F.A.Q.

Last edition: 27.05.2003

        This FAQ contains the answers to most asking questions about computer Sprinter.

1. If you want to buy the Sprinter computer.
2. Package of Sprinter and usage of periphery.
3. Usage of Spectrum Configuration.
4. Support.

1. If you want to buy the Sprinter computer.

How can I buy the Sprinter computer?
You can fill Order Form. We accepts payment by Western Union Money Order or by money transfer to our bank account. We will sent your order during 5 days after payment.

Where can I buy any periphery for Sprinter mainboard?
We can sell Sprinter mainboard, full Sprinter Computer and all other computer periphery. Mainboard install into a standard AT case and you can use standard PC periphery: floppy disk drive, IDE hard disk, ATAPI CD-ROM, ISA modem, Epson compatible printer.

How much is the postage of mainboard?
Postage of one mainboard (or mainboard with VGA converter) to Europe and North America is $10USD.

2. Package of Sprinter and usage of periphery.

Can I test Sprinter software in any emulator of Sprinter computer?
Yes, you can use SPRINT (multiplatform emulator of Sprinter computer) by Shaos&Co.

Do I need a real Sprinter computer if I use the Sprinter emulator already?
"Sprint" is an emulator of Sprinter's main configuration and operating system Estex only. Emulator not support changing of Sprinter configurations. Emulator is useful for testing of simple Estex applications. But a lot of interesting programms uses Sprinter's different features. These programms not works in emulator.

There are a lot of different computers today. What is new in the Sprinter computer?
The Sprinter computer was designed as computer with flexible architecture. Its features are not determined as single set for all possible tasks. Sprinter can change hardware features during the work. Direct control of changing of hardware is possible. By this way Sprinter can work more effectively for different tasks. Today Sprinter allow to use five configurations.

What comes with mainboard?
Sp2000s mainboard (standard set) include 4Mb RAM (SIMM 72 pin), 512Kb VideoRAM.

Package contents:

Sp2000s mainboard.
IDE ribbon cable connector.
FDD ribbon cable connector.
Audio ribbon cable connector.
Tape/joystick ribbon cable connector.
Tape/joystick external connector free for your cable.
Printer ribbon cable connector.
Mouse ribbon cable connector.
Video ribbon cable connector.
Video cable with SCART connector.
Video external connector free for your alternative video cable.
3,5" floppy disk (bootable).
CD (software).
Assembly Guide (eng).
User Manual (eng).
Spectrum Mode Manual (eng).


What is the maximal size of hard disk?
Sprinter don't have such limitation. But HDD more 2Gb it is necessary to partition on 2Gb. As it require FAT16 specification.

What type of monitor is it possible to use?
Sprinter can use CGA monitor with analog RGB inputs, TV with SCART connector or any TV monitor with 15KHz horisontal frequency, 50Hz vertical frequency and analog RGB inputs (like Commodore 1084, Philips CM8833).

Is it possible to connect Sprinter to (S)VGA monitor?
Yes, VGA Converter allows to connect SVGA monitor. It is ISA-8 card for Sprinter computer with Sp2000s or Sp2000 mainboards.

Which power supply do I need?
You will need power supply with +5V, -5V, +12V and -12V. Usually, such power supply  use in PC AT-case.

Can I use ATX case for Sprinter mainboard?
ATX case has different power-connector from his power-supply unit. You need AT power supply.

I am looking for a case to put mainboard in to this case. How large is Sprinter mainboard?
Size of Sp2000s mainboard - 204mm x 162mm. Assembly holes placed with steps (from right overhead corner to left overhead corner and onward): 142mm, 72mm, 35mm, 80mm.

It seems that you didn't include a serial and parallel port?
Sprinter has 2 serial ports: keyboard use one of them. Mouse use another serial port. These ports are not standard RS-232. Also Sprinter has parallel port for use printer.

I read, that the mainboard Sp2000 support 64Mb of RAM. Why the modern model of the computer use 4Mb RAM only?
Sp2000s mainboard has support of 64Mb of RAM, this mainboard has all connections for it. But mainboard need support of PLD, which include memory allocation of the computer. We use allocation of RAM till to 4MÜ about 5 years, and allocation of RAM more 4Mb will be created in next model of the computer. Today all Sprinter software need 4Mb RAM only.

