Strange early Defender PCB

saltbreez

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Hey Guys,

Continuing in my pursuit of a functioning early version Defender PCB set [to go with my early version cab] I purchased yet another early version MPU off of 'da Bay.

The PCB I received looks really strange. The identifying silk-screened board number typically found in the upper left hand board on these PCBs is conspicuously missing. In the battery holder area, I find the words 'COMPONENT WD4' silk screened into the PCB. The 2 factory fitted modification wires found on this era of board are missing and close inspection does not reveal that there ever was a wire soldered to the usual locations.

Thanks,
Saltbreez

Here are some pictures of the suspect board [followed by a 'normal' early version board]:

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Is this board (to the left) what you are calling an early version? I always saw the early versions as NOT having a mask over the ground rail that circles the board. They look more like the suspect board you pictured. I have several sans mask. Its been a while since I have stared at one so I'm not sure if mine looks like yours...and right now they are somewhere in a 24' trailer...
 
Your greyish looking board is a bootleg. There are a couple of clues. The first is the lack of the normal Williams copyright info. The second is the actual traces. While the traces on bootlegs are close to the true Williams in positioning, they are often thicker or sometimes look less "finished". This is because the screens were often made by taking a board, removing all the components, photographing it and then hand touching up the resulting negative by hand. The negatives were usually made on a large format industrial plate camera used for lithograhic reproductions so that they could be made 1:1 scale. The one you have looks like a pretty good bootleg.

I've got several similar bootlegs of other video game boards.

ken
 
just taken del of some boards, and it includes an early defender board, model 5770-09471-X3 . same as saltbreezes early x4 rev board, with solder mask. mine needs a lot of tlc though before it will work again! :rolleyes:
 
just taken del of some boards, and it includes an early defender board, model 5770-09471-X3 . same as saltbreezes early x4 rev board, with solder mask. mine needs a lot of tlc though before it will work again! :rolleyes:

No luck on any early version boards for me yet... Still trying. Looking for another early MPU to try...

Saltbreez
 
No luck on any early version boards for me yet... Still trying. Looking for another early MPU to try...

Saltbreez

are you looking for an x3 or one earlier than the x3 ? if you're looking for an x3, might be interested in a trade, but only after i have cleaned it up and repaired it. could take me a while.
Cheers!
 
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