Why is my 4 slot is unstable?

Today finally recieved my SG built by fellow member D-Lite. Works like a charm. No complaints. Luving it!

I'm new to the MVS. This is my first time(that sounds awkward ) so I don't know where to start in troubleshooting the promblems. So if anybody knows anything please post, and help me out. Here it goes:

When I connected it to my 4 SLOT, I'm facing problems with the 4 slot being able to play some carts. It would start up and show pixelated pink/green screen. Than after 10 secs of this it would play cart normally. But when I start playing through a game the game would return to the pixlelated screen, become fuzzy, and self reset itself to the NEO GEO intro. It would continually do this. ie. playing SS4, shows control demo, when Haohomaru slashes Genjuro games f##ks up, reset and process repeats itself. Why is this happening?
It does this all the time except for CrossedSwords which plays but shows hash marks everywhere and no audio.
For KOF 2003 it wouldn't even start up. Would go straight into service screen, and I can't play cart. Its like the Cart is not there but its right on slot 1.

Thank you anybody who read this thread and could supply any tips, advice to help me out. I was so excited to finally play those MVS carts that have just been sitting in its boxes but this problem came up.

Somebody help me please!!

Have you tried your 4 slot in a cab? Just wondering if you know if it is working properly with anything other than the supergun.

The problems you described could be caused by dirt in the cart connectors or on the jamma connector. Also check your power supply voltage w/ a multimeter (with a load). Some games will not work in combination with each other on a 4-slot (my 4 slot will not work if kof '99 and ROTD are both in it).

If my +5v voltage is too low i get random resetting, screen garbage, basically all the symptoms you described. Also could be some sort of grounding problem.

cheers,
-DT

4 slot.

I would also say your power supply is underpowered for a 4 slot.
I have had similar problems with 4 slot boards when trying to power up with an atx power supply.
Your 5 volts probably wants turning up, or a bigger power supply to kick start the 4 slot in to action..
The old large version 4 slot seems to need lots of power to boot up, the smaller one is not so fussy, which one have you got?

Grinwing said:

Have you tried your 4 slot in a cab? Just wondering if you know if it is working properly with anything other than the supergun.

Click to expand...

I bought the 4 slot untested, and was removed from a non-working arcade cab.
I don't have the sources to test it out but was just wondering what did the symptons mean.

dogtoy said:

The problems you described could be caused by dirt in the cart connectors or on the jamma connector. Also check your power supply voltage w/ a multimeter (with a load). Some games will not work in combination with each other on a 4-slot (my 4 slot will not work if kof '99 and ROTD are both in it).

Click to expand...

I tried cleaning the jamma connector and cart connector with alcohol but can't tell if that made any difference. Games would just reset themselves eventually. I only tested it with one game on the 4 slot at a time. Lack of power can be an issue. I'm not sure of this as I didn't buy it but was custom built for me by fellow member D-Lite. He say standard PSU should be able to handle a 4 Slot. I'll try asking for his help as I'm sure he knows wsup.

thegreat hopper said:

I would also say your power supply is underpowered for a 4 slot.I have had similar problems with 4 slot boards when trying to power up with an atx power supply.
Your 5 volts probably wants turning up, or a bigger power supply to kick start the 4 slot in to action..
The old large version 4 slot seems to need lots of power to boot up, the smaller one is not so fussy, which one have you got?

Click to expand...

I believe I have the older version. I can't tell w/o ripping the top shell off but will double check this afternoon before I test it out again. Let me read a couple of sites like hardmvs.com and see if they can help me distinguish between old and new 4 slot. I'll get back to you on that.

Thanks everybody for your help. Feel free to post any opinoins and thoughts. I would luv to hear everybody's take on this. More ideas will help me formulate the solution quicker. Thanks again all you guys/ladies. All y'll rulez!!

You might want to get an experienced forum member to take a look at your MVS board. I did a bit of research online before getting mine and found out that there are many problematic mobos (glitchy, visual/audio problems, etc.). I didn't want to take a chance with mine and Dean was kind enough to sell me one of his tested extras with Unibios 2.0 (which is a godsend). So far I haven't had any problems with the board--all the problems I've had are cart related.

Assuming that your problem isn't PSU related, it may be dirty carts (as you noted). For example (going to ramble a bit, hope my point becomes clear and whether anyone can verify if my hunch is correct):

The Genesis was the first system I've ever had. I was anally retentive about keeping the carts always boxed, never touching the contacts, keeping my console clean, etc. Consequently, all of my Genesis games have always booted up fine on the first try, even 14-15 years later.

