Who Here Fixes Ms Pacs

[Mattspad]

I'm in the Pinball Repair group on Facebook. as probably everyone should know, pinball is a rich man's game, and at the beginning of the year when I had one of those Rottendog MPU327-04's crap out in Firepower at work I got to thinking about this. one of those costs $500 new, and in the event it breaks nobody on the planet really knows how to fix them or wants to fix them. despite their asking price, I came to the realization that they really are disposable junk. anytime someone posts in Pinball Repair with a mere hint of something wrong with an MPU or driver board, of the 40 some odd comments (a quantity above 5 is grounds for me to not even touch it) I would say half of them are along the lines of "buy a Rottendog combo board!" and every time I read that, to me, it's cringe, because I know how to fix those MPUs and driver boards on the early solid state games... but the people making the posts don't. the question I had about those Rottendog replacements was answered back in January: there's just a collective of people that have money and want to be able to play their games. they could probably save money paying someone like a Chris Hibler to fix their original boards, but it's just easier and more time effective to get the Rottendog board. I wound up reverting that Firepower back to original hardware, the first time I ever did a restoration-esque deep dive on one of those, and I did 3 more games at work over the next several months. for me it was gratifying because it was a new thing I hadn't yet done, and I've done many over the last 18 years.

but back to the point about people's unwillingness to just learn how to fix games, like I said, they just have money and want to play their games. they want to socialize with people and drink beer or whatever it is that they would rather do instead. I don't judge those people for it, I remember a point in my life where I wish I could just play games without all the gravity of everything needing to be perfect. every arcade I've worked at full time I committed myself to making 100% of the games work as much as I was capable of doing. because in this current age of the last 15 years or so where people go places and have what they consider a negative experience, the one thing they won't be able to do then is critique a bunch of broken games (like so many other arcade Google/Yelp pages do) because then that would reflect poorly on me. to date I've only sent a Spy Hunter to cdjump to fix a few years ago because I came to another realization that I'm not in my 20s anymore and my time not being allocated to a thing I don't have intimate understanding of how it works is the more valuable thing at a minor hit in what he charges.

unlike a lot of the specialist people here, I never had the luxury of just concentrating on a handful of hardware platforms. I'm a game technician, I don't discriminate; it was always expected of me to just magically be able to fix anything and everything. on one hand it was a dream that 4 year old me had of wanting to learn how to do it; on the other in the real world it's at times an element where I wish I could put the toothpaste back in the tube.

I support @nerdygrrl with whichever next step she takes, because she's a model citizen outside of this stupid arcade world we exist in. stay gold, Mark.

Based Mecha take

 

[nerdygrrl]

Just to chime in on the fix it yourself chatter. I totally get it, why pay somebody for something you can do yourself. For a lot of us it comes down to time. As a small business owner, I have very little of it. Plus this is not my game. I love this community. I love all of the resources. I love all of the help. I have learned so much being a member here. Yes, I could probably in theory fix this.

I currently live 3.5 hours from the game (moved last year), it costs me $100 in gas and tolls to travel there. I sold the game to them 7 years ago for $50 and have done very minor maintenance since then for free. I am already spending a full day to go out there and swap in the new PCB, and take the old one which I will then have to pack up and ship off. I feel like I have invested enough time in this project.

I do not work on Ms Pac PCB's. Those who do know them far better than I do. They can fix the current issue and hopefully address known problem areas that may arise for my friend. There is a difference between being experienced in a type of PCB repair and being a novice.

If this was for myself, I would just stick with the replacement PCB, but this is going to be on location, at my friend's, and I am trying to avoid future headaches for myself. Sometimes it's just better to pay to have something done right.

 

[tomservo]

There's a reason why I attach a Mr before Slava's name, he's a class act and he deserves respect. There's a reason why you'll never have that here for all the good work you do, it's practically a meme whenever someone says something about pcbs you chime in to call them a dumbass and say you've already done that.

You cannot assume people all have the same skill level, do you read peoples posts on this forum actually before you start thinking of bullshit to say? If you did you'd notice 90% of people on this forum do not repair their own pcbs, acknowledging your limitations as a person is also perfectly acceptable, if it saves a pcb then knowing your limitations is a very important thing. Anyways out of respect for OP you should post something that could actually help her instead of coming after me since you know so much about pacman apparently

I agree but read what I said above. It's not easy to teach people who are set in their ways or don't understand the value of using the right tool. At least you are trying to help OP

There is no point in trying to curb Mark's behavior. He hasn't changed one bit since the RGVAC days...

