1983 atari star wars switch on

[Stevros]

Sounds like a good mod colin, i shall look into that
thinking of getting the rebuild kit with the mod for it.

There are no grounding issues, masking tape was used and paint removed where needed.

Turned machine on after putting it back together in test mode.

monitor tube neck lights up and there is a red LED on the P327 panel.

Game is saying AVG Faulty RAM@...
3P (AVG) VECTOR RAM 2
4M (AVG) VECTOR RAM 4

Spoke to the guy today over the other machines and he told me he was playing this and it just went off.
He put it down to the monitor as when he inspected it there were 2 burnt transistors in the HV circuit (they look like rusty resistors to me but i'm no expert).

I'm wondering if the bad RAM is causing the monitor to not turn on as protection maybe?

Is that possible?

Should i just order new RAM for it?

All wiring good, everything clean and tidy, correct voltages.

 

[Stevros]

Done a bit more on this yesterday, restored the fan, restored the pcb anti
interference cage and cleaned the wiring in the cab, monitor HV anti
interference cage painted black and fitted, fitted monitor and connected
all up (i have yet to tidy wiring properly).

Monitor with cage fitted

Fan before

Fan after

PCB cage before

PCB Cage after (painted the sliders green so they are easier to see)

Parts fitted

Cage and fan

Heres the marquee lit up

Turned machine on after putting it back together in test mode.

monitor tube neck lights up and there is a red LED on the right hand panel.

Machine is saying AVG Faulty RAM@...
3P (AVG) VECTOR RAM 2
4M (AVG) VECTOR RAM 4

I'm thinking it
is possible it has circuit protection to cut the monitor out to avoid
damage so i think i need to order a set of RAM chips (no point replacing
2 i may as well replace all 4).
Thats going to be a pain.

I haven't looked yet but it is possible they may be on sockets, if thats the case they may just need re seating.

 

[Equites]

The LED on the deflection board is your spot killer circuit kicking in. This happens when either the monitor is faulty, or the PCB fails.

Get your scope out, and connect it to the XY of your PCB to see if you are getting any output from the PCB.

Have you tried to play the game blind?

 

[Stevros]

The LED on the deflection board is your spot killer circuit kicking in. This happens when either the monitor is faulty, or the PCB fails.

Get your scope out, and connect it to the XY of your PCB to see if you are getting any output from the PCB.

Have you tried to play the game blind?

Won't play blind, just buzzes from speaker, put it in self test mode and it does 6 beeps then 8 beeps which means RAM failure in 2 and 4 AVG RAM.

Hmmm, I've not used the scope yet, its an old one, i shall have to get it out later, its fully working mind, its a Hewlett Packard 1740A

What settings do i need?
I haven't a clue where to start

Stevros2014-09-12 12:52:04

 

[Equites]

I can't see any XY mode on that scope I'm afraid.

The first thing you need to do is get the SW PCB set repaired, only then can you troubleshoot the monitor properly.

You did check the voltages on the AR2 before throwing the on switch didn't you?

RAMs are the first things to get cooked when over-volting PCBs.
Equites2014-09-12 13:13:47

 

[Stevros]

I can't see any XY mode on that scope I'm afraid.

The first thing you need to do is get the SW PCB set repaired, only then can you troubleshoot the monitor properly.

You did check the voltages on the AR2 before throwing the on switch didn't you?

RAMs are the first things to get cooked when over-volting PCBs.

No didn't check AR2.

Will check it later, another lesson learnt.

Should i just send the boardset to retroclinic?

It will probably need a service anyway and he fixed my missile command which was a hard one to repair.

 

[cmjones01]

I'm well versed with mounting transistors and insulating them, having built and designed lots of home brew equipment while at my last job in a Research establishment , so no worries

Good Call though.... Part was over rated too but similar characteristics. I can't recall the part I used though which is a bummer... I'm sure I posted it somewhere... Could always ask Gavin to take a look inside....

Cool, sounds good to me. Lovely restoration job, by the way

Chris

 

[cmjones01]

Hmmm, I've not used the scope yet, its an old one, i shall have to get it out later, its fully working mind, its a Hewlett Packard 1740A

What settings do i need?
I haven't a clue where to start

In the group of buttons at the top right, there's a blue one labelled 'A vs B' with a sort of graph-axes symbol. Press that one. Set the sensitivity of channels A and B to 2V/cm or thereabouts, assuming you're not using 10:1 scope probes otherwise use 0.2V/cm. Connect the X axis signal to channel B and the Y axis signal to channel A. If you can't see anything, press 'Beam find' to figure out where the trace has gone and use the channel A and B position controls to get it on the screen. Further fiddling may be required, but that should get you going...

Hope it helps

Chris

 

[Stevros]

Hmmm, I've not used the scope yet, its an old one, i shall have to get it out later, its fully working mind, its a Hewlett Packard 1740A

What settings do i need?
I haven't a clue where to start

In the group of buttons at the top right, there's a blue one labelled 'A vs B' with a sort of graph-axes symbol. Press that one. Set the sensitivity of channels A and B to 2V/cm or thereabouts, assuming you're not using 10:1 scope probes otherwise use 0.2V/cm. Connect the X axis signal to channel B and the Y axis signal to channel A. If you can't see anything, press 'Beam find' to figure out where the trace has gone and use the channel A and B position controls to get it on the screen. Further fiddling may be required, but that should get you going...

