Picked up this ugly little beast of a machine. I couldn't help myself, Sigma for $50? Sure!
So obviously the screen doesn't work, which is what I'd assume with a broken ~35 year old video slot. But other parts are working (BV cycles, the machine beeps with doors open, etc), it has the hopper, it looks complete. I took the TV out, and started slowly take it apart. Found some nice mouse turds, the thing was just as ugly on the inside too.
And unfortunately, on the back of the CRT's power board (the one that attaches to the stem), there were two blown capacitors. But like, blown in half capacitors. I've seen some popped ones, but never blown in half. I did a cursory check of the other main power board, fuse was still in tact, and everything looked cleaner and normal.
Ordered a pair of Caps, replaced them, and now I get a minor bluish vertical line after i leave it powered on, and turn it off. IE i get the line ONLY when i power off. No matter the toggles I wiggle, I can't get it to pop fully on. No static, no white screen, nothing changes with brigtness maxed, contrast, etc. So I think I give up on the CRT.
And I found a CGA to VGA adapter board which I ordered online. And than I found a person with a 15" LCD on offerup which I picked up. So hopefully I'm going to convert this little monster into an LCD display. My question is, has anyone done this?
I'll be honest, I did minimal research cause the board was like $8. All I know is it needs 5v and 12v, which should come from my power supply already. I'm hoping the cables it comes with will be sufficient to just piggy back off the machines PS. Also, I'm hoping theres some obviously wires to connect for RGB? Does anyone have a nice little "how to" that I haven't found yet?
If I'm successful at this, I'll never be scared of an old VIDEO machine again. This is actually the reason I never buy them. To me CRTs are just frustrating, I've never successfully fixed one hah. But if this work around goes nice, more fun shall be had!
Pictures!!!
#corona2020