So I have a bit of a problem with my toploader that I'm hoping someone can help me diagnose. I started attempting to do the NES RGB mod on my toploader. I got the PPU out but I managed to break pin 40 according to this diagram. http://atariage.com/forums/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-31751-0-65495100-1359750553.jpg I fixed the pin with a lead from a resistor and some solder. After that I socketed the PPU location and plugged the PPU back in to test. I'm getting nothing power wise. I've replaced the capacitors and the regulator to try and troubleshoot. I've tested that there's voltage coming into the regulator, but there's no voltage out of it. I'm at a loss for what could be the issue with getting power out of the regulator. I haven't touched the rectifier diodes at all, but I'm unsure if they are involved with the regulator. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Yeah the weird thing is I've already replaced that. I have 4 more spares though so I guess I'll swap it out again.
Well I replaced the 7805 again and still same issue. Look online some people mention a fuse might have blown, but I can't find any concrete information on that. It looks like it pertains to SNES and not a top loader. At this point I think I need to enlist someone to take a crack at repairing it. Game Tech US looks like they know what they're doing, but with Hi-Def NES coming out, they've stopped doing repair work. Anyone know of anyone else that's reputable to do repairs?
I would offer but I've never been inside a top loader before. You can post a WTB in the marketplace and ask for repair work. Quick questions, did you replace the caps near the reset switch too? Are the VRAM and SRAM chips working?
Yeah I think I'll have to post something over there. I did replace all the caps on the board. They call came in a cap kit I purchased. As for VRAM and SRAM, that I'm not sure of. I only tested for power on the CPU and PPU, and then off the regulator to see if any power was going to the board.
I repair these for people very often. I notice many new installers forget 3 important steps. Solder jumper J3 & J5. Also make sure GND and Pin 1 are connected if not installing a color switch. Either one of those missed steps will cause power issues.. Stupid me... I just noticed you are having Voltage regulator issues. Hmm. Are you sure it is a 7805 and not a random 7812 or something. The 7805 needs atleast 8v(or something close to that number) to output 5v
Thanks for replying! At the end of the day, I really messed up my traces when trying to remove PPU and that appears to have been the issue. There's nothing drawing the power. Either way, my board is shot at this point .
There are a few ways to do it. The composite video mod is cheap and sort of easy to do but will not be as good as the next two options. The NESRGB board is the way to go for analog A/V. It provides a better composite video, S-Video, and true RGBS. Unlike the old RGB mod that uses a play choice 10 PPU and has compatibly issues, the NESRGB uses the stock NES PPU. You can also choose between 4 different color palettes. The best way is to go is true digital A/V with the new Hi Def NES mod (NESHD). It provides true HDMI output for the NES. Unlike using external converters, this taps directly into the digital A/V signals of the CPU and PPU and uses an FPGA board to produce usable HDMI signals. This provides the sharpest image possible out of the console, sharper than RGB. It also has a scanline generator, expansion audio support, and can upscale to 480p/576p, 720p, and 1080p.
I know this thread is super old, but I wanted to post that BlueShellDigital (here and on facebook https://www.facebook.com/blueshelldigital) helped me with repairs on my issue. Unfortunately I burnt off some traces and he didn't have the tools to repair traces. Despite that, when I got a replacement board he finished the mod for me and was super communicative through the entire process. He was very thorough and detail oriented. My RGB toploader came back in perfect shape. Thanks everyone that tried to help me identify the issues!
Glad to hear it worked out in the end! I went through an NESRGB mod myself with some issues, and the members of this forum have been incredibly helpful with advice and sanity checking work. Does BlueShellDigital do mail order or is it all local work? May have work in the future.
I find sometimes you need a second set of eyes to see the problems. Once you've become so irritated with a project that looking at it makes you sick to your stomach, you will become mentally blind even when the problem is so obvious it's glaring.
You're telling me I need to walk away from mine for today. It was working great... then suddenly the palette became incredibly yellow, found out it was because of a broken solder joint on the blue solder pad, re-soldered that, and now... no picture :/ May have to just resolder the whole damn thing.
Yeah it was a pretty humbling experience since I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to modding. I've learned my limit a little better . He's based out of South Carolina and I'm in PA so everything we did was through the mail. I'm sure he'd love to help you out!
