Help! Just joined your ranks - some problems
Paul
Hello all,
Today, I made the best score yet at the flea.
I nailed a really clean Vectrex in the original box and all for a measly
3 bucks!
However, there are two problems. First the unit came without a
controller. THe guy that sold me the Vec said he may have it and will
bring it next week. Assuiming he doesn't just how difficult is it to buy
a Vec controller on the web reasonably? Stop laughing, I'm serious. I
knwo about converting a Sega pad to do Vectrex duty, but I would most
definately prefer playing my Vec the way it was meant to be played.
Now problem number two, I really need some advice. When I first turned
on the unit the screen didn't operate at all. I heard the games sounds,
but all the graphics on the screen were condensed on a vertical line
extending from the top of the screen to the bottom.
So I took the machine apart. I tried cleaning the unit with compressed
air, and vacuumed the interior of the machine. I tried reseating some of
the ICs that I could get to without major dissasembly. After each
operation, I plugged the machine back in to test ther results. After
every try, nothing. Just as I was going to break down and try turning
some of the potentiomters in the unit, ALL OF A SUDDEN, the screen came
alive. The unit has been functioning well since then all day, and I'm
just hoping that maybe some capacitors had to fully charge up or
something.
ANyway just a few questions. As I said the screen appears OK. The only
thing I can see is when graphics approach the right edge of the screen
they get slightly deformed. This problem only happens on the right inch
or so on the screen. WHen the Vec was apart I noticed a bunch of
thumbweels and pots that look like they could be used to perform various
adjustments. I delayed messing with any of them since I had no idea of
what functions they performed and I didn't want to mess up the unit. But
the one I think that is likely to be some type of picture adjestment is
the one the is accessable through the back of the case by means of a
screw driver. Does anyone know if turning that adjestment will solve the
right edge problem? To my eye it looks like if I just shifted the
picture slightly to left, the problem would be fixed.
Also, when the unit is on, the sound quits occasionally. By turinig the
volume control down then up, the sound comes back. This to me indicates
oxidation in the sound pot and hopefully will go away with use. Have you
people found this will old units before?
Lastly, if anyone has performed the Sega pad conversion please let me
know how it works.
Thanks in advance for all your help. Hopefully in the short time of a
week I will finally join the ranks of all you lucky Vectrex owners.
<Paul-da-P...@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>
James G Watt
In article <339B84...@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>, Paul <Paul-da-
Progr...@postoffice.worldnet.att.net> writes
> I
>knwo about converting a Sega pad to do Vectrex duty,
I don't could someone please enlighten me?
I thought a vectrex had an analog controul.
--
James G Watt
Mark Shaker
See: http://www.monmouth.com/~pcjohn/vectrex.html
The only games you can not play with a digital stick are Hyperchase and
Game 2 of Star Hawk.
- Mark
P.S. I do not own one of John's converted Sega pads. But I did buy a
Patriots Cart from him. It IS the best Vec game ever.
Bill Spencer
Paul wrote:
> ANyway just a few questions. As I said the screen appears OK. The only
> thing I can see is when graphics approach the right edge of the screen
> they get slightly deformed.
It tends to be normal to see some distortion. On mine, and I think
most, this is picture-wide, with the maximum effect towards
the right bottom,
resulting in lines across the bottom tilting up on the right,
and lines across the right edge tilting towards the left at the
bottom. This is the result of age and could probably be adjusted
out, but most of us don't bother ... but you already have it
open, so you might.
Bill
---
remove the ! to reply. Spammers will be imprisoned in my new
vector fighting game for eternity ;).