A few newbie arcade questions...

[freckledpeas]

I just purchased my first "real" arcade game the other day. (I've purchased empty cabs in the past for projects, but this is the first one w/ a real working game & monitor - Aero Fighters). I think I've been bitten by the arcade cabinet buying bug, because now I'm already looking to buy a second! :)

Now for the point of this thread - I found a Neo Geo cabinet in town that's in fair shape for $200, but the monitor has pretty bad burn-in. This same fella is also selling a Chase HQ for $150 that has a good screen, but the pixels have these funny vertical lines on them. I'm guessing the lines have nothing to do w/ the screen - probably a rom chip issue? You guys would probably know better than I... Anyway, my question is, is it likely that these monitors could be swapped? The monitors appear to be the same size, but I'm just wondering if all arcade monitors are interchangeable, or if there are incompatibility issues that I should concern myself with.

Thanks for any input you can provide!

[WasherDryerCombo]

You can change out monitors but it can be quite dangerous as the monitor could explode. You probably want to ask someone who has done it before to help you out.

[freckledpeas]

Explode? @_@

Unfortunately, I don't personally know anyone who is experienced in this field to assist me. I tried to search this forum for tips on swapping out monitors without killing myself, but couldn't find anything. I'll continue my search on the 'net, but does anyone here have any pointers or good links to read?

Thanks!

[Arcade Antics]

Explode? @_@
Technically, no. The tube could *implode* though, which some people mistake for the same thing as exploding. They're similar in that they're both very bad. :)


Unfortunately, I don't personally know anyone who is experienced in this field to assist me.
How "handy" are you? Do you have a good set of tools, are you experienced in repairing other electronic devices? Are you (and this is the important part) *careful* and *patient* ? ;) The last two are key -- even if you have no experience, if you've got the time, the patience, and the willingness to learn, you're all set.


I tried to search this forum for tips on swapping out monitors without killing myself, but couldn't find anything.
Key to not killing yourself is to properly discharge the monitor before you do anything. I think we've covered that here several times, but you'll also want to triple check the web and make sure you've got it down before you try it yourself.


I'll continue my search on the 'net, but does anyone here have any pointers or good links to read?
'Course! :) The post directly above yours is the best starting point from here. Here's a link to it: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36539

http://www.arcaderestoration.com is an excellent site and a great starting point with tons of links and (photo) tutorials on fixing all kinds of things.

[freckledpeas]

Thanks for these great links, AA... I have plenty of stuff here to keep me reading for hours (and of course I mean that in a good way). Unfortunately, I do lack experience in this department, but am careful and patient. After some of the readings you've directed me to, however, I'm second guessing whether it's worth attempting this by myself. I mean, I LOVE video games, but I just can't justify risking life and limb for a clearer screen... or can I? Life's tough when you're riding the fence... :)

[Arcade Antics]

I mean, I LOVE video games, but I just can't justify risking life and limb for a clearer screen... or can I?
:D Look at it this way: driving is more dangerous than trying to discharge a monitor, and you (probably) drive many miles every day.

As long as you're *very* careful and triple check everything, you should be fine. Still, if you can have someone else there as you're going through everything (a second set of eyes/hands will often catch a simple error) that almost always helps. A very thorough visual inspection is always the first, and last, step.

All that said - I'd definitely leave that nice monitor in Chase HQ. That's a pretty sweet game, definitely more rare than a NeoGeo cab. And the pixel issues you're describing could either be a bad ROM connection or a minor capacitor fix on the monitor. If you buy it, try reseating all the ROMS first (easy) and if it still looks the same, do a cap kit (time consuming, but well worth it.)

[freckledpeas]

:D Look at it this way: driving is more dangerous than trying to discharge a monitor, and you (probably) drive many miles every day.

As long as you're *very* careful and triple check everything, you should be fine. Still, if you can have someone else there as you're going through everything (a second set of eyes/hands will often catch a simple error) that almost always helps. A very thorough visual inspection is always the first, and last, step.

All that said - I'd definitely leave that nice monitor in Chase HQ. That's a pretty sweet game, definitely more rare than a NeoGeo cab. And the pixel issues you're describing could either be a bad ROM connection or a minor capacitor fix on the monitor. If you buy it, try reseating all the ROMS first (easy) and if it still looks the same, do a cap kit (time consuming, but well worth it.)

