Just Got My Zoo Keeper Boards Back!

Todd31

New member

Donor 2011
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,147
Reaction score
11
Location
Cape Coral, Florida
I am dieing to play this game but I want to make sure everything is hooked up right before hitting the power. I think I have it right but the manual says there are wires where there aren't any and leaves out a clear description of the rom board.

Local413 was the mastermind behind the repairs. My boards were quite toasty from a failed power supply unleashing hell on them. If someone that knows can look at these pics and give me a thumbs up that would be cool.

2012-12-01_23-08-32_263.jpg

2012-12-01_23-08-41_466.jpg

2012-12-01_23-08-52_200.jpg

2012-12-01_23-09-05_190.jpg

2012-12-01_23-09-13_775.jpg


Thanks for looking. I hope to show you all a working game very soon. :)
 
Is he taking on more zk or qix board repairs? I have a set of each I'd like to get tested and fixed if needed.
 
Is he taking on more zk or qix board repairs? I have a set of each I'd like to get tested and fixed if needed.

That I don't know. He is a real nice guy that went above and beyond for me so if he is it would be worth letting him have a look.
 
I think mine looks like that. When I fire it up all I get is a red screen. Oh well. Thanks form snapping the pic. :)
 
Did you look at the manual?

The Video board looks Like it hooked up correctly..
Sound board Looks Like the same.
It looks like the sounds board is hooked up correctly.

Can not tell on the rom board since QIX And Zookeeper Differ how they are hooked up
 
Did you look at the manual?

The Video board looks Like it hooked up correctly..
Sound board Looks Like the same.
It looks like the sounds board is hooked up correctly.

Can not tell on the rom board since QIX And Zookeeper Differ how they are hooked up

I did look and it is not accurate from what I see. I looked for a while at the wiring diagram and thought I had it right based on the routing of the wiring.

I didn't expect this to turn into a tech post, I thought get it hooked up and show off my zoo keeper. This should probably get moved to the tech section.

Thanks for all the help so far guys.
 
Had/have the flu all weekend.. Sorry I didn't get back to you on your PMs..
When I have a chance I'll shoot pics and walk you through the connections.

Also, I tested each pcb and they are all working.. Except I forgot to check if you have the patched rom (19)
I think?? It's for the coin pcb.. Without the coin pcb, and or patched rom your game won't work. Or it will go a bit loopy..
 
Last edited:
I will be watching this thread closely. I'm going through the same thing, I have all the parts for a Zk, but I couldn't figure out how to make connections. Pete is going to test my board set to make sure it's working and I will try to study as many pics as possible I couldn't figure out the manual either. They need a zookeeper for dummies manual. Pete is the man when it comes to Zk.
 
Have you repinned the harness? That's a HUGE point of issue with Zookeeper and qix. The boardset probably works fine, just harness pin issues.
 
Have you repinned the harness? That's a HUGE point of issue with Zookeeper and qix. The boardset probably works fine, just harness pin issues.

Wow, that's a lot of work! There are harnesses everywhere. :) I will look into that. Thanks Brian.

The monitor is fine, just rolling from signal issues. Thanks though, all input is most certainly welcome when working with a Zoo Keeper. ;)
 
Well my right thumb really hurts from going through every pin. I took each pin out, they look new btw, and made them a much tighter fit and cleaned them. I have the same bullshit going on. Fuck this game.
 
if you have a known working board set with a new switcher the only problem can be the pins....i had the same issue...new pins did the trick not cleaning them....my problem was the pins on the small rom board iirc, but i ended up doing them all..
 
if you have a known working board set with a new switcher the only problem can be the pins....i had the same issue...new pins did the trick not cleaning them....my problem was the pins on the small rom board iirc, but i ended up doing them all..

I hear what you are saying but when you pull each pin out, bend it out so it is a snug fit when reinstalled, clean with contact cleaner and reinstall, I just don't see the difference. The pins look new by the way. They are not corroded. I could put one of these pins side by side with a new one and it would be hard to see the difference.

I appreciate the help but this should have worked if it was a pin issue. I am now thinking the harness needs to be tested end to end for a broken wire.

If you guys insist on replacing new looking, tight metal on metal contacting pins for new ones I will do it. It just seems odd to me is all and is a lot of work on Zoo Keeper to just epically fail again.

Thanks, I do appreciate the help, I am just really frustrated with this game.
 
Shortly after having my Zoo Keeper delivered, it stopped booting. Nothing but a blank screen.

I'm not very technically inclined, and I can't solder for shit, so here was my repair process and the results:

*Gently push on each chip. Result: nothing.
*Disconnect everything, blow on it, reconnect. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Disconnect everything, clean all pins with rubbing alcohol, blow on it, reconnect. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently flex ribbon cables. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.

*Gently push on each chip again. Result: game booted, and was still working when I sold it over a year later.
 
Shortly after having my Zoo Keeper delivered, it stopped booting. Nothing but a blank screen.

I'm not very technically inclined, and I can't solder for shit, so here was my repair process and the results:

*Gently push on each chip. Result: nothing.
*Disconnect everything, blow on it, reconnect. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Disconnect everything, clean all pins with rubbing alcohol, blow on it, reconnect. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently flex ribbon cables. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.
*Gently push on each chip again. Result: nothing.

*Gently push on each chip again. Result: game booted, and was still working when I sold it over a year later.

That is crazy! I am sorry for your pain but that was very funny. Maybe I should go try pushing in the chips 5 times. :)
 
This may get me lynched around here, but after watching this thread and listening to the horror stories this makes me want to just have ZK on MAME :)

Zookeeper is a great game, lots of fun, beautiful cabinet, great setup overall. But the technical issues of keeping it working seem to be a pain in the butt.
 
Back
Top Bottom