--- title: Sinclair ZX SPECTRUM +2 categories: - Computers types: - Home Computer origins: - United Kingdom years: - '1986' cpus: - Zilog Z80 A params: name: ZX SPECTRUM +2 image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_system_s1.jpg company: /companies/sinclair company_name: Sinclair specs: - label: NAME value: ZX SPECTRUM +2 - label: MANUFACTURER value: Sinclair - label: TYPE value: Home Computer - label: ORIGIN value: United Kingdom - label: YEAR value: '1986' - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE value: Sinclair Basic 48k (compatibility mode) and Sinclair Basic 128k - label: KEYBOARD value: |- Full-stroke keyboard, 58 keys\ same layout as the ZX Spectrum+ - label: CPU value: Zilog Z80 A - label: SPEED value: 3.5469 MHz - label: RAM value: 128 kb (8 x 16k banks) - label: ROM value: |- Spectrum +2 : 32 kb\ Spectrum +2A/B : 64k - label: TEXT MODES value: 32 x 24 - label: GRAPHIC MODES value: 256 x 192 - label: COLORS value: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright) - label: SOUND value: 3 channels, 8 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912) - label: SIZE / WEIGHT value: 44 x 17,5 x 5,5 cm / 1,525 kg - label: I/O PORTS value: UHF PAL TV port, Serial interface (RS232) port, Parallel Printer port (8 bit), Auxiliary interface port, RGB Monitor (and PERITEL TV) port, MIDI output port, Two Joystick ports, Tape/Audio Out, Expansion I/O port (full Z80 bus) - label: BUILT IN MEDIA value: Tape Recorder - label: POWER SUPPLY value: |- External PSU\ Spectrum +2 = 9v DC, 2.1A (centre polarity = -ve)\ Spectrum +2A/B = 5V @ 2A, +12V @ 200mA, -12V @ 50mA (Spectrum+3 PSU can be used) - label: PRICE value: |- £200 (UK, 1986)\ 242 (France, january 1987) tabs: - photos - adverts - hardware - software - emulators - links - docs - videos photos: - title: 'SPECTRUM +2 #1' subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_topview_s1.jpg - title: 'SPECTRUM +2 #2' subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_system_s2.jpg - title: 'SPECTRUM +2 #3' subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_systemfront.jpg - title: BOTH SIDES subtitle: '' text: On the right side, one spots two Sinclair specific joysticks plugs and the Reset switch. image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_sides_s1.jpg - title: 'CLOSE-UP #1' subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_closeup1.jpg - title: 'CLOSE-UP #2' subtitle: '' text: The keyboard had a far better feeling than previous Spectrum models. image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_keyboard_s1.jpg - title: REAR PANEL subtitle: '' text: |- From left to right: • Supply input from the external PSU\ • Expansion connector\ • Serial RS232 and MIDI out socket\ • Numeric keypad socket\ • RGB and sound output DIN socket\ • TV/UHF output (empty in this version)\ • Sound output jack Right side:\ • Dual jostick sockets and Reset switch image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_rearcon.jpg - title: INSIDE THE TOP COVER subtitle: '' text: The top cover holds the keyboard and the cassette drive. image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_topcover_s1.jpg - title: MAINBOARD subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** Custom Sinclair I/O chip\ **(2)** Depending on the country the machine was sold, a TV modulator could be installed here\ **(3)** Keyboard connectors\ **(4)** General Instruments AY-8912 sound generator\ **(5)** ROM chip holding both the BASIC 48 and BASIC 128\ **(6)** Zilog Z80A CPU\ **(7)** 2nd Sinclair custom chip in charge of various I/O and memory management\ **(8)** 5V regulator heat sink\ **(9)** 5V Power connector\ **(10)** Tape recorder connector\ **(11)** 128 KB RAM chips (16 x 4164)\ **(12)** 3rd Sinclair custom video chip. image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B2_mainboard_s1.jpg adverts: - title: FRENCH ADVERT subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_spectrum-plus_pub_1.jpg hardware: - title: SJS1 JOYSTICK subtitle: '' text: This is the special joystick built by Amstrad to be used with the Spectrum +2 / +3, as the Spectrum's joystick sockets are not Atari standards. image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_sjs1_joystick_1.jpg - title: DISCOVERY SYSTEM subtitle: '' text: 'The Discovery system uses the new Sony 3.5'''' diskette to save in full safety the programs and data of the Spectrum or Spectrum+. The diskette has a capacity of 180 KB and a second drive can be installed. The commands of the operating system are similar to those of Sinclair Microdrives. The case includes a power supply and various Spectrum expansion connectors. In short, a lot of hardware qualities, but an incomprehensible defect: the data transfer speed is slower than Microdrives, whereas a disk drive is able to be ten times faster than a tape reader. Discovery did not meet success, certainly for this reason, but also because of its high price, not compatible with the Spectrum''s young users'' purse.' image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_fddiscovery_1.jpg - title: INSIDE DISCOVERY subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** Metallic case.\ **(2)** Centronics parallel printer connector.\ **(3)** Spectrum expansion connector.\ **(4)** Discovery to Spectrum connector.\ **(5)** EPROM memory chip holding drive management routines and OS commands.\ **(6)** Sony 3.5'' disc drive. A double side, single density version.\ **(7)** A strange location for the power transformer, under the disk drive and not protected against magnetic fields.\ **(8)** This empty socket receives a 2 Kb. RAM chip when a second disc drive is installed.\ **(9)** 6821 Circuit, in charge of disc drive control.\ **(10)** Each disc drive uses an internal RAM area to avoid using Spectrum RAM.\ **(11)** Atari standard joystick connector. image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_fddiscovery_ins.jpg - title: INSIDE WAFADRIVE subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** The Wafadrive unit includes two specially designed cartridge drives.\ **(2)** Each cartridge drive has its own motor and electronic control system.\ **(3)** The Wafadrive offers three expansion ports. Unfortunately, they are not compatible with the Spectrum ones and need special cables.\ **(4)** Centronics parallel printer connector.\ **(5)** Spectrum expansion connector for additional peripherals.\ **(6)** 8 Kb. EPROM holding operating system and Basic drives commands.\ **(7)** The Wafadrive is connected to the Spectrum expansion port. It also uses the computer's power supply.\ **(8)** Power Leds. image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_wafadrive_2.jpg - title: WAFADRIVE CARTRIDGE subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_wafadrive_3.jpg - title: CHEETAH JOYSTICK INTERFACE subtitle: '' text: Thanks to Peter James for the picture image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_cheetahjoyinterf_1.jpg - title: KEMPSTON JOYSTICK INTERFACE subtitle: '' text: |- Peter says:\ I'm not sure if this was the first joystick interface for the Spectrum but it defined a standard that was never displaced. Most games carried the words 'Kempston joystick compatible' Says it all really! They later revised the interface to offer 2 joystick connectors Thanks to Peter James for the picture image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_kempstonjoyinterf_1.jpg - title: DK'TRONICS SPEECH SYNTHESIZER subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum_dktronics-speech_synth_1.jpg - title: MAGECO MONITOR subtitle: '' text: It cost 75fr in january 85 (France). image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_dessas.jpg - title: VTR VOCAL SYNTHESIZER subtitle: '' text: 470fr (France, january 85) image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_vocal.jpg - title: CURRAH SPEECH subtitle: Vocal synthesizer text: Just type on the keys and the Spectrum "speaks" with two tones, high and low. There is also a sofware support. image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_vocal2.jpg - title: CHEETAH SPECDRUM subtitle: '' text: |- About the Specdrum, Peter says:\ This was the most fun add-on I ever bought for the Spectrum. You had to connect it to a phono input on a stereo amp, load up the software and away you went. You could enter the rhythm in real time or step time and it had 8 sounds it could play at once. The sound was perfect and still sounds good today. They released some extra drum kit sounds to expand the Specdrum's sound library, Afro Kit and Electro Kit are the ones I remember and purchased. I don’t think any Spectrum should be without this Add-on, it rocks!! Price: About £30 around 85-86 Thanks to Peter James for the picture image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_specdrum_1.jpg - title: ALPHACOM 32 subtitle: '' text: 'Alphacom 32 is