Sinclair ZX Spectrum Service Manual 
Spectrum For Everyone  https://spectrumforeveryone.com/ 
3 
4 Fault Diagnosis and Repair – Getting Started .......................................................................................... 20 
4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 20 
4.1.1 Test Equipment .......................................................................................................................... 20 
4.1.2 Modification History .................................................................................................................. 21 
4.2 Modifications - Issue 1 Board............................................................................................................ 22 
4.3 Modifications - Issue 2 Board............................................................................................................ 23 
4.4 Modifications - Issue 3B Board ......................................................................................................... 23 
4.5 32k Extension Memory - (16k to 48k) ............................................................................................... 23 
4.5.1 Board Issue 1: ............................................................................................................................. 23 
4.5.2 Board Issue 2: ............................................................................................................................. 23 
4.5.3 Board Issue 3: ............................................................................................................................. 24 
4.6 Hitachi vs NEC ROM .......................................................................................................................... 24 
5 Fault Diagnosis and Repair – PSU and Memory ....................................................................................... 25 
5.1 Fault Diagnosis Techniques ............................................................................................................... 25 
5.2 Power Supply Unit ............................................................................................................................. 25 
5.3 Initialization ....................................................................................................................................... 26 
5.3.1 Basic Checks ............................................................................................................................... 26 
5.4 Memory Check .................................................................................................................................. 27 
5.4.1 Example ...................................................................................................................................... 28 
5.5 Keyboard Structure ........................................................................................................................... 29 
6 Fault Diagnosis and Repair – Input/Output ............................................................................................. 30 
6.1 TV screen dead, smoke appears on switch-on / Not Initialising ....................................................... 30 
6.1.1 TR4 base-collector shorted: ....................................................................................................... 30 
6.1.2 Short persists with TR4 removed ............................................................................................... 30 
6.1.3 TR4 blows again ......................................................................................................................... 30 
6.2 No video ............................................................................................................................................ 31 
6.2.1 No video ..................................................................................................................................... 31 
6.2.2 No video after ULA changed ...................................................................................................... 31 
6.2.3 No +5V input .............................................................................................................................. 31 
6.2.4 No VIDEO INPUT at IC14 pin 12 ................................................................................................. 31 
6.3 Corrupt Paper, after ULA change ...................................................................................................... 32 
6.3.1 Initial Check ................................................................................................................................ 32 
6.3.2 No 3MHz at IC2 pin 6 ................................................................................................................. 32