I stopped collecting Genesis for about 8 years and recently bought a preplayed Aladdin at EB for $3.99. I put it into my Genesis, didn't boot up, thought I had a bad cart. A few months later, I figure 'what the hell' and try blowing against the contacts really, really hard, then try plugging the cart in, blowing air again, etc., and wonder of wonders, the game worked after the 3rd or 4th go.

Finally, I got my Nomad with about 30 cart-only games (and bought another cart-only bundle on eBay for 20 games). Surprise of surprises, about 2/3rds of the games don't start up and I have to blow like a vacuum cleaner on the contacts and in the cart slot on the Nomad for the game to work (the Nomad was pretty dusty too). At the beginning, it took so much effort that I didn't even bother playing my Nomad. After awhile though, I noticed that games required less and less effort to get working. Now, virtually every game I pop into the Nomad works on the first try without any blowing.

I read a few people post on other forums (I don't know if this is true or not) that contacts both in the console and cart will get dirty over time and if you regularly use the system, the friction will naturally clean things.

The reason I'm bringing this story up is that I've had the exact same problem with my MVS. Dean sold me a virtually new KoF 2002 and it booted up on the first try without a problem. Conversely, some of the carts I got from Yaton are pretty dusty (bordering on crusty). I pop in the KoF95 and it goes to that Cross Hatch pattern. I put the cart aside thinking it's broken. Then I remember my Genesis experience, blow really, really hard on the 95, and it works! A similar experience with my Last Blade 2. I pop it in and the pixels are all garbled. I do the whole blowing routine and all the graphical issues go away. I had the same problem issues, only with sound, with a new KoF 2003.

On my Metal Slug 4, I got to stage 3. At the boss, the pixels got all garbled. Even after I beat the boss, the pixels stayed garbled into stage 4. I took the game out, blew, started again, and the pixels were clean.

Anyway, I'm thinking that the more you use the MVS, the more it'll clean out all the assorted crap that's accumulated on the contacts and whatnot if it's anything like my Nomad. I'm going to talk to a guy who does a lot of electronics as a hobby tomorrow and see if he has any ideas. I've never had to use any alcohol as air and regular use has cleared up issues with all of my cart-based games over the last few years. I bet some people on these forums have custom-built Evian-water cleaning purified-air drying setups powered by uranium, but I've never had the need to go there.

Good luck. I can imagine how frustrated you must be, especially given how long you've waited. I'm pretty sure it's a problem with your MVS board or carts as the SG Dean built me has worked flawlessly. Glad to hear you went to him for a SG instead of the Mas guys!

I assume all ppl in San Francisco are night owls. w00t!w00t!

I can understand the point you made about usage of carts will eventually remedy the problem, or at least make things more better.
But the system keeps reseting itself randomly. Like it'll hold and play fine, then all of a sudden reach a green pixelated screen with no picture or audio until finally system returns to the Neo logo intro; hence the cycle continues.
The carts that I did buy from Yaton work fine but some games have a tendency of rebooting in shorter instances, while some games like RB2 and LB2 hold on for a couple of round before rebooting.
I'm not blaming the SG as GOD DAMN I luv that baby PSU should operate fine, especially after Dean tweaked with the 5-volt inlet. or something so playing with
JAMMA boards that require a -5volt shouldn't be a problem. But the PSU and maybe ground issue is really the only things I can think of alongside the other members, besides dirty contacts which I'll pucker up, and blow really really hard(*.*).I'll tell you if that helps.

Oh on a side note. This is probably something real stupid to ask but when I try to insert my SVC into one of the slots, it wouldn't slide in completely. One side would be resisting to fit. Maybe I just need to add a little bit more wiggle but I feel I tried that but cart still won't slide in.FYI cart is brand new so that could be reason why.However I'm afraid I'll break the PCB contacts on the bottom trying to forcefully insert entire cart into the connectors. Any ideas or suggestions whats a better method to insert cart?


Thanks for all your posts. Sorry for long boring accounts. I tend to spam alot. I'll try to be more brief next time.

Hmmm, it may be that you have the older 4-slot as thegreathopper suggested. The power supply here is the Jameco Ault SC200, which I haven't had problems with in terms of powering 4-slots, but I think I use the smaller version of the 4-slot.

PM coming K.

K'Dash- The only way to find out if it is the psu is to have everything hooked up to the 4-slot (probably gonna have to open the sc200) now turn it on and measure the +5v voltage with a multimeter. If the voltage drops below 5v with a load, then you either need to increase the voltage (not sure if sc200 is adjustable) or get a different power supply.

