gridrunner
Ex-lurker!
This is what my helmet looks like....
VR Machine Repair Undate
- Thread starter IDCHAPPY
- Start date
Pics comming at weekend, but heres a quick update...
`Box of tricks` re-wired
Main Visette Cable re-configured
LCD`s plugged in and tested ( a bit of fine tuning required - Left output is missing Green signal - easy fix )
Audio in visette not working - easy fix, I assume I miss counted the pins to connect to
LCD`s now on the new mounts
Video assembly built and placed in visette - but not turned on yet... planned to be turned on tomorrow night
Looks like they line up fine
All being well - system should be up an running at the weekend!
Just one question to all the current/previous VR owners :
Do I really need to turn the Expality on after fans and off before the mains switch ?
I ask as I worry that the LCD`s were blown when I turned it off at the mains - with the expailty still on. The amp capacitors discharged and `popped` the speakers ( as they do on amps ) - but I worry that was the cause of the LCD`s blowing. So now I never turn the system off at the mains unless the expality has shut down.
Is it generally safe to keep the Expality on, and just use the mains switch ?
Thanks
Simon
`Box of tricks` re-wired
Main Visette Cable re-configured
LCD`s plugged in and tested ( a bit of fine tuning required - Left output is missing Green signal - easy fix )
Audio in visette not working - easy fix, I assume I miss counted the pins to connect to
LCD`s now on the new mounts
Video assembly built and placed in visette - but not turned on yet... planned to be turned on tomorrow night
Looks like they line up fine
All being well - system should be up an running at the weekend!
Just one question to all the current/previous VR owners :
Do I really need to turn the Expality on after fans and off before the mains switch ?
I ask as I worry that the LCD`s were blown when I turned it off at the mains - with the expailty still on. The amp capacitors discharged and `popped` the speakers ( as they do on amps ) - but I worry that was the cause of the LCD`s blowing. So now I never turn the system off at the mains unless the expality has shut down.
Is it generally safe to keep the Expality on, and just use the mains switch ?
Thanks
Simon
Hi Guys!
Ok, here are some pics of the latest work on my VR machine!
The New LCDs, ready to be used
First test on the LCD - interference on the display though - sorted with shielded cable later.
Close up of the LCD - in reverse of course due to lack of mirror thats in the Visette.
The new LCD mounts, as the originals were not compatible with the new LCD`s
Reconfigured Cabling for within the Visette.
The test fit of the LCD cases.
LCD Mounts painted, LCDS in place, and new mirrors as I scratch the originals.
Looking into the mirrors.
Perfect fit!
`Box of Tricks`, for converting the video signal, on the side of the Expality Computer.
The first dual screen test run!
A couple of extra LCD pics.
Side Covers back on!
Modding the Visette connection wiring to accept the new configuration.
All built, tested and fully working!
Best shot I could take through the Visette lens with my Camera!
A hint of ghosting : that is due to the image from the LCD being reflected from both the front and back face of the new mirrors. I have sourced a better mirror that I will replace these with soon.
And the last one - my son playing a VR game for the first time! The machine is 3 years older than he is!Sorry about the night pic, I have to wheel the machine out to play it as the height of the garage is too low to play!
And heres one of my old Amiga 500, with a newly purchased A570 CD drive - that I plan to use to replace the one on the VR machine - if I cant fix it, as it keeps blowing its internal fuse.
I hope you all like the pics!
More to come when I do more work on it!
Also, my version of the service manual is coming on well too!
Almost done... I just need to add my mods to the back of it!
Simon!
Ok, here are some pics of the latest work on my VR machine!
The New LCDs, ready to be used
First test on the LCD - interference on the display though - sorted with shielded cable later.
Close up of the LCD - in reverse of course due to lack of mirror thats in the Visette.
The new LCD mounts, as the originals were not compatible with the new LCD`s
Reconfigured Cabling for within the Visette.
The test fit of the LCD cases.
LCD Mounts painted, LCDS in place, and new mirrors as I scratch the originals.
Looking into the mirrors.
Perfect fit!
`Box of Tricks`, for converting the video signal, on the side of the Expality Computer.
The first dual screen test run!
A couple of extra LCD pics.
Modding the Visette connection wiring to accept the new configuration.
All built, tested and fully working!
Best shot I could take through the Visette lens with my Camera!
A hint of ghosting : that is due to the image from the LCD being reflected from both the front and back face of the new mirrors. I have sourced a better mirror that I will replace these with soon.
And the last one - my son playing a VR game for the first time! The machine is 3 years older than he is!Sorry about the night pic, I have to wheel the machine out to play it as the height of the garage is too low to play!
And heres one of my old Amiga 500, with a newly purchased A570 CD drive - that I plan to use to replace the one on the VR machine - if I cant fix it, as it keeps blowing its internal fuse.
I hope you all like the pics!
More to come when I do more work on it!
Also, my version of the service manual is coming on well too!
Almost done... I just need to add my mods to the back of it!
Simon!
Would you be up for bringing this to our Revival event in May in Wolverhamton? www.revivalretroevents.com
boyo2013-02-21 00:11:28
boyo2013-02-21 00:11:28
Great thread and restoration, Long time since i played on one of these! I didn't realise they made such a little amount of them.
At least having it in the garage gives you the comfort of not feeling like a nob with everyone laughing as they walk past sein as they always used to be on display next to a window (I think more people would have played on them if they were hidden away at the back of arcades with a little advertising to entice you in)
At least having it in the garage gives you the comfort of not feeling like a nob with everyone laughing as they walk past sein as they always used to be on display next to a window (I think more people would have played on them if they were hidden away at the back of arcades with a little advertising to entice you in)
Hi Baz
Thanks
I store it in the garage, but I due to the height of the garage roof, I need to wheel it out each time I want to play on it!
I dont mind people watching me play - I play it for my experience, not for the people watching
Lucky tho for security - my garage is set back, behind a large gate, so people cant see - other that the guy who lives opposite, while he hangs out the window having a smoke
I am working on adding an external screen, so that viewers can see what the player sees during the game.
After the Revival Event that it will be at, I plan to `mod` the machine a little more, after learning so much during its repair.
I have learned that the Hard Drives have more than one game installed.... Between mine, 1 of Gridrunner`s ( he has 2! ), and from the files that TRM had posted, I have access to most of the games now!
( if anyone has any other 1000 series HDD, I would love to share the data
I will be working on making my machine a multi-VR-game system, thats a combination of the stand up version as well as the site down configurations.
I have purchased retro analogue joysticks, pedals, steering wheels, to use as attachable options to my machine, to make it as universal as possible - without destroying the original.
I will post the update on here once I get it started
Simon
Thanks
I store it in the garage, but I due to the height of the garage roof, I need to wheel it out each time I want to play on it!
I dont mind people watching me play - I play it for my experience, not for the people watching
Lucky tho for security - my garage is set back, behind a large gate, so people cant see - other that the guy who lives opposite, while he hangs out the window having a smoke
I am working on adding an external screen, so that viewers can see what the player sees during the game.
After the Revival Event that it will be at, I plan to `mod` the machine a little more, after learning so much during its repair.
I have learned that the Hard Drives have more than one game installed.... Between mine, 1 of Gridrunner`s ( he has 2! ), and from the files that TRM had posted, I have access to most of the games now!
( if anyone has any other 1000 series HDD, I would love to share the data
I will be working on making my machine a multi-VR-game system, thats a combination of the stand up version as well as the site down configurations.
I have purchased retro analogue joysticks, pedals, steering wheels, to use as attachable options to my machine, to make it as universal as possible - without destroying the original.
I will post the update on here once I get it started
Simon