His autism & narcissism prevents him from normal human interaction. His coping mechanism is to lash out to any perceived slight with name-calling like he's still in 3rd grade. However, he has probably memorized more video arcade game programming, board layouts and logic circuits than anyone. The savant syndrome man-child of KLOV...

He is tolerated because occasionally he will throw out a nugget like "you have a bad H3" just by looking at a screenshot. which is really helpful, actually. Otherwise, he is mostly ignored due to his anti-social behavior.

 

[HudsonArcade]

I'm in the Pinball Repair group on Facebook. as probably everyone should know, pinball is a rich man's game, and at the beginning of the year when I had one of those Rottendog MPU327-04's crap out in Firepower at work I got to thinking about this. one of those costs $500 new, and in the event it breaks nobody on the planet really knows how to fix them or wants to fix them.

LOL

They're the exact same design as the original MPUs, only with (more reliable) MOSFET drivers instead of BJT drivers which require a preamp.
...and the PCBs themselves are higher quality than what was made in the 80s, with better sockets, better headers, and no battery corrosion.

"Nobody on the planet!"

 

[HudsonArcade]

There's a reason why I attach a Mr before Slava's name, he's a class act and he deserves respect.

Must be for all the incisive repair advice he posts here, right?

There's a reason why you'll never have that here for all the good work you do, it's practically a meme whenever someone says something about pcbs you chime in to call them a dumbass and say you've already done that.

Since you're so impressed with 4-1 pacman multigames, do you need a link to the schematics, and source code for the 6-1 kit I posted for free 17-18 years ago?

You cannot assume people all have the same skill level

I assume zero skill. It's a pretty safe assumption.

 

[Mattspad]

Must be for all the incisive repair advice he posts here, right?


Since you're so impressed with 4-1 pacman multigames, do you need a link to the schematics, and source code for the 6-1 kit I posted for free 17-18 years ago?


I assume zero skill. It's a pretty safe assumption.

Bro you're literally contradicting yourself. You say people should know how to put in a socket then say you assume everyone has zero skill. Anyways this is extremely disrespectful behavior towards nerdygrrl, if you have nothing meaningful to contribute then stop spreading hate.

Also is your 6-1 kit like your no DMA donkey Kong mod that doesn't work? You have no idea why I respect Mr Slava Madrits, and not you it's pretty funny for someone who thinks they're so smart. Also why does my respect matter I'm just a clown in your own words?

There is no point in trying to curb Mark's behavior. He hasn't changed one bit since the RGVAC days...

His autism & narcissism prevents him from normal human interaction. His coping mechanism is to lash out to any perceived slight with name-calling like he's still in 3rd grade. However, he has probably memorized more video arcade game programming, board layouts and logic circuits than anyone. The savant syndrome man-child of KLOV...

He is tolerated because occasionally he will throw out a nugget like "you have a bad H3" just by looking at a screenshot. which is really helpful, actually. Otherwise, he is mostly ignored due to his anti-social behavior.

I've read enough of his posts over the years to say this is one of the most accurate assessments of a klov member ever. If he just stuck to offering useful advice, great!

 

[sfspanky]

I'm in the Pinball Repair group on Facebook. as probably everyone should know, pinball is a rich man's game, and at the beginning of the year when I had one of those Rottendog MPU327-04's crap out in Firepower at work I got to thinking about this. one of those costs $500 new, and in the event it breaks nobody on the planet really knows how to fix them or wants to fix them. despite their asking price, I came to the realization that they really are disposable junk. anytime someone posts in Pinball Repair with a mere hint of something wrong with an MPU or driver board, of the 40 some odd comments (a quantity above 5 is grounds for me to not even touch it) I would say half of them are along the lines of "buy a Rottendog combo board!" and every time I read that, to me, it's cringe, because I know how to fix those MPUs and driver boards on the early solid state games... but the people making the posts don't. the question I had about those Rottendog replacements was answered back in January: there's just a collective of people that have money and want to be able to play their games. they could probably save money paying someone like a Chris Hibler to fix their original boards, but it's just easier and more time effective to get the Rottendog board. I wound up reverting that Firepower back to original hardware, the first time I ever did a restoration-esque deep dive on one of those, and I did 3 more games at work over the next several months. for me it was gratifying because it was a new thing I hadn't yet done, and I've done many over the last 18 years.