Can all Sprinter users do updating PLD information, if Sprinter computer will be upgraded time to time?
Yes, all of them can update PLD information. Sprinter Flash-ROM include main configuration for PLD, which is loading this configuration every time after powered computer. Sprinter has program Flash Writer for update BIOS during two minutes. This is feature of computer upgrading without hardware change.

How many times I can rewrite Flash-ROM information?
You can rewrite Flash-ROM information about 100000 times.

What is the Sprinter sound card features?
Sprinter's audio system is placed in PLD. Sp2000s mainboard has Philips DAC TDA1543 for 2 channel of 16 bit stereo sound, 44KHz. Sprinter's Audio System support Covox mode with 256/512 bytes buffer.

What kind of RTC/CMOS chips can I use with Sprinter?
Sp2000 Mainboard use RTC/CMOS chips: Dallas DS12887, ODIN OED12C887 or BENCHMARQ bq3287AMT.

Where I can take 512K of videoRAM for Sp2000 mainboard?
Sp2000 Mainboard use four W24512AK-15 chips (by Winbond) as 256K of videoRAM. Second set of videoRAM (256K) include four W24512AK-15 chips too. You can buy second set later, after publishing next model of computer or you will take this chips from old PC 486 mainboards, for example.

Concerning the use of ISA cards in the Sprinter, what IRQs are available for use by ISA cards?
Each ISA slot has several IRQs. All of them (two set for each ISA slot) are parallel and connected to the two inputs of CPU parallel port.

3. Usage of Spectrum Configuration.

Is the Z84C15 CPU 100% compatible with a Z80?
Yes, Z84C15 CPU is fully compatible with Z80 CPU. Also, Sprinter's CPU has 21MHz operations and internal ports.

Is there any incompatibilities between ZX Spectrum and Sprinter?
All programs for original ZX Spectrum will work perfectly in 'ZX Spectrum' mode.

Which 128K models do your computer handle? +2, +2A, +3, all?
Sprinter computer support ZX Spectrum +2 128K model.

What is new in Sprinter computer for Spectrum users?
Spectrum Configuration of Sprinter has new features:

1. Fast change model of Spectrum clones. You can select a clone in the special menu.
2. Usage of several RAM-disks. Six RAM-Disks can be set to any TR-DOS drives.
3. Saving/loading images of TR-DOS disks (TRD files).
4. Change frequency of CPU (3,5MHz/21MHz). Some Spectrum programms works better if they works quickly.
5. Changing some features of any Spectrum modes. You can create special mode for each Spectrum program.
6. Usage of periphery like ISA modem, CD-ROM, hard disk, AT keyboard, MS Mouse.
7. "Sprinter ZX" mode with access to the some features of Sprinter Configuration.

Why Sprinter hasn't Spectrum data bus?
Sp2000s mainboard include all main periphery controllers of HDD, FDD, keyboard and mouse. It use ISA slots for external cards. All periphery are available in any Spectrum modes.

Can I use the hard disk from Spectrum Basic?
Yes, you can. You should use an extended Basic commands for it.

Does Sprinter use joystick and mouse?
Sprinter use Kempston joystick in Spectrum Configuration, and MS mouse in any configurations.

It seems the Sprinter does not have a tape interface, does it?
Sprinter has a tape interface.

Is it possible to use Sprinter's ROMs in any Spectrum emulator?
No it is imposible.

4. Support.

Do you have after-sales support?
Yes, certainly. New versions of software, BIOS update, upgrade model of computer...

Is the contents of BIOS ROM chip updatable?
Yes. But you can update not BIOS only. Sp2000 Mainboard has opportunity to upgrade features of computer through the program (for changing internal logic of PLD) without replacement mainboard.

Does Sprinter have any kind of warranty?
Yes, mainboard and any another components of computer has 1 year warranty.

What should I do if it ever breaks for any reason?
Contact with us for consulting. If the breaking will be true, you should send mainboard to us for test and repair.


        You can ask any question by e-mail: sprinter@petersplus.ru.