The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Sparkolicious on May 05, 2004, 03:45:08 pm
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I found this in the trash not too far from my house... It's in such good shape that I think I want to restore it.. All the boards are present and "Appeaer" to be in good shape... When I plugged it in the fans are the only thing working... My question is where do i start??!!
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side view...
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You found that in the trash!! Where do you live? As there maybe someone in the area that may be able to help you.
-GGKoul
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I live in Ruston and New Orleans Louisiana... I work as a flight instructor for Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, but the real home is in New Orleans.. A friend of mine suggested a post to this site my give me some ideas...
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I'm sorry, this game is obviously too far gone. However, it's not a total loss, I'll take it off your hands for you. ;D
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First let me say I am SOOOOOOO jealous. You really really scored HUGE. Robotron is very sought after in case you did not know.
I would start by reading alot. Check out USENET groups as well and just locate a load of info if you are serious about restoring the machine (which you should be, dang what a great find)
Generally I would start by getting a hold of a Robotron manual with the wiring schematics. Alot depends on your electronics aptitude. You will need to really bone up if you are not already there.
Figure out what IS working and in good shape, then prioritize the rest. Wow you have alot of work ahead, but DANG what a find.
I too will take it off your hands if you feel overwhelmed ::)
Good luck, can't wait to see how it goes.
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two words:
multi williams
:D
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:o Is that THE Robotron? OMG, some idiot was throwing that out? I've only played a remake for PC but I loved it, if only I could play it the way it was meant to be played. With 2 sticks. Are they only 8 way sticks?
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two words:
multi williams
Two more words:
restore it
:)
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these guys are crazy--paint it yellow, put a four player control panel extension on the front--juice it up with some lifters like they have on the low-riding cars, put in a kicking bass and play some console games on that badboy ;D
ummm or you could just restore it i guess....your call ;)
(and yes I am jealous in case you missed that ;D)
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what's the diagonal screen size on that thing? I'm curious
thanks :)
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what's the diagonal screen size on that thing? I'm curious
19"
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Is the monitor working?
The board for sure isn't working?
Klov has some info
http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=R&game_id=9347
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not sure... haven't had any time to really check the thing out... Thanks for the link!
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Congrats. Great find. You will have an adventure restoring this fine machine. ;)
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I found this in the trash not too far from my house... It's in such good shape that I think I want to restore it.. All the boards are present and "Appeaer" to be in good shape... When I plugged it in the fans are the only thing working... My question is where do i start??!!
First, check the fuses in the power block.
If the fuses are good, how many LED's are lit on the power board? (The power board is the longer of the two bolted on the inside of the cabinet.
If all thre are lit, look on the ROM board (the smaller board with 15 - 17 eproms), there is a single LED display. It may be flashing a code "1", "4", "3" or smething like that. This code will give you a general idea if something is wrong.
Do you hear the "whining" sound of the monitor on power up? Is there static to the touch on the glass?
Check the "Screen" (brightness) pot on the monitor. BE CAREFUL!!! It is near the flyback transformer. A shock from that puppy will really ruin your day!! Be sure the pot is not turned all the way down.
Hope this helps.
-Tom
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Check the "Screen" (brightness) pot on the monitor. BE CAREFUL!!! It is near the flyback transformer. A shock from that puppy will really ruin your day!! Be sure the pot is not turned all the way down.
Basically, don't touch ANYTHING but those little dials (Pot = potentameter = little dial), or you may end up 6 feet under (seriously)!!!
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what's the diagonal screen size on that thing? I'm curious
19"
Thanks :)
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If you decide that the restoration is too big a job for you and that you want to sell it instead (probably won't happen, but just in case) I would be willing to buy it off you for a very good amount of money. Otherwise, good luck. I'm very jealous of you for finding such a great machine ;)
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oh man. in the TRASH? I can't believe it. WTH!? :o ??? :-X :'(
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Ok so here's the deal. I replaced 8 fuses, and replaced the power cord.. plug it in and i get 3 led's on the smaller board inside the case to light... the monitor powers up and flashes then goes black... I am a complete n00b, but I don't see any other led's.... My question is where do I go from here? How should I go about reconnecting the battery holder? (there's a picture of it) and what are the batteries for n e way? Here are some pics of the boards...
