Static Electricity Causing Monitor to Reboot

exstormal

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Try not to flame me for switching to an LCD screen when the G07 in my Ms Pacman went out; I'm not a collector or a purist, just a guy whose wife wants to play her game.

I installed the new monitor and everything - mostly - works and looks great. The problem is that when the static charge built from walking across the carpeted floor on which the game sits gets discharged (just before one's hands touch the control panel or coin door) the monitor goes blank and reboots. The game itself seems unaffected - it'll continue playing blind for the 5 or so seconds it takes for the monitor to come back on.

I've tested continuity in every ground location, strap and wire I can identify and everything checks out.

I've tried tying the monitor's chassis directly to ground. No joy.

I've tested the various receptacles into which I've plugged the machine, as well as every other one on the circuit. Hell, I checked a bunch of others too. They all check out. House was built in `96 so everything is three-prong. The main ground to the house checks out just fine.

I've tried placing the cabinet's feet on rubber pads (didn't figure it'd work but I'm beginning to grasp as straws).

When the game's power source is by-passed (monitor powered by plugging it directly into its own wall receptacle) the monitor will reset upon discharging the static charge only when the game itself is plugged in and running- when the game is not powered up the monitor doesn't reboot from the discharge of the static electricity.

Here, though, is the one that really throws me; I have an all original Asteroids machine sitting next to (separated by a few inches) the Ms Pacman. When the static is discharged onto the control panel of the Asteroids cabinet, Ms Pacman's monitor reboots. Asteroids remains fine (original monitor), Ms Pacman's screen goes dark for a few moments. When I discovered this, I thought it must be a ground issue with the house wiring. How else could discharging static electricity into one machine cause the monitor of the one sitting next to it to reboot? Yet the house wiring appears to be correct.

I may forgotten something I tried. Clearly I haven't tried enough. I'm guessing it's something simple - even obvious. Whatever the case, I could sure use some help.

Thanks! Norm
 
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Sounds to me like you don't have a good ground for the monitor. I took from reading your problem that it's plugged directly into the wall. You say you have tested continuity. To what? Other receptacle or other grounds? Have you tested your outlet to make sure it's actually grounded?

That's my only suggestion.

You've done everything that I would have done.
 
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Why not just have the G07 fixed? It'd be cheaper than an LCD monitor, look tons better, and wouldn't give you this problem? :)
 
I agree.. fixing the original monitor just gives the game a more authentic arcade feel. I hope you haven't thrown it out. Maybe a fellow KLOV member in your area could help. As far as the static discharge.. check the green ground wires on the control panel..make sure they are attached and the other ends are grounded.

Good Luck!
 
Is this a duplicate thread? I guess there's another in the monitor section, because I answered in one but it's not in this one...
 
Yeah, duplicate thread.

OP, not a good idea.
 
I would check to make sure you have good grounds on the cabinet, especially where ever you're touching it that causes this concern. Get an outlet tester and check your outlet. The ground should go to a grounded pipe inserted into the ground (read "DIRT") not attached to a 120v neutral. Since the LCD is being affected, I'm think that the LCD circiutry is being hit with static, you're going to need to isolate it some how.
 
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