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Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:37 am
by vanpeebles
What is the best way to identify a QL? From the outside what is best to look for and are there any lines of code that will identify the rom version etc.
I'm about to do a stock take of my collection and I don't want to open them up if I don't need too
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 11:55 am
by XorA
print VER$
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 1:46 pm
by prime
And certainly German / Samsung QLs are easy enough to spot as they have the standard 9 pin connectors for Joystick / Serial ports, instead of those crappy BT style connectors.
Cheers,
Phill.
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:00 pm
by 1024MAK
The serial number also may help, the first part gives the so called build standard. The service manual gives details.
However, machines modified or serviced since leaving Sinclair may not have any exterior indications that they have had any work done. Then the build standard information indicated by the serial number may be inaccurate. But, if you compare the results returned by VER$ and the build standard, if they don't tally, you know that the ROM's / EPROM's have been changed (upgraded hopefully).
Mark
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:27 pm
by Derek_Stewart
On SMSQ/E:
VER$(-2) : Returns Start of System Variables.
VER$(0) : Returns HBA
VER$(1) : Returns SMSQ/E version
On anything other than SMSQ/E, VER$(0) or VER$() or VER$ give the QL Rom version.
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 6:48 am
by dex
prime wrote:standard 9 pin connectors for Joystick / Serial ports
where "standard serial port" means "connected as in ZX Interface 1".
CTRL ALT ESC 4 turns keyclick on, if there is Hermes inside (otherwise it is standard 8049).
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:49 am
by vanpeebles
That's a good one
anyway to count the ram? I know one of mine has an internal 512 can't remember if it tells you on screen.
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:20 am
by prime
dex wrote:prime wrote:standard 9 pin connectors for Joystick / Serial ports
where "standard serial port" means "connected as in ZX Interface 1".
Well I actually meant that the D9 is a standard connector which the BT like thingy is not
The QL is the only place i saw them used apart from on phone equipment.
Cheers.
Phill.
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:47 am
by dex
vanpeebles wrote:That's a good one
anyway to count the ram?
Minerva shows it directly.
Toolkit II has the FREE_MEM function.
Or use PRINT SYS_VARS($20) - (HEX("20000"))
(see
http://www.theqlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=322)
Re: Best way to identify a QL (with out opening case)?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:27 am
by Mr_Navigator
vanpeebles wrote:That's a good one
anyway to count the ram? I know one of mine has an internal 512 can't remember if it tells you on screen.
There is a significant delay on a 512 ram upgrade you should be able tell just by switching on