QL resurrection - worth it?

[Sebright]

Hi,

I was trying to get my old QL working again, for the challenge, and also on the off-chance I could save some programs off my really old microdrives.

I needed a new membrane, but the keyboard is now functional again. The QL boots up and shows Gold Card V2.31 at the top and the old F1/F2 stuff at the bottom. Mdv1_ spins up on pressing F1/F2 and I can get mdv2_ to spin as well. As for my floppy drives, they light up when trying to access them but no sign of motors spinning up. Does that signal a problem with the interface or the drives themselves?

I can only get a very hazy image via the UHF output. I have a SCART cable, but all that shows is a light blue screen, shifted slightly to the left. Does that signal a defunct video chip?

My plan was to re-felt a couple of mdvs that I hoped to get working again, then save to floppy.

If I could get a decent picture, I'd definitely be interested in keeping it going after that. What are the chances?

[Peter]

I can only get a very hazy image via the UHF output. I have a SCART cable, but all that shows is a light blue screen, shifted slightly to the left. Does that signal a defunct video chip?

If the colours are correct on UHF, the video chip is most likely working as it should.
What you need is a decent video adaptor, for example one of the numerous QL Pico VGA variants: viewtopic.php?t=4338

[Marcel_X]

It is always worth resurrecting a QL Just finished my third and last QL with missing keys, pulverised membrane and crusty sockets.
Always fun to finally hear the whizzing sound of the microdrive spinning up!

I have a few populated boards of the QLpicoVGA left. You can see my version at the end of the thread that Peter mentions.
Send me a PM if you are interested. I can supply the assembled PCB or a bare board if you fancy soldering one yourself. It is tiny though!
I have a few 3D printed enclosures lying around as well.

[Sebright]

If the colours are correct on UHF, the video chip is most likely working as it should.

That's great news! Looks like a go'er then.

It is always worth resurrecting a QL Just finished my third and last QL with missing keys, pulverised membrane and crusty sockets.
Always fun to finally hear the whizzing sound of the microdrive spinning up!

I have a few populated boards of the QLpicoVGA left. You can see my version at the end of the thread that Peter mentions.
Send me a PM if you are interested. I can supply the assembled PCB or a bare board if you fancy soldering one yourself. It is tiny though!
I have a few 3D printed enclosures lying around as well.

Expect a PM from me soon