As the silicon in our vintage Spectrums degrades, the "Test Program Link" is no longer just a repair tool—it is a preservation method.
Created by Phil Ruston, this is arguably the most modern, comprehensive, and visual diagnostic tool available.
If the CPU and basic power circuitry are working, the diagnostic screen will appear. zx spectrum test program link
It uses the border color to signal error codes if the main screen memory is corrupted.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. Test Program (1985)(Sinclair Research) - Internet Archive As the silicon in our vintage Spectrums degrades,
Check GitHub for "v6z80p" or "ZX-Diagnostics" repositories. 4. The "Test Tape" Method
3. Tape-Based Test Programs (e.g., Sinclair Factory Test Tape) It uses the border color to signal error
To use these tools, you need a method to get the .ROM file into your Spectrum.
If you are looking for a "test program" to verify if a physical machine is working correctly, several community-standard diagnostic ROMs and tools are available: Phil Ruston's Diagnostic ROM
: Includes deep testing for lower/upper RAM, ULA, Z80 features, keyboard, and sound. It provides a "bad bit to chip ID" table to help you identify exactly which IC on the board needs replacing. Brendan Alford / Dylan Smith (ZX Diagnostics) : Project Repository : GitHub - zx-diagnostics Detailed Documentation : ZX Diagnostics Wiki/Manual Manual (Scribd) : ZX Spectrum Diagnostics User Manual