Repairing The Vector Monitor, And the Sound On A 1980 Atari Asteroids Cocktail Table Arcade Game

[@hikecraze]

Interesting juxtaposition as Joe shows what needs done and does it. And shows the result. Ronnie on the other hand shows whats wrong and tries to explain the mechanism and details how and why to teach others how to solve the issues themselves. As well as giving a bit of historical information to keep it intresting. Each has their own value. Love it. Keep up the good work guys.

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for Watching Hikecraze!

[@tahustvedt]

It took some effort but I'm finally over the you-eff thing. Interesting video as always.

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching

[@scoosie5967]

You did a nice job Joe. Good to see you in the video and thanks Ron for uploading all the stuff...

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching!

[@raywood8187]

Cool, I didn't know Joe was your brother, or what he really did there. I do love Asteroids, even if it does sound like something you need Preparation H to fix.

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching

[@robb233]

Thanks Joe. Love watching your videos. Quick question. Can a board operate on just 5V? (That's assuming the video and audio are separate). Or do you need multiple voltages just to get the game logic and DACs going? Thanks.

[@LyonsArcade]

Almost all of them operate on just 5v, they often have 12v for the audio like you mentioned though.... but if you lose the 12v line, they'll still boot on just the 5v. There were some that needed -5 for some of the ram, and the Williams games needed 5, -5, and 12.

[@robb233]

​@@LyonsArcade Nice. And do you know how many amps one typically sucks up? I'm daydreaming of a future project of restoring a Tank board or similar era, but using an alternate display, and making the whole thing wall mounted perhaps.

[@fred_derf]

So nice to see a survivor like this cleaned up and restored to operational condition. Now it can spread joy for another 40 years. Thanks Ron and Joe.

[@6581punk]

Hopefully for that long. At least these early machines used common chips. The custom chips of later machines are a nuisance. But FPGA is the way forward on that front.

[@dingdong2103]

I can still smell the atmosphere in the bar where I played a cabinet just like this. Great times. I would buy this for my sofa table without blinking.

[@macdaddyns]

Ahh the game that started it all for me! Never get tired of the mystical glow of the vector rocks in a dark arcade. Thanks for keeping another one alive.

[@allunread1358]

Thanks Ron for making and uploading these videos. I don't have any arcade or pinball machines, but I watch every one of your videos, because your excellent fault finding technique, your outstanding commentary and humour is such good viewing.

[@srfrg9707]

It's not genuine anymore : You removed the factory cigarette burns. 🥳

[@jeremypilot1015]

I'm 45 years old and I remember playing this in 1984 at our local bowling alley. As you were playing, I could feel the buttons under my fingers, I could see the ship rotate and fire. Man thank you for the childhood memory!

[@gregoryschmidt1233]

Some pretty good moves on that game, sir! ;)

[@timitbiscuit3620]

I am awaiting to purchase a stand up asteroids deluxe. With the black light and the background. It only arcade game I going to have the rest I will just play on the computer LOL.

[@propinki]

Wow now i underatand why this game od so adictive, all that sounds and base is realy strong. Watching it made me want to play it now :) greatings from Poland where we dont have this luxury :)

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

Brilliant work. But man this was a fiendishly difficult game. Annoying as f***. Once you started drifting you were knackered. I remember getting it for the woody - no vectors on that though.

[@pdrg]

I think that's a repackaged Engineer brand Japanese made solder sucker?

[@frankbose544]

that sort of looks like a dac with resistors for that sound how it comes threw all those resistors to the inverting input of the op amp

[@jeffreyshier9021]

Ron answered the question that just occurred to me.😂😂😂😂

[@Rob_M_jr]

I dont know Ronnie, Joe might have to start doing more videos. I like seeing different ways of troubleshooting, and then repairing the problem. You both are very knowledgeable in this industry, and are a valuable part of the repair community. Big Clive gave you a shout out recently about the detailed videos you do! Thanks for another great year of content, and Happy New Year.

[@jasonsteverson4609]

Hey Joe, what'd they say was wrong with this game??

[@naytch2003]

It's broke 😁

[@Jason-lx3zu]

One of my favorites in the arcade, and Atari did a good version for the VCS. Folks, Ron is spot on about the bent screwdriver. I'm a car audio enthusiast and many years ago found a "panel popper" that is one of my favorite multitaskers. Get one and you'll be surprised how many times you'll use it for other than its intended purpose. Have a safe and happy new year!

[@LyonsArcade]

Thank you for watching Jason you the man

[@AnthonyPresley-l8f]

What soldering iron do you use? I’m looking for a good one as mine just recently broke.

[@LyonsArcade]

It'll cost you about $100 but if you get a digital weller youll never have to buy another one. We have a link to the one we use on our website, www.LyonsArcade.com/parts.html

[@argee99]

Family is GOOD. Happy New Years to you guys. Thanks....

[@LyonsArcade]

Happy New Year!

[@Foxonian]

Memories of playing this version at our local Pizza Hut. