Vector/Space Duel PCB Question

dj dns

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This is the 2nd Space Duel board I had that palys blind. Is there a certain chip/rom I can look to swap or change that might fix it so graphics are displayed or is it more than just a chip/rom?
 
Check both X & Y outputs, if neither are there check the +/- 15V regulators, if both are good I would next swap the 136179 custom chip with a known good one, all the graphics go through it.
Dick
 
Ok thanks that's what I needed to know. Since I know very little about vectors I was hoping there was a chip or rom I could try swapping out to see I get anything. Ill try it when I get home.

Check both X & Y outputs, if neither are there check the +/- 15V regulators, if both are good I would next swap the 136179 custom chip with a known good one, all the graphics go through it.
Dick
 
Its most likely the TL-082s. Ive replaced those on a couple of tempest boards, and an asteroids I had last year. If the game plays blind, I start there.
 
While this is not a (potentially) difficult fix......depending on your knowledge, it might not be that easy. A lot of different chips going bad can cause this issue. First thing.....did you check the 15VDC and the -15VDC test lugs as Dick suggested? After that, if you have a scope, stick it on the "X out" test lug and the "Y out" test lug. You are looking for activity....is either one dead? If you don't have a scope, you can use a meter. Put the meter's black lead on a ground lug, red lead on the "X out" lug....I can't remember if you set the meter to AC volts or DC.....just try it both ways. Watch the meter for a bit. The reading should fluxuate quite a bit.....depending what is being displayed on the screen. Now, do the same thing with the "Y out" lug. More than likely, one of these output lugs willl be dead....no movement on the meter (or very, very little). When you figure out which axsis is dead, report back......and we'll go from there.


Edward
 
The 1495s are at B12 and C12 there's another pair at B11/12 but they're only for pincushion correction.



Elutz is right on target. Another quick check you can do is to swap out the AVG chip. I've had several boards where that was the only point of failure. It's the 40 pin chip at J9.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I'll try again when I get back in town and post here if I'm able to get one running.
 
While he's checking those things, can anyone point to instructions for hooking up a scope to the pcb to see the actual output of the game? Details are good :)

Thanks
 
While he's checking those things, can anyone point to instructions for hooking up a scope to the pcb to see the actual output of the game? Details are good :)

Thanks

Set your scope up for X-Y operation, hook the X channel to X output lug on board, hook Y channel to the Y output lug on the board. Adjust the time div for best picture. (usually .1 IIRC)

Each scope is a little different, so there is no real exact guide to doing it.
 
X Output will look like this on the diamond pattern.

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Y like this

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