SNK Neo Geo Repair-a-thon Ep. 1 - AES Trace Repair - Retro Console Restoration
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 18. 12. 2020
- Last week I unboxed a huge Neo Geo lot that I purchased from Japan containing 6 systems, 12 controllers and 5 games.
đč Huge Retro Console Splurge from Japan Auctions: âą Huge Retro Console Spl...
In this weekâs video I kick off the repair-a-thon and begin restoring these beauties back to their former glory. I decided to go in order of lowest to highest serial number, so Iâm starting with the #55000 unit. This should help with the flow of the repair-a-thon series so that we can explore the evolution of the mainboard revisions with each new episode and how SNK changed the system over the course of its lifecycle.
This first unit turned out to be a 5V unit, and this is one of those times where I was patting myself on the back for going the extra mile and taking the system apart before plugging it in to test. Based on my research the consensus was NOT to trust the labels on the back of the unit due to disinformation online about the right power adapters, as well as numerous accounts of board swaps of older boards in newer cases and vise versa. The absence of the 5V voltage regulator and accompanying coil confirmed this was indeed a 5V, rather than a 9V unit.
I jerry-rigged a 5V power supply using an old monitor power adapter and a buck converter I had lying around from a purchase over a year ago for a DIY power supply project that never happened. The supply was rated for 2.4A, a little below the 3A minimum required on these older systems but enough for testing until I source some high quality power supplies.
The system powered on but displayed a green screen. With a cartridge inserted, the system glitched and displayed artifacts but still with a green background. I later discovered that this was a diagnostic color indicator indicating that the system has a âPalette RAM Errorâ. However, prior to realizing that the RAM was the culprit, I spent a fair amount of time performing a lengthy examination of the board and arriving at dead ends. Eventually, I discovered the broken traces between the CPU and the RAM.
This was an incredibly fun repair and the outcome was positive considering I have never worked on a Neo Geo before. I donât think Iâve ever been this excited to start gaming on one of my repair projects.
1 system repaired, 5 more to go. Stay tuned!
đ Support the channel by buying some of my merch or one of my console builds
www.BorderlineOCD.com
đ Specialty products I used in this project
Buck Converter: amzn.to/2WwSY9O
Plastic Restorer Sponge: amzn.to/3nwIEd8
đ§ Toolkit
Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/2X7s0Gj
Automatic Wire Stripper: amzn.to/30F5TJm
đ Soldering Essentials
TS100 Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: amzn.to/312Grws
đ Soldering Add-ons
Tip Tinner: amzn.to/31w2EF4
Helping Hands Soldering Aid: amzn.to/3ihgksP
đ„ Thermal Compounds
Arctic MX-4 Thermal Paste: amzn.to/2Ak2y8w
1.5MM Arctic Thermal Pads: amzn.to/2Vv1RQU
đ„ Composite and S-Video on my Mac
USB Capture Card: amzn.to/2YM4TT7
(Catalina 64-bit drivers can be found on the manufacturer's website)
đ” Music
Sappheiros - Awake / sappheirosmusic
"Sappheiros - Awake" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0) - Hry
Never seen anyone clean contacts with a pipe cleaner. That's clever.
I've raided my partner's crafts cabinet a few times now and found all sorts of useful things in there. My IPA dispenser started life as a glue dispenser. And the pick tool I scratched the solder mask with is a crochet tool. Same thing with the paint brushes. Makes me want to visit a crafts store to see what else I might find useful for soldering. I bet I'd walk out with a basket full of useful goodies.
You knocked this repair out of the park.
Perfect K.O.
Thank you very much!
Lol. As you were doing the trace repair I said to myself "I bet he can't help himself and reflows the power connector". And tada there you go đ. Great video thanks
Ha, either I'm that predictable or you guys know me too well by now đ
This video inspired me to go out and buy a Neo Geo. like yourself it was one of those items as a kid I would have dreamed about, but realistically could never afford. Just seeing one being restored gave me that itch. I now have one fully restored with a few games after some sound issues and scratches polished out đđŒ
"I was ecstatic... then I realized it was KOF2001." ;)
Awesome work, awesome video. My moment of zen for the day.
Those trace repairs, that's pro level work, mate! As for the connector desoldering goes, that is borderline OCD :-)
Ha, indeed! Glad you enjoyed it.
Wow, congratulations on getting the 1st one going. Was pretty happy myself when I saw that title screen come up. Nice vid, interesting, good work, and some good tips for amateurs like myself. Lets keep the streak alive!!!!
Much appreciated, thanks bud!
The clickyness of the joystick makes me happy lol
I'm in love with this gamepad. Never played anything like it with a clicky joystick instead of a d-pad. Perfect for arcade games.
