Update The Spectrum firmware

Firmware updates for The Spectrum provide new features and correct issues.

Before you start

Ensure that your USB memory stick is formatted using FAT32 (with an MBR) otherwise the update file will not be detected. We advise using a USB memory stick that is less than 32GB in size.

See Why is my USB stick not detected and Using a pre-prepared USB stick image.

WARNING: We recommend using a high quality 2A power supply while performing an update. DO NOT power The Spectrum from a television USB socket while performing an update!

Please plug your USB stick into the socket next to the HDMI output. Do not plug the USB stick into a USB hub to perform the update, and ensure that your The Spectrum has no more than one joystick connected. See the FAQ for further details.

Features introduced in version 1.0.3

This release is documented by the full The Spectrum user manual.

  • Supports games and demos that perform per-scanline page flips or palette updates.
  • Allows keyboard tokens to be used in Spectrum SAVE filenames.
  • Makes Kempston the default joystick, fixing joystick not being detected for USB programs unless game or machine default settings are set up.
  • Improves virtual cassette navigation of .tap files.
  • Improves saving files to USB stick from Classic mode (see the manual Chapter 11. Saving programs and data for full details)
  • Improves undocumented Z80 behaviour.
  • Fixes saving of CODE with no attached writable media.
  • Fixes issue of rewind mode occasionally being inaccessible if machine settings or controller mapping has not been set up.

Note: By downloading you agree that the firmware upgrade is provided to you entirely for use at your own risk. Retro Games Ltd cannot be held responsible for any failures that arise from the use of this or any other firmware upgrade.

thespectrum-mini-upgrade-v1.0.3.rup 15.74 MB
SHA256 checksum: b6483b55cdd3d3681e55efc16e49ca906360d6fac0b33696185151e2ca033dd6

Applying the update

  1. Download the latest firmware.
  2. Copy the firmware onto the root directory of a FAT32 MBR formatted USB stick. Do not place it in a folder.
  3. For the update DO NOT power The Spectrum from a television USB socket! We recommend using a high quality 2A power supply.
  4. Insert the USB stick into the rear USB port of The Spectrum next to the HDMI output.
  5. We recommend unplugging all peripherals from The Spectrum, leaving only the USB stick.
  6. Go to Options → Advanced options → System information.
  7. The Spectrum will check if there is a newer firmware on the USB stick and, if so, give you the options to Update or Cancel.
  8. Selecting Update will begin the installation process. The Spectrum will display a progress bar which will fill up from left to right as the update proceeds.
  9. Do not interrupt or remove power while the update is in progress. After a successful update The Spectrum will restart automatically.

You can check the firmware version afterwards by repeating step 6.

Note that you cannot install a firmware earlier than the build version currently installed.