Re: How do i check the clock circuit?

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I'll definitely look into a solder reworking station if I start to need to
remove unsocketed chips.

I am currently looking for a nice used O-Scope but I'm having to learn what
functions I will need it to perform so I don't get something unsuitable. So
far I just know that 100mhz and above is good and an XY input is a nice
added option for vector work without monitors.

On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 8:48 AM, Jimmy Ipock <jipock@gmail.com> wrote:

> I would highly recommend at least a low end oscilloscope. It made
> troubleshooting my space duel vastly easier. Plus, you can hook it to the x
> and y out and play the game sans vector monitor ;>
>
> I actually found a reasonably good one on ebay for 60 bucks once..
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 9:52 AM, Pat Danis <patdanis@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> Joel:
>>
>> I salute your dedication in attempting to get your board set working.
>> You might have considered starting on something a little bit easier. I
>> have been doing this for at least 10 years and my skill set at fixing
>> boards is what I consider "very basic". That is, running the self test and
>> replacing chips identified as bad. After that, if you do find something
>> that is wrong, chances are you will not have the parts you need to fix it.
>> There are the very common chips scattered throughout he board that are easy
>> to find, it is the unique parts that might give you the fits.
>>
>> If you do find the problem, you need to be certain you know what you are
>> doing when replacing chips. Can you cleanly desolder chips without ripping
>> pads or traces and reinstall a socket? If not, You might stop now and
>> consider sending the board off to a "pro" (Not me) and let them tackle it.
>> It costs more in the long run for them to fix other people's screw ups. It
>> is certainly admirable to learn to fix things yourself but it might be
>> better to start on a simple board like a pacman etc.
>>
>> There is a Star Wars trouble shooting guide available and a ton of
>> information on the web about star wars issues. Who knows, you might get
>> lucky and find the problem and change a chip and be up and running. (I
>> doubt it) Based on my experience with SW board sets, you have a long road
>> ahead of you. I know two guys who fix them and I consider them brainiacs
>> when it comes to board repairs. They still have problems sorting out all
>> the issues.
>>
>> Best of luck in your endeavors.
>>
>> Pat
>>
>> On 9/24/2013 8:32 AM, Joel Griffin Dodd wrote:
>>
>> Thanks guys, the info on spotting a clock visually was especially
>> helpful. Sometimes the skill level of guys that have been doing this work
>> for such a long time skips past many of the most basic yet useful pieces of
>> information that a newbie simply doesn't yet know. Now at least I know what
>> to look for on the PCB in the 'real' world as well as the schematic.
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 2:08 AM, Andre Huijts <a.huijts@upcmail.nl>wrote:
>>
>>> The clock signals are generated using crystals. They are easy to ID,
>>> usually a flat aluminum colored can:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> More modem versions look like this, if you see these, the crystal has
>>> probably been replaced in more recent years:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This may sound weird but your first work should be visual. Check if the
>>> crystals are there at all and if they are still firmly soldered. I actually
>>> started measuring for a clock signal only to discover some seconds later
>>> that it was missing :) The crystals often get damaged or broken off during
>>> stacking PCBs or transport because they stick out high above all the other
>>> parts. This is also why I prefer to replace them with the smaller modern
>>> types.
>>>
>>> A general visual inspection is always a good idea. Look for damaged
>>> tracks, bad sockets etc. in case of SW PCB set, make very sure the
>>> interconnection board is on really tight.
>>>
>>> Verstuurd vanaf mijn iPad
>>>
>>> > Op 24 sep. 2013 om 10:49 heeft Andrew Welburn <andy@andysarcade.net>
>>> het volgende geschreven:
>>> >
>>> > You need to get the manual and schematics and read them, they you will
>>> know where all these things are...
>>> >
>>> > Andrew Welburn
>>> > http://www.andys-arcade.com
>>> >
>>> >> On 23/09/2013 23:33, Joel Griffin Dodd wrote:
>>> >> Thanks Ed!
>>> >>
>>> >> No problem on waiting for the probe to arrive, I'm moving house this
>>> >> week so I have plenty to keep me busy.
>>> >>
>>> >> How do I physically identify a clock/chip/oscillator on a board? Also
>>> >> how do I know which line out is the clock line?
>>> >
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>>>
>>>
>>
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>
>

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Received on Tue Sep 24 11:58:36 2013