Hope it helps

Chris

Thanks Chris

 

[ColinD]

The ARII Checks are in the post Gavin made the other day....

http://www.ukvac.com/forum/vector-arcade-machine-pre-flight-checks_topic340667.html

Deffo do the ARII Mod, and then check the voltages... The 5v should be no more than 5.1V at the Game PCB end on the test points.... no less then 5V either..... The voltage might be a tad higher at the ARII due to volt drop in the cables.

Once these Voltages are OK, then you can muck about with the game board ;-)

I also should have some spare Rams handy too....

Cheers, Col

 

[Stevros]

All voltages are fine and mod has been done

found this...

Here are some replacement chips that are listed for the 137211-001:

137211-001 IC,SRAM,2Kx8,150ns,NMOS,Tri,24pin,Pwr-dn,Plastic NEC uPD4016C-3
137211-001 IC,SRAM,2Kx8,150ns,NMOS,Tri,24pin,Pwr-dn,Plastic TOSHIBA TMM2016P
137211-001 IC,SRAM,2Kx8,150ns,NMOS,Tri,24pin,Pwr-dn,Plastic SYNERTEK SYP2128-3
137211-001 IC,SRAM,2Kx8,150ns,NMOS,Tri,24pin,Pwr-dn,Plastic AMD AM9128-15PC
137211-001 IC,SRAM,2Kx8,150ns,NMOS,Tri,24pin,Pwr-dn,Plastic FUJITSU MB8128-15P

I swapped the RAM chips around and the error tones changed, so are there any uk suppliers to order all 6 from?

 

[cmjones01]

The generic replacement for those RAMs would be the 6116. Try searching for that part number. Maplin used to sell them but that was 20 years ago. I hope they shouldn't be too hard to find - maybe try Rapid Electronics.

Chris

 

[Equites]

I have some compatible ones I can sell you.

 

[Stevros]

Thanks equites

AR2 rebuilt, modded and tested.

Boardset being sent for repair on monday.
Stevros2014-09-26 16:50:26

 

[Stevros]

Just an update on the boardset.

both cpu and avg boards broken, currently being repaired, maybe this is why the monitor spot killer comes on?

the back of the tube does light up, its exciting

 

[david_orton_2000]

Nice resto Steve,

The paintwork, etc. looks amazing, just be absolutely sure the earths, etc. are all ok and check with a DVM.
You should re-build the HV and deflection pcb and test, I would not rush into powering it all on.
The boards are expensive and very rare to replace.
-In fact, I have just created 2 kits for these boards all from UK suppliers, rather than having to order from the US. I did this after seeing a lot of differing info, and also with 4 Vector monitors to repair....

ColinD is very well skilled on StarWars as has repaired many monitors, etc.

It is very easy to get excited and rush to power-on, however high voltage will kill components.
-I would do the 'hardening' on the Ar2 to prevent run-away 5v issues, however not everyone agrees with this mod. Remember some voltages can read higher until under load.

This is a great resto, keep up the good work and push on, people are very friendly and helpful on this forum, so you are in good hands and amoungst fellow mad arcade addicts!

Cheers,
DaveO.

 

[Dex-Jay]

Nice "blow by blow" account!

Hope it all goes well you can't be too far off a working Star Wars now, can you?

Reminds me, I was supposed to be sorting mine out this year.... time I too pulled the monitor chassis!

Good luck and keep us all informed!

 

[Stevros]

hi dave, thanks for your comment, yes i have done the mod on the ar2 and put all new components on it, voltages checked and ok.

What are the mods you speak of?

 

[david_orton_2000]

The deflection board really ought to have the lv2000 mod - this protects against failures on the low voltage section..which can cause a fire. I have a 6100 with a hole in it where R101 burst. Basically the circuit fails and 10amps goes where only 1amp should be...and no the fuses do not save u here. Look on google for the 6100 Faq and have a read..it is very useful. Once all the upgrades to the Deflection and HV section are done, you will be in a much better and safer position.

Also have a look on 'Johns arcade' utube channel, he does a Tempest repair (same 6100 monitor) which will give u a lot of tips and insight!


Good luck,
David.

 

[Stevros]

Chassis transistors w & g 6100 tests

Here are my readings:

Red	Black		P100	P700	P600
NPN Tests
1	Chassis
1	3
1	4
3	Chassis
3	1		0.577	0.526	0.573
3	4		0.581	0.528	0.574
4	Chassis
4	1
4	3
PNP Tests
5	Chassis
5	6		0.59	0.589	0.594
5	7
6	Chassis
6	5
6	7
7	Chassis
7	5
7	6		0.582	0.583	0.591

HV Voltage

Here are my readings:

HV Voltages
Red	Black	Expected		Actual
1	3	27.5v		26.39
2	3	27.5v		26.39
5	3	181v		3.350	?
7	3	-27.5v		-26.60

Stevros2014-10-07 00:09:50