrum.
Why did nobody think of this before? It could have changed the complete computing industry!
And to think when I used to refurb and sell Speccy's back in 2011-13 I had a whole big box of these 'Yellows' and Issue 1 fawns, and could hardly give them away! No one wanted 'odd' speccy's back then, just 48k normal green board ones to 'play all the games'... Oh how things have changed lol (and wish I still had that box, would have been worth about £10k now!).
I don't want a time machine, I'd probably erase myself. But maybe just let me send a note back to my younger self! DON'T SELL THESE THINGS!
my 1st computer..
A fundamental question: how can I tell what issue my ZX Spectrum is? And does recapping it decrease or increase its value?
Pop it open and have a look at the bottom edge of the motherboard. It shows it there.
I would say, as long as good quality caps are used and fitted without damage, it should increase its value for most revisions. But an issue 1 I would try to leave original if possible
what is the name of diagnostics card ?
....I don't think I can win those
You've done enough here mate!
@@MoreFunMakingIt No