So my Q-Bert failed the object priority test...

[farquh]

SO I took apart my cocktail table tonight, and man, it was a process! The Q-Bert cocktail table has a unique design, but it's hard to manipulate!

If you've never seen one before, the PCB is on the backside of the main door. So it looks immaculate since it's been protected from direct dust all these years. On the back of the particle board that the PCB is attached to is where the speech board and the power supply board are stored. So, the way this table is designed, it is harder than hell to even get to the PCB board's dip switches!

Finally getting a good look at the PCB, I can now clearly see the grid and the sections designated for E1-2 and such. So, the consensus is that these are the chips that might be in need of replacement? Are such things an easy find in today's day and age?

I will post a video of what my game is doing as well as pictures of the PCB and speech board in a little while.

I hope that my situation hasn't gone from bad to worse with my 'tinkering' since today it has some sound issues. Yesterday, the only problem seemed to be that the 'sprites' were only appearing at the bottom of the screen. And now today (on top of the same 'sprite' issue) things such as the discs do not make any sound at all when Q-Bert jumps onto one and rides to the top of the pyramid. Other things like after Q-Bert gets killed by Coiley the 1-Up sound is heard. Little things like that.

Does this still sound like a fixable problem?

 

[farquh]

Here is a pic of my PCB. I think it's in good shape, but then again PCB's are far from my specialty. I've put red dots beside the chips in section E which according to the Q-Bert troubleshooting guide could be the source of the problem - Can these chips be replaced? Am I even correct in referring to them as chips? Are they Ram??

http://i48.tinypic.com/29kvuxd.jpg

On the other side of the particle board that the PCB is attached to is the sound board and such. I've put a green line beside what I know to be the sound board (do the dip switches on the sound board serve any purpose in this particular game?).

I've put a blue line beside the power supply board (again, am I using the correct term for this?), and can anyone tell the name of the connector that I've marked with the yellow line?

http://i46.tinypic.com/33c8y77.jpg

Tomorrow I'll post a small video of what my game is doing.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me thus far at trying to diagnose my game issue, it is very mush appreciated!

 

[Riptor]

The dip switches on the sound board make no difference whatsoever which position they are in.
The connectors next to the yellow line are .156 straight headers. Pull that board out and check the solder joints on all those headers. They are a source of many problems on qberts.

The 93419 chips are socketed and can be replaced easily. These usually dont go bad but sure its possible. I have verified good used ones in stock.
If you look in the center of the board there are two rams that should be marked 4801. If you look at them you will probably see the legs are black with tarnish. I suggest replacing those two ram. I have new suitable substitute for these in stock.
Lastly, the first step in repairing any qbert is to rebuild the power supply. I wouldnt do anything else to that machine until the power supply has been rebuilt and the filter board completely reflowed. I offer a rebuild service for these power supplys and also sell the kits if you want to do it yourself.

Mike


On the top left of the main board you will see a black box that says data sentry. That needs to be removed asap and replaced with a lithium battery.
It is a ni-cd battery pack that will eventually leak and ruin your pcb. Amazingly yours doesnt appear to have leaked yet, that board is clean.

Here is a pic of my PCB. I think it's in good shape, but then again PCB's are far from my specialty. I've put red dots beside the chips in section E which according to the Q-Bert troubleshooting guide could be the source of the problem - Can these chips be replaced? Am I even correct in referring to them as chips? Are they Ram??

http://i48.tinypic.com/29kvuxd.jpg

On the other side of the particle board that the PCB is attached to is the sound board and such. I've put a green line beside what I know to be the sound board (do the dip switches on the sound board serve any purpose in this particular game?).

I've put a blue line beside the power supply board (again, am I using the correct term for this?), and can anyone tell the name of the connector that I've marked with the yellow line?

http://i46.tinypic.com/33c8y77.jpg

Tomorrow I'll post a small video of what my game is doing.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me thus far at trying to diagnose my game issue, it is very mush appreciated!

 

[Arcadenut]

http://i46.tinypic.com/33c8y77.jpg

Like Riptor suggested, rebuild the Power Supply before you do anything else. If you look at your power supply board, you can see where it is burning up.

I would recommend that you don't keep the game on much until you do get that fixed. You could wind up doing more damage to the power supply board.

 

[Riptor]

I would recommend that you don't keep the game on much until you do get that fixed. You could wind up doing more damage to the power supply board.

Unfortunatly when the power supply fails it doesnt just damage the power supply. It usually sends something like 50-60v through to the sound board and burns up the amp. My kit has several upgraded parts to help these last longer but there's only so much you can do with the crappy design.

 

[Scucci]

Unfortunatly when the power supply fails it doesnt just damage the power supply. It usually sends something like 50-60v through to the sound board and burns up the amp. My kit has several upgraded parts to help these last longer but there's only so much you can do with the crappy design.

Zeners to dump the excess?

Anywho, before you start replace'ng chips (because that is a very nice looking board) it'd be really awesome if someone local could show him how to go about doing it? If the PS ends up not being the problem, I'd hate to see all those traces get lifted on that board. If you were local I'd help you out... but TN to Canada is a bit of a drive.

 

[Riptor]

Zeners to dump the excess?

The 30v zener gets changed to a 27v since the original amp is only rated at 30v and often see's 31-32v with a 30v zener. I also upgrade alot of the resistors that commonly burn up to higher wattage. The kit replaces all the electrolytic caps, regulators, power transistors and I just started including the +5 adjust pot since alot of people were requesting it. Here is a link with a list of parts included in the kit. http://catalog.pacmandotcom.com/node/243
Even if his game was working that power supply still needs to be rebuilt. Its an eventuality that its going to fail and then its going to cost alot more to fix that game. I can sell him a kit, repair his board or sell a board outright.

Pretty soon I will have a power supply/sound board kit that upgrades the sound amp and power supply to run on 18v and an amp you dont have to sell your children to replace. Waiting on the pcbs to come in so they should be ready real soon. Actually they should have been here by now.

 

[farquh]

Okay Riptor, I'm going to post a video showing you what my game currently does when it's on - hopefully this will help solve the mystery of what exactly is the problem is.

That being said, what would you need from me in order to get my boards in tip top condition? Do you need to work on all of my Q-Bert boards? What price are we talking for your replacement kit and a fees for your services and labour?

 

[Riptor]

Give me a bit and I will send you a PM so we can discuss the repair. It will probably be a couple hours, have a couple large orders to get through this morning.


Thanks,
Mike

 

[farquh]

Okay, here is a youtube link of what my machine is doing. I hope that it helps ensure that what you think the problems are are what you are seeing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-peHY_4KL4

I know that the sound quality isn't that good, but you can notice that 90% of the game's sounds are in correct 'synch,' but notice that the disc doesn't make a sound at all when Q*Bert takes it for a ride, and the level end chime sounds after Q*Bert gets off the disc at the top of the pyramid.

Does this mean that there are chips failing on the sound board as well, or is does this all have to do whith what you originally think is the main problem the PCB?