I bought a 1943 PCB and I'm having Graphic / Sprite Issues...

[mrclean]

OK the bad news : I bought a 1943: Battle of Midway PCB from someone on the klov forums. I was told that it was in 100% working order etc etc..

The somewhat good news:
any ways the person who i bought it from is refunding me the money and letting me keep the bad / mostly working but with graphic issues board at no cost.

 So I might as well try to see if anyone knows how to fix it. the planes shadow and other junk is in the wrong place mostly the bottom / or majorly shifted the enemy planes are shifted slightly above each other with lines / just basically sprite issues.. see video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnLS2qqiq0k[/youtube]

[Kevin Mullins]

First thing I'd do is pull and clean the legs on any socketed chips and rom's.

Carefully of course.....

[CheffoJeffo]

Also clean your edge connector and check voltages at the board.

[mrclean]

the voltage should be fine because I have it in my Gun.Smoke JAMMA cabinet, so that capcom board is almost identical. I don't know a damn thing about pulling chips etc so the cleaning I can probably do.. but since this is technically a FREE board so to speak I wouldn't mind learning on it.

[Kevin Mullins]

I don't know a damn thing about pulling chips etc so the cleaning I can probably do.. but since this is technically a FREE board so to speak I wouldn't mind learning on it.

If you don't have an actual "puller" then use a small flat bladed screwdriver to slip between the chip and the socket and gently pry from one to the other to remove it evenly. (don't want to bend and break the legs)
The big thing is not to pry up on the circuit board itself. There may be fine traces under the chip sockets, etc.
Use an eraser or very fine sand paper to just gently wipe any oxidation of the legs. (both sides)

Others may have some more suggestions for ya too.

[CheffoJeffo]

the voltage should be fine because I have it in my Gun.Smoke JAMMA cabinet, so that capcom board is almost identical.

It should be, but if you have problems with your edge connector or harness ... I don't think it is the source of your problem, but it is something that I always like to cross off of the list early on.

[RayB]

Do the chip pulling last.  Without a chip puller, I always bend legs no matter how careful I am, and then they break off when I try to bend them back.

#1. Press down on all socketed chips and make sure they are real snug.

#2. Take a pink eraser and clean the edge traces until they are bright & shiny.

Try the board.

If same results, THEN pull chips and clean legs.

[mrclean]

i pressed down on all the chips they all seem snug, cleaned the edge connector then plugged it back in same result. let's say i purchase a chip puller.. they are only like 2 bucks that's not my concern but in regards to properly cleaning the legs of the chips other then an eraser is any type of solution / or alternative method recommended ?

[channelmaniac]

On the bottom board is a square surface mount chip. Check closely with a magnifying glass to see if the chip is soldered correctly to the board. It just sits on top of the board with solder between the legs and the board.

If it's OK then check the chips around it. You may have a bad one or physical damage to the board in that area.

RJ

[mrclean]

I ended up cleaning the board with a toothbrush and it seems to be working. I wanted to know what type of solution is alright to clean the chips with for when i really give it a good cleaning

[MonMotha]

Isopropyl alcohol is generally what is used during PCB assembly to remove flux residue.  It's pretty safe, and it's good at removing all sorts of nasties, including conductive dust/dirt, and it can take off some corrosion with a little (light) scrubbing.  Just make sure you let things COMPLETELY dry before you hook it back up.  Remember that alcohols are very flammable, and some might get underneath a chip, resulting in drying times longer than you'd expect.  I suggest letting things dry overnight.

You can also put the thing in the dishwasher.  Remove all socketed chips, and put it on the top rack with no detergent. Don't do this at the same time as a load of dishes   Use a rinse and hold setting as the drying heat can be a little hot.  Just let it air dry for few days.  I'd suggest rinsing it down first to get rid of any excessive buildup, and I'd also recommend a cycle afterwards with nothing in the washer just to remove any stray contaminants that may remain (there shouldn't be any, but why chance it).

I prefer alcohol myself.  Several have reported good luck with a dishwasher, though.  Some are concerned with lead contamination in the dishwasher, but I really don't think that's likely to be an issue given the volumes of water involved.  I think some of the other chemicals used in the solder fluxes are likely worse, but still not likely to be a problem.  If you'd rather not chance it, don't, though.  If you happen to have an old dishwasher going unused, give it a shot!

[channelmaniac]

If it's disgusting I'll take a tooth brush and some Formula 409 Orang cleaner to the board. Scrub the f&&& out of it and rinse it off well with water. (Distilled if you have very hard water) Pat the board dry with a towel then toss it in the oven at 170 degrees F for about 20 minutes to dry.

It works well on drying out the boards and isn't a high enough temp to affect most things. The only thing I've see affected by that temp was the plastic shroud on the memory card slot of a Neo Geo 2 slot board.

Be sure to remove any batteries before cleaning a board with any liquids.

[Malenko]

I ended up cleaning the board with a toothbrush and it seems to be working. I wanted to know what type of solution is alright to clean the chips with for when i really give it a good cleaning

you going to give the seller back his money?

just curious

[mrclean]

Actually i did give back the refunded money already and the person was still nice enough to say if your still not happy i can give the money back.. we are playing who's the nicest

[Malenko]

Actually i did give back the refunded money already and the person was still nice enough to say if your still not happy i can give the money back.. we are playing who's the nicest

I was just wondering, I know youre a good guy, why not just split the difference and each keep half? lol