Author Topic: Atari Dominos - SOLD (Read 19675 times)

Level42 · « **on:** August 15, 2005, 09:27:43 am »

I can get this cab for free but it's defective. I do think it looks pretty good though, for a 1977 machine.....

Anyone knows common defects on this cab ?

Level42 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2005, 09:31:45 am »

Mmm, sorry guys found this on KLOV.COM:

The +5V power amp commonly goes bad. The PCB connector heats up and burns the board if the contacts become dirty or corroded.

Any more info about this, does anybody have one/fixed one ? That PCB burning thing sounds nasty....

Q*Bert_OP · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2005, 09:48:47 am »

L@@k @ This!
http://homearcade.org/BBBB/pace.html

RayB · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2005, 12:03:48 pm »

It's a cute little cab. I have one (fully functioning).

It's a very boring game. It's like the "Tron" light-cycle game or "Surround". (In case you didn't know, it's black n white.)

The power problem is a common problem that all Atari games seem to suffer, right on into the 80's. (Kinda crazy they never changed the design to eliminate that problem, huh?)

Paige knows a "hack" to avoid the problem on the AR-II boards, but this thing would have used an AR-I or something that even pre-dates that. I don't know if the hack would fix the cause of the burning. Even if it did, you already have damage done in this one... It could be as simple as the contacts needing cleaning/rebuilding (as per the previous post) or other stuff may be broken. We're talking a 29 year old game here. Anything could be wrong with it.

It looks to be in very good condition (though hard to tell through small JPGs). Mine has fading in the marquee and some wear on the sides. I am also missing the top marquee bracket. Should anything "happen" to this cabinet, I'd appreciate if you contacted me. I'd like some parts.

Level42 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2005, 02:33:45 pm »

Thanks for all the help and info !

RayB: I found your site and your Dominos pictures. Indeed this one looks a lot cleaner. The original photo's were on their side (on the site that is "selling" this)....
On the original pictures the sides look like brand new !

I hope it's not the monitor dead....would need to find a b/w tv to refit it...
And it's a 2 hour drive to pick it up...but I guess I will, would be shame to see this one end up on the scrapheap....

Level42 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2005, 02:52:55 pm »

This should be the PCB Dominos is running on...RayB, mayb you can confirm ?

http://www.system16.com/atari/hrdw_6502bw.html

Yours is working right ? So I can use yours as my reference

I also found the Service Manual on KLOV.COM, nice

The startbuttons (the "cones") are obviously removed from the cab....(sold to an Asteroids fan ?) but I think there's some people offering them.

The marquee looks quite nice too....

If all else fails, I will think of you RarB, but remember, I'm in Europe, so sending the side panels will cost you

RayB · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2005, 05:41:39 pm »

Mine is working 100%. I have not messed around with it much other than inspect the interior and play a few games. I am planning on reproducing the control panel. The art is all worn off on mine.

Level42 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2005, 02:49:38 pm »

Will pick the Domino's cab next sunday

!

Guess it will go in storage for a while here, first have to finish my MAME cab...

No need to rush, this grandmama of videogames will hopefully be returned to life after some time. I wonder if it's possible to play the other games running on this board ?

All and all, a good start for my games room

ChadTower · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2005, 03:36:33 pm »

That thing is gorgeous... just look at that tinted glass.

RayB · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2005, 04:52:15 pm »

Notice it has 2 speakers. Stereo sound in 1976! Why JAMMA adopted a standard with mono sound just boggles the mind!

Level42 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 24, 2005, 06:29:40 am »

WOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW, saved by the bell !!!!!

Two days ago, I called the man offering this baby...we agreed I'd pick it up next sunday. Yesterday, I was called by a total stranger, he got my phone number from the seller. I had indicated in my first mail to the seller that I didn't have much space for the cab, but if no-one else wanted it, I would take it. Now that other guy wanted it. So I asked what he would be going to do with it. He said he was going to use it for some kind of school project and he would take it apart, and well let's say it generaly completely RUIN A FINE PIECE OF ARCADE/ATARI HISTORY. So I get a bit angry (not really) and explained I was going to restore this cab to it's full glory because I am a collector etc. (no need to say this is my first original cab

) I didn't want to give too much info, because the "seller" is giving it away for free....sshhh and I also didn't want to sound too eager....anyway, he said well, you were first and if you are going to restore it, then yes that's better......ppphhhhewwwwww !!!!!
I already imagine this ending up with a fishtank in the top, or a TV, or whatever....