the well-known and the cheaper printer for the Spectrum, offering exactly the same features as the ZX Printer : full Spectrum characters set, 32 char. / line and silver plated thermal paper. Alphacom 32 uses its own power supply. june 84 price : 181 -E- (France).' image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_alphacom.jpg - title: FLOYD 40 subtitle: '' text: 'Floyd 40, from the manufacturer Shiva Marketing, doesn''t seem to be very reliable with its very thin plastic case and its wooden paper axis ! However Floyd features are better than Alphacom ones: use of white thermal paper more readable and less expensive, only one cable to connect it to the Spectrum (power and data) and better printing quality. Moreover, Floyd 40 has larger characters set and printing options : double height and width, text printing in the four directions and more advanced and accurate graphic abilities (5 x 7 dots head). On the other hand, the printing is rather slow and the print width doesn''t exceed 8 cm.' image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_floyd40_1.jpg - title: ZX-81 THERMAL PRINTER subtitle: '' text: |- This is a small thermal printer (of very poor quality !). It can print all the graphical characters of the Spectrum and can print 9 lines of text per inch. It was possible to make a hard copy of the screen thanks to the "Copy" command. This tiny thermal printer can also be used with the ZX-Spectrum. image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_zx81_printer.jpg - title: ZX THERMAL PRINTER subtitle: Box text: '' image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx81_zx-printer_box_1.jpg - title: ZX INTERFACE 1 subtitle: '' text: |- This interface offers an RS232 connector, a Microdrive connector and a network socket to connect up to 64 Spectrums ! This marvel cost 895fr in june 84 (France). image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_intrfc1.jpg - title: MICRODRIVES subtitle: '' text: |- Sinclair Microdrives for use with the ZX Interface 1. Up to 8 microdrives can be connected. Micro-tape Capacity: 80k\ Speed: 5k/s\ Average access time: 3,5s\ Integrated power supply (through computer)\ Micro-tape price: 79fr 940fr (June 84) image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_microdrive.jpg - title: INSIDE A MICRODRIVE subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** Tape driving roller.\ **(2)** Read/write magnetic head, basically the same as a standard tape recorder.\ **(3)** Read/write protection switch.\ **(4)** Cartridge housing.\ **(5)** Power led.\ **(6)** Extension connector allowing up to 8 microdrives to be serial connected. image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_insidemdv_1.jpg - title: INSIDE A MICRODRIVE CARTRIDGE subtitle: '' text: The support used in the cartridge is a videotape of 2 mm in width, and 8 meters in length. The video support was chosen for its biggest mechanical resistance. In running mode, the full tape length is covered in about 7 seconds and the information is transferred at 6 Kb. per second (1.5 Kb./sec. for a standard cassette). The recording is made simultaneously on two parallel tracks with a density of 200 bytes per centimeter. The information is organized in sectors of 512 bytes. Any program can be stored or loaded in 15 sec. Maximum. Each cartridge can store up to 100 Kb, but only 85 - 90 are available for the user. image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_insidecartmdv_1.jpg - title: ZX INTERFACE 2 subtitle: '' text: |- This interface offers 2 joystick plugs and 1 cartridge slot. It cost 351fr in june 84 (France). image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_intrfc2.jpg - title: CARTRIDGE subtitle: '' text: |- Sinclair Cartridge for use with the ZX Interface 2. Very few cartridges were produced (less than 10). It cost 185fr in june 84 (France). image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_cartridge.jpg - title: NUMERIC KEYPAD subtitle: '' text: |- This numenic keypad can be used with the Spectrum +2 and Spectrum 128. Thanks to **www.zonadepruebas.com** image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum128_keypad_2.jpg screenshots: - title: SPECTRUM +2 (UK ROM) subtitle: Boot screen text: |- The "boot-up menu" is similar to the UK Spectrum 128's one, except that the TAPE TESTER has been removed (since the tape-recorder is built-in the system) and the copyright is now from Amstrad ! : \- TAPE LOADER