ZX-Wespi tape loading

[Lardo Boffin]

How does tape loading work with a Wespi connected?

I have tried loading from tape (well, a TZXDuino as that is way more reliable) but not managed to get it work yet.

I assume you load using LOAD “game name”? Or should LOAD”” work if the cassette cable is plugged in?

There is a menu option in the SYS screen about S to silent load or similar (not in front of my zeddy at the mo). Any idea what this does?

Thanks!

[mrtinb]

The composite signal is sent to the Wespi, and when you type LOAD ""+N/L, the the display is turned off. The Wespi recognises this and start to send a small loader program. That program auto starts, and automatically loads a fast loader. The fast loader loads a menu, that lists programs in the Flash of the Wespi. All this happens in few seconds. Please don't specify file name, as the Wespi won't acknowledge that, and won't load.

I havn't used the "silent" option, but I believe it disables the Wespi, so you can load from tape. I think I had to pull the power from the Wespi to wake it again.

[Lardo Boffin]

The composite signal is sent to the Wespi, and when you type LOAD ""+N/L, the the display is turned off. The Weeps recognises this and start to send a small loader program. That program auto starts, and automatically loads a fast loader. The fast loader loads a menu, that lists programs in the Flash of the Wespi. All this happens in few seconds. Please don't specify file name, as the Wespi won't acknowledge that, and won't load.

I havn't used the "silent" option, but I believe it disables the Wespi, so you can load from tape. I think I had to pull the power from the Wespi to wake it again.

Thanks Martin. I will look into the silent option - I presume just switching the zeddy off and on again will have the same effect as pulling the power to wake it up afterwards.

[Lardo Boffin]

I can’t figure out the ‘silent’ option. Anyone know how it works?

If I press S it just takes me back to the load menu with no obvious way to then load from tape.

[Lardo Boffin]

I was thinking of just putting a switch like this on the 5V line to switch off the Wespi when tape loading is required?

Is it as simple as that?

[mrtinb]

I can’t figure out the ‘silent’ option. Anyone know how it works?

If I press S it just takes me back to the load menu with no obvious way to then load from tape.

I have no tape attached to my system, but as I understand it, "S" disables the Wespi, so the next load can be from tape. I only think you can enable the Wespi again by turning it off.

In my current setup I have both ZXpand and Wespi connected. So load is from ZXpand. If I want to load from Wespi, I do

Code: Select all

CONFIG "X"

On the Wespi I have a file: ZXPANDON.P that enables ZXpand again, and do

Code: Select all

RAND USR 0

So at least it's easy to swap between ZXpand and Wespi. I know that's not what you asked for, but I felt like sharing with you.

[Lardo Boffin]

I can’t figure out the ‘silent’ option. Anyone know how it works?

If I press S it just takes me back to the load menu with no obvious way to then load from tape.

I have no tape attached to my system, but as I understand it, "S" disables the Wespi, so the next load can be from tape. I only think you can enable the Wespi again by turning it off.

Thanks. Just not sure what S actually does!

I will get round to trying this on my rebuilt zeddy with a ZXPand at some point so that will be useful info thanks.

[Lardo Boffin]

Not got anywhere with actually loading from tape with the Wespi attached so going to try something a little more extreme…

I figured if I cut the tracks shown below (expertly cut if I say so myself) then I can fit a switch in the same place the channel switch is on the USA zeddies.

Is cutting the tracks here going to cause any issues?

Obviously I won’t be doing it on a USA model!

The basic plan is to have the 5V cable go from the usual source to one side of the switch and then continue on from the other side of the switch to the Wespi.

[Lardo Boffin]

Switch fitted with a small amount of masking tape behind it as the case is metal:

From the outside:

The switch is about 2mm proud of the case so hopefully will be fine once the feet are on!

A set of small files to de-bur the hole are on order.

[Lardo Boffin]

That switch process didn’t work as there was a lot of interference on the screen when the Wespi was switched off.

Take two…

This switch controls both Ground and +5V and works fine with the Wespi on and off.

Obviously the wiring will be tidied up!

Anyone see any issues with this approach, apart from having to fit the switch to the case which will be a bit destructive…