Try the 4-slot with one older, very small game. Something like puzzle bobble or puzzle de pon. If the voltage is down on my psu, the 4-slot will only work with 1 small older game in it. If I put in KOF '99 or Real Bout FFS i get ...resetting, graphics glitches, sound glitches, etc. I have the old style 4-slot, I think the new style one has some parts in different places, but I'm not exactly sure how to tell them apart since i've never owned one. I found this out about games, bc I set my PSU to exactly 5v with no load, and the voltage was dropping with load. At first I could only get it to work at all if I turned it on with the top board on the 4-slot removed (the board w/ the cart slots), then I tweaked the voltage up and it would work w/ 2 small games or 1 big game, finally i got it up to 5.24v (no load) and it will work w/ any 4 games inserted in the slots.

cheers,
-DT

so far my 6-slot has had 2 resets and both have happened within 10 mins of power up, after that it doesnt reboot or do anything odd, i use an atx psu with the +5V @ 5.38 no load, havent tested it during load since i forgot my multimeter at my friends house

edit: one of the games was SS4 the other was SS3 (i think)

dogtoy said:

K'Dash- The only way to find out if it is the psu is to have everything hooked up to the 4-slot (probably gonna have to open the sc200) now turn it on and measure the +5v voltage with a multimeter. If the voltage drops below 5v with a load, then you either need to increase the voltage (not sure if sc200 is adjustable) or get a different power supply.

Try the 4-slot with one older, very small game. Something like puzzle bobble or puzzle de pon. If the voltage is down on my psu, the 4-slot will only work with 1 small older game in it. If I put in KOF '99 or Real Bout FFS i get ...resetting, graphics glitches, sound glitches, etc. I have the old style 4-slot, I think the new style one has some parts in different places, but I'm not exactly sure how to tell them apart since i've never owned one. I found this out about games, bc I set my PSU to exactly 5v with no load, and the voltage was dropping with load. At first I could only get it to work at all if I turned it on with the top board on the 4-slot removed (the board w/ the cart slots), then I tweaked the voltage up and it would work w/ 2 small games or 1 big game, finally i got it up to 5.24v (no load) and it will work w/ any 4 games inserted in the slots.

cheers,
-DT

Click to expand...

When I played CS,considering its a pretty small game compared to the others, there was no resetting. However it did have hash marks and no audio throughout play. That might be another issue. MD3 played fine for a good 10 mins than reboot, but played nicely. When I start up the MVS it has this delay with garbled screen for 10 secs., then it finally reaches the NEO screen. Thought I should bring that into light.
Unfortunately can't remember if I own mult-meter, but I'll look for it.
Curious DT, how do you go about tweaking with the voltage during no load on the bottom board? I might just mess with that and might find better results.


Thanks ppl for your patronage. I'm so excited about playing wth the MVS, and hopefully I can soon enjoy the fun like all you MVS owners.

Ok so I stripped my 4 slot, seperated both boards and started spraying the eletronic cleaner on all contacts and (mistakingly?) the board arround the pin interfaces. This might of been the cause of the problem that followed.
Now everytime I start my MVS it just stays in the garbled/pixelated screen, doesn't transfer into the NeoGeo screen. I can't play games currently because of this. I don't know what I could of missed or damaged while I took the 4 Slot apart. but if there is something somebody knows don't hesitate to post.

It must of been incredibly foolish of me to attempt to clean the boards, but because of my naiveness I thought it would be oK to clean the boards. The bottom&top boards were incredibly dusty and grimmy. I thought this might be an obstacle, so I wiped off the grime and applied some of the cleaner on the surface. I feel so bad doing this to my MVS now that I think about it. Anyvbody know a way I can repair the possible damage I caused?


Thanks to everybody reading my posts. please do posts your thoughts and ideas what can be wrong now with my MVS.

For starters you cant have KOF 03 in slot 1.
Sounds to me like the 2 boards are not connecting together properly since you took them apart. Reseat them.
You can find out what type of board you have by the white writing on the top board. It'll say MVH-MV4 FT2 if its the smaller variety.

I can't much help beyond this as I would need to see your board, but it does sound like a power problem from what I have read so far.

Aye, I would suspect that sc200 may not be giving enough power for a 4 slot.

Also, with new games SNK puts some cosmoline or something similar on the contacts and it takes quite an aggressive cleaning to remove it.

Good news guys. I finally got my 4 Slot running!!
You guys don't know how relieved and happy I am. Hrs spent checking over the board, reassembling, assembling, cutting wires to sac for more power towards the 4 Slot. I finally did it!

