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Arcade & Retro Repairs & Mods, all new recipe, with no added MSG...

15960626465

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,891 ✭✭✭Steve X2


    I've used Sugru on stuff that was about 150-160c and it held up for years. It wasn't a constant temp, but maybe hot for a couple of hours everyday.



  • Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭mm_surf


    Which screen kit for my GBA (AGB-001 model) should I be going for, bearing in mind that I'm all thumbs? Forgot how dark and murky the oem one is.

    Online reviews of kits vary widely - not sure how many "bad" reviews of stuff is folks making an ar$e of it!

    Ta!


    M.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,759 ✭✭✭Inviere


    One of the laminated IPS drop in kits should do nicely. Funny Playing make nice kits, I've one in my Gameboy Color



  • Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭mm_surf


    Gracias!

    Ordered. (And case. And bracket. And screen)

    My eyes will be grateful!


    M.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    All hail Sugrú!



  • Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭mm_surf


    Arrived and fitted. A cracking job, compared to the OEM screen.

    As a kit it was a pile of poo though, no longer comes with things like insulating tape and spacers, double sided mounting stuff was mirrored (meaning both sides had to have the protective tape removed to fit to the shell, made it fiddly)

    But my inner MacGyver prevailed.





  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,759 ✭✭✭Inviere


    Legit funny playing kit? I'm surprised to hear the kit accessories were so lacking. Where did you order it from?



  • Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭mm_surf


    Handheld legends (I'm in the US)

    No insulation for back of screen, no double sided tape to secure ribbon cable, no spacers, screen mount double tape mirrored (one side of the peel away wasn't scored/cut, so both peel aways had to be removed to fit to the shell, if that makes sense)


    Actual parts were good quality. Funny games IPS v2.

    ETA links

    https://handheldlegend.com/products/game-boy-advance-gba-ips-funnyplaing-v2?variant=31583104630918

    M.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,759 ✭✭✭Inviere


    Interesting, when I bought a kit for my GBC I bought direct from funny playing via Ali express, and didn't have any issues like that. Glad you got it sorted, looks great!



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Speaking of 3D printers... finally got around to modding the Dreamcast with the Noctua fan mod.


    Printed out the fan shroud above and all fits ok... so far so good...


    Snipped the fan connector and joined it to the original connector with a 10k resistor between the 5v and signal line. So far so good right? Erh... not quite. Went to put it all back together and the damn RF shield / heat sink was blocking the actual fan. Turns out I have one of those weird VA1 models that still has the original Japanese metal fan and shroud from their VA0 model. So... time to break out the dremel!


    Started cutting then realised that it was like... 11pm at the time so probably a bit too loud to be doing that at night for the neighbours below and to either side of me.

    So waited until the next morning and got it shaved off although forgot to take a picture.


    Got the new drive cover clasp printed out too (a few times I might add as finding the appropriate size for my third part shell was a bit challenging). Had to break out the dremel for that too as the fit was kinda tight but a sanding stone bit quickly sorted that out.

    Video demo here:



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Ohh I suppose I should also add, the reason for wanting to do this was the fact that after a heavy gaming session a few months back with a mate after about two hours the DC started to overheat and constantly reset itself.

    Even with the DreamPSU in there I think the original fan was struggling with the heat generated from the GDEmu. So hopefully this solves that issue. Probably also my own fault for losing the original fan shroud after taking the thing apart countless times. :-P



  • Registered Users Posts: 1 vintagecollector


    Is there anyone within reasonable distance of wicklow that would be able to repair an Atari 1980 Asteroids deluxe? Either call out or i bring it to them. I bought it from a props company, screen and sound was disconnected (or so I'm told... might actually be broken... i only know what I've been told!!) but used to work apparently, 5+ years ago, in storage ever since. No keys. I can see it has its electrics, board, transformer etc all still inside. Need someone that knows what they're doing, I am not that person unfortunately. Any suggestions appreciated I'd love to have it working again, but no clue where to start.



  • Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭tonyotonyo


    I'd be very careful about the origins of that machine! You wouldn't know what kinda thing is waiting inside...


    Seriously though, probably best to drill out the locks and get a proper look inside, could be the easiest fix in the world of reconnecting a wire or two. Take a few pictures and post them up here.