I think I earn a medal, I saved a genuine 1977 (I was 10 when this was built !) arcade machine from a relentless and very sad death.....

Level42 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 24, 2005, 06:43:06 am »

mmm, the outside looks very good. Let's hope all the electronics are still in there

dennis808 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 24, 2005, 10:09:27 am »

Level42 to the rescue!!!

I think you made some fellow BYOUAC-ers sigh with relief for saving this old cabinet.

BTW: I was built when this was built!

Level42 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2005, 10:09:13 am »

Haha thanks Dennis

RayB, can you tell me if I need the High or the Low cones for the player buttons? It looks like they are missing from my cab...

RayB · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2005, 02:18:35 pm »

You need the medium ones, made of aluminum. (Or I guess by Atari standards they are the low ones?)

I might have a spare alum cone to trade for a black plastic cone... but only 1 I think...

Keep an eye out on Ebay for "Control panel" and "Atari control panel". Those aluminum cones were used on Asteroids and earlier machines. Also were used on machines made by "Kee Games".

Level42 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2005, 09:53:45 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on August 22, 2005, 03:36:33 pm

That thing is gorgeous... just look at that tinted glass.

Actualy, it's not glass at all......

It's plexiglass or whatever.

With the help of me friend Hans, we drove off this morning to go and get the cab.
When we arrived, the cab was already waiting for us outside

First impression: this is OLD (DUUUHHHHH) and it's worse than the pics looked like $:-\$

So I popped around, and there was no backdoor.. There were no burnt out pins on the edge of the PCB. In fact.......there was no PCB at all

This is a MAJOR disappointment. Where on earth will I find a Dominos PCB ??

The monitor is there, it's burnt in. The cab is in relatively ok condition. Lots of bolts rusting though, and there's more rust here and there. The marquee paint is still pretty ok, but there's some scratches.

The cp itself looks pretty OK, better then RayB's Dominos cab. The coin mech had been removed (cut wires). Anyway, I decided to pick it up, after all, it was free, and else the previous owner would have smashed it to pieces....

Hope it's ok to put a couple of pics here....all pics were made after we arrived safely at my house...

Level42 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 28, 2005, 09:55:22 am »

Monitor and Ser.Nr.

Level42 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 28, 2005, 10:00:56 am »

The sides, not too bad for a cab with manufacturing date of February 1977.

O, there's also one speaker missing....

RayB · « **Reply #18 on:** August 28, 2005, 01:23:17 pm »

Sorry to hear about the missing parts! That sucks. I never see ANYTHING for Dominos on Ebay *EVER*.

What are you going to do?

Level42 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 28, 2005, 02:48:06 pm »

I really don't know yet.....it scares the death out of me to even put mains supply to it from the looks of it now....IF I can find the lead at all $:-\$
The guy who I got it from told me he got it way back in 1992 and it has stood in a shack for all that time...he had planned to make some kind of display thing of it.

Pretty much, it has lost it's heart. Don't think I can get a PCB if it's never even on e-bay. My only chance to find a compatible (ATR-2 ?) board and burn the roms...but even then....it's a TON of work. Needs replacing all bolts,needs serious metal work (sanding, painting). Need a new speaker (easy) and of course the cones and switches. Coin mech etc.

Well, of course I knew most of that, and I wanted to do it, but I pretty much expected the PCB still to be in there....

The CP looks pretty good Ray, a lot better then yours....

The Marquee is (as you prob know) painted on the "glass"... the colors are a bit better then yours, but there's some scratches on the paint and front side here and there....

Level42 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 28, 2005, 03:12:56 pm »

Some close ups of the CP for Ray...

I fear those bubbles don't mean very good things....upcoming rust ?

Level42 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 28, 2005, 03:20:18 pm »

More close-ups....

On the brighter side: There were 30 games released on the PCB used in this cab....
look here for the full list:

http://www.system16.com/atari/hrdw_6502bw.html

THink I saw someone with a bad Super Breakout monitor on an another thread

RayB · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2005, 03:41:31 pm »

Yeah, you have rust my friend. BUT THE ART IS INTACT! Gahhh! Figures huh?

Hey here I go opening my big mouth regarding Ebay, and what pops up today?

