Sinclair ZX INTERFACE 1 User manual

.

ZX INTERFACE 1
and
ZX MICRODRIVE
Designed and prepared by
Cambridge Communication Limited
Note
The names ZX Microdrive and ZX Interface 1 are trademarks of
Sinclair Research Limited
Stanhope Road
Camberley
SlNrey
GU15 3PS
Tel: Camberley [phone]
First Edition 1983
@Sinclair Research Limited
Front cover illustration by John Harris of Young Artists

THE 2X INTERFACE 1.. .
incorporates the three functions of Microdrive controller, local area network
and RS232 Interface. Connect it to your Spectrum and you can control up
to eight Microdrives, communicate with other computers and drive a wide
range of printers.
THE 2X MICRODRIVE.. .
gives you fast Access to a large memory. Each Microdrive can hold up to
100K bytes using a single interchangeable cartridge.
THIS MANUAL . . .
introduces the idea of using BASIC as an operating system as well as a
programming language. This way, BASIC can be used to set up
communication links, to send and receive data along them and to manipulate
files. This adds enormously to its power to perform tasks in which:
- data is stored and retrieved,
- data and programs are sent to peripherals,
- communication links are established with other Spectrum computers or
with other types of computer.
The combined use of BASIC as an operating system and a programming
language gives it a power and flexibility, and also an ease of use, to be
found in few larger computers.
You should read the chapters on the Microdrive even if you have not bought
one, since they introduce various concepts (about channels and .Weams and
their use) which you will need to understand.
This manual should only be read after you have familiarised yourself with the
ZX Spectrum Introduction booklet and with chapters 1 to 22 of the BASIC
programming manual.

Contents
Chapter 1 Setting up your 2X Interface 1 5
Chapter 2 Setting up your Microdrive 9
handling cartridges
protecting programs and data stored in cartridges
the cartridge lifespan
Chapter 3 Starting with your Microdrive
auto-run
the catalogue
loading programs
15
Chapter 4 Programs and the Microdrive
saving, verifying, loading and merging programs
erasing programs
formatting and naming blank cartridges
setting up your own auto-run facility
17
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Data. channels and streams
Data and the Microdrive
opening and naming a data file
entering data
closing a file
reading back from a file
notes on PRINT and INPUT -separators
- changing weam
- setting colours
reading the file catalogue
protecting a file
extending a file
Chapter 7 The Local Area Network
setting up a network
programs and the network
data and the network
broadcasting
21
23
29

Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Appendix 6
Index
Using the RS232 Interface
connecting peripherals to the RS232 Interface
t and b channels
the t channel
the b channel
sending control codes
35
The MOVE statement
the printer .wver program
The net game
System variables
Microdrive and network channels
RS232 connections
Rep&S
The extended BASIC
39
41
45
47
49
51
55
59

Setting up your ZX Interface1
Unpacking the ZX Interface 1 you will have found:
- this booklet,
- the Interface itself (with two captive screws on the underside),
- a ribbon cable about &ms long (for connecting the Interface to a
Microdrivel,
- a lead with a jack plug at either end (for setting up a network).
To attach the Interface to your computer you should:
1. Unplug the computer.
2. Disconnect the computer from its peripherals.
3. Using a Posidrive screwdriver remove the two screws on the underside
of the computer, as shown in the diagram below. (You will only
need these screws again if you later disconnect the Interface from
the computer.)
I
10
cl
I

4. Push the Interface edge connector firmly into the socket at the back
of the computer.
5. Screw the Interface to the underside of the computer using the two
captive screws supplied.
6

The diagram below shows what the various sockets on the Interface are for.
You can now either:
- set up a Microdrive see page 9,
or
- set up a network see page 29,
or
- connect the Interface to an RS232 peripheral see page 35.
7