to directly load a tape without typing any Basic instructions\ \- 128 BASIC is the new version of the Sinclair Basic introduced with the Spectrum 128\ \- CALCULATOR acts as a classic calculator mode\ \- 48 BASIC is the old Spectrum Basic left here for compatibility image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_spectrum-p2_uk_ss.gif - title: SPECTRUM +2 (FRENCH ROM) subtitle: Boot screen text: '' image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_spectrum-p2_france_ss.gif - title: SPECTRUM +2 (SPANISH ROM) subtitle: Boot screen text: '' image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_spectrum-p2_spain_ss.gif - title: SPECTRUM +2A/B subtitle: Boot-screen text: |- The Spectrum +2A is a +3 without the disk-drive hence the identical boot-menu. Notice that the drives available are listed at the bottom of the screen (A: and B: for disk-drives, and M: for virtual RAM disk) : \- LOADER to directly load a tape without typing any Basic instructions (it was called TAPE LOADER on previous models)\ \- +3 BASIC is the BASIC 128 with +3DOS integrated\ \- CALCULATOR acts as a classic calculator mode\ \- 48 BASIC is the old Spectrum Basic left here for compatibility image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_spectrum-p2a_ss.gif - title: DAN DARE III subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/software/dandare3.gif - title: DOUBLE DRAGON subtitle: '' text: A bit messy... image: /media/museum/software/doubledragon.gif - title: DUN DARACH subtitle: '' text: The guys are walking so smoothly image: /media/museum/software/dundarch.gif - title: ELITE subtitle: '' text: The mythic space game ! The father of all other space-games such as Wing-Commander. image: /media/museum/software/elite.gif - title: FANTASY WORLD DIZZY subtitle: '' text: One of the many games based on the egg-man Dizzy. image: /media/museum/software/fantasy-world-dizzy.gif - title: GAUNTLET subtitle: '' text: Conversion of the classic arcade game image: /media/museum/software/gauntlet.gif - title: GUNFRIGHT subtitle: '' text: 3D isometric western game. A must-have ! image: /media/museum/software/gunfright.gif - title: IKARI WARRIORS subtitle: '' text: As good as Commando ! image: /media/museum/software/ikari-warriors.gif - title: IK+ subtitle: International Karate + text: 3 players fight image: /media/museum/software/ikplus.gif - title: ALIEN 8 subtitle: '' text: Excellent isometric game image: /media/museum/software/alien8.gif - title: ANT ATTACK subtitle: '' text: Avoid the giant ants and save the girl in this 3D maze image: /media/museum/software/antattack.gif - title: ARC OF YESOD subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/software/arcofyesod.gif - title: ATIC ATAC subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/software/aticatac.gif - title: BACK TO SKOOL subtitle: Skooldaze ? text: '' image: /media/museum/software/backtoskool.gif - title: BOMBJACK subtitle: '' text: Classic game ! image: /media/museum/software/bombjack.gif - title: BRUCE LEE subtitle: '' text: One of the best game ever image: /media/museum/software/brucelee.gif - title: CHASE HQ subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/software/chasehq.gif - title: CHUCKIE EGG subtitle: '' text: Who never played this ?? image: /media/museum/software/chuckie-egg.gif - title: COMMANDO subtitle: '' text: Excellent conversion image: /media/museum/software/commando.gif - title: DAILEY'S THOMPSON DECATHLON subtitle: '' text: The best olympic game on the Speccy image: /media/museum/software/dailey-thompson-decathlon.gif emulators: - title: EightyOne url: http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/ platform: Windows text: Excellent emulator emulating nearly all ZX computers (80, 81, Spectrums, Timex, etc.). As well as emulating the machines themselves, numerous addon cards are supported, including hi-res graphics, custom character sets, sound and colour cards. - title: GLECK url: HTTP://GLECK.EMUUNLIM.COM platform: Windows text: Spectrum emulator. Runs on Windows 95 and up, and requires DirectX. Includes a debugger, and emulates also some Southamerican clones - title: RealSpectrum url: http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html platform: Windows text: complete and innovative Spectrum emulator for DOS and Windows - title: Spectaculator url: http://WWW.SPECTACULATOR.COM/ platform: Windows text: Spectaculator emulates the 16K/48K/128/+2/+2A Spectrums