Centipede problem...

[OldTymeToys]

Hey Guys-

I picked up a non working Centipede today. The lady I bought it from said that the last time they turned it on was 2 years ago (It worked for 10 years prior). We turned it on today and got a high pitch, repeating beep with a rolling, flashing picture. I took it anyway, plugged it in at home and got the same sound. I measured the +5v and +12v to be dead on. I measured the -5v and it was .57??

I moved the adjustment pot on the A/R II and the annoying beeping stopped. I measured the voltage again and the +5v was reading 5.87. Any adjustment close to +5v and the beeping came back.

I can get test mode fine with a clear picture and no beeping, but as soon as it's in game mode the beeping and rolling comes back.

Is this going to be an A/R II rebuild?? Let me know what other info you guys need to help out.

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

 

[TheDrewster]

Id definitely reccommend an AR rebuild, it would be a cheap start.

 

[OldTymeToys]

Id definitely reccommend an AR rebuild, it would be a cheap start.

Yep, I suppose $12 is well worth it. Should I replace Big Blue while I'm at it??

 

[ixtlann]

Some one once told me that if it goes into test mode it usually points to a memory / ram issue, did you get a manual? That should be loactions f1 and h1, or was it f2 and h2....

 

[OldTymeToys]

Some one once told me that if it goes into test mode it usually points to a memory / ram issue, did you get a manual? That should be loactions f1 and h1, or was it f2 and h2....

I downloaded the manual last night but didn't get a chance to look through it yet. Would a memory/ram issue cause the high pitched, repeated beeping sound?

 

[OldTymeToys]

Anyone else have any other suggestions/ideas?

 

[RetroHacker]

Anyone else have any other suggestions/ideas?

Have you fixed the power supply yet? There's really no way to troubleshoot the board if the power supply isn't working, in much the same way that it's impossible to troubleshoot a car with no gas.

-Ian

 

[OldTymeToys]

Have you fixed the power supply yet? There's really no way to troubleshoot the board if the power supply isn't working, in much the same way that it's impossible to troubleshoot a car with no gas.

-Ian

Thanks Ian- would the power supply be the issue if I'm getting a good screen in test mode?

 

[RetroHacker]

Thanks Ian- would the power supply be the issue if I'm getting a good screen in test mode?

I have no idea. But a faulty power supply can cause all kinds of weird problems. You've already identified that the -5v isn't working. What else could be wrong? Did you check for ripple? Did you test at the board, or at the AR-II? How does your 10.5v line look coming from the power block?

You say you're getting a clear screen in test - what does it say? Is it actually displaying test mode, or is it showing something else? The test mode will beep if there is a ram failure, and by counting the beeps you can identify the failed RAM. Game mode should not beep.

-Ian

 

[OldTymeToys]

I have no idea. But a faulty power supply can cause all kinds of weird problems. You've already identified that the -5v isn't working. What else could be wrong? Did you check for ripple? Did you test at the board, or at the AR-II? How does your 10.5v line look coming from the power block?

You say you're getting a clear screen in test - what does it say? Is it actually displaying test mode, or is it showing something else? The test mode will beep if there is a ram failure, and by counting the beeps you can identify the failed RAM. Game mode should not beep.

-Ian

I tested at both the board and ARII with the same reading. I just pulled up the manual and the screen looks just like it does in the manual in test mode. There are no beeps in test mode. I will order the rebuild kit from Bob and report back if there are still issues. Thanks again Ian- I just wanted another opinion on it before I went ahead and ordered it!

 

[RetroHacker]

Get a Big Blue while you're at it. Can't hurt.

-Ian

 

[OldTymeToys]

Get a Big Blue while you're at it. Can't hurt.

-Ian

Will do.

 

[OldTymeToys]

OK guys, got an working ARII from Pacray and now my Centipede plays, but the screen is rolling vertically really fast and adjusting the v-hold doesn't help. It looks like this:

The monitor is a G07... help!

 

[BeagleBoy]

Adjust your h-sync. Since the monitor is on its side, it's horizontal motion that you're seeing (from the monitor's point of view).

-Jim

 

[OldTymeToys]

Adjust your h-sync. Since the monitor is on its side, it's horizontal motion that you're seeing (from the monitor's point of view).

-Jim

Thanks Jim- after about 15 minutes of fooling with the h-sync, I got it to stabilize!!!

 

[OldTymeToys]

Ok, guys. Turned the game off and turned it back on 1/2 hr later and the H sync is back to where it was in the first place. I can get it adjusted back, it takes about 15 min each time. What is the next step?

 

[OldTymeToys]

Ah, another problem- I lost the color red, but in test mode there are no errors found. So I'm guessing all of this is a monitor problem...

 

[RetroHacker]

Yeah, it's definitely all a monitor problem. Start by resoldering the input header on the monitor. Cracked solder joints there are practically a trademark of the G07. By the way, what kind of monitor are we talking about here?

-Ian

 

[OldTymeToys]

Yeah, it's definitely all a monitor problem. Start by resoldering the input header on the monitor. Cracked solder joints there are practically a trademark of the G07. By the way, what kind of monitor are we talking about here?

-Ian

Yep, G07. While I have it out, I guess a cap kit is in order.

 

[Robomayhem]

Yep, G07. While I have it out, I guess a cap kit is in order.

Yep, it's easy to cap that sucker too.