Neo Geo MVS help

[mailman187666]

I own a 4-slot Neo Geo and for some reason the 2nd player joystick doesn't move back to the center after moving. It also makes the joystick not control the player corectly. Now I am no good at do it yourself kind of stuff but I don't want to pay somebody to do it. Does anybody have any ideas of what it could be thats causing that or at least be able to tell me if its an easy fix or not? it is an old machine and has not seen abuse since I've owned it, but since its old, it may just need some maintenance. I just don't wanna spend hundreds to fix something like that when I only paid a couple hundred for the machine as it is. Anything that you can add to this subject will help me. Even pictures would be awesome if somebody else owns one. I will greatly appreciate it.

[raindog151]

It's likely the sticks are just victims of age. You can buy replacement HAPP sticks pretty cheap here:

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/joysticks_amusement.htm

All you need to do is write down the wire colors for the stick, unbolt the current one and replace it. I can replace all the buttons and stick on an MVS in less than 40 minutes, so I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult for you.

[Chuplayer]

It's likely the sticks are just victims of age. You can buy replacement HAPP sticks pretty cheap here:

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/joysticks_amusement.htm

All you need to do is write down the wire colors for the stick, unbolt the current one and replace it. I can replace all the buttons and stick on an MVS in less than 40 minutes, so I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult for you.

Yeah, this. This doesn't sound like a problem with the MVS hardware. It sounds like the joystick is just old and worn out. You might as well replace all of the sticks and buttons while you're at it. And then after that, you should only need to replace the microswitches when they wear out. They'll probably wear out before the stick and button mechanisms will.

[mailman187666]

see I'm just thinking maybe a piece fell out or something and I could use the same joystick and just replace a part on the inside. It seems like I wouldn't have too hard of a time replacing the joystick. Anybody else have any ideas? has anybody else have this happen to them on an arcade cab of thier own and has had to fix something like that too? man owning an old arcade machine is like owning and old car. It looks like my Neo is gettin over 100,000 miles.

[mailman187666]

Yeah, this. This doesn't sound like a problem with the MVS hardware. It sounds like the joystick is just old and worn out. You might as well replace all of the sticks and buttons while you're at it. And then after that, you should only need to replace the microswitches when they wear out. They'll probably wear out before the stick and button mechanisms will.

see, this is where I feel stupid now. Microswitches? I know about videogames but know little to nothing about electronics. Trying to learn a lil bit here. Joysticks and buttons I could probably replace but other than that I have no frickin' idea. Any more insight on this would help me a great deal. I couldn't just go to radioshack or a hardware store and buy the stuff I need to get the old stick workin' again? Something must have happened because it just started happening and has not seen a whole lot of use let alone abuse (since I owned it).

[Chuplayer]

I dunno, I think just replacing the buttons, joysticks, and microswitches would be the way to go since it has taken so much abuse in its lifetime. It's a fairly easy fix, and once you do it, you'll only have to worry about the microswitches for a long, long time. Assuming they didn't so something entirely stupid like solder the wires onto the microswitches, it should be simple.

The hardest part would be to assemble the joystick.

[bust3dstr8]

http://www.lizardlickamusements.com

These guys rock.

I just did the same cab as you MVS-4-25

It's about $40 to get two new Happ competion sticks and buttons, also get a
few extra Cherry switches, .187 quick connectors (old stuff is brittle you will most likely break a few when changing the parts) and a button wrench.

This will probally get moved to arcade where you will hopefully get lotsa help.

[bust3dstr8]

Here's a pick of the microswitches(white) with the .187 quick connects attached.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/samuraishodown/competition.jpg

[raindog151]

see I'm just thinking maybe a piece fell out or something and I could use the same joystick and just replace a part on the inside.

The only part that could 'fall out' would be the clip that holds the entire joystick assembly to the switchplate, in which case the entire stick should not respond at all, or at least come right off if you pull up.

I understand the want to save money, but for the small investment required, this will make all your problems go away. Strongly suggest you do it asap.

Also, VERY IMPORTANT, you need to either remove or replace the rechargable battery in your MVS ASAP, assuming it hasn't been already. These things are 10 - 15+ years old now, and are starting to pop and eat right through components on boards. Here's a detailed page on how to do so:

http://www.iammike.org/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1198545712&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&

Do this ASAP, or before you know it, your board will be a useless hunk of junk.

Feel free to send me an IM if I can help you, at least I'll be able to point you in the right direction. MVS's need TLC, but they are workhorses.

[PapaStu]

This will probally get moved to arcade where you will hopefully get lotsa help.

You Sir are correct.

**ZOOM**

[XYXZYZ]

I think you should remove the joystick, dismantle it, and put it back together.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

ugh happ sticks...if you're going to get new ones then get competition sticks...they're really easy to install