and some additional hardware. - title: SPIN url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/emulators.html platform: Windows text: Spectrum emulator running on any version of Windows from '95 onward up to and including XP - title: Warajavo url: http://www.void.jump.org/warajevo/ platform: Windows text: an excellent bosnian emulator for PC compatibles by Zeljko Juric (DOS) - title: Warajavo url: http://www.void.demon.nl/warajevo/index.html platform: Windows text: an excellent bosnian emulator for PC compatibles by Zeljko Juric (DOS) - title: X128 url: http://www.void.jump.org/x128/ platform: Windows text: Spectrum 48 / 128 / +2 / +3 Emulator - title: X128 url: http://www.void.demon.nl/x128/ platform: Windows text: Spectrum 48 / 128 / +2 / +3 Emulator - title: Z80 - The PC Spectrum Emulator url: http://www.accessone.com/~mcoward/z80.zip platform: Windows text: Perhaps the best emulator for PC compatibles - title: ZX-32 url: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/ platform: Windows text: Great Win32 Emulator. Very stable, very fast. - title: MacSpectacle url: http://little-bat.de/zxsp/download/mac_spectacle/manual.html platform: Apple text: One of the most powerful Spectrum emulator - title: ZX Spectrum url: http://www.komkon.org/~stiles/emulation/zx/index.html platform: Apple text: '' - title: ZXSP url: http://little-bat.de/zxsp/download/zxsp_mac/zxsp_mac.html platform: Apple text: Emulator for PowerMac - title: Ian's ZX Spectrum page url: http://www.comlab.ox.ac.uk/oucl/users/ian.collier/Spectrum/ platform: Unix / Linux text: the official page of xz80, the emulator for XWindows - title: Ian's ZX Spectrum page url: http://www.comlab.ox.ac.uk/oucl/users/ian.collier/Spectrum/ platform: Unix / Linux text: the official page of xz80, the emulator for XWindows - title: xz80 url: http://www.comlab.ox.ac.uk/oucl/users/ian.collier/Spectrum/ platform: Unix / Linux text: '' - title: xzx url: http://www.zx-spectrum.net/xzx/ platform: Unix / Linux text: an other emulator for Linux computers - title: xzx url: http://www.mfltd.co.uk/~dnh/xzx/xzx.html platform: Unix / Linux text: an other emulator for Linux computers - title: ASp url: http://www.greew.freeserve.co.uk/ASp.html platform: Amiga OS text: '' - title: Spec128 url: http://members.tripod.com/~JoeKelleher/Spec128/ platform: RISC OS text: Emulates a Spectrum 128 for the Acorn - title: HOB Java Spectrum emulator url: http://www.twinbee.org/hob/ platform: Other platform text: Fascinate yourself for hours with this portable Java Spectrum Emulator. - title: Java On-Line Emulator url: http://www.zxspec.freeserve.co.uk/java.html platform: Other platform text: Plays games on-line ! - title: PocketClive url: http://pocketclive.emuunlim.com/ platform: Other platform text: Spectrum 48k and 128k emulator for PocketPC ! - title: QAOP url: http://wizard.ae.krakow.pl/~jb/qaop/ platform: Other platform text: Qaop is a ZX Spectrum emulator Java applet - title: Sinclair Spectrum Emulator 1.1 url: http://www.palmtop.nl/ce/hpc_spectrum.html platform: Other platform text: Handheld PCs and Palm-size PCs running Windows CE 2.0 or higher - title: TEZXAS url: http://tezxas.ticalc.org/ platform: Other platform text: ZX Spectrum emulator for TI 89 and 92 calculators ! - title: ZX68 url: http://zx68.8k.com platform: Other platform text: Emulator for various 68000 based machines. First version is released for PalmOS - title: FUSE url: http://fuse-emulator.sourceforge.net/ platform: Multiplatform text: Fuse (the Free Unix Spectrum Emulator) is a ZX Spectrum emulator for Unix and MacOS X - title: SPEC url: http://WWW.METHEDRINE.DEMON.CO.UK/spec.html platform: Multiplatform text: Spec is a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k emulator for the PC. There are two different versions, Spec (freeware for DOS) and SpecX (Shareware for Windows 95/98/NT4). links: - title: CRASH, the on-line edition url: http://www.crashonline.org.uk/ text: Site dedicated to the old well-known magazine - title: DOCUMENTATION url: http://www.madhippy.com/8-bit/index.php?machine=sinclair text: Classic 8-bit Computers / lot of on-line documentations for Sinclair computers. USEFUL ! - title: DOCUMENTATION url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/documentation.html#manuals text: World of Spectrum's documentation page - title: Good Old Games url: http://speccy.altervista.org/ text: ZX games and screenshots - title: Las Spectrum y TK en el