New to the scene, could use a little help

[deepblue]

Hi everybody...I guess a little introduction is in order first. I've been lurking around the site for some months now, ever since I picked up my 25" MVS-U4 (My very first arcade cab!) from a guy on Craigslist last summer. It came with a 6-slot MB and new Happ Competition sticks and buttons with seven games (I think most of them are boots, but I'll get to that in a minute) for $335. I think it was a pretty good deal! For those interested, pics are here and [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73632047@N00/196665786/]here[/url] (I re-arranged those buttons later that night).

So...yeah. There's a couple things I have questions about, and after seeing some of the amazing things some of you guys know around here, I have no doubt that someone will be able to help.

Question 1: I've noticed that my audio comes out mostly through the left speaker, while the right one is whisper quiet. Anybody know what's causing this, and how would I go about fixing it?

Oh, also, I'm a total newbie when it comes to any of this stuff...though I really would like to learn.

Question 2: While we're on the topic of audio, I have headphone jacks on the cab, and jacks on the mobo as well, yet none of them are functional. Is there any way to remedy this?

Question 3: I've got a few carts that are pretty rare, but from what I've seen are pretty suspect looking. How do I tell which ones are boots and which ones aren't? Is it on a case-by-case basis? If so, the games that I think might be boots are Neo Bomberman, Last Resort, Magical Drop II, and Super Dodge Ball. I think my new KOF 2003 might be as well.

If anybody can help me out with this stuff, that'd be great! Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Neo Ash]

Nice clean cab you've got there.

Be sure the make sure the audio cable is making a good connection to the speaker, a poor connection will make the sound go in and out or sound weak.

Concerning question #2, are any wires not connected? More info or pics would be helpful.

You can open the carts and inspect the PCB to see if they are legit or not. If you're still not sure, start a thread here.... http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=46

and post pics.

 

[norton9478]

1. Either the Speaker is Blown, or it is wired for Mono. I'm guessing it's wired for mono. Check the connections.....

2. Those arn't headphone jacks on the motherboard... they are communication jacks.... I think... You get headphone audio through a 4 pin PCB connector...

 

[Neo Ash]

1. Either the Speaker is Blown, or it is wired for Mono. I'm guessing it's wired for mono. Check the connections.....

2. Those arn't headphone jacks on the motherboard... they are communication jacks.... I think... You get headphone audio through a 4 pin PCB connector...

I had some problems with a speaker in my big red after it was moved. I was having a similar speaker problem. I fixed it by firming-up the connector.

I think that the candy cabs also used a ribbon cable to connect a PCB for the headphones and memory card reader.

 

[Testocules]

The best way to learn about boots is to perform a search on the forum for them, but here is little info to get you started.

Chips/eproms on PCBs are clearest give away. Many times they are smaller or of a different brand (i think Toshiba and Sharp are the legit)
- cart PCB manufactured somewhere other than Japan
- label copywrite date will may not be correct
- Cases will be frosted/textured rather than smooth
- legit mvs carts may have a serial number (refer to hardmvs for sample)
- solder joints may look like they were done by hand rather than machine (although some obvious boots will still look professionally manufactured)
- audio or graphical glitches may be caused in a boot

Other things that may not matter...

- 1 or 2 wires soldered to the PCB (as in a fix)
- PCBs with different dates inside the same cart
- Windows or holographic stickers on eproms

Sometime the best way is to post pics of the PCB within the cart in the Tech section and let the experts here judge. Most of the time you will get a conclusive answer.

 

[deepblue]

Thanks for the advice guys. Upon opening it up to check the speaker connection, I discovered that it's not making any sound at all, though the wire is securely in place. I guess I'll have to check the other end of the connection then. I'll post some pictures this weekend...it's difficult enough pulling that giant 6-slot out without my 2-year-old wanting to play with it, as is the case during the week...so, uh, stay with me! I really want to fix this!

This brings up another issue...is there any good way to clean a motherboard? I tried an air duster, but it didn't really make a dent in the years of dust and grime this thing had collected in the years prior to my ownership.

 

[bendor]

real quick about the sound...

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't there a swith on the mother board for stereo/mono. I'm at work so I can't check it now, but I had a similar problem and I thought I just flipped a switch.

 

[norton9478]

real quick about the sound...

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't there a swith on the mother board for stereo/mono. I'm at work so I can't check it now, but I had a similar problem and I thought I just flipped a switch.

Only on some one slots.