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.......
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new janky PINK power cord 8^)
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battery thingy...
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Thanks for the help so far. I really wanna get this thing runnin again. Anyone with skillz live in the greater New Orleans area? ;D
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Doesnt need the batteries to boot.. Do you see any numbers flashing on the ROM board? There is a single LED display on the board.
-tom
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And it's in good cosmetic condition... Someone was stupid...
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man I'm tellin ya I looked ALL over that board for a single led and can't find one anywhere! I'm gonna head back to the lab and fire it up again and see..
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LED display:
check it out:
(http://www.bombaci.org/tom/images/roboboards2.jpg)
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I bet he was looking for a single LED. I would have too.
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damn it... i was just about to post!! lmao! I turned the lights off and figured it out... doh! It does the same thing the monitor does .. comes on for a sec then goes off.. theres a switch toward the top of the cab that needs to be depressed for the boards to get power... when i press it and hold it the power comes on then goes off...er well the monitor and the led flashes.. might try changing that switch... should be able to bypass it ya think?
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Does the power stay on? You should be able to hear the monitor hum.
If all three LED's are lit on the power board and you do not get a flashing number sequence in the LED display, next step is to meter the power at each board. On the big board, the grey wires are +5v. Best bet is to pick up a schematic from the arcade ftp Here (http://arcarc.xmission.com/archive/PDF%20Arcade%20Manuals%20and%20Schematics/Robotron%20-%20Drawing%20Set.pdf)
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the led's stay on... Now that I have these drawing I'll be able to poke arround a little more... Thanks a lot for the help! I'll post more when i get a chance to check it out!
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Some cabs have safety switches that detect if the back is open, and kill the power. Tape down all these switches when working on the cab. But be very careful with what you touch.
If you don't know what you're doing, try to find someone local to you that can help you.
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Some cabs have safety switches that detect if the back is open, and kill the power. Tape down all these switches...
No.
Pull the spring loaded pin out. No need to tape them down.
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Ok.... the boards have power, and the monitor is staying powered up as well.. no led light.... It comes on for a second just like the monitor....
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screw you!
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screw you!
What the heck is that all about?
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Great find Sparkolicious.
I found a PacMan cocktail that had been put to the street once over in Belle Chasse.
All I had to do was replace the power cord & send the board off for overhaul.
I'd suggest that you find someone who can go through the boardset for you & replacewhatever components that he finds bad.
This could run you about $100 - $150 but with the overall value of a Robotron machine, this is a small price to pay to get the thing working again.
My other suggestions is that you check back frequently at the place where you found your machine in the garbage, there may be more to follow...
BTW I live over in Thibodaux & work in New Orleans so if you ever need a little help or advice just drop me a line.
Take care
Z
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Doesn't Bob Roberts live in your neck of the woods? He may be able to help.
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hhhmmm... I'm all for sending it off... Can you recommend anyone?
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screw you!
What the heck is that all about?
Im consumed with jealousy
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screw you!
What the heck is that all about?
Im consumed with jealousy
There are much better ways of expressing it.
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to you, maybe ;D
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hhhmmm... I'm all for sending it off... Can you recommend anyone?
You can speak with Greg over at GS1:
http://www.gls1electronics.com
He's a stand-up guy & did a great job on my Pac PCB.
I don't know if he specializes in this pcb but if not he may know someone who does.
Also there is one place in California that, if I recall correctly, services many boards including Robotron pcb repairs & swaps:
http://www.eldoradogames.com/
There is also Mike at :
http://www.mikesarcade.com
And yes Bob Roberts does live very close by.
He is a great guy to do business.
Though he no longer does any repairs himself, he is a great source for advice.
Are you in Rustin or NO for the summer?
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I'm in new orleans for g00d! Landed a job at Lakefront airport. I actually live in Kenner.
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great