TheMaze
Member
I picked up a Ms Pac-Man a few days ago, and at the time it was in working condition (though needs a cap kit in the monitor).
So, I'm slowly trying to clean the machine up, as it has 30 years worth of filth in it. Today I took out the PCBs, cleaned them up with some alcohol and a paint brush, cleaned the edge connector, also removed the "fast" pad bridge the manual mentions, and cleaned the metal "cage" for them. Reassemble, and the problems begin:
Problem 1: No sound, but get amp hum. Game plays fine.
Re-seated the edge connector and works. Not convinced this actually fixed the issue, but I guess I'll run with it as it is working for now.
Problem 2: Game resets a bit into playing/doesn't boot
First, the game didn't boot (would cover the screen with the characters as part of the self test, then reset shortly after). Pressed down on all the socketed chips and it now boots and starts play, but seems to reset every little bit
Problem 3: Audio hum (this one existed before I started)
How much audio hum is expected on a Pac? This one sound like a cheap amplifier - are my expectations too high, or will new caps fix this
Does anyone have any thoughts on the above problems? I suspect my next step will be to actually lift the socketed chips and re-insert, rather than just pushing down.
So, I'm slowly trying to clean the machine up, as it has 30 years worth of filth in it. Today I took out the PCBs, cleaned them up with some alcohol and a paint brush, cleaned the edge connector, also removed the "fast" pad bridge the manual mentions, and cleaned the metal "cage" for them. Reassemble, and the problems begin:
Problem 1: No sound, but get amp hum. Game plays fine.
Re-seated the edge connector and works. Not convinced this actually fixed the issue, but I guess I'll run with it as it is working for now.
Problem 2: Game resets a bit into playing/doesn't boot
First, the game didn't boot (would cover the screen with the characters as part of the self test, then reset shortly after). Pressed down on all the socketed chips and it now boots and starts play, but seems to reset every little bit
Problem 3: Audio hum (this one existed before I started)
How much audio hum is expected on a Pac? This one sound like a cheap amplifier - are my expectations too high, or will new caps fix this
Does anyone have any thoughts on the above problems? I suspect my next step will be to actually lift the socketed chips and re-insert, rather than just pushing down.
