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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 16:13
by PhilC
@rubber_jonnie I'll have a look at the emulator a little later on. Have just found a floppy drive that seems to work okay with it

The floppy formats great, so Just the microdrives to fix now.

You're right about the QL keeping me busy as its almost a whole new thing to learn compared to any other computer

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 17:59
by stephen_usher
If you can find the book "Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide" it's a good OS programming reference.

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 18:18
by PhilC
stephen_usher wrote: 30 Jun 2022 17:59 If you can find the book "Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide" it's a good OS programming reference.
Ok will have a look for that.

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 19:25
by Icky
PhilC wrote: 30 Jun 2022 18:18
stephen_usher wrote: 30 Jun 2022 17:59 If you can find the book "Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide" it's a good OS programming reference.
Ok will have a look for that.
Also you can usually pick up an original QL manual cheaply on eBay, worth doing that too.

EDIT: Or not so cheap - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203256843740

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 19:51
by PhilC
@Icky ive got an electronic copy but will see if I can get a paper copy cheap enough

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 22:48
by rubber_jonnie
Icky wrote: 30 Jun 2022 19:25
PhilC wrote: 30 Jun 2022 18:18

Ok will have a look for that.
Also you can usually pick up an original QL manual cheaply on eBay, worth doing that too.

EDIT: Or not so cheap - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203256843740
I paid about £30 for my manual about 10 years ago, so I don't think the price is that bad, but then I do have a boxed machine and wanted the manual for it :)

I also have a copy of the Sinclair QL Advanced User Guide, it came with my 2nd QL from eBay, probably also about 10 years ago. That QL is since sold on :)

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 15:49
by PhilC
I did a bit more on the QL today in between working.

The rom adaptor pub arrived, so I've built that up and the QL now runs Minerva 1.98 (not that I know the difference.)

Just waiting on the two missing keys to arrive and then give the QL a good clean up and we are good to go.

I'm thinking of printing another case for the Trump card that some how builds in a floppy or gotek and that matches the QL case.

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 17:20
by PhilC
So it seems like QLs are like buses, don’t ever own one and then two come along

ABD6CD6E-4F23-4786-BC50-D2455808A163.jpeg

This one has a broken key stem which I’ll replace but then that’s it. Two working microdrives as well.

It needs a bl**dy good clean as usual though.

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 18:11
by mfro
Out of curiosity, I have been checking QL prices on e**y. Crazy. Several hundreds of € for a 128K unexpanded machine with broken keyboard in sad state.

I still remember when at the end of its "Quantum Leap" these were dumped for less than 100DM in the stores.

Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 19:19
by PhilC
@mfro thst would be like £25 right? That’s crazy money.

I will fix both of these up but then pass one of them on once I’ve had my fun with it.