Uruguay url: http://WWW.Z80.UY.TC text: The story of the ZX Spectrum line and TK line in Uruguay, South America - title: Number Cruncher url: http://www.8bit-museum.de/ text: This german website has an excellent Sinclair section - title: Planet Sinclair url: http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/ text: THE site to visit ! Everything you need. - title: Sinclair Nostalgia Products url: http://surf.to/zx text: Lot of speccy stuff here and long list of clones - title: Sinclair ZX Hardware Website url: http://www.xs4all.nl/~echorod/zx/index.htm text: Features designs to build your own Sinclair computer - title: Software Records on Vinyl url: 'http://www.kempa.com/blog/archives/000053.html ' text: These records contained computer programs as part of the audio. - title: Speccy.com.ar url: http://www.speccy.com.ar/ text: Argentine blog dedicated to the Spectrum - title: Speccyalista url: HTTP://WWW.SINCLAIR.HU text: Hungarian Sinclair page - title: Spectrum Screenshot Heaven url: http://members.tripod.com/ssh_web/ text: Excellent ! Plenty of speccy screenshots here. - title: Speecy.CZ url: http://www.speccy.cz/ text: Nice site with a lot of games, demos, maps, screenshots, cover arts, music, etc... - title: Steve's Spectrum Page url: http://ireland.iol.ie/~sjones/ text: Steve collects speccy games and accept requests - title: Tape Loader Home Page url: http://perso.club-internet.fr/jgibart/spectl/spectl.html text: Utility to transfer your zx tapes to the PC - title: The Incomplete Spectrum ROM Assembly url: http://www.wearmouth.demon.co.uk/ text: Spectrum ROM assembly text file. Very useful if you want to create your version of the Spectrum Operating System - title: The Ocean Experience url: http://www.theoceanexperience.cjb.net/ text: A look into one of the biggest games developers of the 80's and 90's - title: The Tipshop url: http://www.the-tipshop.co.uk/ text: A central archive for all Spectrum and SAM games hints, tips, cheats, maps, hacks and pokes. Impressive! - title: The World of ZX-Spectrum url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ text: This is it. The site you MUST visit first :-) - title: Virtual TR-DOS url: HTTP://ZX.DA.RU text: Belarussian ZX-soft archive (in Russian) - title: Your Sinclair, a celebration url: http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/ text: Tribute to one of the best Spectrum dedicated magazine - title: z00m's Speccy corner url: http://zoom.czweb.org/ text: DOCUMENTATION, PICTURES, emulators, AY CHIP - title: ZX Download page url: http://zxfiles.hut2.ru/ text: The very best of new ZX Spectrum games both Europe and ex-USSR - title: ZX Forever url: http://www.zx-f.ru/ text: Full with new Russian ZX Spectrum games (lots of them are in English language) - title: ZX Spectrum Games after 1993 url: http://tarjan.uw.hu/zx_gamez_after_93_en.htm text: Nice article referencing ZX Spectrum games released after 1993! - title: ZX Spectrum in the 21st Century url: http://tarjan.uw.hu/zxclones_en.htm text: Nice info about a lot of ZX Spectrum clones and hardware - title: ZXSPECTICLE url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/ text: News, Reviews, Interviews and the A to Z top ten games - title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com text: Sinclair computers docs: - title: ZX SPECTRUM BASIC PROGRAMMING url: http://www.1000bit.it/support/manuali/sinclair/zxspectrum/start.htm cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/sinclair_zx-specrtum_basic-programming.jpg text: |- [**ZX SPECTRUM BASIC PROGRAMMING**](http://www.1000bit.it/support/manuali/sinclair/zxspectrum/start.htm)written by Steven Vickers  compiled/archived by Chris Owen / Tiziano Garuti\  type of document : HTML\  source : [1000Bit](http://www.1000bit.net/) - title: ZX SPECTRUM INTRODUCTORY MANUAL url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ZXSpectrumIntroduction/ cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/sinclair_zx_spectrum_introductory-manual.jpg text: |- [**ZX SPECTRUM INTRODUCTORY MANUAL**](http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ZXSpectrumIntroduction/)written by Steven Vickers and Robin Bradbeer  compiled/archived by Colin Woodcock\  type of document : HTML\  source : [www.worldofspectrum.org](http://www.worldofspectrum.org/faq/resources/documents.htm) - title: ZX SPECTRUM SERVICE MANUAL url: http://members.lycos.co.uk/eightbitula/48kinfo.html cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/sinclair_zx-specrtum_service-manual.jpg text: |- [**ZX SPECTRUM SERVICE MANUAL**](http://members.lycos.co.uk/eightbitula/48kinfo.html)written by Sinclair Research Limited  type of document : HTML\  source : [The Lil Old Sinclair Computer Technical Information Repository](http://members.lycos.co.uk/eightbitula/) videos: - title: Spectrum +2 - Currys commercial url: http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-2908638663320112771&hl=fr text: 'Length: 35 s' comments: - author: micro:glitch date: Monday 9th August 2021 text: This was a nice computer with lots of character! - author: miles (essex/uk) date: Friday 7th August 2015 text: I own a reasonably mint +2(grey) same as the one I owned back in 1986 I have all my old games plus many more I got cheaper in the 90''s and will continue to use it I got a lovely scart lead and a refurbed Quickshot 1 joystick plus the joystick converters for both ports(a must) I do have an SJS1 joystick but keeping that intact as they snap easily as most of you will remember. The built in cassette deck worked fine back then and does now, I haven''t had to twiddle the Azymuth screw as yet like I did back in the day but I think that was more down to recording methods rather than any fault of the tape head. I''m prepared to change the tape drive belt if it were to perish and snap there isn''t much to worry about as far as repairs go. These are solid machines considering the fun people made of companies like Amstrad same goes for Sinclair. As long as you use them as intended they last forever :) I couldn''t live without mine it''s like my childhood never left me - author: God date: Tuesday 3rd February 2015 text: Selling a boxed black spectrum +2 at the moment on ebay, as well as a ZX81 :) http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav$item.view$alt$web$id$321657454426 - author: God date: Tuesday 3rd February 2015 text: Selling a boxed black spectrum +2 at the moment on ebay, as well as a ZX81 :) http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav$item.view$alt$web$id$321657454426 - author: Lelanna (Australia) date: Sunday 21st September 2014 text: |- http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/171460578784?nav$SEARCH I currently have a listing on EBay for this computer and many games - author: Roger Jowett (Ulster) date: Thursday 28th February 2013 text: |- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v$zsjTpFR0oYQ please help\ trying to convert 8bit video for sam coupe\ this is still not mode 3 interlaced with hmpr bit 5$6 CLUT alterations per scan line HELP we only need a DMA...\ masterdos/basic atom lite support HELP - author: John a Girdler. (Belfast, Northern Ireland.) date: Sunday 17th February 2013 text: |- I have the Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2, it has a 128K, Still in it''s box, and for sale is therir any offers to buy it out there, Johnandanngirdler@hotmail.com Soon. John............. - author: Miguel (Porto Portugal) date: Saturday 21st July 2012 text: |- I''m not going to say anything but a little detail since everyone said and feels the same about this computer.\ I had one too. What really intrigued me was this: I had a friend who had the +2 and I had the +2A and there was at least a difference besides the color and that +3 menu that it was the PLAY command with some keystrokes. He had that command in his +2 and I didn''t. I also had this book which I saw selling at ebay and some retro uk gaming site which came with it from where we could copy and try to run those little "programs"(?) and save them on tape. Oh but that play command...! Anyone used to code? (copy code too) Anyone remember that difference or used the command? Thanks in advance and keep on remembering old gold times spectrum gave us all! - author: Marco G (Portugal) date: Saturday 21st April 2012 text: |- I own a +2B and a +3. I remember the +2A cassette player buttons started breaking after some time. I remember using the screw driver - which was actually used for fine tuning - as a lever to activate the play button. I had countless ours of gaming with this baby. Counting out the cassette player, they where damn robust and made to last. I even made a cable to connect the RGB output to a TV scart input after looking at a diagram in some magazine. Guess what ... it worked. The TV transmitter wasn''t the best in hood. Best transmitter was in the Timex TC-2068. But, you