ZX80 Randomly Resets: Fixed

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
Post Reply
User avatar
anightin
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:35 am

ZX80 Randomly Resets: Fixed

Post by anightin »

Dear All,

In a fit of nostalgia I decided to dust off my ZX80 an do a composite mod conversion.

All was going very well and I did indeed achieve a 'crispy display' as per instructions.

I put the machine to bed, very happy with myself and went back to it this morning for another session to see if I could remember how to program it.

After about 5 mins of use it has now developed a random reset behaviour.

Any hints on what to check would be gratefully received. I am assuming the on-board regulator as a first port of call.
IMG_7159.jpeg
IMG_7176.jpeg
Kind Regards

Andy
Last edited by anightin on Sat Jun 20, 2020 9:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5118
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets

Post by 1024MAK »

Certainly monitor the +5V to see if it is within specification (4.75V to 5.25V).

By monitor, I mean keep your multimeter connected and wait while watching it until the symptoms appear.

If the +5V is okay, monitor the voltage on pin 26 of the Z80 CPU. This should be at or near the +5V voltage. It’s the reset circuit.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
User avatar
anightin
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:35 am

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets

Post by anightin »

1024MAK wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 3:25 pm Certainly monitor the +5V to see if it is within specification (4.75V to 5.25V).

By monitor, I mean keep your multimeter connected and wait while watching it until the symptoms appear.

If the +5V is okay, monitor the voltage on pin 26 of the Z80 CPU. This should be at or near the +5V voltage. It’s the reset circuit.

Mark
Thanks Mark, I'll wait until the new Traco Power TSR 1-2450 switch mode replacement arrives from Farnell then start testing -- I had already planned to replace it so I've already taken out the 7805. I might change the electrolytics while I'm there too -- looks like one is on the regulator and one on the reset line. Will report back.

Regards

Andy
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5118
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets

Post by 1024MAK »

One electrolytic is decoupling the +9V rail and the other provides the timing (with a resistor) for the reset to the Z80.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
User avatar
anightin
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:35 am

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets

Post by anightin »

1024MAK wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 5:14 pm One electrolytic is decoupling the +9V rail and the other provides the timing (with a resistor) for the reset to the Z80.

Mark
Swapped out the regulator and caps and is now rock solid. Many thanks for your help. :D
IMG_7219.jpeg
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5118
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets: Fixed

Post by 1024MAK »

Good to hear that it’s up and running again :D

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
User avatar
anightin
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:35 am

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets: Fixed

Post by anightin »

BTW, has anyone used one of these 'Z80' PSUs:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-Si ... %7Ciid%3A1

The reason I ask is that I did the same composite (and regulator) mods to my Jupiter Ace yesterday, as well as replacing the caps. I was using the same PSU as the one on my Z80 above and would you believe it, the Ace reset itself a couple of times whilst I was testing it.

Fortunately I had pin 26 attached to my DVM and it was reading 4.97v and then dropped to 0v and back to 4.97v again.

Could this be something triggering the PSU protection maybe, dodgy PSU, or just a coincidence? :?
IMG_7222.jpeg
IMG_7223.jpeg
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5118
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets: Fixed

Post by 1024MAK »

No, I have not even seen that type before. I have more Sinclair ZX PSUs than I have Sinclair computers!

It’s more likely that there is an intermittent connection. I can’t remember the current consumption of an Ace, but there is no way that’s it’s anywhere near 1A, and that’s when using a 7805. With a DC-DC switching regulator, the current consumption will be even lower. So I don’t see any reason for the protection system in the mains PSU to be triggered.

I do know that DC-DC switching regulators really don’t like any sparking on the 3.5mm input jack. So I would advise to clean the plug and the socket. Then if possible monitor the “+9V” supply voltage with you multimeter.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
User avatar
anightin
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:35 am

Re: ZX80 Randomly Resets: Fixed

Post by anightin »

1024MAK wrote: Sun Jun 21, 2020 4:17 pm No, I have not even seen that type before. I have more Sinclair ZX PSUs than I have Sinclair computers!

It’s more likely that there is an intermittent connection. I can’t remember the current consumption of an Ace, but there is no way that’s it’s anywhere near 1A, and that’s when using a 7805. With a DC-DC switching regulator, the current consumption will be even lower. So I don’t see any reason for the protection system in the mains PSU to be triggered.

I do know that DC-DC switching regulators really don’t like any sparking on the 3.5mm input jack. So I would advise to clean the plug and the socket. Then if possible monitor the “+9V” supply voltage with you multimeter.

Mark
I swapped the ZX80 PSU out for a ZX81 PSU and no resets so it could have been a dirty socket I guess (and all the PSU swapping has cleaned it up), or a dodgy PSU. I guess I'll need to keep playing :)
Post Reply