More Serial Woes

[t0nyt]

Hi,

I tried another vRetro PSU on my main QL (as the original vRetro PSU had issues powering the QL with any extras attached) and now my serial communications with my RetroModem keeps giving me garbage on the screen as per the attached image. Switching back to an original PSU doesn't fix the issue suggesting something is now damaged in the QL?

I switched in a spare QL, using an original QL PSU, and the RetroModem works fine with that

As you can see from the image it's talking to the RetroModem at the correct baud as messages it generates are perfectly readable, but I can't do anything with it as the garbage characters are being constantly written to the screen

Anyone have any ideas what might be wrong please? Not sure if I've damaged the Hermes or another chip or something?

Many thanks

[t0nyt]

Was going to swap the ZX8302 but this QL has the resistor/fly-lead mod

I think I’ll break it for spares and move the Schon/Hermes/working MDVs etc to a spare QL

The vRetro PSU’s are going in the bin tomorrow

[Pr0f]

I've usesd one of those with no issues - I'd be happy to take a look at it/them and see what might be wrong?

PM if interested. If they are working or I can get them working I'm happy to send them back to you.

[t0nyt]

I've usesd one of those with no issues - I'd be happy to take a look at it/them and see what might be wrong?

PM if interested. If they are working or I can get them working I'm happy to send them back to you.

If you’d like them you are welcome to have them, as I’d of just binned them (1 plays up with pretty much anything other than a BBQL, and the other works as I would of expected/wanted but has wrecked something in my QL)

If you PM me your address I’ll send them to you, but I don’t want them back thanks. Will stick to original PSU’s from now on

[Bloodnok]

Tony, I have been waiting to sort this out for over six months now, after sending a free replacement power converter for the first one that didn't work as expected in your QL system. I no longer have the email correspondence from that time but I recall I was expecting some information from you about voltages internal to the QL to try and diagnose the problem for you. I didn't receive a reply.

I have sold over 120 of these power converters with only a handful of support requests, mainly due to inadequate supply capacity. I'm not convinced that the vRetro converter caused any problems and to blame it for destroying some componentry, without providing details of internal voltages and other handy information that should have lead to your diagnosis, is unfair.

You have two converters (one at my expense) and I'm disappointed that you didn't make the time to try and resolve your problems directly with me. I am always keen to sort issues out with customers even if the resolution is a full refund.

Apologies to other members on this forum for replying in this way but I felt compelled to provide some words in my defence.

[Bloodnok]

I've usesd one of those with no issues - I'd be happy to take a look at it/them and see what might be wrong?

PM if interested. If they are working or I can get them working I'm happy to send them back to you.

Hi Pr0f, if you'd like a copy of the converter schematic please let me know.

[t0nyt]

Tony, I have been waiting to sort this out for over six months now, after sending a free replacement power converter for the first one that didn't work as expected in your QL system. I no longer have the email correspondence from that time but I recall I was expecting some information from you about voltages internal to the QL to try and diagnose the problem for you. I didn't receive a reply.

I have sold over 120 of these power converters with only a handful of support requests, mainly due to inadequate supply capacity. I'm not convinced that the vRetro converter caused any problems and to blame it for destroying some componentry, without providing details of internal voltages and other handy information that should have lead to your diagnosis, is unfair.

You have two converters (one at my expense) and I'm disappointed that you didn't make the time to try and resolve your problems directly with me. I am always keen to sort issues out with customers even if the resolution is a full refund.

Apologies to other members on this forum for replying in this way but I felt compelled to provide some words in my defence.

You NEVER sent me a replacement, you wanted the voltages checked first and I was warned off on here on checking voltages inside the machine so I gave up on the whole idea

I got the 2nd unit recently as “used once” from someone else and it worked the way I had hoped it would but immediately then realised that my serial port was playing up. It may of been a coincidence but seems highly unlikely as until that point it had worked flawlessly on every power up/reboot for many months

I think it’s time to leave the forum, but many thanks to everyone for the help and advice you’ve given me while I’ve been here.

Pr0f, will send you the items as per PM. Many thanks

[bwinkel67]

...I was warned off on here on checking voltages inside the machine so I gave up on the whole idea

I'm not sure why checking voltages would be an issue. As long as you use a reliable multimeter and are careful, you shouldn't damage the machine. Or, am I wrong here, is the QL more susceptible to something shorting out if you check voltages?

I got the 2nd unit recently as “used once” from someone else and it worked the way I had hoped it would but immediately then realised that my serial port was playing up. It may of been a coincidence but seems highly unlikely as until that point it had worked flawlessly on every power up/reboot for many months

Things do break over time, so it could have been a coincidence. Even moving the machine, plugging things in and out, or power cycling can cause issues. Maybe a lose solder joint finally gave way, etc. It's happened on my machine on the joystick port and I just had to reheat the connectors.

As for Charlie, his replacement psu is a nice solution. For me personally, he's also had great support helping fix/replace a broken vDrive that I had bought 4 years earlier. I did have to check a few things, but I think that's reasonable. So I bet you could have gotten it replaced if you wanted it.

I think it’s time to leave the forum, but many thanks to everyone for the help and advice you’ve given me while I’ve been here.

I hope you decide to stay. Having a misunderstanding ought not cause anyone to leave the forum. More people here only helps our little community.

[XorA]

Apologies to other members on this forum for replying in this way but I felt compelled to provide some words in my defence.

MOD NOTE, this is fine, you were called out, perfectly fine to answer in public!

[t0nyt]

I'd just like to clarify that I have various vRetro products (vMap's, vDriveQL & vDriveZX) and they are all fantastic products I wouldn't want to be without

Whatever the cause of my Serial problems actually was, I accept it was likely a co-incidence and apologise for any offence caused

The serial issue is not something I've been able to resolve (have tried replacing 8049, ZX8302 & MC1488, thanks for the help Pr0f) so if anyone has any thoughts what else I could try it would be much appreciated please

Many thanks