Re: Tempest twisting images...

Additional info.

This has a LV2000 voltage regulator kit installed, and this is a
monitor effect as the problem does not show up when using a scope set
on XY with the monitor disconnected. the monitor works just fine on
the XY convergence generator by the way, and all images are good
except for the unbalanced ones (more image on the top than the
bottom) for TEMPEST name and between player screens. All the tubes,
etc. work fine, the game is totally playable - it is an irritating
video artifact.

John :-#)#

At 1:16 PM -0700 7/26/07, John Robertson wrote:
>OK, now have another Tempest c/t in the shop, with the same !@#$!@#$
>twisting of the image between players and when the "TEMPEST" name
>comes up. I HAVE installed the H1 Eprom (.318) version that displays
>the copyright info, but the picture still twists the left side of
>the word "TEMPEST" once it is full size and in white.
>
>Heck, the game works fine, and I do not have enough hours to
>troubleshoot something the customer is not complaining about.
>
>Oh, the machine does have the rev 2 ROMs (2716s) installed and the
>checksums match the notes on this problem. The monitor does not have
>the input protection board either.
>
>John :-#(#
>
>At 12:25 PM -0700 6/14/06, John Robertson wrote:
>>Thanks Jeff, that helps! Version 3 is just one ROM image change,
>>isn't it? I currently have RV2 and Tubes installed...
>>
>>John :-#)#
>>
>>At 12:43 PM -0600 6/14/06, Jeff Hendrix wrote:
>>>Version 3 of the ROMs fixes this problem.
>>>What happens is the input protection board only see deflection in
>>>one direction and shuts down the inputs.
>>>Version 3 puts a copyright at the bottom of the screen and keeps
>>>the picture balanced, preventing the collapse.
>>>
>>>On 6/14/06, John Robertson
>>><<mailto:pinball@telus.net>pinball@telus.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>Found the problem. Turns out the replacement XY driver board I had
>>>left (from my parts stock) is a version P327 with the input
>>>protection circuit. I found that this circuit was the cause of the
>>>twisting by hooking my scope to the inputs of Q600 and Q700 and
>>>getting the same twisting, but not at the X & Y outputs on the
>>>motherboard. Hence something was a problem in this circuit.
>>>Replaced the two transistors Q804 & Q805, plus two of the diodes
>>>D806 & D808 (Germanium I think) with 1N914s.
>>>
>>>Same problem. Poked around for another 1/2 hour...
>>>
>>>Gave up and clipped R810 & R811 - inputs to the protection circuit
>>>- and now the picture is fine.
>>>
>>>As Tempest originally worked without the protection circuit I am
>>>going to leave it disabled here - I suspect this circuit simply
>>>can't handle the patterns that Tempest throws up, or the
>>>capacitors are too low (88ufd instead of 100ufd, within spec
>>>+10/-20% for caps.). Still it looks great and I have to move on...
>>>
>>>I made a MPEG of the twisting image, if anyone wants a copy let me know.
>>>
>>>John :-#)#
>>>
>>>At 2:13 PM -0700 6/12/06, John Robertson wrote:
>>>
>>>>Yes, I tried tightening the pins on the sockets. Now that I think
>>>>of it the plug feels a little un-tight. I'll check stock to see
>>>>if I have a plug assembly with better bite. I did do the exchange
>>>>power transistor plug with the X transistors - the Y group won't
>>>>reach - to make sure the problem wasn't on those two. Forgot to
>>>>fully test the Y plug!
>>>>
>>>
>>>Will come back with part two tomorrow when I get back to the shop
>>>- currently I'm in the warehouse digging around:
>>><http://flippers.com/TimeTravelWarehouse.htm>http://flippers.com/TimeTravelWarehouse.htm
>>>
>>>
>>>There are a number of vector games there folks, good time to get
>>>good deals...bulk buys encouraged!
>>>
>>>
>>>John :-#)#
>>>
>>>
>>>At 9:58 PM +0100 6/12/06, simon wrote:
>>>
>>>>John
>>>>
>>>I had some strange image problems with bad Deflection transistor
>>>sockets, check they are good.
>>>
>>>Cheers
>>>
>>>Simon
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>
>>>From: <mailto:pinball@telus.net>John Robertson
>>>
>>>To: <mailto:vectorlist@vectorlist.org>vectorlist@vectorlist.org
>>>
>>>Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:39 PM
>>>
>>>Subject: VECTOR: Tempest twisting images...
>>>
>>>
>>>Ok, I'm lazy enough, but has anyone seen a situation with a
>>>Tempest monitor where the picture twists (+ Y axis) upon the
>>>display of the TEMPEST name for a second? Rather interesting
>>>distortion, I originally thought it was Q606 (2N3716) that was
>>>having life issues, but no, replacing it didn't change this
>>>distortion, then I tried the driver - MPUSU57 - again not the
>>>problem.
>>>
>>>
>>>Understand that I've re-capped the HV (stable voltages) and
>>>installed the LV2000 kit - stable +/- B voltages. Grounds are
>>>excellent, tried jumper wires to double check. Game seems happy
>>>otherwise, no smoke...connectors all inspected and solder built up
>>>on the monitor driver board pins as usual.
>>>
>>>
>>>There is also a twisting wave that appears in the picture on
>>>various levels - only during play, not in the attract mode -
>>>curiouser and curiouser.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>I thought it had to do with the speakers as it seemed to be most
>>>prominent when the sounds were very active (lots of shots,
>>>explosions), so I unplugged the speakers - no change.
>>>
>>>
>>>Yeah, pictures will be nice, but I'm off the warehouse right now
>>>to deal with other issues. Perhaps I can get them tomorrow and
>>>post them somewhere.
>>>
>>>
>>>Archives have nothing under twist or distortion that I can find
>>>relating to this...closest I found was "Tempest Boardset
>>>Barreling" by Dave Langley back a few years.
>>>
>>>
>>>John :-#(#
>>>
>>>--
>>>
>>>John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
>>>Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, VideoGames)
>>> <http://www.flippers.com>www.flippers.com
>>>"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out"
>>>
>>>
>>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.3/361 - Release Date: 11/06/2006
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>
>>>John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
>>>Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, VideoGames)
>>> <http://www.flippers.com>www.flippers.com
>>>
>>>"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
>>>Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, VideoGames)
>>> <http://www.flippers.com>www.flippers.com
>>>"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out"
>>
>>
>>--
>>John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
>>Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, VideoGames)
>> www.flippers.com
>>"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out"

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Received on Thu Jul 26 17:07:47 2007