Fully working Dominos in Illinois.

I emailed the seller asking what he will do if it doesn't sell. I told him I'd be interested in parts.

Level42 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 28, 2005, 05:26:02 pm »

Looks nice, especialy the kick board ! And cones in place !

Why don't people ever take pics of the inside ??

I want the PCB

And the vulcano's

paigeoliver · « **Reply #24 on:** August 28, 2005, 07:13:04 pm »

That hardware platform isn't just romswaps.

I would check RGVAC and ebay and such, and if you can't find a board after a year, then you can always carefully remove and box up the original harness and monitor, and then mame it up to the original controls.

Level42 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 29, 2005, 02:35:30 am »

Quote from: paigeoliver on August 28, 2005, 07:13:04 pm

That hardware platform isn't just romswaps.

Was already afraid of that...

Quote from: paigeoliver on August 28, 2005, 07:13:04 pm

I would check RGVAC and ebay and such, and if you can't find a board after a year, then you can always carefully remove and box up the original harness and monitor, and then mame it up to the original controls.

Sorry to sound dumb, but what is RGVAC....I'm relatively new to the arcade gaming/collecting stuff

Indeed,I thought about ultimatily Maming it in a respectful and reversible way. And with just the dedicated game of Domino's of course.....

There's over a year worth of restore work in it anyway for just the cab so....
I think I should look at it this way: it's 28 years old now, another year (or two) won't hurt it. At least, now it's at a comfortable place, no dirt or moisture....

Let's see if that Dominos on Ebay will go....hope not

ChadTower · « **Reply #26 on:** August 29, 2005, 09:37:19 am »

Paige didn't say mame it respectfully, he said mame it with Dominoes. If you can't find a Dominoes PCB, mame is your best option. Take an old pentium board, a tiny hard drive, run mame and dominoes with an old ATI card and advancemame. You'll be all set and it will cost you nearly nothing to get the game running again.

RayB · « **Reply #27 on:** August 29, 2005, 10:36:16 am »

Can a B&W be used with a PC?

Level42 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 29, 2005, 10:37:39 am »

Ow but that was exactly what I meant too !!!! Wouldn't DREAM to make a Frankenstein machine of this !!! No only a very careful heart-transplant...as artificial as it may be....

And look at those controls, you're not gonna want to play any other game then something like Dominos with those.....

But could I drive the b/w original monitor with a ATI card....guess I just tie the RGB lines together ?

The EAO switches for the vulcano's are readliy available here, but costly, around the 11 Euro ex tax....

Level42 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 29, 2005, 10:39:06 am »

Quote from: paigeoliver on August 28, 2005, 07:13:04 pm

Indeed,I thought about ultimatily Maming it in a respectful and reversible way. And with just the dedicated game of Domino's of course.....

Gee I even already mentioned that in my earlier posting

Quote

RayB · « **Reply #30 on:** August 29, 2005, 10:57:24 am »

I hate to break this to you though... Domino's is so boring!

ChadTower · « **Reply #31 on:** August 29, 2005, 11:05:18 am »

Hell no, it's cool.

The b/w question with mame is a good one... you would probably want to ask at the mame forums about that. I guess worst case is you slap in a computer monitor and just let it display in b/w, but I bet it could be done with advance mame.

ClubNinja · « **Reply #32 on:** August 29, 2005, 03:04:28 pm »

I <3 that cab. And now I want one.

paigeoliver · « **Reply #33 on:** August 30, 2005, 12:06:46 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on August 29, 2005, 11:05:18 am

Hell no, it's cool.

The b/w question with mame is a good one... you would probably want to ask at the mame forums about that. I guess worst case is you slap in a computer monitor and just let it display in b/w, but I bet it could be done with advance mame.

The black and white monitors take a TV signal, you need a TV out card.

Level42 · « **Reply #34 on:** August 30, 2005, 02:21:19 am »

Huh !?!?? Where's the TV tuner on that thing then ?...gotta check the service manual....

The B/W monitor is burnt in though....but to be honest, shouldn't it be ? It kinda adds to the arcade feel

RayB, sure the game is boring, I played it on MAME. But that's not what this is about , is it ? It's about this being a piece of arcade history...

