Ugh

[Galactus]

I finally bought one and it doesn't work. I thought for sure it was the modulator, but I bought a replacement cable from 8bitclassics (can't say enough good things about them), and I think the computer itself is toast. Such a shitter.

[Keatah]

Part of this hobby (more and more) is getting this stuff to work!

[Ed in SoDak]

Never hurts to check the obvious things, like modulator is switched to computer and the tv and modulator are both on the same channel 2 or 3. Should be a startup beep from the TV when you hit a key at the TI title screen.

 

Unless you're using a composite monitor cable, it which case it's plug'n'play, assuming all works.

 

More and more we're seeing aged components failing. Generally at least some of the common symptoms and causes are known. Capacitors, RAM chips, the VDP chip can all fail in time, powered up or not. So be specific, it may be an easy fix. Might take two consoles (and/or a parts order) to make one working unit.

-Ed

Edited April 25, 2018 by Ed in SoDak

[Opry99er]

Is it a black screen with a loud tone?

 

Is it jumbled characters onscreen?

 

Does the power light come on in the front (silver console)?

[+Lee Stewart]

There is useful troubleshooting information at the end of the first message in This Thread and in the troubleshooting section of Ninerpedia.

 

...lee

[Galactus]

Thanks guys. It's a black screen with no sound. I'll troubleshoot it more this weekend.

[Flottmann1]

see also here

 

http://www.nightfallcrew.com/22/06/2013/texas-instruments-ti-994a-diagnosing-and-fixing-motherboard-faults/