    Don't be tempted to just turn it on and see what happens



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭geotrig


    Could be just the interlock s disconnected if lucky... Either way its an old machine and probably needs a few caps changed in the power brick and monitor at this stage, drill the rear door lock out and get some pics up , someone might be able to guide you then



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭geotrig


    It's also looks hacked as there is a joystick which shouldn't be there and a trackball so probably running on a 60in 1 or something so presume the vector monitor is gone as well



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    So I thought my PCE was broken, haven't used it in ages. Just booted to a white screen. Was half on the lookout for another one.

    Found a random Galaga HUcard this evening so decided to try it out instead of the Turbo Everdrive and what do you know, it works!

    Looks like my Turbo Everdrive is where the issue actually is. Tried reformatting the SD, messing about with the region switch, cleaning the hell out of it - nothing. Just that fecking white screen.

    It's a V1.0 card from 2012. Didn't realise I had it so long, looks like I bought it a year after the Mega Everdrive V1.0 came out.

    Might be time to update both!



  • Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭mm_surf


    Update on the Fenrir, as requested.

    It just..works. No fancy update procedures, just put the stuff on the sd card, insert, and away we go.

    Installation was a breeze too- remove 4 screws, remove ribbon cable, unscrew bracket, place fenrir in position. Done.

    Came with a friction fit bracket, to make it sit level on the CD rom mounts. SD Card is easily accessible through the opening from removing the cd drive. Not found a rom that has any issues yet.


    M.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    Got around to powering up the funky Pioneer PX-7, a MSX1. Good news, it seems to power on just fine with a lot of relay clicking from the video overlay board during the initial power on.

    The keyboard cable was cut off at the keyboard itself with no sign of the computer connector side. A new DIN13 cable sourced, looks like it was meant to be a video cable :) there is a RGB cable set with additional shielding, makes the cable quite a bit ticker than the original.

    Cable buzzed out;

    Connector, looking into the male pins
     1  2  3  4
     5  6  7  8
     9 10 11 12
         13
    
    Cable colours;
    1 - Purple
    2 - Red Fat
    3 - Blue Fat
    4 - Green Fat
    5 - Grey
    6 - Shield Red Fat 
    7 - Shield Blue Fat
    8 - Shield Green Fat
    9 - Yellow
    10- Green
    11- White
    12- Red
    13- GND
    

    Service manual found, page.10 - believe that is the computer connector pinout numbering. I will use a multimeter to check the location of the +5v to confirm I've got the orientation correct.

    When I get a chance, I will get this soldered up to the remenantes of the old connector with a plan to have all this hidden inside the keyboard itself.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    Better quality copy of the service manual here. Page 43 is the most useful. Pins of the DIN13 line up directly to the CN1 connector in the keyboard, so happy days. Tested the +5V pin location and I have the orientation correct. Also checked the two GND locations on the connector in the keyboard so I know whats pin 1 on that connector also.

    So below is the Pin/CN number, what the pin is meant to be and then the colour in the DIN13 cable I picked up.

    1 - KX6   - Purple
    2 - KX5   - Red Fat
    3 - KX2YC - Blue Fat
    4 - KX1YB - Green Fat
    5 - KX7.  - Grey
    6 - KX3.  - Shield Red Fat
    7 - KX4YD - Shield Blue Fat
    8 - KX1YB - Shield Green Fat
    9 - +5V.  - Yellow
    10- PCW.  - Green
    11- GND   - White
    12- CAPS  - Red
    13- GND.  - GND of cable
    SHIELD-SHARED GND - all GND are connected within system also
    
    

    A little bit of soldering and wire shrinkwrap...

    It has Basic! Queue my 133t programming skillz

    The titling cartridge- some funky key combinations needed.

    Now to see about a flashcart type thing for it. Open to suggestions.

    Post edited by KeRbDoG on


  • Registered Users Posts: 33 Damien-King


    Ah Thats Great to see! Even If I had fixed it myself it would have gone back up on a shelf and nothing would have been done with it. The right man now has it!



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    That's really fantastic to see and glad it went to someone who was able to get it going.

