TurboGrafx problems...

[jerkov]

So I hooked my TurboGrafx up today (some of you may have read my post about about RF switches) and I'm having a couple of problems. First of all, there seems to be something wrong where the RF plugs into the system. The picture has some waves, and if you try to re-position the plug, I'll lose the signal completely and the TV channel will come on. The slight waves in the picture don't affect playability and isn't too bad, but is this something that is fixable? Isn't there something called the Turbobooster that plugs into the system that allows A/V hookup? Will that fix the problem? Are they expensive?

The other problem is that out of the three games I currently have, I can't get one to boot up. My copies of Final Lap Twin and Neutopia work perfect, but I have a Bonk's Revenge hucard that I can't get working. The screen just stays purple or white when I put it in. The card shows some wear around the logo, but the black part with the connectors looks fine. I cleaned the connectors with alcohol a couple times but still can't get it working. Is it a dead hucard?

One other concern....the controller that came with it has electrical tape on the middle of the cord. It works fine, but the cord is very, very short - probably less than half the length of an NES controller cord. Has my cord been shortened and taped back together or are all Turbo controller cords really, really short?

I hope there are some Turbo experts out there that may be able to help.....

[rbudrick]

It sounds like one of two things:

1) Your RF switch is dying or has a loose connection. If it is defaulting back to the TV station, then I would imagine the switiching cicuit in the box of the RF switch is going.

2) However, if it is going out only when you touch the plug where it meets the system, I guess that could mean the solder joint where it meets the system is intermittent. Those ports on many systems get a lot of abuse (pressing too hard, getting twisted sideways).

Number 2 sounds more likely, and is pretty easy to fix (usually) if you have any soldering experience.

So what's on the TV channel? Just static black and white? Or a program?

Is it a direct connection to the TV or does it go through a VCR?

Have you tried other RF switches?

Have you tried daisy chaining the RF switch to another system's RF switch?

If that doesn't work, then it's probably the port and not the switch itself.

-Rob

[rbudrick]

Btw, this should probably be in the restoration forum.

-Rob

[AB Positive]

just as a note, Turbo cords are really that short, probably just there to keep the wires from being bare

-AG

[jerkov]

I am fairly certain that it's not the RF switch....I use the same RF switch on my NES and my Master System with no problems. I would guess that it's the port.

Anyone have any info on the Turbobooster or my Bonk's Revenge game?

[pookninja]

the turbo controller cables are pretty short.i just keep my controller hooked up to my 5 player tubro tap to make it longer.also,my rf on my tubro does the same thing.but its not the rf swich,its the jack.i usually bent the wire or put something on it to keep it in the right position.

[pookninja]

you should be able to find the tubrobooster on ebay.should be about 30 dollars.hopefully,you could find one cheaper.the tubrobooster does allow you to hook up the tubro via av pin plugs,thus giving better picture picture and sound.i dont know about your bonks revenge,try lifting up when you put the hucard in.when you turn the power on,it will lock the hucard in place.

[D-Lite]

The problem is the Rf port on the TG16. The thing is made with really crappy metal that gets all scarred up from use, making the contacts on the cable to the port really spotty. This is why merely turning the plug makes the image quality change. This is, the inside of the mount carries the signal and the outside is the ground so you can find clever ways to solve your problem.

The Turbo Booster is a nice solution and works very well. Another solution is to actually mount RCA plugs on the side of your system. Fairly easy to do and the quality is MUCH MUCH MUCH better through composite video.

As far as the Bonk HuCard, it might be dead, but that's unusual. Try moving it side-to-side in the system (with it off, then turn on to test). The contacts on HuCards tend to become a little finnicky.

Oh, and if you're going to get a Turbo Booster I highly recommend just getting the Turbo Booster Plus to get the memory feature.