will (01/20/83)
I don't know about not being able to load a named program, but the others have happened to me: If the screen goes grey in the middle, this could be a 16K crash. The screen usually blanks when this happenes. If it isn't this, it is probably the volume setting on the recorder. If it isn't about right, a misinterpreted code could blow the machine. But if it isn't this, it could be power surges to the recorder and/or computer. You could try borrowing an outlet strip with a built-in um...er...well, you know, a whatchamacalit. Something to protect the computer from power surges. All of the above could be and probably are the reasons for it giving you the 'K' in the middle. If none of the above work, well, I dunno. Maybe if it's a machine code program you could be putting in a bad number. Maybe you just need a new computer. Just remember this...it could never hurt to rub the contacts on the back with a white ereaser and wipe them clean. A friend and I salvaged many, many rejected ZX81's by cleaning the contacts on the back. Hope this helps, Will D. U.D. San Diego (C)
9212mhm (01/20/83)
I am a Timex Sinclair 1000 user (just about a zx81) and have experienced all of the problems that you mention on two different occasions and traced the problems to two different problems: first, I suggest you make sure that you are using a high quality tape in your recorder - I had a *lot* of trouble with some cheap Radio Shack tapes, but no trouble with some good Memorex tapes. Secondly, I had your problems when I had a bad 16k RAM expansion pack - no, I do not understand why that should be a problem, but it definitely was (verified at the store I bought the RAM pack from, with a variety of systems, tapes, and tape recorders). Good luck with your problem. Mark H. Mortensen Bell Labs - Holmdel, NJ (201) 949-1893