Arcade Collecting > Restorations & repair
Centipede Mini Restoration
SirPeale:
--- Quote from: Level42 on October 11, 2008, 05:54:12 pm ---Well, there's an easy way to check if the socket is a problem: measure resistance between the leg of the IC and the soldering on the other side of the board. If they all beep out, than the socket shouldn't be the problem.
--- End quote ---
That was the first thing I did after it didn't work the first time. I touched up the joints again, and went thru one-by-one. They metered fine.
--- Quote ---Also check the traces from the islands to where they connect to.
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Also done.
--- Quote ---Tracks coming loose usually means either too hot solder iron or too long applying it. The Atari boards are good quality (esp. compared to the Wells Gardner ---Cleveland steamer--- I've worked on) so the tracks should stay put normally.
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There's another one - user error. I started pulling way before I should have (before the solder had completely melted). I repaired the trace.
This isn't my first time at the rodeo, 42...it's just my first time with this level of board repair.
--- Quote ---Aside from the money, there's also something called "satisfaction" in repairing a board. I've repaired my Centipede board myself and I'm pretty proud of it. Was able to trace all problems to 3 bad IC's (one in the watch-dog circuit, the LM324 (audio-amp) and one was the trackball buffer IC.
Yes I could have ordered a working board from the US, but this was so much more satisfying and I learned a great deal from it.
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Agreed. Every time I do something like this I learn just a little more.
SirPeale:
My mouser order showed up yesterday. Caps caps caps! I recapped the mainboard and the A/R II. Good news...at least for now...the RAM error isn't coming up. Graphics are still a bit scrambled. I'll have to try another RAM just to rule it out.
I also retinned the edge connector. Colors are much better now.
I do have a wave going thru the picture now that wasn't there before, but that's likely because of the Big Blue.
SirPeale:
Cut out a back door yesterday. Not the best (I used woodchip board) but it was cheap (wood cost me a buck). Now I'm not so worried about slipping and smacking the neck when I move it around.
It's still "operational" ie you can play but scrambled graphics. I need to start hitting solder joints again. It was the same problem before and it helped (at least for a couple days).
Level42:
Peale I just wondered why you order with Mouser instead of Bob Roberts. Apart from the time (selecting all the required cap values) do you actually save any money ? I usually order with Bob. Of course I can get all caps locally but it's more expensive and cumbersome. Also I always combine orders with parts that I cannot get here at all.
SirPeale:
I buy in bulk when I order caps, so yes, I do save some $$$.
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