I found a counter on this game, is that an hour counter or a money (coin) counter ??

paigeoliver · « **Reply #35 on:** August 30, 2005, 05:20:27 am »

It doesn't have a tuner. It is only a monitor. It can take the display from a computer, vcr, etc, can't be sent on a "channel" though, as it can't pick that up.

Basically, you chop open an RCA cable and hook up the 2 wires to the appropriate wires going into the monitor.

Level42 · « **Reply #36 on:** August 30, 2005, 01:19:35 pm »

Yeah Ok, thought that already....basicaly composite video, but then without the composite

(no colors) Yeah a TV card would be the best option for that.

Well....first on my list is to get my Jamma cab ready...the Dominos is patient enough I think....

O.......do we agree that this cab looks a lot like a jukebox....mmmmm maybe......HAHAHAHA no way

ChadTower · « **Reply #37 on:** August 30, 2005, 01:38:02 pm »

It looks about as much like a jukebox as being unmolested looks like getting a boot to the ass.

Stingray · « **Reply #38 on:** August 30, 2005, 02:29:49 pm »

That's a beutiful cab. I hope you can find a board for it.

-S

rohan · « **Reply #39 on:** August 31, 2005, 01:09:55 pm »

Good luck finding parts for that cab. Do you have a good straight-on pic of the marquee you can put up here? Also, what kind of buttons are those on the CP? Could you find a suitable replacement at a place like Radio Shack?

Level42 · « **Reply #40 on:** August 31, 2005, 01:36:55 pm »

Hi Rohan, thanks.

I'll make a picture asap. The buttons....still gotta check them out. They feel like leafs, definitly no microswitches (no clicks). I don't think I need to replace them.

WIll post with more info...

RayB · « **Reply #41 on:** August 31, 2005, 03:52:21 pm »

The buttons are not leafs. They are actually like the "safety switches" you find just inside arcade cabinet doors. Know what I mean? The kind of switch in a cab you can push in or pull out for the power. But here obviously they only push in.

Level42 · « **Reply #42 on:** September 01, 2005, 05:54:07 pm »

Yeah checked it and you're right. And these switches are microswitches really....
Kinda early game with microswitches, could this be a first ??

Still gotta take that marquee shot, will do tomorrow...

paigeoliver · « **Reply #43 on:** September 01, 2005, 08:14:40 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on September 01, 2005, 05:54:07 pm

Yeah checked it and you're right. And these switches are microswitches really....
Kinda early game with microswitches, could this be a first ??

Still gotta take that marquee shot, will do tomorrow...

Microswitches were used in games from the very beginning. It is just that leaf switches were more common.

Level42 · « **Reply #44 on:** September 02, 2005, 02:16:04 pm »

OK I always thought leafs were first because they came from the pinball machines...
So what switches does computerspace use ?

RayB · « **Reply #45 on:** September 02, 2005, 02:21:56 pm »

Oh great. Is this thread going to degenerate into a pointless debate?

Here's what the next post likely would say:

Guy #1: "Pinballs used leaf-switches long before microswitches were ever invented!"

Guy #2: "Yeah but I am only talking about VIDEO games"

Guy #1: "Yeah ok I'd agree with you there"

Guy #3: "No you're wrong, here's proof <link to a page on KLOV>"

Guy #2: "Yeah but this game came out before that: <link to another page on KLOV>"

Guy #4: "That game uses a trackball, it doesn't even have buttons"

Guy #2: "Oops. My bad"

....etc...

Hopefully I've pre-empted about 5 or 6 pointless messages from being posted.

ChadTower · « **Reply #46 on:** September 02, 2005, 02:29:54 pm »

Solenoids.

Level42 · « **Reply #47 on:** September 04, 2005, 10:35:40 am »

Uh....sorry RayB.....I just was curious. I consider computerspace as the first arcade videogame (I may be wrong but KLOV indicates it that way, just like most other sources)....don't care about it that much. I just _assumed_ that the leafs were used earlier than microswitches. It was not an opinion.

And I'm still kinda new here so I probably missed those kind of conversations earlier.

paigeoliver · « **Reply #48 on:** September 05, 2005, 01:08:19 am »

Both types of switches predate video arcade games altogether, thus both types were used from the very beginning (although the classic "cherry" microswitches did not see much use until the late 70s, but other microswitch buttons were used from the beginning).

Level42 · « **Reply #49 on:** September 08, 2005, 07:57:45 am »

Finaly the straight-on marquee shot. The little light part top left is a lamp reflection.