You are a GOD with us Neo Geo community Bro. Good stuff. It's money to be made if you offered this service to the Neo Geo community.
I mean the trace repair is good and all but making the power connector solder blobs pretty is the icing on the cake! great job!
12:54 GOD level bodge wiring đ
I know who to contact if my Neo breaks đ
15:55 LOVE that start up sound.... just as much as the PS1. These are the two best start up sounds ever
Ha thanks, glad you enjoyed the repair bud.
What an invaluable video! I'd never heard of a Buck Converter before. Had no idea you were supposed to check the board and not trust the label. I've had the guts of an AES for YEARS that said PRO-POW3 on it. I'd purchased a NEO-POW3 that didn't power the unit and presumed the thing was a lost cause. I just followed your steps, and sure enough, I have a 5V unit and the damn thing powers up! Thank you so much for doing these videos!
Man, that's some surgeon's hands you got there keeping that wire steady with those tiny trace repairs. Bravo!
Iâm so impressed with your soldering. Iâm still a beginner, practicing mods on cheaper consoles like the OG Xbox but hoping to reach your level one day !
I may be a new subscriber, but, you inspired me to start repairing things as a hobby. I recently bought a red dot of death 360 e console with my Christmas money/money was my gift. I really hope I get as good as you do because from what I've started, I really enjoy this. Keep up the good work đ.
Good for you bud! If you enjoy tinkering and fixing things it's a fun and rewarding hobby.
The cartridge insertion over time probably caused too much repetitive deflection on the board, which then causes those small traces to break. That board went through a high quality build process (judging by the old videos), and signal traces don't just break on their own. The PCB should have had more standoffs around the cartridge slot.
Outstanding repair work!
Good job! Surprised I havenât seen this video before. I got a comment on one of my own NeoâąGeo trace repair videos today prompting me to re-watch it and CZcams recommended yours at the end. :)
I teared up a little when you got it to boot up after the trace repair. I know that hopeless feeling but then you find one tiny thing that doesn't seem right and you know you're onto something. Perfect way to celebrate with the KOF2001Intro. Which is the most badass hype arcade intro ever.
A little USB microscope hooked to a monitor really helps with trace hunting like this. Nothing fancy just something to give you a very close up view.
Superb video. Your soldering skill left my jaw on the floor.
Have enjoyed viewing the AES bundle unpacking and this first repair job... great skills with bridging those traces - I'm slowly grasping the testing process and potential dos and don'ts of PCB repairs. I can absolutely understand the joy of seeing your first AES in person as I've also recently got hold of one. Was blown away by the sheer size of the console and also how light it is - it looks like it should weigh a tonne. The carts are also incredible in person. Boyhood dream indeed. My AES was displaying a green hue, so I thought I would need to repair it, but the problem went away when I bought a higher amp PSU - went for a 9V 3A one as the NEOSD cart apparently draws more power than the 1A PSU can provide. That seemed to fix the colours and she's now beautiful on my BVM. Incredible videos, which I'm working my way through as new to the channel. Thanks and happy holidays from the UK.
Generally 2.5A or above is recommended for Neo Geos. I wen't with the 3.5A PSUs for my 9V system and 4A for my 5V system to account for things like multicarts and mods. 3A for your system is a good choice and will put less stress on the power circuitry.
Kudos for your amazing skill. You left me without words.
Thanks for the high praise.
The music during the trace repair is the same chord progression in the chorus of Maneater by Hall and Oates. I was singing the lyrics in my head and thought...a nice slow melodic version of that song would be good.
Who could dislike that, amazing job đđ»
Dude I love your videos trying hard to not binge watch them
Loving all your videos, greats from Brazil đđđ»
Great work. That was some detailed trace repair.
Thanks đ
These videos are therapy for me. Great work as always!
Thanks bud, glad you find them enjoyable!
And it begins! Nice work once again! đđ»
Thanks bud, glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome work and an amazing video!
very clean and impressive work again!
And so it begins!! Amazing buddy keep it up!
You know it! Thank you.
Iâm ready with beer and popcorn for awesomeness to begin
I hope it was to your satisfaction and I trust you did it right and poured some butter on your popcorn.
How did you research the hardware prior to this undertaking? You know your stuff!
You boys be quiet down there.
great job on the repair. we need to keep these old systems around
Thank you. I couldn't agree more.
Congrats! Nice and clean fix!! đ
Thanks! đ
Amazing video, you have serious skills! Great job
Glad you enjoyed it bud.
Nice work fair play thats some wicked trace repair.
Thanks đ
This is a great Christmas gift
I'm wrapping it up for you as we speak.
