I know how to fix my Pole Position. And, I am sick of doing it!

blkdog7

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I know how to fix my Pole Position. And, I am sick of doing it!

My Pole Position works great. I love it. It's one of my favorite games.

However, it has a problem. A very predictable problem that I can fix. However, the fix is always temporary. Maybe it buys me a few days. Maybe it buys me a few hours. Whatever it is, it's always the same fix and it always works.

What's it doing?

Well, the screen starts twitching up and down. Sometimes it's so severe that it's practically rolling. When it's extra worse it starts playing that crash sound. OVER AND OVER. That's usually followed by the "PRESS START" screen.

How do I fix it? I reseat the edge connector and I clean the edge connector plug. Sometimes, I pull the board out and reflow the solder on the edge connector repairs that have been done by Dick Millikan. Once I do that, it's fine. Usually for a few days, a week or more, or sometimes for an hour. Eventually it's fine. But I am sick of doing it.

What's a permanent fix here? Do I need to replace the edge connector plug? Or the edge connector on the PCB? Or should I find a new PCB? Any ideas? Has this happened to you?
 
Hey John--have you repinned the plastic edge connector? It sounds like those pins may have lost some of their spring. You can just extract the pins from the connector one at a time, cut the old one off, strip the wire and crimp a new one on. Slide it back into the connector and repeat.
 
Jude, I didn't repin the plastic connector. I guess I should do that. What a pain in the ass that is gonna be. :)
 
Sounds like a power supply problem, run the [power directly to the test points on the boards, if you have the problem again test the +5V & gnd immediately, you will have better results if you use an old computer power supply, they are usually very stable where the Atari AR-II boards may have a variety of problems, the rest of the pins on the edge connector shouldn't be able to cause the problem you're having, they are all control and video hookup.
Dick
 
Sounds like a power supply problem, run the [power directly to the test points on the boards, if you have the problem again test the +5V & gnd immediately, you will have better results if you use an old computer power supply, they are usually very stable where the Atari AR-II boards may have a variety of problems, the rest of the pins on the edge connector shouldn't be able to cause the problem you're having, they are all control and video hookup.
Dick

Thanks, Dick! I think I will look into doing that this weekend.
 
Those connectors are only rated to be taken on and off a certain (fairly low) number of times as well before the pins lose too much spring.
 
Bob sells the split pins. I did it on a couple atari games and I'm sure I will again. It's really not that bad, just tedious.
 
Sounds like a power supply problem, run the [power directly to the test points on the boards, if you have the problem again test the +5V & gnd immediately, you will have better results if you use an old computer power supply, they are usually very stable where the Atari AR-II boards may have a variety of problems, the rest of the pins on the edge connector shouldn't be able to cause the problem you're having, they are all control and video hookup.
Dick

Dick, I ran the power directly to the test points and as of now, it has fixed the issue!!! Thanks! :)

BTW - I LOVE THIS GAME

PS - KNOCK ON WOOD!!!!!!
 
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