Dumb Neo Geo Question (maybe 2)

Hi everyone!
I've never owned a Neo-Geo AES before. I just got one in a huge box of "dead" systems for $15 (along with a 32X, Sega CD model 1, 15 NES systems, a Xbox 1, Playstation, and 2 n64s). The system has the console, AV hookup, and the arcade stick. The only thing that makes me nervous is it also came attached to a "select your own voltage" wall adaptor. It only goes as high as 9 volts so I don't think it got fried, unless the previous owner switched the polarity of the tip. But as is, its set to 3v and the correct polarity. My question is, since I don't have any games, is there a way to test the system? If its normally working would I get any kinda screen when powered on? even like a blinking blue screen like the NES?

Second questions, what are some fun cheap games to get for this system? or even the cheapest game to get to test this system regardless of fun level. I'd love to get Metal Slug but the prices for it are kinda beyond my reach at the moment.

Thanks everyone!!
~John

 

Quick Update, I found that the Neo Geo I have takes the 5V adaptor. so there's a chance the original owner could have blown it out with too much voltage, if this is the case, is that fixable? I've done capacitor changesin the past, would a recap fix this issue? or would it just be toast?

 

Stolen from a post made elsewhere on these forums just a few mins ago.

If you switch it on without a game and see any of the following it gives you a good indication as to status of the system:

Here are the colors:
Blue = All tests passed (does not test z80).
Red = WorkRAM error (0x100000 region).
Green = PaletteRAM error (0x400000 region).
Yellow = VideoRAM error (programmed through custom port).
Pink = Bios selfcheck error (0xC00000 region).
Cyan = Memory card error (only tested if card in unit and blank).

Anyway as an ex AES owner (man do I miss it) you can get some pretty good games for not too much.

NAM 1975 is a good place to start usually cheap to pick up too, as are some of the earlier KOF games (96 is my favourite but 94,95 don't cost the earth either, 98 is probably the best).

Samurai Showdown and the early Fatal Fury games don't cost much either. Although someone will probably argue with me here, there aren't many bad Neo Geo games out there.

The best games to go for are the Japanese releases, they usually cost less and in my opinion they're much nicer what with the full cover art. If you really wanted Metal Slug you could buy an MVS conversion cart, many frown on them because it means a cart has been sacrificed but it's a good way to get the game...although still expensive.

If you're really on a budget their are many pirate *cough* multicarts out there too and they work pretty well.

EDIT: In response to your update, I'd test the system first before changing anything, grab a Genesis 1 adapter if you can as it'll work with the system. There'll be someone around here more knowledgeable than me but I don't see any reason as to why the machine can't be saved if someone has indeed cooked it.

 

Thanks for the reply, but I don't think I should use a Gen 1 adapter, my system appears to be the 5v early model and the gen 1 adapter works with the later 9v one. Any other common game system adapters I could try?

 

Ah my mistake, sorry.

Perhaps just take a trip to a hardware store/online place that sells a multi adapter? There's bound to be something that'll work.

Alternatively http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-AC-Powe...ideo_Game_Cables_Adapters&hash=item5645f6ade0

Or put up a request in the want to buy section. Someone might be able to help.

 

I snagged one from here, http://www.retrogamecave.com/neo-geo-ac_adapter.html if it was over powered do you think its fixable at all? or just toast?

 

Gotta know what's wrong with it first. Like asking a doctor if the cancer can be cured when you're just making an appointment.

 

Alrighty, made some progress and quite happy
first thing I needed was a power supply, not having anything in my house or at a RadioShack that would supply the proper specs, I purchased a replacement from retromancave. So now I wait. In the wait I was able to find a game locally! A Complete in the box 3 Count Bout for $20, not bad. But the wait is killing me, I checked the basement again for a comparable power supply I can use to test as I wait for my ordered one to show up. I found a 5v 1amp positive tip power supply for a old Zip drive. The tip of the adapter fit perfectly into the neo geo! But wait! The polarity is wrong, so after a snip and a wire reverse, the tip is now negative. Now the only spec not in line is the 1amp vs the needed 3amp. I decided to try it anyway. And holy cow! It works!!!! I only played for a minute since I know the current supply is under amped. Bt it played great! The only issue I noticed is the wrestler sprites are very glitchy and pixelated, at some random times they look perfect. I'm assuming this is the result of a dirty connector or the 2amp less adapter. Any thoughts?

thanks everyone!

 

Okay, cart clean has no effect, I'll post pics soon

 

Above ^ is the problem I'm having now, but sometimes for a moment or so, the sprites look perfect. I cleaned the contacts on both the system and cart and no improvements. I also gently opened the cart and inspected, I did smell a funny, almost burnt smell from the cart but the internal looks perfect/flawless and i can't smell a burnt smell. Maybe its just the case and the cart came from a smokers house? I'm not 100% sure just yet. My only guess now is that it's because I'm running the system at 1 amp and not 3, I should hopefully know more in a few days.

 

Any more examples? This is a really tricky one to diagnose but I believe it's the signal "EVEN" which when facing the console towards you is the bottom connector, top row, pin 7 from the left.

 

More added, thanks for the help!

 

An under amp power adapter can give you graphic glitches. So dont try to much with it until you get the proper power adapter and from there you check the rest.
About the games there are some cheap good games around like Nam, magician lord, KOF 94 to 98, fatal fury, art of fighting, samurai showdown and world heroes. Out of fighting games ninja combat, blues journeys and sometimes shock troopers.

 

Nice haul!

Try not to double/triple post on the same day though. That's what the edit button is for

Yes, you should always use an adapter that is at least the rated current. And then, booting without a cart will show you errors as mentioned above.

 

All righty, new supply came in and graphic issues remain what could I try to resolve this? Currently I have only the one game so I dunno for sure if the problem is the console or the cart.

when I power on the console with no games I get...

Blue = All tests passed (does not test z80)

Whats the z80?

Thanks everyone!

 

The Z80 is the chip that drives the sound chip (which is a Yamaha I think). I think you're going to need to get another game before you rule out any more possibilities.

 

Okay, my cib of nam 1975 arrived today, I popped it in and the same graphic issues remain, I cleaned the cart slots even further and no improvement. Where should I look next on the system?

 

Now is time to check traces from the cart slots to where they end with a multimeter to check if there are one bad. Even a solder point that needed to be heated again.

 

This issue cannot be tested by the system, there's something wrong with the sprite line buffers which the 68K is oblivious to. Since it happens intermittently chip damage can't be ruled out. I thought about it a bit and it's not my previous suggestion of the "EVEN" signal, which would result in every sprite being deformed. Almost positively there's an open trace between the LSPC and the C0/B1 chip, it's the only thing that fits. (Forget the cart slot.)