Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Just got a Robotron. Looking for help!

  1. #1
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default Just got a Robotron. Looking for help!

    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...
    Last edited by Raging Prawn; 12-04-2011 at 09:29 PM.

  2. #2
    ServBot (Level 11)
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    3,106
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Raging Prawn View Post
    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!
    Dan Loosen
    http://www.goatstore.com/ - http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/
    ** Trying to finish up an overly complete Dreamcast collection... want to help? (Updated 5/3/10!) http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61333

  3. #3
    Strawberry (Level 2) bust3dstr8's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Boston,MA USA
    Posts
    442
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

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

    Clowns Suck

  4. #4
    Great Puma (Level 12) jb143's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,251
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    5
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    69
    Thanked in
    62 Posts

    Default

    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.
    "Game programmers are generally lazy individuals. That's right. It's true. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Since the dawn of computer games, game programmers have looked for shortcuts to coolness." Kurt Arnlund - Game programmer for Activision, Accolade...

  5. #5
    Bell (Level 8) 98PaceCar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    1,623
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    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.
    Check out www.videogameconsolelibrary.com for all of your console review needs!

  6. #6
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Where's the best place to buy these?

  7. #7
    Authordreamweavervisionar yplusactor Arcade Antics's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    The Arcade
    Posts
    6,827
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    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.
    Selling collection, Atari through XBox. Send a PM with whatever games you're looking for.

  8. #8
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    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.

Similar Threads

  1. Your Robotron scores...
    By whoisKeel in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 03-03-2007, 01:30 PM
  2. Robotron SUCKS!!
    By shertz in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 02-17-2007, 12:22 AM
  3. Smash TV, Son of Robotron
    By digitalpress in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 11-22-2004, 06:52 PM
  4. New in box Robotron cocktail
    By sniperCCJVQ in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-20-2004, 10:01 PM
  5. Robotron vs. Defender
    By bargora in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 07-13-2004, 07:18 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •