Chip on the way out?

On Nov 5, 12:37 am, Mayhem <Mayhem....TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Firing up my usual Veccy to try out some of the stuff I got this
> weekend, I found a couple of things happening:
>
> 1) Minestorm thinking button 3 was being pressed even when the
> joystick part was not connected to the Vectrex (!)
> 2) When it did start behaving itself then the shooting sounds were
> very quiet but the explosions were normal volume.
>
> So could the control/sound chip be going funny?

Hello Mayhem

Are you still having similar problems with your Vectrex? It does seem
like a dodgy AY-3-8912 sound & I/O chip since this chip is both
responsible for sound and i/o with the controller.


Are your problems intermittent? Or is there always a problem?


I have been having similar problems with a Vectrex I recently bought
on Ebay, except more extreme. The music sounds terrible and
completely
out of tune (on all games), and the Vectrex sometimes takes a few
resets to start properly - I believe it thinks one of the buttons is
sometimes closed.


Anyway tonight I just purchased on-line a new AY-3-8912 sound chip at
a cost of 5.88 pounds from a company at www.grandata.co.uk.


When it arrives I'll replace the old one. Some Vectrex owners are
lucky in that their machine contains a socketed AY-3-8912 which allows
for easy replacement. However,
for my Vectrex I will have to de-solder the old chip.


Regards
VectrexMad!
 >> Stay informed about: Chip on the way out? 

I've not actually opened that Vectrex up... maybe I will to see if
it's got a socketed chip or not. If it does I might take the chance
and just order that replacement anyhow.

Otherwise I might have to use the brand new MB one in box (not that I
really want to) or the Kouso (shudder...)
 >> Stay informed about: Chip on the way out? 

On Nov 7, 1:08 pm, Mayhem <Mayhem....RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've not actually opened that Vectrex up... maybe I will to see if
> it's got a socketed chip or not. If it does I might take the chance
> and just order that replacement anyhow.
>
> Otherwise I might have to use the brand new MB one in box (not that I
> really want to) or the Kouso (shudder...)

Wow, you've got a brand new Vectex!!!
Yes, opening a Vectrex up puts most people off, because of the risk
of high voltage discharge from the cathode ray tube. There are
websites, and even if you search in this group giving guidance on how
to make sure the tube is fully discharged, to avoid risk of electic
shock. A TV repair man might put the chip in for you.
VectrexMad!
 >> Stay informed about: Chip on the way out? 

On Nov 7, 6:05 pm, vectrex... RemoveThis @fastmail.fm wrote:
> On Nov 7, 1:08 pm, Mayhem <Mayhem... RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I've not actually opened that Vectrex up... maybe I will to see if
> > it's got a socketed chip or not. If it does I might take the chance
> > and just order that replacement anyhow.
>
> > Otherwise I might have to use the brand new MB one in box (not that I
> > really want to) or the Kouso (shudder...)
>
> Wow, you've got a brand new Vectex!!!
> Yes, opening a Vectrex up puts most people off, because of the risk
> of high voltage discharge from the cathode ray tube. There are
> websites, and even if you search in this group giving guidance on how
> to make sure the tube is fully discharged, to avoid risk of electic
> shock. A TV repair man might put the chip in for you.
> VectrexMad!

And oh yes, the printed cicuit board you want (or the TV repair man
would want) is the one that is horizontal at the base of the Vectrex,
and the sound chip is located not far behind the second joystick
socket.
VectrexMad!
 >> Stay informed about: Chip on the way out?