ArcadeVga Problems

[Andrew79]

I'm having problems with a ArcadeVga2 AGP card that I ordered recently. I currently have a Tekken Cab cabinet that I'm converting into a Mame. I also have the VGA breakout cable that I have also purchased from Ultimarc. So far, I can't get a picture that resembles a windows desktop in any way. Whenever I boot up my system and plug in the cables all I get on the arcade monitor is green fuzzy lines. I attached a picture of what it looks like. I installed the ArcadeVga card and drivers without any problems.Whenever I hook the plug from the old cable in and run the Tekken board everything looks fine.

My monitor is a WG Model #25K7131 120 V 60hz Chasis Serial # W6 433716. Please help me out, I've spent so much money on parts for this machine and I can't even get a picture using my computer. My wife wants to murder me for spending so much money on a arcade machine and it still not work. Does this monitor not work with the ArcadeVga? Should I toss it and go with a Tv?  If I don't get this working soon i'm going to lose my mind!   

[weasel-like_animal]

Hey dude, sounds like you're having the exact same problems I was having.

Your green torn screen (image) looks like mine did at first when I had my CPU monitor (DVI out from the AVGA2) AND the VGA breakout going to the arcade monitor AT THE SAME TIME.

I unplugged the DVI -> CPU monitor and it fixed the ripped screen. (I think its trying to split the signal, hence the split image) Then I restarted my computer, with only the VGA breakout plugged in. Great success.

Then, I had really bad color problems. No amount of fiddling with the adjustment pots on the monitor chassis would help. I even downloaded the tech manual for the WG series, and tried    to do a white balance... no avail.

I ordered a new breakout cable from Divemaster http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=47066.0 and it fixed almost all problems with color. Now I just can't get red to show up in balance with the others. Be advised that Divemaster's parts are what you'd get from Ultimarc, only shipping costs less cause hes in the US (I'm assuming you are in the US, if you are in UK, stick with Ultimarc)


Don't give up on the monitor. If you are getting a clean signal from the JAMMA hook up for Tekken, then your monitor is OK. Its just a royal pain sometimes to get it working properly for MAME. I suspect a bad batch of breakout cables from Ultimarc is going around. When you get it working right, or even close you right, you'll be happy you worked it out. Playing games on the monitor on my JAMMA cab is awesome, especially with the 2.1 audio... SO COOL.

Things to double check:

Be sure to also set your desktop settings appropriately, 640x480, 60hz refresh, etc.

Be sure to read up on the MAME settings for the AVGA on the Ultimarc website, there is a guide on how to adjust your mame info file (very easy) to take advantage of the AVGA's hardware. http://www.ultimarc.com/avgainst.html If you need it, I can share my MAME 106 file with you as a guide, but I don't think you'll need it, the instructions are really clear.

Let me know when you have tried these things... hopefully we can get you running. I TOTALLY feel your frustration though, I don't know much about this stuff and sometimes when I have a problem I'm at a loss for direction. Assure your wife that it'll work, it just might take a few more weeks! 

W-L_A

[Andrew79]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try unplugging the PC monitor and reboot the system and see what I get. I'll pretty sure it's a bad breakout cable after reading over your thread. I'm talking to Andy over at Ultimarc and troubleshooting a little but I still think its going to end up being a bad cable. Hopefully I can get a replacement sent to me, otherwise I guess I'll go with Divemaster.

Sounds like you're having a good time with your machine. I have most of my games already setup in GameEx and ready to play. I can't wait to play some of my favorites. I even ordered a 4-player panel from ArcadesRFun in anticipation of playing Gauntlet with my friends. So, I'm committed to getting this working since I have some much money in this already. I'm going to try another cable from Ultimarc and if it doesn't work i'm going to take a shotgun to it and buy a TV set. Even if I get this monitor working I still think i need a cap kit. When I'm running Tekken Tag the left side of the screen is darker than the right. I won't be attempting to do the cap myself. How much do you think a local technician would charge? Anyways, I'll let you know what happens after I talk with Andy some more. Hopefully a new cable will solve my problem.

[weasel-like_animal]

Yeah, its fun, but I'm so anal its going to be hard to accept small problems and call it "complete" when its nearly done. I still have a lot of details, like mounting the CPU inside the cab, and doing tweaks with the control panel... oh and getting RED to work right! 

Keep us posted.

[northerngames]

if the monitor has a switchable frequency make sure it is set on 15k

[DeLuSioNal29]

If it doesn't work out with the monitor, you may want to invest in a breand new Betson 27".  They normally go for $469, but they are on sale for $374!  http://www.betson.com/products/IMP-44-4070-RT

They work perfectly with the Ultimarc card.

I just bought one and it's amazing!

~ DeLuSioNaL