Need advice on Neo Geo cabinet

[cheesystick]

Hello,

I am a long-time console gamer and collector, but I have never owned my own arcade machine. I have been holding out for a neo geo caninet, and I finally found one on craigslist for $300 and it comes with nine games, but the sound does not work.

Here is where the situation gets tricky: As a "know-nothing" arcade guy, do you think I will be able to fix the sound with some instruction? Is there any chance that I will not be able to fix the sound permanently, (i.e. is it possible that the error could be in the motherboard and I couldn't fix it without replacing the whole unit)? Even if I hired a pro to fix the machine, is there a chance that the sound could be unfixable, or have some part that couldn't be replaced? I would like to think that these things are like computers, and you can replace the sound card without replacing the whole system, but then again, I don't know much about the machines.

To further confuse things, it will cost about $75 to bribe my cousin, (who has a truck), to go get it for me. I can't exactly go check it out and take pictures of the inside, (no car), even if one of you fine people had the generosity to tell me what the problem was via pictures. The unit is about an hour and a half drive away, so I would hate to go all the way out there to come back empty handed. This seems like an all or nothing type of deal.

I have yet to find out what the 9 games are, (he or she is getting back to me), but for a 4-game cab, this looks like a great deal, and I'll be super excited if it pans out. I love me some metal slug...

Any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Chris

[Kid Ice]

If all else is well, I think it's a steal for a 4-slot Neo cab and 9 games, depending to some degree on what the 9 games are. You may need to replace the speakers, or at worse, the mobo. Both easy fixes.

If it's that far away you may want to ask the seller for pix....a calculated risk at this price, IMO, but probably worth it.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

There is a wealth of information online about arcade repair. Check out KLOV.com for information on your cabinet. Up until 2 months ago I had never owned a cabinet, and had never soldered. With a little advice and encouragement from some members here, I went ahead and bought the arcade, knowing it had a problem with the monitor.

I was told the likely problem with the monitor, and went to do research pertaining to my issue and monitor. Turns out I needed to replace some capacitors, to fix the issue with a screen. I checked out some soldering tutorials online, and eventually got the confidence to remove the monitor and replace the capacitors ("caps" as they're called).

Before I put in the caps, I removed and re-installed some parts to get myself familiarized with the inside of my cabinet. Once you do this a few times, you'll begin to understand how all to components work together.

Another thing to do would be join the forums over at KLOV, and just start reading some repair threads, to understand some of the lingo. Youtube is also an excellent source for tutorials if you need to see how something is done.

I would make sure to inspect the innards of the game and play a few rounds, to make sure nothing else is wrong or missing on the cabinet.

Anyway after you fix your first problem, there is a great sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

Also I agree with Kid Ice, $300 is a good deal for the cabinet. Especially if it's not beat to hell, and is complete.

[JohnnyA]

If you do end up buying this, go to neo-geo.com and post in the technical section. One of the guys there can help you fix it no problem.

[otaku]

hell thats a nice price for a cab alone really and 9 games I say go for it (surely some good ones in there)

[darthi8nt]

My friend is selling a neo geo 100 in 1 for $450 located in Virginia.

[bust3dstr8]

If the cab and monitor are in good shape I say go for it. The fix might be as easy as cleaning the edge connection or the board may be shot.
So worst case you might have to spend $50-$125 (depending on what type)
on a replacement board, you still will have a nice setup for the price.