RAM Packs Alternatives?

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
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msknight
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by msknight »

Work - yes. Capable of WRX high res graphics... maybe not. However, not that many games use it, so you should be good to go.

If there are some that are better than others... I'll have to leave for those more experienced to advise.
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Paul
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by Paul »

Karl_G wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:01 pm so I'll probably end up going with something vintage.
Do you live in Europe? I ask because of postage.
In June there will be a 32 to 56 K Ram expansion available in Europe. Of course HRG capable.
Maybe also in the UK, depends on wether Lardo Boffin is willing to produce them.
They are tiny but are made to fit in original Sinclair 16K housings .
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1024MAK
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by 1024MAK »

Karl_G wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:01 pm Can I assume that all of these should also work with the Timex Sinclair 1000?
As a TS1000 is a ZX81 with a differently labelled keyboard, screened case, different modulator and 2K internal RAM instead of 1K, yes, 16K or larger capacity RAM packs for the ZX81 should work fine with a TS1000.

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Paul
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by Paul »

1024MAK wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 7:41 pm yes, 16K or larger capacity RAM packs for the ZX81 should work fine with a TS1000.
Also 2K, 3K and 4K made for ZX80 work fine on a ZX81 or TS1000
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Lardo Boffin
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Paul wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 7:30 pm
Karl_G wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:01 pm so I'll probably end up going with something vintage.
Do you live in Europe? I ask because of postage.
In June there will be a 32 to 56 K Ram expansion available in Europe. Of course HRG capable.
Maybe also in the UK, depends on wether Lardo Boffin is willing to produce them.
They are tiny but are made to fit in original Sinclair 16K housings .
Happy to give it a go!
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Moggy
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by Moggy »

Paul wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 7:44 pm
1024MAK wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 7:41 pm yes, 16K or larger capacity RAM packs for the ZX81 should work fine with a TS1000.
Also 2K, 3K and 4K made for ZX80 work fine on a ZX81 or TS1000
I Thought a track had to be cut in these ZX80 RAM packs for them to work rather than plug and play as your post suggests, apologies if I've misunderstood.

More on this here.

https://www.sinclairzxworld.com/viewtop ... =20#p30670

Click on picture to zoom.
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mrtinb
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by mrtinb »

Moggy wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 1:36 pm Paul is correct in my opinion. The 80's edge connectors were terrible whereas the modern replacements are far better, one example is of those fitted to Charlie Robson's Zxpands. The white issue 6 I have from him has an edge connector that grips like a vice and like all my other spands suffers no wobble problems whatsoever.
I have an ZXpand+ and having trouble with wobble all the time. I ask the family not to breath near the table when I use the ZXpand+.

Stange we can have so different experiences.
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Paul
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by Paul »

I also have various zxpands, from old to plus.
Never experienced a wobble.
Have you cleaned your edge connectors of the zeddy? Can you please post a macro photo of your zxpand connector ?
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by Moggy »

I have all issues of ZXpand including a recent prototype and like Paul have no problem with wobble whatsoever so yeah perhaps dirty or worn/uneven plating on edge connector.
stroebeljc
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Re: RAM Packs Alternatives?

Post by stroebeljc »

mrtinb wrote: Tue Apr 30, 2024 3:15 pm I have an ZXpand+ and having trouble with wobble all the time. I ask the family not to breath near the table when I use the ZXpand+.

Stange we can have so different experiences.
Since I touched up each tab on the edge connector with a thin bead of solder, I've had no wobble problems, even with the 16k RAM pack.
John
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