DK problem w/ video !

Leinhit

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Ok.. I didn't bring this up before because I just wasn't ready to tackle it..

Now I am.. Last year I restored my DK... it was working 100%. I took the boards out - 2 board version, so I could clean the cab and paint it, etc.

When I put everything back together.. I had some play issues and graphics problem.

Before it would freeze during the boot up sequence... being disheartened, I put it away and left it.

Here is a video of what it does now... the video is a bit bad because the room is too dark I guess....

but, it coins up, but as soon as the first level starts.. Mario dies instantly... You can see an "evil" mario in the middle of the screen.. (really, like all his colors are inverted and he looks like he spawned from hell)

Numbers like when you hit a barrel scroll non stop down the right side.. there is a graphic block in front of the lady...

Once in a while you can get Mario to move... in this vid you see it sounding and scoring non stop barrel hits...

Last year when it happened, I unplugged all connections and reseat them.... same on all the chips I could pull, I cleaned and reseat them...

I'm not opposed to trying that again... but would welcome thoughts..

was working before pulling the boards.. coincidence I have problems now? Bad chip ?

Not sure how to embed video.. here is the link...

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/leinhit/?action=view&current=PICT0001.flv

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/leinhit/?action=view&current=PICT0001.flv
 
Two things come to mind, one is voltage, have you checked yours ? Second thing is Z80 or possibly you knocked off a disc capacitor on the edge of the board or broke a leg on one when you had the board set out, pull the set and look for a broken component or bent and shorted.

The block in front of her should say "Help", its possible its a ROM issue but seems more likely its power since it wants to reset and not boot correctly.

Anyway that's some stuff to check until the experts chime in.
 
Well, I didn't watch the vid (iPhone has no flash capability) but it sounds like it could be either ribbon cables, Bad connections or bad connections at PROMs @ 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F (video board) and the character RAM @ 2P, and 2R. (video board) try reseating them.
 
I woke up in the night wondering about voltage too....

I will check that list.. I know I took off and reset every connection...

but I will do it again.. and with the chips too..

Will post later today w/ my results
 
dang...

1. where do you check voltage on the DK board?

2. I found an extra ribbon/cable on the floor of the machine.. looks like it would plug into the P7 sou on the power supply... did I read somewhere thats not used ?
 
Ok,

sending you a PM next.. tks. :)

I did test at the edge connector... this board doesn't use the edge connector.. so I tested there.. I will test at the PS when I get your pinout..

on the edge connector:

+5 test @ 4.97
+12 tested @ 11.97
-5 tested @ -5.22

I would say those are close enough... and I don't see any adjustment on the PS to turn those up a hair to say +5.2

I have the board out now.. to start looking again..

All the various cables can only plug into the correct spots on the board right? Just trying to rule out I plug something in the wrong spot.. (I dont think so)
 
Ok,

Well... I took the boards out.. and reseat every cable/ ribbon on it.

I also took out every socket'ed chip there was, cleaned the legs, and put back in.

Fire it up... it boots up fine, w/ sound as it should.

coined up fine.

then when the game started... the background was all there.. but no Mario, DK, lady, barrels, or anything else.

After about 30 seconds or so.. silence was replaced with just a non stop hi pitch tone...


Any one advise on how to up the voltage a bit ? or a better test spot then on the unused edge connector?

why so many unused plug in on the board? P4, P6, and P12.. and the 7p sou on the power supply isn't used on a two board set ?

tks as always..
 
Check the voltage right at one of the TTL's, I know if voltage runs that low my DK will be all kinds of jacked up, my Jr is the same way, they hate low voltage, in fact my Jr won't even boot at less than 5.20v.
 
Swap in a known good Z80 and see if it changes anything.


good suggestion.. I dont quite seem to have any... from another working game perhaps?

maybe I can just buy one.. hate pulling from working games.. they tend not to work again... :)

I'll see where to get one
 
Oh ! and where to adjust said voltage on this DK ? am I missing it somewhere... been checking the manual...
 
The Power supply is the PP 7 B Is this one adjustable inside? I can open to find out...


I did the following:

I test voltage at the wire harness 's that I unplugged frm the board.. all seemed very close.. the +5 would test at 4.9. I used the pinouts from Ken Laytons manual he put together...

The +12 was 11.97, +24 was +24, -5 was -5.22

I tested on leg one of the chips at 7H and 7F and it tested at 4.99

I'm not opposed to turning it up to say 5.2 .. but I think I best find a good Z80 as Dokert suggested as well...

Steve
 
you meant the adj pot is copper?! :)


I have the PS off... its like a puzzle box how to get inside now..

I have one end off.. and can see the two oversize big caps at C28 , the tops are cracked like glass, dry like.. not protruding, just cracks....

still looking for a way in..

so.. once I'm in.. how do I adjust it and know what i"m turning it up to? or have to just hook it up sitting there and adjust.. then put back to gether and secure it in the machine?
 
I can see the +5 ADJ pot , looks like they are heavily glued in place... :(

what a pita to get to... you think they would put them on the outside...


I got it opened.. so.. you have to adjust it with it apart and hooked up running w/ power? doesn't seem safe! :)

the two large caps at C28 don't look as bad as first ...

** Correction.. not glue.. but blue caps you have to pry off??
 
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You didn't ask if it was easy to adjust. You just asked where the pot was located.

They are pretty stable power supplies, and don't require many adjustments.
 
I see that now! I got it to turn... the blue 'cap' stays on.. there is a little edge you can push a screwdriver or something on to push it..

not sure how easy when I hook it up and adjust.. I can see pushing it too far easily !

will try it w/o the board hooked up first and test on the wire harness...

I'll shoot for 5.2
 
Ok,

I'm missing something easy....

I have the power supply sitting partially in the game.. split in half... power hooked up, ground wire hooked up...

turn power on... and I get no readings from any of the voltages on the wire harness'. wth am I missing?

I set it together, (no screws holding it together) again no voltage readings..
fuse inside is still good...

gonna take a break from it for a few....

not sure what I'm missing tho... something easy I'm sure

hmmmm...

** oh ! the two pots sitting next to each other.. one is labeled +5 V and the other +5 I .. I was assuming I turn the +5v one... what the I for ?
 
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