Asteroids problem: intermittent object fading

texasmame

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I'd try and describe this one better but here's the vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp1SQxpPwNM

The self-test screen holds like that forever just fine. Once the gameplay starts, there's the fading of the objects intermittently. Leaving the game on for some time does not help or worsen this.

Not thinking a monitor issue since the self-test stays fine but a boardset issue.

This is a cocktail but don't think that matters.

Any ideas or maybe places to start?

TIA!

EDIT: upon further review, the spot killer is fading on and off in conjunction with the odd fading on the screen. Time to reflow and recap I guess! :)

EDIT 2: Cap kit took care of this odd problem.
 
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Check for corrosion on fuses in the bottom of the game.

Have already done but will double check, thx.

This game is oddly clean. . .

So far, I have:

cleaned/checked fuses and their holders on bottom of game
reseated/cleaned all socketed chips. Reflowed X/Y pots, header pins, voltage regulators and anything else that looked like it may need it on the deflection board
cleaned edge connector

Tomorrow, I'll move on to the HV cage board and reflow/check stuff out there. If still no change, gotta head out and get full cap kit on Monday.
 
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It would be intertesing to see what a HV meter under the anode says. I think your flyback want to fail. Have you tried the brightness up more?
 
I would try to use cold spray on your deflection board transistors. while it is doing that see if it fixes the problem. i think the transistor are going. Looks to me only parts of the rockes are missing. at times. Just a thought
 
I would try to use cold spray on your deflection board transistors. while it is doing that see if it fixes the problem. i think the transistor are going. Looks to me only parts of the rockes are missing. at times. Just a thought

The PRESS START, rocks, saucers, player's ship, etc. all vanish at times. Not as bad on Player 2 until after a minute or so, then it's just as bad as Player 1.

Have reflowed ALL the components on the HV. Fly looks good, too.

I'm going to see if the deflection/HV are the same in my Battlezone, and if so, I'll try swapping in the deflection board first and try and narrow this down. Shame 'cause the picture on this 13" is crystal clear otherwise.
 
Swapped deflection boards - the Asteroids cocktail one for the known good Battlezone upright one. It's something on the deflection board as the Asteroids cocktail is now rock solid.

A recap tomorrow and that should be that. :)
 
And now this thread goes where it belongs... the monitor section.
 
Make sure you reflow Q500, Q501 and Q502. And give a really good look at caps C500, 501, 502 and 503.

-Jim
 
Make sure you reflow Q500, Q501 and Q502. And give a really good look at caps C500, 501, 502 and 503.

-Jim

Yeah, I had put my known good, recapped one from my Battlezone in it and that did the trick. I then recapped the old Asteroids one that was in there, and is now in my Battlezone, and it's good to go!
 
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