    Is there anything required to get games running on it or do you think you'll just be able to pop in MSX carts and away you go?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    @BGOllie will surely know more than I, but I believe I can just pop in a game/flash cart (or load with the tape input at the back) and bobs your uncle. I really should try that I guess for a basic game/program



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,599 ✭✭✭BGOllie


    ah yeah if it's running it'll take a standard cart or flash cart and run in no problem. they're "standard" MSX machines with added pass-through audio and video



  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,634 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    I can lend you something, while you wait



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Did an IPS screen upgrade to my PSP 1003 model.


    Using the solder glue to bridge two points on the board to readjust screen geometry was a little tough as it was needle point stuff.

    The screen is a little off as a result but I think I can live with it.


    For the sake of €30 it makes a huge difference. Screen is much brighter, colours are a lot better, the image is much sharper and there's hardly any ghosting.


    Definitely recommend trying it out.


    Can post videos if people want to see it in action.


    edit So the screen crapped out after about an hour. Took it apart again and the solder glue crap is just that - crap.

    Used alchohol and heat to clean it off of the board then just slipped off the leg of a resistor and used that to bridge the two points that are needed to do... something... to the new screen. All of the guides say that you must do it but not why.

    It must have something to do with the screen's sync, I guess, as when it became disconnected from the solder glue paste stuff it would barely create an image on the screen and would just randomly flicker.


    Either way all sorted now, just had a bash of Burnout and it looks beautiful.

    Post edited by MrVestek on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,759 ✭✭✭Inviere


    I never really had the Saturn pegged as a machine to watch for leaking caps, guess I need to update that assumption! Model 2 Japanese Saturn here, with noticeable signs of cap leakage and buildup of crust.

    ^^ a small vinegar bath, and a rinse with IPA and it's looking normal again (this is the before pic). Will need to buy some parts to test it, but hopefully its been saved!

    Post edited by Inviere on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    So here are some of my recent adventures in attempting to mod my Dreamcast with the GD-IDE mod from Dragoncity.

    Modding the GD-Rom controller board seemed successful at first but I couldn't for the life of me get Dreamshell to read from the drive.

    Turns out this was because I was using a 40 pin IDE cable to the IDE to SATA converter and not an 80 pin cable, so got one of those ordered.

    In the meantime I decided to re-flash the bios on my Dreamcast (got a lad on here to do that mod for me years ago when I had no skills whatsoever with a soldering iron) in an attempt to get Dreamshell to read from the HDD (I hadn't figured out what the problem was as of yet). So when messing around with the Dreamshell 4 RC5 disc I decided to try another firmware. Big... BIG mistake. YUGE. Turns out I wrote the damned Katana Devkit bios to the Dreamcast. Works fine until you try to boot any kind of disc and then freezes.

    Balls. Absolutely no way to get back into any kind of software to reflash the chip. So... time to try something I've never done before and remove / replace a surface level component.

    Followed a guide from Mark Fixes Stuff's YouTube channel and managed to successfully pull the chip cleanly without ripping any pads.

    Then had to wait a week or so for my new Japanese cake bios to arrive from France.

    So time to do more work on this thing than I had planned...

    Managed to get it on there cleanly enough. Not the tidiest soldering job but I checked all pins with the multimeter and none of them were connected to eachother. I did also connect pin 44 to the appropriate place after taking this photo.


    Gratuitous workbench / coffee table shot!

    Booted her up through gritted teeth and... success! She lives! So now to finish the HDD mod... I reflowed some of the solder points on the GD-Rom controller board and tested all connections to make sure that I had continuity to the correct places on the GD-Rom connector and... well here are the results:

    So now I just need to prep the HDD properly from the US Tocsec collection (with some PAL exclusives thrown in) and figure out how to route the cables and where I'm going to keep the hard drive. I'll probably 3D print something that can sit underneath the Dreamcast for that.


    Still though... successful mod is successful! The beauty of the GD-IDE mod from Dragoncity too is that you can use both the hard drive and the GD-Rom drive at the same time, you don't have to sacrifice one for the other.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Dang this level of soldering was painful. Trying to get the ribbon cable to solder directly to the pads on the board was *so painful*. Three hours it took to make sure that everything had continuity and that nothing was bridged.