Fantastic video. Bravo đ đ can't wait for the rest. Congrats on the pickup.
Thank you!
@@BorderlineOCD I forgot to ask you, are you going to replace the caps ? Thanks
Happy new year man! Thank you for the content, thanks to you I've saved a Mega drive II from the bin and hopefully, I'll be saving a Neo Geo AES as well.
Good for you bud! Great to hear and good luck with your AES repair.
@@BorderlineOCD Thank you. đ
Im learning so much with your videos!
I'm glad you find them useful!
you are quite a surgeon welding đ. minute 19:22 there is a drop of water at the bottom đ€
Ha thanks, and SHIT!
Another great video. Love the tunes.
Thanks đ This is one of the few soundtracks I've actually listened to again after using it for background audio. Don't know what it is about this song but somehow it captures 90s Japan.
@@BorderlineOCD you did a Japanese themed video and you didn't even know it lol
thank you for the valuable tips.
Glad you enjoyed it bud.
You are so lucky to have these. Always wanted one but were too expensive here in the UK. They still are.
Good work man, and a very good video!
Appreciate it!
Bro... You really have talent!!!
Thanks my man.
Very very good vid, following the journey, subscribed
Welcome aboard and thanks for the sub!
neogeo aes: expensive then, expensive now
Indeed, however back then I was in my tighty whities and could barely afford candy. Now I can freely make questionable decisions with my hard-earned cash!
@@BorderlineOCD Lol I feel ya. I used to only see these in ads and magazines. Now that we are grown up and buy things to fulfill childhood wishes, it just ends up sitting dust because we are too busy to play. T_T
any neo geo saved is a great thing
Great job! đ
Thank you!
Good work man
Appreciate it.
Hope you get to 9K!
Hi OCD,
Glad to see you again and Happy New Year to you and your love ones.
I finally was able to catch up with all the other content to share on the Neo-Geo thread on Atariage.com, and now your video is available to be seen on your first repair on the many Neo-Geo units you own. Excellent job with the first repair bro. 8^)
It's on post #24,915 for you to view OCD. Thank you for sharing this with us. Looking forward on the rest soon from you bro. 8^)
Anthony..
Thank you and glad that you're enjoying the series!
Wow
Seems i'm not late
Nice videos man, keep it up with this good work!
Thank you!
Neo Geo wasn't fucking around when they settled on the size of the cartridges.
Good job đ
Cheers!
This is one system that I really know nothing about and never seen one in the wild.
Hope you get them all fixed đ
That's the hope!
you are the man buddy
Great job =D Subbed!
Much appreciated, thank you for the sub!
Daamn those snk consoles from back in the day!I always wanted one..đąNice work though..OCD AND CONSOLES đ€ŁđYou are going to sell some of them!!!!đ€đ€đ€đ€I'll be monitoring the situationđ€Łđp.s.:that japanese backround music makes that exotic console even more exotic!
Glad you enjoyed the background music. Its one of my favorite tracks.
Yeah we did too, but they were so expensive back then. The games were high too.
Oh thank f**k ya went back for the power connector reflow... was making my OCD go twitch đ€Ł
Love the video.. have exact same prob.. note the C connector on the AV pin config isnât the same as the MD.. ones a C shape the other is a U.
Great work buddy wish i would score a neo geo but crazy espensive now
The retro craze has sent all vintage systems skyrocketing. I see old videos on CZcams where people picked them up for $20 back in the day! Argh!
At this point, I think it would be easier to perform heart surgery on a person...those traces are so small.
The believe the early Neo Geo models have sharper video output? Not that it matters if using Composite. That's one system that really shines in RGB though.
Thats funny. I missed my true calling. Dammit!
They definetly have a better RGB output compared to higher serial no. Neo Geos, canÂŽt say anything about the video output.
v nice BACK FROM THE DEAD!!! YEAHHH!HH!!!!!
i would have screamed lol - i got amped as shit when i pulled off the rbg mod on my virtualboy years ago
probably best to keep the shiny-reaction\shouting off camera lol but i do know the feeling
im ordering caps for mine - i dont think my unit has ever been opened has the crusty original foam feet still
replacing the capacitors is a quick\easy fix and will likely get rid of your capture footage issue with the white
ainbow banding
no unibios for me or RBG trickery, i have a late model serial (better composite) and its EXACTLY how i play, composite into a nice crt :3
happy gamin brother solid upload
Mine has component output so you gotta add that too!
Graet repair job
Thanks bud, much appreciated.
Hey mate, Look I know you've been mentioning about BGA rework stations and I want to give you a tip
You could either spend $1,000 on one or you could just use a flexible lamp stand modify it to fit your hotair gun in
And use a cheap electric griddle as a preheater.