RayB · « **Reply #50 on:** September 08, 2005, 10:59:42 am »

So... what are you gonna do with that marquee and marquee brackets? ;-)

Level42 · « **Reply #51 on:** September 08, 2005, 11:22:12 am »

Still not sure yet Ray...Rohan requested this picture so I made it

I will also make some detail shots so you can see the condition better....

On one side I would like to help you out and make 1 good working machine of our two domino's, on the other side I really like the cab itself. I think I will give it a year or so to find a PCB. As a last resort I can still respectfully Mame it.

Do you know what happened to that Dominos on Ebay ?

RayB · « **Reply #52 on:** September 08, 2005, 12:59:44 pm »

It had a bid, so I guess it's gone.

paigeoliver · « **Reply #53 on:** September 09, 2005, 02:21:30 am »

Quote from: Level42 on September 08, 2005, 11:22:12 am

Still not sure yet Ray...Rohan requested this picture so I made it

I will also make some detail shots so you can see the condition better....

On one side I would like to help you out and make 1 good working machine of our two domino's, on the other side I really like the cab itself. I think I will give it a year or so to find a PCB. As a last resort I can still respectfully Mame it.

Do you know what happened to that Dominos on Ebay ?

Well, the cabinet itself survives when you make one good game out of two lesser ones, so you could STILL Mame it.

Level42 · « **Reply #54 on:** September 14, 2005, 02:39:58 pm »

There may be a small spot of light......the Domino's PCB is actualy a much reduced (in chips) Sprint 2 PCB. So in theory it should be possible to convert it.

paigeoliver · « **Reply #55 on:** September 15, 2005, 05:41:02 am »

Quote from: Level42 on September 14, 2005, 02:39:58 pm

There may be a small spot of light......the Domino's PCB is actualy a much reduced (in chips) Sprint 2 PCB. So in theory it should be possible to convert it.

All I can say is "in theory".

Sprint 1 and Sprint 2 have the same PCB, I have examined the boards side by side, but it would still take a real pro about 30 hours and several custom chips to convert one.

And that is the root problem, most of those Atari B&W games had custom chips on them. To get the customs you would need a Dominoes PCB to begin with, at that point there is no reason to convert the sprint one.

I'd just emulate it before I ever tried to convert a Sprint PCB.

ChadTower · « **Reply #56 on:** September 15, 2005, 09:56:50 am »

Agreed, because then you've just raped a working Sprint PCB in a case where the goal is to save a b/w classic.

Emulate it, then if you ever come across a working Dominoes board, put that in.

Stingray · « **Reply #57 on:** September 15, 2005, 11:58:17 am »

It's not often that one gets the chance to agree with Chad and Paige simultaniously. I'm glad I got the opportunity to do so today.

-S

Level42 · « **Reply #58 on:** April 13, 2008, 03:50:25 am »

OK. So a Dominos PCB FINALY shows up on e-bay. Todd from Tnt amsuements was the seller.

Look for what it went:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120243212435&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBUAA:US:1123

I'm sorry but I couldn't justify more money than $105,- for a game like this. I'd rather mame it then pay so much money for the original board....the game just is too boring....

I'm still sad though. I really hope the winner has the original cab and needed this PCB like me....

RayB · « **Reply #59 on:** April 14, 2008, 11:18:18 am »

Poor guy.

Hey a local game collector here has MAME and do you know what game his daughter says is her favorite out of ALL that MAME has to offer? That's right, Dominos.

Level42 · « **Reply #60 on:** June 07, 2008, 06:59:45 pm »

Will mine ever look like this one ?

Ridiculous price though....

Level42 · « **Reply #61 on:** March 07, 2010, 05:10:31 pm »

I "sold" this cab. It will be going to a very good place indeed, the arcade museum in Denmark !

http://www.playright.info/museum.php

DillonFoulds · « **Reply #62 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:24:19 pm »

Did you end up doing anything else to it, or left as-is?

Level42 · « **Reply #63 on:** March 10, 2010, 04:30:15 pm »

Nothing at all..... I figured I'd need a PCB first to justify any work on it. Plus there were more urgent projects that came after this one.

Anyway, I'm glad I saved it (it almost went to some school who had a project with it, which most likely meant it would have been demolished) and that it's now going to a good place (arcade museum) in Denmark !


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