I do more pinball repair and restoration than video game, as pinball is my true love and I find it more engaging as you have mechanical side of it as well. That being said, both the pinball repair and video game repair groups on Facebook are the worst. It's either gut the CRT and LCD it, or get rid of the WPC 89 board and buy a Rottendog. Hibler is one saving grace in the pinball group, but you can see how they are turning him into a curmudgeon in his responses. Few want to put in the time, but as you said, many just want it to work. I guess what really bugs me the most is when people are askholes. They ask for advice and when they get it, they do the exact opposite and it just feels like a waste of time on everyone's end. The jukebox repair groups, on the other hand, are fantastic! Pretty much the only reason I still have an account on that crap platform.

 

[sfspanky]

Just to chime in on the fix it yourself chatter. I totally get it, why pay somebody for something you can do yourself. For a lot of us it comes down to time. As a small business owner, I have very little of it. Plus this is not my game. I love this community. I love all of the resources. I love all of the help. I have learned so much being a member here. Yes, I could probably in theory fix this.

I currently live 3.5 hours from the game (moved last year), it costs me $100 in gas and tolls to travel there. I sold the game to them 7 years ago for $50 and have done very minor maintenance since then for free. I am already spending a full day to go out there and swap in the new PCB, and take the old one which I will then have to pack up and ship off. I feel like I have invested enough time in this project.

I do not work on Ms Pac PCB's. Those who do know them far better than I do. They can fix the current issue and hopefully address known problem areas that may arise for my friend. There is a difference between being experienced in a type of PCB repair and being a novice.

If this was for myself, I would just stick with the replacement PCB, but this is going to be on location, at my friend's, and I am trying to avoid future headaches for myself. Sometimes it's just better to pay to have something done right.

I support this and would do the same thing. I've used Madrits several times as he is a specialist and he charges extremely reasonable rates. $80 repairs including the return shipping is kind of a bargain for expertise services.

 

[HudsonArcade]

Bro you're literally contradicting yourself. You say people should know how to put in a socket then say you assume everyone has zero skill. Anyways this is extremely disrespectful behavior towards nerdygrrl, if you have nothing meaningful to contribute then stop spreading hate.

There's nothing contradictory about recognizing many people don't possess they skills they should have.
This "repair" is literally about just replacing a bunch of sockets.

Also is your 6-1 kit like your no DMA donkey Kong mod that doesn't work?

If you were smart enough to google my kit, you might figure out how many people use it (and even find the bootlegs of the kit).

DMA mod for DK was a suggestion to solve a problem, not a product for sale, but you're nowhere near experienced enough to recognize the difference.

You have no idea why I respect Mr Slava Madrits, and not you it's pretty funny for someone who thinks they're so smart.
Also why does my respect matter I'm just a clown in your own words?

You don't matter. You're just a troll.

 

[HudsonArcade]

There is no point in trying to curb Mark's behavior. He hasn't changed one bit since the RGVAC days...

Of course I have... I've learned a lot more.

You should try that sometime instead of belittling those who know far more than you do.

 

[Charles Kline]

oh hey are we fighting in here? how many twinkie and kiddos have been handed out?

 

[nerdygrrl]

There's nothing contradictory about recognizing many people don't possess they skills they should have.
This "repair" is literally about just replacing a bunch of sockets.

On a PCB that is not mine. That belongs to a friend who lives almost four hours away. A repair that I do not have time for because I work 60+ hours a week, and have my own games that I would like to play or work on.

You don't matter. You're just a troll.

The lack of self awareness/reflection here is astounding.

Mark, you have nothing worthwhile to contribute here. You're just here looking for the human interaction and attention that you so desperately crave and any interaction positive or negative will do.

The thread was pretty straight forward: Who works on Ms Pac PCB's? Not a very difficult question for such a smart guy. Almost every thread that you respond to here turns to shit. You are the common denominator and it goes back to being lonely and needing attention.

 

[Olexo2424]

Just to chime in on the fix it yourself chatter. I totally get it, why pay somebody for something you can do yourself. For a lot of us it comes down to time. As a small business owner, I have very little of it. Plus this is not my game. I love this community. I love all of the resources. I love all of the help. I have learned so much being a member here. Yes, I could probably in theory fix this.

I currently live 3.5 hours from the game (moved last year), it costs me $100 in gas and tolls to travel there. I sold the game to them 7 years ago for $50 and have done very minor maintenance since then for free. I am already spending a full day to go out there and swap in the new PCB, and take the old one which I will then have to pack up and ship off. I feel like I have invested enough time in this project.

I do not work on Ms Pac PCB's. Those who do know them far better than I do. They can fix the current issue and hopefully address known problem areas that may arise for my friend. There is a difference between being experienced in a type of PCB repair and being a novice.

If this was for myself, I would just stick with the replacement PCB, but this is going to be on location, at my friend's, and I am trying to avoid future headaches for myself. Sometimes it's just better to pay to have something done right.

