Repairing PCB'S worth the time and trouble ?

[ctozzi]

So i have a few old Mortal kombat boards that power up without picture but sound works, i was thinking since it's winter to troubleshoot the pcb and repair them. However i have no idea what i'm doing, the worst that could happen is a broken board gets more broken...... Anyways if anyone has advise on what to look at and mess with let me know.

[MonMotha]

Fortunately with those older boards, schematics are readily available as they came in the game manuals.  Grab the schematic and start backtracing from the problem point (in this case, no video - also check sync) until you find the problem (in this case, that would be a place that has video on the "input" but not the "output").  If you're not familiar with electronics, it's kinda tough, and you'll need some equipment you might not have (logic probe, true RMS meter is handy, o'scope is handy, etc.).

[ctozzi]

k thanks

[SavannahLion]

However i have no idea what i'm doing, the worst that could happen is a broken board gets more broken......

In that regards, my advice to you would be as follows. Either find someone to trade the boards for working boards you do want/need. Or put the boards into storage and start down the path with learning basic electronics before tackling board repair.

Case in point. Back in the early days of not knowing anything, I got a hold of a PCB from an electronic supply clearing house with the intent of ripping the video modulator out for a different project. Around the same time I got a hold of a dead NES board. Since I already worked with the NES board, I gutted the components I needed out of it instead. The other PCB was put away into storage. Flash forward to now and my improved GoogleFu skills. I rediscover the board and from what I can tell, it's actually the PCB to a gaming system that farted and died on release. At this point, I have enough knowledge and parts to repair the board (sans game roms).

I just need the time to do it. 

[AndyWarne]

Around 50% of faults on older boards are caused by bad contacts on corroded chip pins in sockets. Removing all socketed chips and cleaning the pins with fine emery is a good start.

Andy

[CrazyKongFan]

Mortal Kombat? Junk it! Sorry, couldn't resist I guess the decision to repair one also depends on how easy it is to fix, how rare it is, if you have others available, etc.

[ctozzi]

junk it huh ? i was looking to learn something new and if it gets worse who cares since it's broken already. Thanks for the worthwhile responses I'll try a few things and see what happens.

[ChadTower]

I rediscover the board and from what I can tell, it's actually the PCB to a gaming system that farted and died on release. At this point, I have enough knowledge and parts to repair the board (sans game roms).

Which one was it?   

[CrazyKongFan]

junk it huh ?

Nah, I was just kidding (that's why I included the big grin). I always hated those type of fighting games (Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, etc) I guess mostly because I suck at them

[SavannahLion]

I rediscover the board and from what I can tell, it's actually the PCB to a gaming system that farted and died on release. At this point, I have enough knowledge and parts to repair the board (sans game roms).

Which one was it?   

You know what... I forgot. It was early this year that I found the board. I made notes, put it away and promptly forgot the details. 

I'm busy at the house the next couple of weeks, but I'll try and pull the board and/or check my notes when I get home. I want to say it has Intellivision markings on it, but I might be mixing up my boards there.