TECH: vectrex won't boot, making odd noises ...

I was at my frend's house today and he just got a vectrex and what is
happening is when he turns it on with or without a cart in it, it
makes a bunch of garbled noises then flashes the Vectrex title screen
for 1/10th of a second after a few seconds then loops and plays the
noises again then flashes the title screen, repeat forever. It seems
each cart has it's own set of noises it makes (assume based on program
code)

Any idea where to start looking as far as broken parts?

thanks group.

On Nov 25, 7:05 pm, "unclefre...@jerk.org" <dropdeads....TakeThisOut@gmail.com>
wrote:
> I was at my frend's house today and he just got a vectrex and what is
> happening is when he turns it on with or without a cart in it, it
> makes a bunch of garbled noises then flashes the Vectrex title screen
> for 1/10th of a second after a few seconds then loops and plays the
> noises again then flashes the title screen, repeat forever. It seems
> each cart has it's own set of noises it makes (assume based on program
> code)
>
> Any idea where to start looking as far as broken parts?
>
> thanks group.

Just a stab here ...
If the graphics appear to be ok then that most likely indicates that
the data bus is ok. This could be a problem with the address bus.
But I don't have any specific parts in mind. If you had a schematic
diagram you should check the continuity of the address lines between
all the components. But I suppose that it could also be a bad chip
(like the CPU, RAM or ROM ore even others). Maybe a test cartridge
would give a better indication of the problem. But I suspect that
even the test cartridge will not work.

You could also get some "freeze spray" to see if you can change the
failure by cooling down various components and solder joints. "Freeze
spray" is sold by electronic suppliers. It is an aerosol can full of
freon-like liquid which freezes anything it is sprayed on.

Maybe others (with more repair experience) will chime in.

Peteski