Led only goes when a Spectrum turns it for an operation, the head is read/write. Microswitch is for write enable - pull tab off side of cartridge to make read only.
My Dad worked for Burgess Micrswitch as a chief engineer and later engineering director. He designed many of their products including the write protect switch for microdrives (spectrum, QL , OPD). Funnily enough same switch is I believe the Go switch on the C5. Loved it when he went visiting Sinclair and told about prototype products he had seen. I even saw an empty and clear Microdrive cartridge. If memory server I believe the were called internally at the time ‘skipsels’, can’t be 100% or know if spelling is correct, but many of my QL cartridges when I look back are labelled SKIP_1 etc. I also remember him visiting BT and seeing early Fax machines and having a very early 3D printer for prototype work
Where's the erase head? Wonder if they employed some tricks to get round without using one. Also, the motor seems quite large for such a small cartridge with only a bit of tape. Maybe that is the reason behind the tape stretching over time to the point of becoming unreadable?
You've probably already worked this out, the metal plate is for bolting two microdrive units together with that interconnect block in between. The edge connectors on these things and the Interface 1 are very unreliable and can cause data transfer problems. Back in the day, my father soldered some proper connectors on to the drive and interface and build a sturdy ribbon cable to replace the cheapo thing it came with. Totally improved loading and saving times. I've sometimes wondered why the cartridges never went in straight, didn't occur to me that they have to push past the drive spinal...
@@neillmitchell6470 Using a screwdriver WILL to ding the plate. A hot air gun is a good solution. It will melt the glue and then it is possible to remove the metal faceplate.
A hot air gun is a good solution. It will melt the glue and then it is possible to remove the metal faceplate.
Led only goes when a Spectrum turns it for an operation, the head is read/write. Microswitch is for write enable - pull tab off side of cartridge to make read only.
My Dad worked for Burgess Micrswitch as a chief engineer and later engineering director. He designed many of their products including the write protect switch for microdrives (spectrum, QL , OPD). Funnily enough same switch is I believe the Go switch on the C5. Loved it when he went visiting Sinclair and told about prototype products he had seen. I even saw an empty and clear Microdrive cartridge. If memory server I believe the were called internally at the time ‘skipsels’, can’t be 100% or know if spelling is correct, but many of my QL cartridges when I look back are labelled SKIP_1 etc.
I also remember him visiting BT and seeing early Fax machines and having a very early 3D printer for prototype work
Great vid, just got 3 of these and am praying they work
Where's the erase head? Wonder if they employed some tricks to get round without using one. Also, the motor seems quite large for such a small cartridge with only a bit of tape. Maybe that is the reason behind the tape stretching over time to the point of becoming unreadable?
You've probably already worked this out, the metal plate is for bolting two microdrive units together with that interconnect block in between. The edge connectors on these things and the Interface 1 are very unreliable and can cause data transfer problems. Back in the day, my father soldered some proper connectors on to the drive and interface and build a sturdy ribbon cable to replace the cheapo thing it came with. Totally improved loading and saving times. I've sometimes wondered why the cartridges never went in straight, didn't occur to me that they have to push past the drive spinal...
I use a wide plastic car trim tool to remove the top plate with damaging it. Using a screwdriver tends to ding the plate.
@@neillmitchell6470 Using a screwdriver WILL to ding the plate.
A hot air gun is a good solution. It will melt the glue and then it is possible to remove the metal faceplate.
Good thing about real zx Spectrums... they don't need retrobrighting
More Retro Wreck Ralph. :)
Cool I have never seen the microdrive innards before
Very uncomfortable to see your video. Just too slowly