NTSC Snes + Pro Fighter Q - Not Working !

Hi,

This is my first post, so I'll introduce myself. I'm Tom, and I used to be a avid collector, having a massive collection of Japanese and US Super NES games and consoles. I sold most of the new items and kept a selection of my favourite games, 1 x American Snes and a Mint Super Famicom. I also have a Super Pro Fighter Q copier, which is what this post it about !

So my problem:

I have not used the Pro Fighter in probably 8-10 years, and it has been stored away in a dry environment. I thought I'd set it up, but couldn't find the power supply I used for it, which had the perfect connector to fit into the machine, and gave the correct power input. So I used a adjustable power supply that I've used on Jap machines and although the floppy drive made a noise, it didnt seem to be doing anything else.

When last used, the Pro fighter formatted floppy disks, copied games or IC cards as it calls them!, and ran games from floppy or from the cart. So I know it has worked, but can't remember what I did.

I did forget that the pro fighter worked without a power supply to run carts, but the floppy drive does need a power supply to work, obviously- but if it's just whirring without loading a disk, or even formatting it- it doesn't make sense.

I did notice that when I first tried to format a floppy, nothing happened- then when I tried again I got a counter of '080' , but it never counted down. I then realised that the drive stopped making noises, and noticed the power light on the power supply was out, and since then the power supply has been temperamental. It may of been temperamental before, but it did give enough power for the floppy drive to make a noise, but not now ??

It's a strange one- and I'd appreciate any advice on what could be wrong. I remember when I first got the SPFQ, it was hit and miss as I couldn't find any instructions for it, but managed to figure it out and it worked perfectly.

Cheers

 

I have 3 SPFQ's. First make sure you have the correct power supply for it (with enough juice). A Sega Genesis or MD model 1 Ac adapter will do the job perfectly. Then, most SPFQ's have an internal backup Nicd barrel type battery, with time, these have the tendency to leak making a mess. The acid can cause alot of problems like literally eat traces. I'll suggest to open it up and post a pic if possible.

 

Thanks for the reply. I've got a new power supply today so will check it out shortly.

If the internal battery has leaked, would it give the symptoms of a drive that is whirring but not reading the discs ?.

 

At times, the battery acid can spill over the floppy drive header pins, ribbon cable, or the floppy controller chip, rendering similar symptoms. But you could also have a bad floppy drive instead. Older SPFQ's have the 3.5" drives, while the newer models have the slimline type floppy drives (I think these are less reliable) which type does your unit has?

Pics would be nice.

 

I'll check the power lead and take it apart and take some pics.

Do you have any instructions for this device ?, as I never found any, and it would be handy to have some !. Cheers

 

I don't have any instructions but these units are very straight forward to use. Although depending of the Pro Fighter Q model, some have more features than others. For example, Realtime save, Goldfinger function (similar to Game Genie) even DSP cart compatibility.

 

One other possibility if it's been in storage for a long time is that it's a belt-drive floppy and the belt has decayed, stopping the disc from spinning.

 

Do you know if the SPFQ has a centre positive or negative polarity ?

 

Here are a few pics of the internals of the device.

It doesn't look like anything has leaked ??.

 

The SPFQ uses a DC adapter with a negative center. Judging by your pics, I believe the battery has leaked. Do you see that black grime underneath it? thankfully it doesn't seem to be too much of a mess and that might not be your main problem. The floppy drive should still work even without a battery.
You just don't want to plug an adapter that outputs AC like the one for the NES.

 

Why, if it outputs AC, that means a positive centre polarity ?

Where in the pics is the black grime ?. I can't see anything like that ?

What would happen if I did put the universal plug the other way round and put it as a centre positive ??

 

Not necessarily

Right under the actual battery on your board

The Ac adapter, device, or both, may or may not live to tell the tale

Are you using a universal ac adapter? I ask because most of the new (cheap) ones I've seen are really underpowered, with around 300mA. I believe the SPFQ needs minimum around 9V 850mA.

 

Yes, I am using a universal power lead now. I had a specific plug for the PFQ, with a UK plug- without any voltage changer, which worked perfectly.... Only I can't find it anywhere. I then got my almost brand new universal lead that I bought for my SFC, and that has now died trying to get the PFQ to work. I've bought a new universal power lead and will try it tomorrow.

Is there a minimum that it would produce if it was outputting 9v ?

I've been thinking of replacing the floppy drive for a newer version. Is there a preferred replacement that you could recommend ?

 

I've just tried the new power supply and you can hear the drive make a noise for a second, but that's it- nothing like it was the other day, where it sounded like it was trying to load the disk.

 

I presume it will attempt to work. Does your SPFQ boots to the main menu at all?

Forget about the old mechanical drives, instead get yourself a floppy drive emulator and USB card. They work wonders and they are extremely easy to set up.

I have a few of these, maybe you can find them somewhere near you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5-1000-Fl...Keyboard-m2-/141441258737?hash=item20ee8e54f1

Here's an example of one in action installed in another backup unit:

 

I have encountered back up units in the past with bad floppy drives, sounds like that's what's happening with yours but don't quote me on that.
Do you happen to have an older PC laying around that has a floppy drive? maybe if compatible, you can borrow it for a second to test it on your SPFQ

 

The SPFQ menu comes up, but it does without any power, and without the drive being operational.

How do the new drives work?, as in to load games on ?. That video skipped to when it was all installed and complete.

 

The thing is, the floppy drive on this unit was working perfectly before. I think what I could of done is blown the floppy drive maybe ??. I just wish I had found my power lead for it that worked perfect as this all could of been avoided maybe.

No, I don't have a PC with a floppy drive at all.

If the SPFQ is loading up to the menu screen, do you think the unit itself is undamaged ?, and maybe the issue is solely with the floppy drive ?.

I'm wondering whether when I tried with the power lead the other day, it was failing to power the drive or it was simply failing- then I could of done something to damage the drive ??, as I don't understand why it's not working with a new power supply.

 

Do you mean how to prepare the USB drive?
Follow the guide below, then basically drag and drop your rom backup into one of those virtual floppies :

 

Perhaps

Unfortunately I can't tell you for sure, but you definitely need a compatible known working adapter and floppy drive to test it out.

???