gnnash Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Hello, I just purchased a Vectrex at a garage sale (not a very good idea with a final exam tomorrow, but I couldn't pass it up). Fortunately for my studying but unfortunately for me, there is no picture displayed, though sound is played properly. I have no buzz from the speaker, I'm assuming because the CRT is not functioning, and so isn't inducing any noise in the speaker wire. Are there any common issues that would cause this? I have general electronics knowledge, so am not shy to poke around inside (I am going to school for Electrical Enginering), but am not familiar with CRT operation. Any help is greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRaider Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Curious, how much did you pay for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnnash Posted May 11, 2012 Author Share Posted May 11, 2012 I paid $40, came with four games, second controller, and all associated manuals/overlays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desiv Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 That's worth it, just for the controllers.. Hopefully you can get the display working... desiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRaider Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 My thoughts exactly. I suggest you find yourself a local TV Repair Shop, see if the owner has white hair, if not go find another shop. I like my doctors and my TV Repair Guy to have white hair, that means that have lots of experience. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnnash Posted May 11, 2012 Author Share Posted May 11, 2012 Those were my thoughts as well. I would really rather have myself a working Vectrex, but if I can't, then I can always make my money back on the controllers (assuming they test out to be functioning correctly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRaider Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Do your joysticks "self-center" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.golden.ax Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Do any of the games have the word "Boston" in them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnnash Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 The joysticks do in fact self-center. Sorry, no fabled Boston games here. Just common ones (Star Trek, Scramble, Solar Quest, and Cosmic Chasm). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 You have tried adjusting the dial on the back of the unit to change the brightness? The later units "fixed" the hum issue so it might be one of them instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnnash Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 You have tried adjusting the dial on the back of the unit to change the brightness? The later units "fixed" the hum issue so it might be one of them instead. Yep, the brightness pot has no effect. I am able to see a dim glow at the rear of the tube through the vent holes... should this be brighter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desiv Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Wish I knew electronics... My guess is that being able a see a glow at the rear of the tube is a good sign, but I'm not sure... Good Luck, and keep us informed on the progress.. Fingers crossed this Vec will be saved!! :-) desiv p.s. Perhaps asking some of the more technical minded guys in the Arcade forums here? Arcade guys sometimes are familiar with monitor work??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ataritard Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I fixed mine by reseating the chips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectrexMad! Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Hello, I just purchased a Vectrex at a garage sale (not a very good idea with a final exam tomorrow, but I couldn't pass it up). Fortunately for my studying but unfortunately for me, there is no picture displayed, though sound is played properly. I have no buzz from the speaker, I'm assuming because the CRT is not functioning, and so isn't inducing any noise in the speaker wire. Are there any common issues that would cause this? I have general electronics knowledge, so am not shy to poke around inside (I am going to school for Electrical Enginering), but am not familiar with CRT operation. Any help is greatly appreciated! When you put the brightness up do you see a white dot in the centre? If so thats a typical problem - see the following which I copied from the Vectrex FAQ: 7.4) My Vectrex just shows a white dot when I turn it on. I can hear the game playing but there is no picture. Can I fix it? There is 1 common problem that will cause this symptom. Inside the unit there is a 4-wire power connector connecting the side board to the bottom board. Often units with no picture have bad solder joints on this connector. Try resoldering the pins and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ataritard Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Check this out. It was posted yesterday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvHITP14oRg&feature=g-u-u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnnash Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 I dont have a dot on the screen, no matter what position the brightness knob is in. Unfortunately, I just moved back from school, so haven't had a chance to open it up yet. Tomorrow I'll open it, clean it out and reseat any chips and connectors I can see. Will post my results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnnash Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Reseated all chips and connectors, and still no display. I've discovered that I have no -13v supply (on either side of the cable). I am going to keep tracing. Any thoughts as to a cause? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnnash Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Update - I was able to fix it. With the help of the service manual, I traced things back to the power switch / volume knob. One of the two poles on the switch was working, the other wasn't. Took apart the switch, cleaned it with some tuner cleaner, reassembled, and all is well! I also shot some tuner cleaner into the volume pot part of the switch, so I have no scratchy sound when adjusting the volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ataritard Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Glad to hear you got it going. Good job. Now that you mention it, My volume knob makes a scratchy sound, Now I know what to do about it. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desiv Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Oh, I hate you now!! No, great that you got it working!!!!! Congrats!!! (I know, you won't reply, you're too busy playing Minestorm...) desiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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