Just got a Robotron. Looking for help!

[Raging Prawn]

I just got a Robotron cabaret (awesome) but it doesn't work. I've started the troubleshooting process but I'm new to this type of game and problem...

Good news, the monitor and boards are getting power and the monitor turns on (no picture though). Anyone know where to start on this? There are LEDs on the boards. The first is of, which I'm going to guess is a problem.

Also, cabarets are so much easier to move than full size games...

[goatdan]

I just got a Robotron cabaret (awesome) but it doesn't work. I've started the troubleshooting process but I'm new to this type of game and problem...

Good news, the monitor and boards are getting power and the monitor turns on (no picture though). Anyone know where to start on this? There are LEDs on the boards. The first is of, which I'm going to guess is a problem.

Also, cabarets are so much easier to move than full size games...

First off, congrats -- and if you are anywhere around me and ever want to sell it, that one is on my short list :)

As for the first thing to start with, try removing and reseating all of the connectors going to the board and between the board and the monitor. DON'T MESS WITH ANYTHING AT THE BACK OF THE MONITOR. That is the easiest tip and the first tip that I have been told to do with my arcade games, and I would say it fixes problems about 75% of the time. The connectors can get corroded, and reseating them allows them to make a better connection again!

[bust3dstr8]

Check resistance on all the fuses on the game pcb and PSU.
Check the voltages on the different rails.

[jb143]

You say the monitor is getting power but no picture...What IS it doing? Is there neck glow? I had a monitor with the same symptom and it ended up being a couple small problems, the main one was a loose wire on the chassis. What's the model of your monitor? I found a repair flowchart on the net that proved very helpful.

[98PaceCar]

If the monitor neck is glowing, the first thing to start with on a Williams of that vintage is a replacement power supply followed by new RAM. That will clear up the bulk of issues on these.

[Raging Prawn]

Where's the best place to buy these?

[Arcade Antics]

First thing to do is measure your voltages and report back here with your results. Low +5 can cause many issues. If you do need to rebuild the power supply, order the rebuild kit from Bob Roberts (about $7 IIRC) to get it running like new again.

The motherboard should give you a few flashing numbers, e.g., 1-3-1. Those numbers will give you the error code and point you in the right direction. As 98PC said, likely suspects are the power supply PCB and RAM. Check the code and report back.

[Raging Prawn]

Just got a multimeter and plan to dive in tomorrow. The power supply looks nice so I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't reconditioned at some point (or replaced).

The motherboard has lights 2-3 on. Need to grab the manual to see what that means.