Neo Geo AES broken?

[kale]

So I finally got myself an AES several months back - a Japanese model with the official AC adapter and AV cables. I played it several times and had no problems, then got addicted to Monster Hunter Tri, and so the AES sat unused for about a month.

Just last night a buddy requested I bring it over to his house. We hooked it up and couldn't get it to play. Nothing even appeared on the screen at all - no blinking, flashing, etc that would indicate that it was a TV connectivity issue. It appears to me that it isn't drawing power, but then again my AES isn't modded with any tell-tale LEDs to indicate that the system is turned on.

I took it home and tried other, comparable AC adapters and still nothing at all. Is it common for an AES to just stop working for no apparent reason? I'm a little bit freaked out over this. Could someone with AES experience weigh in?

[izarate]

I took it home and tried other, comparable AC adapters and still nothing at all.

That's a big no no with the first version of the AES PCB (NEO-AES). The NEO-AES uses a regulated AC adapter, meaning that there is no voltage regulator on the console. If you plug in an unregulated AC adapter (like 99% of AC adapters are) you might ruin it.

The later NEO-AES3 PCB has a voltage regulator onboard and can use an unregulated AC adapter. If you don't know which one you have it's better to asume that you need a regulated AC adapter. A good replacement would be a PC power supply.


With that out of the way, I would tell you to test it with another AC adapter.

[kale]

That's a big no no with the first version of the AES PCB (NEO-AES). The NEO-AES uses a regulated AC adapter, meaning that there is no voltage regulator on the console. If you plug in an unregulated AC adapter (like 99% of AC adapters are) you might ruin it.

The later NEO-AES3 PCB has a voltage regulator onboard and can use an unregulated AC adapter. If you don't know which one you have it's better to asume that you need a regulated AC adapter. A good replacement would be a PC power supply.


With that out of the way, I would tell you to test it with another AC adapter.

Izarate, thank you! That's some very important info that I wish I had know before potentially fucking the whole thing up. How would I find out if I have the first version of the AES?

Also, do you know if it's common for an AC adapter to simply stop functioning?

[izarate]

How would I find out if I have the first version of the AES?

You'll have to open the AES and take a look at the PCB code. By the way, you need a regulated 5V source that can sustain 3A. As I said, a PC power supply adapted with the appropiate plug would be a good replacement.

[kale]

Hey, just a follow up - I found a new regulated AC adapter and it works now! Thanks for the help and info!

[izarate]

Good to hear