Help with the Classics

wolfeman

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So I got a bunch of gams from a friend. Joust, StarGate, Centipede,Asteroids, Soace Invaders.
I had a non working Space Duel, but sold it on here. Most don't work. I live in south jersey. I'm not sure how hard it is to fix them, I want to fix them, but don't know where to start. I wasn't even sure if anyone had someone to reccomend to take a look at my games. Please help me out. Thanks
 
If you find someone local, you can trade a game for repair work. That way you can build a relationship and point you in the right direction for future repairs.
 
Search the repair threads and read them. Download manuals for the games and read them.

Are you familiar with components like resistors, diodes, capacitors, transistors, and the like? Can you read a schematic?

A game is basically a monitor, power supply, and logic board. First step is to figure out which piece is broken.
 
A game is basically a monitor, power supply, and logic board. First step is to figure out which piece is broken.

THIS ^

First step is to familiarize yourself with the major components of an arcade machine. KLOV repair threads are really great. And I've learned a lot from John's YouTube Channel (Grab a Snickers a a few beers...he as A LOT of videos to watch)

Their is no "cheat sheet" or "quick start guide" for any of this. You need to just dive in and and start learning everything you can. You will need to eventually know all of it anyway if you are serious about owning and maintaining your own games.

Best quick tip I can give: Try isolating the problem down to the most specific area you can. Good troubleshooting involves a process of deduction. So in some cases this might involve you have 2 of something. Like buying a know-working PCB or another known working power supply. A huge bonus is having another machine you can swap compatible parts with. For example Nintendo cabs and Williams cabs often have interchangeable parts.

Good luck! And remember...if your serious...you just have to dive in. :)

[EDIT]

I might also add that if you decide to post for help in the 'Repair' section, it's important to be very specific of the problem you are having. Write a detailed description of the problem and state everything you have tried so far. Also, pictures help tremendously. Don't just say "my game doesn't work...help". Crappy questions get crappy answers. :)
 
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you definitely have very different types of games. each of those games troubleshoot entirely differently. the space invaders has its reset on the power board not the game board. you can download a ram test program and burn it on roms to test. first thing to test is power supplies are you getting what you are supposed to be getting. ask question about individual games pick one and work on it with a schematic and a logic probe and dmm.
 
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