I'm restoring/repairing an issue 2 ZX Spectrum, I went to load some software and for the life of me I am unable to do that.
I repaired another ZX spectrum in the past and I struggled then too but in the end I found a combination of SW/HW which worked. I was using my laptop sound card and OTLA. So to remove variables I checked with the "known working" ZX first... Nothing. I get the software title but shortly afterwards the loading fails. Flashing red or an error message I haven't written down.
It's the same laptop, the same ZX
I then tried a USB external interface, a Focusrite 2i2. Nothing. I then tried a WAVE file of ManicMiner - OTLA has a fast loader so I thought maybe a slower one would work. Nothing.
I am connected in mono. My oscilloscope says I'm sending 700mV p/p signals.
Any ideas? I made a repair video last time, I went back to check the settings I used with OTLA, all checks out. I'm out of ideas!
Thank you!
Edit: I found the issue! Thanks to my oscilloscope. I realised the laptop sound card via OTLA was actually sending a much stronger signal, 3V P/P. However, I could see the signal starting at 3V then lowering at around 800mV - looked like some compressor or "hearing protection".
Under Windows I checked on the output setting and disabled the "enhancements". The signal was not stable at around 3V p/p and the game loaded Yay!
(stupid windows!)
I believe this could be nice to leave here for future reference.
Thanks anyways!
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