New MVS owner and member, Some questions.

Hi, I'm a new member, and the recent owner of a 4-25! I'm really new to Neo-Geo and arcade machines in general.

I have lots of questions, that I hope you guys can answer.
First of all; As you can see, my cab is black. It seems to be some kind of laminate or vinyl or something. I'd like it to be back to it's original red, but I'm conflicted about how to go about that. strip the vinyl, or prime over it?
I don't seem to have credit counters on my CP. There is nothing on/around the CP. what is the counter setup supposed to look like?
Now I know almost all Neo owner experience this problem, (but being the perfectionist, I want my cab to be %100) and that's the marquee lights. none of them work at all, so I don't know if it's a burnt out bulb or an incorrect connection.
And one final question (for now) and it's pretty minor but, when the attract screens cycle and it comes to Bust-A-Move, it tries to do it's little title screen song, but some weird static screeches come out. It never happens with anything else, so would this be the cart?
Well, that's it for now, thanks in advance, and I'm sure I'll have a great stay here!
Here's some more pics:

I don't know a lot about Neo arcade machines, but I'll give you some Bust-a-Move advice. Try taking out the cartridge and cleaning the connectors (all 4 sides) with rubbing alcohol on a q-tip. You'll be amazed at how many issues that solves!

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

Sound advice from sammy there , top looking cab aswell. Welcome to the boards and I'm sure you'll get tons of enjoyment out of it.

Nice cab brother! I have 2 just like it myself! Love them!
Here are the answers to your questions.

I also agree with Sammy’s advice. Cleaning the contacts will at least half the time correct the problem! Use alcohol and q-tips and if this does not work use a scotch pad or fine grain 3M pad to take any corrosion off the contacts.

On your Puzzle Bobble/Bust a Move cart it may also be doing this because it may be a boot! Puzzle Bobble/Bust a Move carts are the most common carts to bootleg. Look through the vents on the top side of the cart and see if you have the same boards in the following link, as this is the most common board set for this game. There are others such as ngh of 83.

http://mvs.gotwalls.com/index.php/Bust-A-Move

The following link will fill you in a bit on this game!

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211325

For the sides of the cabs you are correct, strip the vinyl, prime and paint. Try Home Depot or Lowes for color matching paint for the sides.

For the decals click the following link:

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183298&highlight=side+decals

For the credit boards click the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Credit-Board-Di...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bcba7361

If your memory card reader does not work, (My first cab had a pin missing and 1 bent so it did not work) the gameroom also is a good place to get a replacement memory card reader, Click the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Memory-Card-Rea...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5887fc48e5

For the mini marquee slots, they have suggestions. Click the following links:

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198187&highlight=marquee+light&page=2

Maybe in the near future on the following link?
http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209601&highlight=marquee+light&page=3

And if you ever want to replace your control panel overlay talk to Craig, he may be able to help. Click the following link:

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194566&page=13

Hope this helps brother!

Welcome to the boards! I too am a new member and just bought my first AES. As the title states: Welcome to teh drama!

About the sides, Im working on this cab with my father, and he Is adament that you can't paint on the fiber-board and make it look good. He thinks if you strip the existing layer, the particle board will just fall apart, or come up with it. I don't know anything about painting (nor does he) so is there a way to paint the sides to make them smooth and feel/look good? That is my main concern about the painting, and the whole ordeal is driving me nuts! I want a "big RED", lol.

Nice looking cab. I recently got a 2 slot I'll be working on. Probably needs a new mainboard and monitor but other than that, it's great LOL

I got a bust a move that is a totally obvious boot with my cab and it has that same noise so I bet that would be the issue.