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GrahamN

GrahamN

Newbie
Credits
2CR
Hi

A quick introduction - Many years ago I owned a computer repair business where I did board level repairs on home and business computers, but eventually the low prices of new systems forced me into taking a real job as an analyst / programmer. During this time I carried on repairing computers as well as arcade boards, slot machines and pinball machines as a hobby. About 15 years ago I took early retirement due to a health issue, and cut back a lot on what I was doing. Downsizing meant that I could no longer store cabs and pinball tables etc. so I just did the odd home computer repair.

I have now decided to spend a bit more time on arcade boards as well as the home computers (though I still don't have the room for cabs etc. - hence joining the forum to pick up hints and tips (and probably a lot more) from the knowledgeable people here.

I'm also interested in fault diagnosis systems - I see someone here has designed an Arduino based system, and I shall be studying that very closely over the next few weeks as the chances of me buying a Fluke now is pretty remote to say the least!

Graham
 
virtvic

virtvic

The Cabaret King
Feedback
21 (96%)
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2,012CR
Hey Graham,

Do you have a test unit to help with your repairs? I'm pretty sure you could probably make your own up, but there are cheap units called superguns that allow you to plug pcbs in and use console controllers, a scart tv and headphones / speakers.

Sorry if you know all this already!
 
GrahamN

GrahamN

Newbie
Credits
2CR
Don't apologise - I'm sure I've forgotten much more than I remember! I'm currently adding some bits to the workbench. I used to use a supergun with megadrive controllers, but this time I'm going to build my own as the parts are so cheap. The jamma loom is already here, as well as several power supplies, I'm just waiting for some joysticks and buttons to arrive. I already have several monitors, scope, eprom programmer, eraser, etc., as I've never really stopped repairing computers (mainly Spectrums, BBC Micros, C64 etc.) so I have most of what I need - I just stopped repairing arcade boards for no real reason - I think I just fancied a change for a while but I now want to get back into them!
 
GrahamN

GrahamN

Newbie
Credits
2CR
Yes - The AR81 is a bit too expensive for me at the moment, but the arduino ICT is certainly within reach as I already have a suitable Arduino board. I just need to catch up with c programming as I haven't touched that since the late 1970s! My programming work was mainly with Visual Basic as I used to maintain legacy systems and code quick and dirty solutions to resolve problems.
 
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