Chimera Loading

[Typhon]

Hello all
So I've got Chimera (Telecomsoft) on tape, but it doesn't appear to load. It is using a modified Speedload where it counts the mini-blocks whilst loading, but it never seems to recognise the blocks, and simply says "Block? <Number from 0 to 3F> Rewind".

Do I have a dodgy tape or is there some gimmick I need to know about?

[Shaun M. Neary]

Those Firebird/Silverbird tape loaders were tempermental at best.

I'd start with the basics first, Chimera is not a multiload from my memory, try both sides of the tape. Does Side B work? Does it fail in the same spot?

Clean the tape heads, roller etc.

You could try adjusting the head alignment. Move it slightly towards the left and try it. Only do this in small turns though as if it worsens the issue, you'll know how little you'll need to move it right again.

Good luck

[Typhon]

Yeah, tried a bit of prodding about and I think the tape is just very slightly deteriorated enough that it wont load. Neither side. Seems the signal isn't strong enough for the loader to pick up the blocks.

[Shaun M. Neary]

Yeah, tried a bit of prodding about and I think the tape is just very slightly deteriorated enough that it wont load. Neither side. Seems the signal isn't strong enough for the loader to pick up the blocks.

Or the alignment is off a smidgen to deal with the pitch of those loaders.

Firebird loaders used to drive me insane back in the day. Even with TZXDuinos, they can fail, and they're loading off from SD cards!!

[Typhon]

Arghhhhhhh!