Thanks, AA... That makes me feel a little better. I dig the "driving" analogy. :)

I actually contacted the fella today to strike a deal, and he agreed to give me the Neo cab for $175 as is, OR he could swap it out with another monitor w/o the bad burn-in for $200 (the original asking price). I've not seen this "other" monitor, but it couldn't be any worse than what's in there currently... Needless to say, I opted for the $200 deal. Plus, he agreed to let me help out, so I'll get some hands-on experience from someone who's, well... experienced! I figure if nothing else $25 is worth the education. :D

Regarding the Chase HQ cab, I'm very tempted to purchase it as well - space limitations being the only real concern, as I'm a fan of this game from my youth... I really think it has to do w/ a rom chip or something, since the lines only seem to appear on the sprites (like the car itself, and even the title of "Chase HQ"). Does that seem like the most likely culprit? Perhaps I can ask if he'd reseat the chips or something to see if the lines go away before deciding on a purchase.

I hear that Neo Geo cabs are really a dime a dozen (even more so with this one, since it looks like it could have been converted from something else), but is Chase HQ at all rare, or is it more like "less common"? As I was staring at the cab, I kept wondering to myself if it could be converted to APB (another favorite of mine)... I don't know the first thing about steering wheel compatibilities, but I think the screen orientation would differ...

Dang... I hate being this "green." :(

[Arcade Antics]

Regarding the Chase HQ cab, I'm very tempted to purchase it as well - space limitations being the only real concern, as I'm a fan of this game from my youth... I really think it has to do w/ a rom chip or something, since the lines only seem to appear on the sprites (like the car itself, and even the title of "Chase HQ"). Does that seem like the most likely culprit? Perhaps I can ask if he'd reseat the chips or something to see if the lines go away before deciding on a purchase.
It's possible. Still, I'd take it for $175 and run, reseating the ROMs is cake. You might even be able to get away with simply pressing down on each one of them to make sure they're properly seated. If that's all it is, and he pops 'em back in before you buy it, the price might suddenly go up.


I hear that Neo Geo cabs are really a dime a dozen (even more so with this one, since it looks like it could have been converted from something else), but is Chase HQ at all rare, or is it more like "less common"?
Definitely less common than a Neo cab. And if it's the original dedicated cab (and you really dig it) I'd pick it up. It has specialized parts like the wheel, shifter, gas pedal, etc., and if they're all original/intact, $175 is a great deal.


As I was staring at the cab, I kept wondering to myself if it could be converted to APB (another favorite of mine)... I don't know the first thing about steering wheel compatibilities, but I think the screen orientation would differ...
Yeah, APB is vertical, Chase HQ is horizontal. If they were both JAMMA games and you had a cab with a swivel monitor, it wouldn't matter, you could just swap the boards, rotate the monitor and you're set.

APB isn't JAMMA though, it's an Atari System II game.

[freckledpeas]

So if I reseat the rom chips on the Chase HQ pcb, and the vertical lines don't go away, could it be something else on the pcb that's causing the problem?

FYI, I picked up the Neo Geo cab today... It's only got a 19" monitor, but man, these cabs are heavy! Came with Samurai Shodown III, so I think it's a good game to start off with.

When I went over there, now he has a Soul Edge for $250... again, everything is in decent condition - good monitor too, this time. It's obviously a converted cabinet... No side art, but there is a marquee. Now I can't decide between this or the Chase HQ... Oy vey! Unfortunately, getting both is not an option due to space limitations, and a limited budget. I hear he'll be getting in a Badlands in soon too. No price on that one yet. Decisions, decisions... I realize that which cabinet one decides to buy is really a personal decision, but what would you do if you were in my shoes?

Special thanks to AA for fielding the majority of my questions thus far... Prior to joining this forum, I've really felt alone in making these types of decisions. Man, I sure appreciate the communication with fellow gamers on this site! :)

[Arcade Antics]

So if I reseat the rom chips on the Chase HQ pcb, and the vertical lines don't go away, could it be something else on the pcb that's causing the problem?
Possibly... you'd have to troubleshoot everything else too. A cap kit is almost always a good idea no matter what, but since you pointed out that the lines are only affecting the sprites, it's probably the mobo.


Decisions, decisions... I realize that which cabinet one decides to buy is really a personal decision, but what would you do if you were in my shoes?
For me it's no contest - I'd *definitely* take the Chase HQ cab, even if the prices were the other way around. :) The Chase HQ cab is dedicated, it's fairly specialized, and you can throw Soul Calibur boards into any JAMMA machine, they're a dime a dozen. Much as I like Soul Calibur, the Chase HQ machine is - for me - the much better buy.


Prior to joining this forum, I've really felt alone in making these types of decisions. Man, I sure appreciate the communication with fellow gamers on this site! :)
We're here to help! Now go get that Chase HQ and bring it home so you can get it restored to its former glory. ;) Seriously though, get whatever cab(s) you like the most. Another couple of zenny for thought: if you plan on buying several cabs over the years and space is an issue, you'll want to choose the ones you buy somewhat carefully, unless you wind up selling some to make room, trading them, etc.

With console games, you're pretty free to just up and buy everything. Try and do that with coin-ops, and you'll be in over your head in no time. Right guys? ;)

[Flack]

Just a comment on that sprite issue ... if you're wanting to fix it, it can be fixed for sure, either though reseating chips, or getting new chips, or whatever. But if you're not very patient (like me) you can always just look for another motherboard, and then sell yours as a "fixer".

I bought a Karate Champ a few years back and both player's sprites were garbled. I tried reseating everything and it didn't fix it. After spending a day or two messing with it, I looked on eBay and found a replacement PCB for $20. I bought it, swapped it out, and it fixed the problem instantly. I then resold the bad one eBay (advertising it as working but with sprite issues) and I think I got $15.

[freckledpeas]

Just a comment on that sprite issue ... if you're wanting to fix it, it can be fixed for sure, either though reseating chips, or getting new chips, or whatever. But if you're not very patient (like me) you can always just look for another motherboard, and then sell yours as a "fixer".

I bought a Karate Champ a few years back and both player's sprites were garbled. I tried reseating everything and it didn't fix it. After spending a day or two messing with it, I looked on eBay and found a replacement PCB for $20. I bought it, swapped it out, and it fixed the problem instantly. I then resold the bad one eBay (advertising it as working but with sprite issues) and I think I got $15.

Flack, those are some good suggestions as well... Like you and AA mentioned, if I do purchase this cabinet, I'll try reseating the roms first. I had the fella open up the cab so I could have a look-see, and there was thick, dark gray dust layered on top of the pcb. The poor little thing's obviously been neglected for many years... :(

There are a few other unfortunate items about the cab... The bottom half of the side art (both sides) was painted black... and I question if the steering wheel is original (it looks like an old Atari wheel). On the bright side, everything does function, though (minus the funky sprites), and the monitor is in excellent shape. Can't have everything, I suppose...

[Arcade Antics]

There are a few other unfortunate items about the cab... The bottom half of the side art (both sides) was painted black...
Paint on the cab isn't necessarily a problem -- the problem is if the original art underneath the painted part is gone.

If the artwork *under* the black paint is intact, you'll be able to *carefully* strip off the black paint with a heat gun or paint stripper. *Carefully* is the key here. :)


and I question if the steering wheel is original (it looks like an old Atari wheel). On the bright side, everything does function, though (minus the funky sprites), and the monitor is in excellent shape. Can't have everything, I suppose...
If it's not the original wheel, (and if you really want to restore it to all-original status or as close to it as possible) you can always scour ebay or post on forums (like here!) for a replacement. You'd be amazed at some of the spare stuff our pals here have lying around. But like you said, if it works, that's a secondary concern. :)

[freckledpeas]

Thanks for all the comments. :) I actually purchased the Chase HQ last night. I brought it home, tried reseating the roms, and unfortunately that must not have been the issue. It's still playable as is, but might go the route of Flack and casually look for another board.

If anyone finds a working Chase HQ pcb, or has any other suggestions, just let me know!

[freckledpeas]

I have another newbie question... different game this time.

I purchased an Aerofighters cabinet, which was working fine for about a month. Now I notice that when I leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, the entire screen turns to a blue hue, with thin lighter blue lines spaced at even intervals. Does this sound like a "new cap kit" scenario?

[DogP]

Actually... that sounds like you probably have a short in the tube, or possibly a bad blue transistor.

DogP