Qbert Troubleshooting (AGAIN, MORE INFO NOW)

[redfivexw]

I have made some progress on my qbert troubleshooting, i think perhaps the problem lies in the monitor wiring, not sure though.  I just noticed that if you let the machine stay on for a few minutes, the snowy picture turns into 9 rectangles, each rectangle contains the qbert screen, but inverted colors.  The sounds match up to what is happening on the screen, so the board must be good.  The power supply seems fine, i did check the voltages with my meter and they also were pretty close.   Does anyone know what might cause the screen to look like this:


I bought the machine non-working, so i really dont know what has been done to it in the past, but everything looks to be original, and the monitor has really bad qbert burn-in, so i know that is original also.  Help me save this qbert!

[RayB]

I bought the machine non-working, so i really dont know what has been done to it in the past, but everything looks to be original, and the monitor has really bad qbert burn-in, so i know that is original also.  Help me save this qbert!

No, all you know is that the TUBE is original. Perhaps the monitor circuit boards have been changed, or messed with.

Ken Layton might recognize those symptoms...

[Dav]

I have made some progress on my qbert troubleshooting, i think perhaps the problem lies in the monitor wiring, not sure though.  I just noticed that if you let the machine stay on for a few minutes, the snowy picture turns into 9 rectangles, each rectangle contains the qbert screen, but inverted colors.  The sounds match up to what is happening on the screen, so the board must be good.  The power supply seems fine, i did check the voltages with my meter and they also were pretty close.   Does anyone know what might cause the screen to look like this:
[
I bought the machine non-working, so i really dont know what has been done to it in the past, but everything looks to be original, and the monitor has really bad qbert burn-in, so i know that is original also.  Help me save this qbert!

I had a galaxian that was half a volt low that did that.  I'd lean more towards it being a board problem than a monitor problem.

[redfivexw]

Perhaps, people have told me that the power supply may need re-building.  It is weird that 2 different game boards gave me different results on-screen.  This really is a tough game to troubleshoot, there are 4 boards before it goes to the monitor, so many wires, I am almost ready to tear it all out and mame it!

[SuperGunGuru]

Perhaps, people have told me that the power supply may need re-building.  It is weird that 2 different game boards gave me different results on-screen.  This really is a tough game to troubleshoot, there are 4 boards before it goes to the monitor, so many wires, I am almost ready to tear it all out and mame it!

I've been trying to get mine running for over a year now I've finally got it somehwat working, but the MPU board has issues that I know are not caused by any of the roms. Good luck with yours! Q*Bert's a lot of fun in my opinion, it's just not always fun to work on. 

[Q*Bert_OP]

I've been trying to get mine running for over a year now I've finally got it somehwat working, but the MPU board has issues that I know are not caused by any of the roms. Good luck with yours! Q*Bert's a lot of fun in my opinion, it's just not always fun to work on. 

You can say that again

[redfivexw]

Hey SuperGunGuru, that game room sure looks great.  I see your qbert there, have you gotten around to fixing up the outside yet?  i always fix the cosmetics, then fix the machine.  I just finished painting and putting new decals on my qbert, it looks great, just wish i could get it to work!

[SuperGunGuru]

Hey SuperGunGuru, that game room sure looks great.  I see your qbert there, have you gotten around to fixing up the outside yet?  i always fix the cosmetics, then fix the machine.  I just finished painting and putting new decals on my qbert, it looks great, just wish i could get it to work!

I myself like to try and get the game working then worry about cosmetics. I have some paint code matched paint ready to go, though I'll still need some sideart and a marquee. 

[redfivexw]

I bought some side art from arcadeshop.com, it was pretty cheap (65.00) and it is top quality.  The best i have seen as far as side art goes.  I always do the cosmetics first now because i find that once the game is working i always move on to another project and never finish the one i am working on!

[redfivexw]

I have decided to give up fixing the electonics and am going to try and install a mame computer that runs only qbert, qberts cubes and congo bongo.  After doing a lot of research, i see that the qberts are just too problematic for me to deal with.  Sorry to the purists out there, but i just dont have the time to fuss with this one.   

[RayB]

Wait a second. Have you already proven that the monitor works normal? What if you go and MAME this only to have the same problem show up?

[redfivexw]

I dont need to check the monitor anymore, the monitor is good, i put it in another game and it worked.  I am going to try one more thing before i give up.  I am buying a rebuilt power supply from basement arcade.  If that takes care of it, great, if not, all the parts will be up for sale and i will just mame the cabinet.  I hate to be a quitter, but this machine is unbelieveable how much wiring and boards it has.  i dont want to spend a ton of money on it.

[SirPeale]

Then sell it.  If you're looking for a cabinet to convert to Mame, there are  better solutions.

[redfivexw]

nah,
i like ripping the guts out of old machines, it gives me such joy!  just kidding.  I only like machines that have the look of the early 80's.  I already restored the outside, i really dont care if it has 25 year old electronics inside or last years PC, as long as it works.  What would you have me do, buy some crappy neo geo cabinet?

[koolmoecraig]

Before you give up, contact Mike who runs this website: www.basementarcade.com

He knows pretty much everything about getting a Q*bert up and running. He helped me fix mine. He also offers a PCB rebuilding service and his prices are very reasonable.

Give him a shot.

[Q*Bert_OP]

redfivexw:  If  you are going to rip it apart, I want your boards, wire harness, power block, etc...I don't need the knocker, though

PS: I will also sned this to you in a PM.

[Level42]

Don't want to hi-jack the thread, but since there's a lot of original Q*bert cab owners here:

Can anybody tell me /show me how the knocker inside the Q*bert is mounted ? Is it on a box or something ? Please PM me since I think this thread should stay on-subject.

I'd "kill" for an original Q*bert cab by the way...

[Q*Bert_OP]

The knocker is mounteed on the back of the cash box holder. The cash box holder is made out of wood in this case.

[Level42]

Thanks ! So it uses a box to let it sound well. I should be able to copy that on  my cab. Back on-topic