Area 51 Site 4 PCB problems

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

I have an Area 51 Site 4 PCB that is driving me nuts. It won't boot up
or do anything... most of the time. Once out of 20 starts, it will boot
up, the rest, nothing. The power light on the PCB is on, the fan on the
processor runs. Same thing with or without the hard drive. Checked all
the caps with an ESR meter and they all check out fine. Anyone have any
ideas, or know where I can get it repaired? Thanks, Dean (RSDA)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

A friend of mine has the same issue with his board...

interestingly enough... he apparently got hit with a goodly power surge...
wiped out most of the lights in his house... had his cabinet putting out
only RED for a few minutes until it settled down to full color... now his
problem doesn't happen any more... spins up and boots first time now...

don't ask me why... I don't know... something was obviously going bad that
the surge helped (prefered current path in some transistor got eaten up...)

have you checked your voltages at the board connector?

"RSDA" <rsdainc@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1118856030.268116.249450@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have an Area 51 Site 4 PCB that is driving me nuts. It won't boot up
> or do anything... most of the time. Once out of 20 starts, it will boot
> up, the rest, nothing. The power light on the PCB is on, the fan on the
> processor runs. Same thing with or without the hard drive. Checked all
> the caps with an ESR meter and they all check out fine. Anyone have any
> ideas, or know where I can get it repaired? Thanks, Dean (RSDA)
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Well there is not a lot anyone can do except check the ps and make sure the
voltages are correct on the 5 and 12VDC. This causes a lot of problems.
Make sure the chips are firmly in their sockets. Change the HD. If none
of that works you can send it to Happ. I think it is usually around
$100.00-$125.00
"RSDA" <rsdainc@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1118856030.268116.249450@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have an Area 51 Site 4 PCB that is driving me nuts. It won't boot up
> or do anything... most of the time. Once out of 20 starts, it will boot
> up, the rest, nothing. The power light on the PCB is on, the fan on the
> processor runs. Same thing with or without the hard drive. Checked all
> the caps with an ESR meter and they all check out fine. Anyone have any
> ideas, or know where I can get it repaired? Thanks, Dean (RSDA)
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Yes, check the 5 and 12VDC under load (the board attached and running).

Has the board been jostled around lately? You might try re-seeting the RAM
(with the power disconnected and yourself discharged of static).

If you get to the end of your rope with no solutions, I'd be willing to take
a look at it.

I can't guarantee anything, but I'll not charge you anything either if
you'll pay the shipping both ways.

If nothing else I can test the board attached to my known good power supply
and JAMMA interface board to eliminate those as suspect.


the blindraccoon

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

After hours of cleaning connections and the PCB itself, reseating chips
and testing esr of the caps, still nothing. Just when I was about to
give up, I disconnected the watchdog circuit and it booted right up.
Plugged Wdag back up and it still worked. Have turned it off and on
about a dozen times, and it has started everytime. Left it running all
day & even coined it up. So far so good. However, if I run the watchdog
test in setup, it does not reboot & go to the game as it is supposed
to. So I am not sure if it's fixed for good or for a short term. Dean
(RSDA)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting (More info?)

Any progress getting your board to work?

If so, that's great; could you let us know what the problem was and what you
did to fix it?. It would make a good record for anyone searching the group
with a similar problem.

If not, any thoughts on my offer to look at it for you, or are you
interested in selling it?


Thanks,

- the blindraccoon -