Help needed with Robocop cab

[Schenley]

Whoa! I found a Robocop cab being chucked out today. Stopped to talk to the dude, and while we were talking, someone else stopped to look at it. I was like, no way - it's mine!

Anyway, he told me that "the cop doesn't show up," but the sound and monitor work. He said that it sat out in the rain once, so the back and sides are a little water logged.

So, I dragged it home with the help of Sparky, and plugged it in. I was surprised at the sound and picture - it looks great. Sure enough, though - there's no Robocop character or baddies. Everything else seems like it's working great.

It has a 5-6 page 'manual' in it, but it's just dip switch settings and a basic diagram which I can't understand... ;-)

I know, I know - this thread is useless without pictures. I'll get some pictures tomorrow.

Any ideas on getting Robocop back in the game?

[GnawRadar]

I don't think I can help you with the cab, but if you post pictures of the cab you might as well post the pictures of the Game Night at your house a few months ago ;)

[Bratwurst]

I'm no arcade expert but it sounds like the rom chip with the character graphics is either missing or not seated properly.

[Schenley]

I don't think I can help you with the cab, but if you post pictures of the cab you might as well post the pictures of the Game Night at your house a few months ago ;)

Haha - just kidding. Pics from Gaming Night uploaded.

[Schenley]

I'm no arcade expert but it sounds like the rom chip with the character graphics is either missing or not seated properly.

My thoughts exactly - but where oh where to start?? None of the chips look loose or damaged. In fact, the entire set up looks like it wasn't monkeyed with at all.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://www.movievillains.com/images/boddicker.jpg

No Robocop?

Looks like Boddicker finally got em.

It's a sad day in New Detroit.

[GrandAmChandler]

Reseat the chips, or get another robocop board. I am sure the cab it self is fine, the PCB just seems to be the problem. Check the traces if you really want to do some work.....

EDIT: You should have told the guy "Dead or Alive, it's coming with me."

[Arcade Antics]

"Bitches leave."

[GrandAmChandler]

"Bitches leave."

HA! AA wins the Internet.

[Flack]

Bratwurst nailed it. Sometimes problems like this can be solved by simply using your thumb and physically pressing down on every chip. If that doesn't do it, you might have to find the graphics chips and reseat them. If that doesn't work you may need to replace the graphics ROMs, although depending on just how much work you want to do, it might be easier to just replace the board. There's one on eBay right now for $10 and I don't think I've ever seen one go for more than $20.

I had a similar problem with my Karate Champ and after giving up on fixing it I bought a replacement board off of eBay and resold the bad one for almost as much.

[Xian042]

DROP IT!!

Well, actually don't, that doesnt fix anything, like ever.

[Schenley]

Oh, now I have to watch Robocop... I'm totally missing all the references that have been dropped.

I'll watch it tonight, but first I'm going to play around with the PCBs - I didn't realize that there's two boards in there, I'll have to look at the bottom board too.

And if all that fails, I'll look for that board on Ebay - thanks, Flack!

Look for photos tonight.

[captain nintendo]

Amazing timing on this thread. I just took my Robocop out of storage, and need to do some simular repairs.

Thanks for the tips everybody.

[Flack]

I wish I had known all these Robocop cabinets were going to come out of the woodwork (pardon the pun). I recently sold a broken Robocop cabinet (bad monitor) and it's for sale, again: $75. It's a little steep just for the boards, but if someone wanted a cabinet too, it's a good deal.

[Kid Ice]

You should have told the guy:

"I'd buy that for a dollar!"

[Schenley]

Just finished watching the movie - I haven't seen it in 15 years. Great references by all - I think Kid Ice has the best one.

I've got one to add: "Please surrender the cabinet. You have 20 seconds to comply."

Anyway, I took the PCB out, nudged all the chips (several of them were slightly loose). However, it didn't help. Robocop is still missing from the game. I'll be bidding on the PCB on Ebay - hopefully Captain Nintendo doesn't get into a bidding war with me!

Anyway, as promised, here are some photos:

Yes - the side of the cab is tan - not sure why anyone would think to do that...

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1903&d=1223517742
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1904&d=1223517760
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1905&d=1223517785
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1906&d=1223517829
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1907&d=1223517852

[Schenley]

And, some more...

Like I said, the innards look to me like no one has monkeyed with it. It even had the "Service Manual" in it.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1908&d=1223518048
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1909&d=1223518061
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1910&d=1223518096
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1911&d=1223518123

[Peale]

There are a few things that could be wrong with the board. RAM problems, ROM problems, addressing problems...I'm not even sure if RC has a self check.

*checks Mame quickly...*

Not that I can see. Pity.

[Schenley]

No, there's no self test - it goes instantly into attract mode when it's plugged in. It's alarming how fast it starts!

[Schenley]

I have more photos and some video in an album. (http://schenley.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=6182178&AlbumKey=KCjPd)

[theking21083]

Looks to me like the video chip that displays the characters is bad. I would try finding the chip and cleaning it and reseating it. If that doesn't work then it probably needs replaced. That's just my opinion, does anybody else agree.

[XYXZYZ]

Personally I'd convert it to a Bad Dudes. I don't think Robocop is a bad enough dude to rescue president Ronnie.

[Schenley]

Man...

Flack said he can't remember a Robocop board going for more than $20. It went for $56.55!

I was driving at the time of the end of the auction, so I couldn't watch it like a hawk. I put in a max bid of $55.55 (easy to type while driving), and someone wanted it more than me I guess.

There's another one for $90 + $16 shipping. Is that a crazy price? I've never bought a PCB before. It sounds high based on Flack's comments.

[Peale]

I'd wait.

[Kevin H]

Still looking for a Robocop Board? Saw this on CTCW.

Skadoosh

http://www.chasethechuckwagon.com/item.cgi?show_item=0000023456


There ya go.

[channelmaniac]

Put some firm pressure on the surface mount chips on the bottom board one by one to see if the characters pop back on screen. If they do then the chips need resoldering.

Also, there are some 74LS157 ICs that mux the data. They could be bad as well.

I've fixed a Robocop with this issue before.

[Schenley]

Thanks, all!

I found a good board on Ebay for ~ $30 shipped. Plugged it in and it works! I also found a Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja board for about the same price.

Now that I can play the game, I see the joystick isn't in great shape. The 4-way works decent, but the diagonals take some effort... I'll probably just replace it.

Another question... Is there any way to mount both boards inside the cabinet and be able to switch between them - maybe with an external switch?

While I was Ebayin for the Robocop PCB, I ran across a Rad Mobile (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9234) cabinet in decent shape. I'd never heard of this game until I ran across the auction. I couldn't pass it up, so now I have 2 dedicated cabinets along with my custom MAME cab.

[Peale]

Another question... Is there any way to mount both boards inside the cabinet and be able to switch between them - maybe with an external switch?

You can use a JAMMA switcher, but IMO not worth the hassle/cost. I'd just swap out the PCBs.

[InsaneDavid]

While I was Ebayin for the Robocop PCB, I ran across a Rad Mobile (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9234) cabinet in decent shape. I'd never heard of this game until I ran across the auction. I couldn't pass it up, so now I have 2 dedicated cabinets along with my custom MAME cab.

Awesome, Radmobile is one of my all time favorite arcade games. Sad that we've never seen a proper home version (Gale Racer was okay but the more you look into the two games, the more you realize they really are quite different).