I took DT advice and open the SC2000 PSU. I looked inside and remembered DT mentioned about a screw to adjust the volt during no load. So I experimented and turn screw counter-clockwise. Turn on SG attached to 4 slot and I found MVS unable to start up any game. Not even MD3!
So feeling completely stumbled, I was thinking what can I do to provide more volt towards the 4 slot. I cut the red wire leading the blue LED, that didn't even make a difference. Than I tried to get rid of interferrance so I unplug all of the other electronic shite sharing the same outlet as teh SG/4-MVS. Maybe a slight improvement, but only able to play small games like WW7 or MD3 sometimes.
Than finallly around 2 opened cleaned around chips and contacts again. Following that I was thinking what else can I do that I haven't tried before? HmM
So I opened the PSU again. I was completely memorized by the layout of the parts inside the PSU. But I remember what DT said and this time tried turning the screw Counter-Clockwise. So praying to myself and holding faith, WahLah!!!0.0
, the MVS was operational again and I was able to play MD3 again. Not only that, I was able to play the bigger games like SVC and KOF2003. Games played perfectly except with intermitable sound skips in Neo intro but thats all I noticed.
Real glad I found a solution to my problem, makes me feel really proud all those hrs spent and comtemplating soulutions to a fix paid off. I just hope this is a permeant fix. If not I'll be looking for a 2 Slot.

I want to say thank you for everybody that took the time to read my post and help me out through this PIA experience. I wouldn't have my 4 Slot running if it wasn't for the advice of all you guys. Much thanks(mad props to you DT ) goes to all the members who took time post and lay their ideas. THANK YOU. I have much Luv to all you members Now I'm able to enjoy my MVS and FINALLY after months of waiting and bickering I can experience the best of both worlds of AES and MVS.

I'm no moderator, but N-G.com forums wouldn't be the same w/o the helpful members commiting to help other neo owners with their problems and care for other's ppl's NEO. This is what ties us, this is what makes us a TRUE NEO family.


Bleh; corny I know but I'm really grateful now.

Sorry for the bump(but its not really b/c such a short time interval)but had some questions that I didn't want to include on text on top.
>Do you know how to switch off games on a 2,4,6 slot MVS? Like if you were currently playing cart on slot 1, but wanted to transfer to cart 2 or 3, what do you press? I tried pressing start but nothing.
>Can somebody tell me very brief the pros/cons between older and newer 2,4,6 slot MVS's?

Thanks.

K'DaSH said:

Sorry for the bump(but its not really b/c such a short time interval)but had some questions that I didn't want to include on text on top.
>Do you know how to switch off games on a 2,4,6 slot MVS? Like if you were currently playing cart on slot 1, but wanted to transfer to cart 2 or 3, what do you press? I tried pressing start but nothing.
>Can somebody tell me very brief the pros/cons between older and newer 2,4,6 slot MVS's?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

If you look on the harness, you'll find a game select switch. If not there you can find it on a schematic to switch between games.

Also, you can adjust option on how/when to change games in the dip1 menu.

J0e Musashi said:

For starters you cant have KOF 03 in slot 1.
Sounds to me like the 2 boards are not connecting together properly since you took them apart. Reseat them.
You can find out what type of board you have by the white writing on the top board. It'll say MVH-MV4 FT2 if its the smaller variety.

I can't much help beyond this as I would need to see your board, but it does sound like a power problem from what I have read so far.

Click to expand...

I looked at the 4 slot top board. It says MVH-4 SLOT. I'm assuming this is the larger, and older 4 slot


Thanks

you can only change games doring the intro, though regardless of the spftdip setting in the bios.

Lime2K said:

you can only change games doring the intro, though regardless of the spftdip setting in the bios.

Click to expand...

Yes but I prefer having it set this way (can switch games antime before actually playing a game) rather than only being able to switch games after inserting a coin.

K'dash- There will either be a button already attached that is for game select or you will have to make a button. Connect one side of the switch (and spst switch will do) to pin 26 on the jamma loom and the other side to ground. Now anytime during the game intro/title screen you can switch to another game (if you changed your dip settings from something like "after insert 1 credit" to anytime.

Also, make sure to get a multimeter if you do not already have one, and check the voltages on your sc200. Turning the voltage adjustment all the way up could be high enough to damage your 4-slot (like maybe 6.5 volts or so). Turn the voltage down until it stops working and then slowly turn it up until you can get all games to work again. Leave the voltage set at the lowest setting for which all features function properly. But a cheap multimeter (under $10) will tell you exactly what your voltage settings are and it's good to have one around anyway.

Glad you got it working!

cheers,
-DT