View Full Version : Vectrex Horizontal/Vertical adjustments?
Sylentwulf
09-25-2003, 03:17 PM
Got my vectrex today! (See the Vootrex topic in the ebay insanity forum) Been wanting one of these for about 4-5 years now. Anyways... It works really good, only question is, the screen is a little bit off down and right. If I open up the back of this thing, is it going to be easy to adjust? (easy to find knobs?)
Also, can I leave the power on while I open it to adjust it, or am I just begging to fry myself and/or the machine that way?
chadtower
09-25-2003, 03:19 PM
You're probably begging to fry yourself that way.
Sylentwulf
09-25-2003, 03:22 PM
Yeah, I kinda figured that :) I just refuse to buy that stupid $20 vectrex fixing guide that bastard is selling on ebay, lol.
chadtower
09-25-2003, 03:26 PM
I have a Vectrex but can't remember if there are adjustments for that... I haven't had the chance to play it as much as I'd have liked. I bet the information is free someplace. It has to be.
FABombjoy
09-25-2003, 04:02 PM
There is an adjustment pot at the back of the logic board which can be used to move the picture diagonally (I think from upper left to lower right). However, the service manual states not to use it for said purpose, but people do it anyway.
If you have access to an o'scope, you should perform the DAC offset adjustment (which is what that pot is used for). From there, you're supposed to adjust the yoke magnets to center the image.
Considering the less-than-gracefully aging circuits of a vectrex, I would personally not just tweak the the adjustment, but rather do the procedure correctly.
Sylentwulf
09-25-2003, 04:03 PM
well, it's not THAT far off, guess I'll just leave it like it is :)
chadtower
09-25-2003, 04:07 PM
Heh. BTW, I highly recommend Berzerk Debugged... I picked it up recently, great stuff.
FABombjoy
09-25-2003, 04:08 PM
If you're not nervous about sticking your hands into a live monitor, just give the magnets a tweak. It's far enough from the HV that you should be ok. Just, you know, be careful and stuff :-D
xertcev
09-25-2003, 06:05 PM
You should check out www.playvectrex.com
Look for the ShopTalk section.
It's got some good info and you can download the service guide.