Help with Bubble Bobble original

unite2k

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Hi all,

I've been testing PCBs for sale and sadly 2 of the 17 won't fire up!
Taito Cup Finals and Bubble Bobble. Bubble Bobble is one I'd like a bit of help with.
Could the adaptor be damaged? There's no sign of life when switching the cabinet on. I've tried cleaning the contacts to no avail. Tried on both cabinets, again nothing. It has been carefully stored for 10 years or so, just like the other boards.

Any ideas welcome, and if does need a repair, leads welcome. I remember using Iron Giant in the past, is he still around?

Cheers,
C
tempImagebhEQBk.png
 
TheDaddy

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Possible but unlikely , Have you checked the voltages to the board ?? The only other thing you can try is to remove , Clean and refit all socketed chips.

Past that it may need a proper look over and diag.

Dave.
 
Last edited:
ExZX

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For Bubble Bobble check your -5v. May not be wired in that cab. You'll get a ghost like picture without it which may not be visible.

Had a Pacland go poo poo today. These things just go faulty so easily
 
unite2k

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I tested on a second cab, and this time noticed a slight intermittent clicking / popping sound. Again no image comes up, or music.
This might be a project for someone to repair?tempImageEEq4Dw.png
 
Funhouse71

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I agree with The Daddy on this, have you measured the voltages of the 12 way yellow power plug to the pins on the board to ensure you have continuity on those IDC connections as they can get a bit flaky sometimes especially when the wires have been pulled on or can very hit and miss if the the proper IDC tool wasn't used to push those wires into the slots, you're relying on the cutting blades to pierce the insulation to contact the wire inside. While measuring gently wiggle the wires to see if continuity is lost to confirm the wires aren't loose in the IDC connectors, could be an easy fix.
 
neoretro

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Hi all,

I’ve taken this on. Only one problem. Not a clue where to start.

I checked the ribbon cable and swapped it with a known worker as it looked frayed. But that wasn’t it.

I’m going to de socket and re-socket a few chips in hope more than expectation.

After that, what do I need to arm myself? Logic probe and a prayer?
 
ExZX

ExZX

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neoretro said:
Hi all,

I’ve taken this on. Only one problem. Not a clue where to start.

I checked the ribbon cable and swapped it with a known worker as it looked frayed. But that wasn’t it.

I’m going to de socket and re-socket a few chips in hope more than expectation.

After that, what do I need to arm myself? Logic probe and a prayer?
Click to expand...
If you're asking these questions then really you should be sending it off for repair. Hope you didn't pay too much for it as depending on what's wrong with it you may end up spending more altogether than a worker costs.
Pretty sure the original owner tried cleaning / re-socketing everything? Did you ask him what he has or hasn't done to try and fix it?
 
TheDaddy

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neoretro said:
Hi all,

I’ve taken this on. Only one problem. Not a clue where to start.

I checked the ribbon cable and swapped it with a known worker as it looked frayed. But that wasn’t it.

I’m going to de socket and re-socket a few chips in hope more than expectation.

After that, what do I need to arm myself? Logic probe and a prayer?
Click to expand...

Sorry but I got to agree with ZXSTfm , If checking and reseating things not worked its time to start probing , Checking ram and TTL. If you have no clue its a case of finding someone who will look for you. Customs are a tw@ on most original, Thats why I dont pay much as having an expensive paperweight is not my idea of fun :)

Dave.
 
sukhbir

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neoretro said:
Hi all,

I’ve taken this on. Only one problem. Not a clue where to start.

I checked the ribbon cable and swapped it with a known worker as it looked frayed. But that wasn’t it.

I’m going to de socket and re-socket a few chips in hope more than expectation.

After that, what do I need to arm myself? Logic probe and a prayer?
Click to expand...
Finger's crossed its not the custom MPU.
 
neoretro

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Original owner was reasonable. He wanted someone to take everything as opposed to cherry picking so ended up with this as part of that.

As an aside, if anyone does want anything from the list of boards that isn’t rainbow islands, this, pang or the parodius games let me know. They’ll be at forum price.

I will try desocketing I don’t know if he did that
 
ExZX

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neoretro said:
Original owner was reasonable. He wanted someone to take everything as opposed to cherry picking so ended up with this as part of that.

As an aside, if anyone does want anything from the list of boards that isn’t rainbow islands, this, pang or the parodius games let me know. They’ll be at forum price.

I will try desocketing I don’t know if he did that
Click to expand...
Get a pic of both boards up too. Parts and solder side.
 
qjuk

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Since you’ve already got a BB board-set (and if you feel comfortable enough) you could swop parts between the two board sets to try and narrow down the issue. I’d start by swopping over the video boards first and try that with your existing CPU board to see if it fires up and has any graphic issues. You could also swop the PS4 custom chip on the CPU board into your existing board to see if that is good.
 
neoretro

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I’m not keen on swapping customs about just in case there’s an issue which breaks the working one and then I’m in for 2 non workers.

Swapping cpu and video boards is a good shout though
 
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