just could get near my RGB to scart connection $) - author: mentalist3d date: Sunday 29th May 2011 text: |- That brought back memories, really enjoyed games such as Golden Axe, Bubble Bobble, etc. It was also a good introduction to programming at an early age, I remember spending weeks on end, programming in games from the manual and getting them to work. The worst part was when loading bigger games, you could spend up to 10 minutes going through the loading, and just before the game would finish loading it would crash and you would have to start from scratch. - author: Sandro Zanello (Brasília - Brazil) date: Tuesday 22nd June 2004 text: Hi! I made a new ZX Spectrum Box in CorelDRAW format with real size! See the pics at the link above! - author: joe (cardiff) date: Saturday 8th March 2003 text: ive just found my spectrum 128k +2 after not seeing it for about 10 years. the only problem is i can only get 1 game to load. does anyone know where i can get games from?? and out of curiosity ..... what is it worth??? - author: Anders (Stockholm, Sweden) date: Tuesday 5th February 2002 text: Ah, I remember my old 128+2... the only thing I didn't really appreciate was the fact that it didn't have a tape counter. I remember an article in Sinclair User were they actually taught you have to make your own counter... Well it involved som pretty nasty surgery and my hands didn't really feel steady enough ;-) So I used an external cassette deck as a counter. related: - /museum/czerweny-cz-2000 - /museum/czerweny-spectrum - /museum/czerweny-spectrum-plus - /museum/elwro-800-junior - /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum - /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-128 - /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-3 - /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-480 oc_id: 221 source: url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230522171908/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=221 date: '2023-05-22' --- The Sinclair Spectrum +2 was the first Sinclair computer made by Amstrad after they bought the rights of the Sinclair computers products. Thus, it is not suprising that the Spectrum +2 is very similar in shape and functionality to the [Amstrad CPC-464](/museum/amstrad-cpc-464/). It was a kind of mix between the [Spectrum 128](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-128/) and the CPC-464 ! Even though it used several features of the CPC-464, such as the built-in tape recorder and a good full-stroke keyboard (at last!), it is above all an improved Spectrum 128. Thus, the sound chip used is still the well-known Yamaha AY-3-8912 which is the sound chip of the [MSX computers](/museum/msx-1/), [Oric computers](/museum/oric-1/),[Atari ST series](/museum/atari-520-st-st-stm/)) and many other computers of the 80’s. It was the most popular sound chip at the time. As on the Spectrum 128, two BASIC versions were implemented : the 48k BASIC to remain compatible with the original [Sinclair Spectrum](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum/), and the 128k BASIC which was already introduced with the Spectrum 128. There was still a calculator mode in the start-menu but the « Tape tester » option of the 128 had been removed since the tape-recorder was built-in.\ As with the other 128k models, and due to the limitations of the Z80 CPU which can only address 65536 bytes, the 128kb RAM was not directly usable (unless with bank-switching routines), but could be used as a RAM disk. There were several models of the Spectrum +2 : the **Spectrum +2** (grey case) which had a motherboard nearly identical to that of the 128, and the **Spectrum +2A** and **+2B** (black case) which were simply Spectrum +3 computers with a tape-recorder instead of the disk drive. It means that their motherboards were quite similar to that of the +3. The difference between the +2A and +2B was mainly due to a move in production from Hong Kong to Taiwan.\ Note that the first ROMs developed by Amstrad for the +2 model caused compatibility problems with the old Spectrum software, so they changed a few things in later ROMs. When Amstrad conceived the +2A/B and the +3 they redesigned the motherboard and made some internal changes on the bus. They also removed the keypad scanning routines of the Spectrum 128 and +2 (remember the keypad sold with the [Spanish Spectrum 128k](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-128/) ?).