This will achieve a good result.
Great watching your videos on repairing retro videogame consoles. I love the detail and precise approach that you take for each unit. I have a Japanese AES very low serial number and dropped something very heavy on the console resulting in many cracks. Can you suggest where I can get another top part of the AES console to replace the cracked one? I have seen a few junk not working units on ebay but they are still like $400-$500.
Not that I'm aware of unfortunately. A faulty Neo Geo goes for around $350-$400 these days so the prices you're seeing aren't outrageous. Crazy but true...
As always been enjoying your content
if i ever find a BC able ps3 on the cheap and you don't have it already i might send it to you to keep so you can do a video on replacing the bad NEC chips
it's good to have many informative videos to choose from for things like that so people don't do insane stuff like oven bake their ps3 motherboard
I'll hold you to your word. Or else!
I recently received a YLOD BC PS3 donation but the NEC/Tokin cap replacement has already been attempted. It's in the repair backlog I may try to change out the caps again but the previous owner suspects a GPU problem.
churgery repair just wow =)
Glad you enjoyed it bud.
15:54 better than pokemon magic!! XD
I always wanted one but they were so expensive
Aes and MD AV cable Connection are slightly different, ones a C and the other is U pin configured
Is it okay to go over the Neo Geo logo on the console with the cleaner? I didn't see you do it in the video so wasn't sure. Also, which solution should you buy if "Meguiar's G15800 Ultimate Black Trim Sponge" is out of stock? Thanks!
Noticed you got some new tips for your ts100, which ones did you get?
Very observant of you! I picked up a JL02 tip and a KU tip. I'm enjoying both so far.
Waiting for uploads
Ha thanks, glad you're sitting on the edge of your seat đ Things have quieted down now that the holidays are over so hope to resume the repairs soon.
hi in the video you stated that the working console must output a solid blue screen and mine does, only when I insert the only game cassette I have the screen goes black! can you give me some advice on how to proceed with the repair? please because I really care about this console! thank you
The doctor of injured console...
at 12.20 why not try conductive paint? i have used it a lot for traces and it works!.
I'm sure there's a handful of ways to arrive at the same result.
Hi man, I am from PerĂș, here I cant find anyone with enough knowledge to repair a broken AES that I bought some years ago. I Bakc then a friend lend me his official AC adapter with me, and we tested the console. The console turns on, but I am not sure if the console shows either a Yellow or a White screen. So I was wondering if either of these colors shows a regular problem whitin AES boards, would you wind to explain me what they mean? I am sure, Mine is a really older model, since it has some parts, cables or pieces, newer AES consoles doesn't have.
Makes you wonder how that could of even of happened, corrosion?
Hey guys, i shined up my cons-**consoles slips out of hands and braks through window**
Well, i did
Nioce
Thank you.
Would you know how to fix a ps4? Mine isn't working
Do you have a repair service? My AES needs rescue
I do not unfortunately, but I sometimes make exceptions if itâs an interesting problem that might make a good video.
Quel NEO GEO non e' tenuto bene,e' pieno di graffi,sembra che ha fatto la guerra,un gioiello cosĂŹ dovrebbe essere in condizioni perfette.notare a console smontata lo Z80 e il 68000.gran console
Can you try to fix a walkman?
I don't have much interest in tape media but if I came across something that was collectible I would consider it.
@@BorderlineOCD ok thx for replying
Also need to fix a playstation one The small version
Flux is crack!!!!
The AV cable on a Genesis model 1 ia not the same as a Neo Geo AES. They are close but not the same. The pins are not laid out in the exact same shape. They are close but you could end up damaging the connector on the Neo Geo if you're not CAREFUL.đ§đ§đ§
I fixed my friend neo geo heâs 1
Any For Sale
Keep an eye out. I'll be offering a couple of units for sale on my website once the repair-a-thon series is over and I no longer need them for videos.
Can someone tell me the logic of frying the whole motherboard when using a higher voltage power adapter? Wont the first components after the power plug die and basically act as a unintentional fuse for the rest of the board?
Claims of frying motherboards are often exaggerated within repair, but in the case of the 5V AES variant they are accurate. It has an uncommon design of being 100% externally regulated by the PSU. If you look at schematics for the 5V AES you won't find any internal voltage regulator. The system delivers the voltage you give it to all chips on the motherboard like the CPU, Z80, RAM, BIOS, etc. which are all expecting 5V. If you give it 9V, it will deliver 9V to all those chips. There is a real risk of permanent damage to components. SNK realized this was a poor design choice and quickly added 5V internal regulation to all later models.