09-06-2022, 11:27 AM
Hi Witchy,
The load speed can be a factor, try using 300 bps if you can and see how that goes, the lower speed is a little less prone to tape speed variations that is seen on old tape players. I find the most reliable is using a modern computer and output the wave file from the sound card. However these days I rarely input from tape.
There has been a number of engineering changes to the Cassette interface over time to improve reliability, some of these if done post manufacture may have resulted in just lifting a leg rather than full removal (easier to reinstate later if needed, check out the engineering notes in the handbook
Maybe Ewan or someone can answer the "How did Microbee test the main boards before adding the RAM?" question as they had closer association with the production back in the day, I came along much latter.
However, many systems like these were tested using purpose built test jigs, if you have a look at the engineering technical manual there is a template for making some angle brackets to have the Coreboard at 90 degrees to the mainboard for repairs and troubleshooting. I have a set of these and is very very useful.
There are also a couple of TEST EPROMs in the repository which can be helpful in testing the the Microbee. Having multiple systems is also very useful when repairing especially if you have a known fully working system to swap between.
Ernest
The load speed can be a factor, try using 300 bps if you can and see how that goes, the lower speed is a little less prone to tape speed variations that is seen on old tape players. I find the most reliable is using a modern computer and output the wave file from the sound card. However these days I rarely input from tape.
There has been a number of engineering changes to the Cassette interface over time to improve reliability, some of these if done post manufacture may have resulted in just lifting a leg rather than full removal (easier to reinstate later if needed, check out the engineering notes in the handbook
Maybe Ewan or someone can answer the "How did Microbee test the main boards before adding the RAM?" question as they had closer association with the production back in the day, I came along much latter.
However, many systems like these were tested using purpose built test jigs, if you have a look at the engineering technical manual there is a template for making some angle brackets to have the Coreboard at 90 degrees to the mainboard for repairs and troubleshooting. I have a set of these and is very very useful.
There are also a couple of TEST EPROMs in the repository which can be helpful in testing the the Microbee. Having multiple systems is also very useful when repairing especially if you have a known fully working system to swap between.
Ernest