Time. It's tough. Small kids make it near impossible. You want to chill when you have a second and play your games, not fix them lol.

 

[nerdygrrl]

Time. It's tough. Small kids make it near impossible. You want to chill when you have a second and play your games, not fix them lol.

No shame in that game plus it puts money in fellow collector's pockets. It's a win-win.

 

[HudsonArcade]

The thread was pretty straight forward: Who works on Ms Pac PCB's?

...and you missed the point that the problem doesn't require any sort of specific expertise, only basic soldering skills to replace the sockets...

Not a very difficult question for such a smart guy. Almost every thread that you respond to here turns to shit. You are the common denominator and it goes back to being lonely and needing attention.

LOL. The trolls didn't need to reply.

 

[nerdygrrl]

...and you missed the point that the problem doesn't require any sort of specific expertise, only basic soldering skills to replace the socket...


LOL. The trolls didn't need to reply.

No Mark, I completely understand the point. You are very much missing the point of this thread. I do not want to repair it, the owner does not want to repair it. They want to send it to somebody who has knowledge of this PCB to repair the current issues and address and other known issues that may arise. Which they would have a better understanding of.

For a guy who once took on repairs and albeit never returned many of them one would think you would be in support of fellow members here making some extra $$ from lazy folks like my friends.

 

[Mattspad]

No Mark, I completely understand the point. You are very much missing the point of this thread. I do not want to repair it, the owner does not want to repair it. They want to send it to somebody who has knowledge of this PCB to repair the current issues and address and other known issues that may arise. Which they would have a better understanding of.

For a guy who once took on repairs and albeit never returned many of them one would think you would be in support of fellow members here making some extra $$ from lazy folks like my friends.

What I don't appreciate about Hudson is he's dragging everyone down to his level. Very hateful for no reason. He's the real clown here. Hell of a way to make enemies and lose respect.

Just keep doing your thing @nerdygrrl don't worry about losers like Hudson, you are a shining example of how Klov members should be. He just wants to fight literally for no reason, you just want to fix games and make friends which is how we all should be.

 

[mecha]

What I don't appreciate about Hudson is he's dragging everyone down to his level. Very hateful for no reason. He's the real clown here. Hell of a way to make enemies and lose respect.

Just keep doing your thing @nerdygrrl don't worry about losers like Hudson, you are a shining example of how Klov members should be. He just wants to fight literally for no reason, you just want to fix games and make friends which is how we all should be.

I kept this nugget from years ago. it's still relevant today. Mark Spaeth has made zero growth since 2017.

I do more pinball repair and restoration than video game, as pinball is my true love and I find it more engaging as you have mechanical side of it as well. That being said, both the pinball repair and video game repair groups on Facebook are the worst. It's either gut the CRT and LCD it, or get rid of the WPC 89 board and buy a Rottendog. Hibler is one saving grace in the pinball group, but you can see how they are turning him into a curmudgeon in his responses. Few want to put in the time, but as you said, many just want it to work. I guess what really bugs me the most is when people are askholes. They ask for advice and when they get it, they do the exact opposite and it just feels like a waste of time on everyone's end. The jukebox repair groups, on the other hand, are fantastic! Pretty much the only reason I still have an account on that crap platform.

like I said when any post in there reaches over 5 comments, I just don't even touch it. they're already set in their strategy of doing the wrong thing lol pinball is a rich man's game, $500 to them is chump change for the Rottendog board that will break and their own support will just ghost you. like they did me.

 

[nerdygrrl]

What I don't appreciate about Hudson is he's dragging everyone down to his level. Very hateful for no reason. He's the real clown here. Hell of a way to make enemies and lose respect.

Just keep doing your thing @nerdygrrl don't worry about losers like Hudson, you are a shining example of how Klov members should be. He just wants to fight literally for no reason, you just want to fix games and make friends which is how we all should be.

Mark and I go way back to the OG MA collecting days. Don't you worry, I don't worry about Mark unless he's back scouring my social media accounts looking through my pictures to post to other social channels.

That dog is all bark and no bite, a keyboard commando, stuck on full on bloviating mode, and if you have ever met him you would know this. Can't look you in the eye or shake your hand, but will come on here thumping his chest about his intellectual prowess because that's all he's got.

I have multiple friends who teach at MIT, they don't chest thump like this, because they are secure in themselves. Insecure men scream, bully and belittle.

 

[tomservo]

You should try that sometime instead of belittling those who know far more than you do.

You only belittle yourself. Your posts just in this thread are evidence of that. You could be a respectable member, but you choose not to be...