    Of course, it took someone on the Mark Fixes Stuff board to tell me that flex cables like this can be flattened out if they're bending a bit (which it was, which is what made it so awkward) to tell me that a regular household clothes iron can flatten them out. Ohh well... it's done now with continuity and no bridging.


    Also an update to the Dreamcast HDD mod, got it working perfectly!

    For anyone wondering how I tried to tidy away the hard drive, I 3D printed a HDD bracket and mounted it to the underside of the table like this:




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    It might seem awkward but all I really need to do is disconnect the SATA to IDE adapter, connect a few SATA extension cables together then I can update the stuff on the drive directly via a laptop and PSU or simply just burn whatever I want to transfer over onto a CD and then just transfer over.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    Always curious what a GD-ROM setip was like with the Sega Naomi system so I had a notion - why not find out!

    Picked up a non-working GD-ROM drive, no idea what was wrong with it but I guessed its drive might just be worn out. Luckily I still had the removed from the Japanese Dreamcast I had picked up. At this stage I didn't have a power cable nor SCSI data cable so had to wait. Eventually picked up both of those cables and then went about doing some testing. Both the fan and indeed drive seemed very clunky/noisey when tested with a 'normal' dreamcast disc. Cleaned it out, replaced the internal fan and popped in the ex-Dreamcast drive and all seemed like it was working by just listening.

    So, I guess I need a game then? Enter a long wait until I found one which wasn't a sports title - yup, all of the games can be hand for the NetDimm cart I have but, wanted something non-generic :) eventually found 'Melty Blood: Act Cadenza' pop up on eBay in an auction, and won it cheaply enough. Note the black yoke there at the top of the case. Thats the unique to game security chip that needs to be installed in the RAM 'Dimm' board.

    Connect it all together (ignore the Pi, its mounted there for the NetBoot'ness)

    Change the jumpers on the NetDimm from booting from NetBoot to GD-ROM boot, installed the security chip for the game and power it all on, expecting an error of some sort but...no! It started up and read the disc just fine!

    Boom! Worked!

    Happy days - need to get a mount bracket for the drive as the one that came with it doesn't mount on the wood plank in the cab as is. Again, yes all of these GD-ROM games are now downloadable for pushing over the network to the Naomi but wanted to see how it actually worked :)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,321 ✭✭✭sham69


    In the process of moving house and had a disaster today. Anyone know where I could get replacement glass with a slight smoke on it (if that's what you call it) from an electrocoin xenon. Wonder if I could get perspex instead of glass or what the story is. I have a piece of metal that the glass sits into that I kept. Gutted as I've had it almost 20 years :(




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 734 ✭✭✭80s Synth Pop


    Noooo! Another one RIP. Sorry for your loss.


    You can get toughened tinted glass like that cut anywhere really. It's around €50 but it won't have the black border/credit info. 2x of my xenons came with no glass so had new glass cut and 1x is the original glass but the black border art is all scratched up looking sad.


    I asked Ollie from "arcade art shop" a few times over the years and he has no plans to to do a perspex repro with the art unfortunately.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,321 ✭✭✭sham69


    Ah thanks a mill for the reply.

    Yeah was gutted after having it for so long.

    I think it's 25 x 25 size wise, I presume there is no weird measurements or need to allow for anthing.

    I know it had a black plastic tube type thing running along the top and the glass sat in to a metal runner type thing. I don't think I measured the thickness.

    Thanks again for the reply and advice..



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    Got a few 'promo' versions of Gran Turismo from the PS1 to the PS4 -no GT3...yet :)

    Not that fancy, retail versions of the games mainly which are destined for stores to promo the game.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Promo releases are always fun. Had one lad in The RAGE give me a fair few for The Dreamcast for free when I was purchasing other stuff as I had been in fairly often a few years ago for Dreamcast stuff and he knew that I was a fan. Top bloke.

    Interesting pieces of history and I've always wondered where mine came from tbh.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Also, update on that Game Gear. Work done all in all:

    Recapped all the boards. Replaced the clapped out speaker.

