Tempest - Math Box Failure

Zwarcade

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Location
Bayonne, New Jersey
I bought a 100% working Tempest yesterday, my first vector. Cosmetically, a solid 9/10.
Dragged it out of the sellers basement, loaded it in my truck, drove 45 miles, unloaded it, wheeled it into my garage. Played 23 games, it worked 100% perfect. Game was on about 2 1/2 hours. Today, Math box failure error. I did all the basic recommended things, cleaned all contacts, reseated boards and connectors many times, etc, etc etc the simple fix stuff. No avail. Screen is scrambled, doesn't show the blue tube lines. Tempest logo Attract screen and high score screen all show 100%. The demo gameplay screens are scrambled. I just want my game to work. I don't solder and I have no test equipment.

What is the recommended course of repair here? Im ok with just sending the boards out for repair, even better finding someone in the NY area that I can bring them to. I guess my question is, how much troubleshooting can I actually do without any test equipment and minimal knowledge?

Who can Help me please! Thanks in advance.

Mike Z
 
Here are some pics. Thanks in advance. I appreciate any help or suggestions.
 

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Thank you, guess I'm SOL that I cant solder/reflow. I did all the other recommended stuff. Who can do this reflow/resolder stuff for me? I was hoping I could just buy some new chips and replace, but I don't want to just throw $ at this.
 
Last edited:
Resolder interconnect headers first. Then systematically replace each 2901 bitslicer with a known good one. If that doesn't do it, it's either a bad socket, or a bad chip elsewhere on the aux board, which requires board repair capability.

I can help you out if needed, PM if interested.
 
Solved

Solved! Changed out all 4 bit slicers (Thank you Arcadeshop.com). Appears to be all normal. Thank you all for great advice and sequence of troubleshooting. I am buying myself a decent quality soldering iron and finally taking the plunge in this hobby. Thanks again all.
 
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