THE JOY OF TZX
This time I had success and the tape played to its conclusion without any more error messages. But hang on, what was I supposed to do now? The DOS window was just hanging there. Had it worked?
I tried pressing 'any key' as specified in the manual to close the window. The software seemed to have registered some information but the window wouldn't close. Eventually, I press Ctrl, Alt and Delete and force quit out of the recording screen. I was then dismayed to find that no .tzx file had actually been created.
I rewound the tape and tried again but the same thing happened. I tried again and again but it was always the same story. Several hours after enthusiastically downloading the software and I still hadn't managed to produce a working .tzx file.
Eventually I rebooted my machine, fired up MakeTZX afresh, and at last the software responded and I got a message saying the .tzx has been successfully created. Now came the moment of truth.
I loaded up my emulator, typed LOAD "" and……….. yes! It worked like a dream! I had created my first working TZX. I quickly scanned the inlay and instructions - according to the strict specifications set down by the STP team - and uploaded my file and accompanying material.
It was to be a few weeks before my contribution appeared on the WOS site but at that precise moment I felt happy and I had a pleasant warm glow inside me - and on this occasion it wasn't a double Jack Daniels.
From time to time I still attempt a conversion of a rare Spectrum tape that falls into my possession.
But if I come up against a really dodgy recording or a seriously weird loading scheme that upsets MakeTZX, I simply cut my losses and send the tape off to a member of the STP team. After all, they all have a vast amount of experience the conversion process and can work wonders with MakeTZX and other associated utilities.
I should point out that I've had no luck at all recording .wav or .voc files and then converting them through MakeTZX. I have also failed miserably to make an alternative utility called Taper recognise my soundcard, although the software does look slightly more user-friendly.
So for the time being, I'm stuck with the frequent failures of MakeTZX. Through studying the manual, I have now learned how to use more advanced features and how to make use of the level meters to find the optimum tape volume when attempting a conversion.
I have also learned that my problems may stem from something to do with my soundcard but it's all quite complicated and it makes my head hurt. If anyone can offer any solutions or suggestions in simple terms, I'd love to hear from you.
Still, I shouldn't complain too much, I guess. After all, bugs and crashes were surely all part of the fun back in the heady days of Manic Miner, 48k and rubber keys, were they not?
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