    Replaced LCD with McWill clone from AliExpress, some shots of it here:

    As you can see I had to dremel out some of the face plate to get the new LCD to actually fit. Here's some video of it in action:

    Really happy with the results. I could have done a much better job with the new bezel but the new screen didn't really come with clone specific instructions. Really what I should have done was stuck the sticky stuff for the screen to the original screen's rubber to make it look a bit tidier from the front but... ahh whatever it works now.

    Speaking of clones I have an Everdrive clone on the way from AliExpress now too!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    Nicely done! can't beat a new screen in an old handheld.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Well it was necessary for this one as I bought it broken and the original screen was kaput. At least it saves it from landfill!



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    I do think a new screen is one of those quality of life modifications to a handheld that should definitely be done. As much as I like to keep things original.

    You're getting fairly handy with an oul soldering iron by the way, fair play! - seems to have opened up a lot of stuff for you to work on.

    Was thinking about dropping some hints to get some gear this Christmas and start working on a few bits and pieces. What are you using as a matter of interest?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭geotrig


    O1S1N Since my last one went kaput ,I've a lidl soldering iron station thing that was 22-24 quid with 2 tips , now they are the style of tips I've never been fond of but it does the job and for quicker smoother desoldering an cheap desoldering pump

    Don't work on anything off the bat just practice, practice, practice on some old bit of junk that is going to be chucked out. Watch loads of training vids and only then move on to some small stuff that you want to do. Honestly people make **** of stuff burning tracks, board ,pads etc by rushing to do stuff at times and i say that as being no expert myself.

    My point being you can have all the best equipment in the world and it wont matter a **** unless you practice and get good technique down.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    That's some nice looking kit, cheers for the links! I think it might be a nice little thing to get into over the looming Winter months.

    Yeah that's the fear alright! I remember trying to do some very basic work years ago and making an absolute mess. Haven't tried again since 😅

    I've a few cheapo/broken PCBs in the attic that should work well as test PCBs to get a bit of practice in. Being able to actually install a cap kit is high on the list so if I can get to a point where I'm happily removing aging capacitors that will be a great place to be.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,759 ✭✭✭Inviere


    If you ever want any tips @o1s1n just shout, I'd be happy to help out. It's great to be able to do caps etc, especially resurrecting a dead machine, real sense of accomplishment. It's one of those things that's definitely harder to do in your mind, than it is in reality.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    Appreciate it, thanks!



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Actually. I have that Lidl soldering iron from a few years ago with brand new tips still in the bag.


    It's yours if you want it man it's just taking up space here.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,245 ✭✭✭MrVestek


    Can confirm. Once you get the knack of it it's pretty easy.



  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 5,391 Mod ✭✭✭✭Optimus Prime


    in reply to sham69 :


    There’s a glass place in inchicore in Dublin I’ve got a few bits off over the years. One was glass for a cocktail table space invaders. I measure up the black outline for the monitor and instructions cards and gave it to them in a file and they added the black on the glass for me. I think they cost 100 quid or so and it was perfect. Rounded corners and all. I’m sure they do smoked glass if you email them. I got pinball glass off them too. I can see if I still have their email if you want it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    You're too kind, really appreciate it!

    I sent the Lytool one you linked on earlier to the missus and believe it may already have been ordered for Chrimbo, so am good for now 😀



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,281 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    So I dug this beauty out of storage for the first time in ten years.

    That lad Enternow did a whole cap kit for it which I am lead to believe was a fairly labour intensive job.

    I used it for ages back in 2013 and then it ended up moving around different attics as I was struggling to find a spot for it. It's been so long I actually acquired a 1084S for it back in 2014 or 2015 that I never actually got around to trying it out with before it was moved on.

    luckily the PSU was also still in the attic. Powered it on for the first time in 10 years and it boots, hurrah!

    Why is it in this thread? I can't find the RGB cable for it. So close! I've memories of seeing it in random cable boxes over the years but can't locate it at the moment.

    So I am currently not sure if it's actually working. It boots and I get green lights/the disk drive seems to be working but that's as all I can test.

    I tried the composite out and only get a black picture. I am not sure if composite out ever worked though...

    Have a new RGB cable on order so we shall see what happens once that arrives!



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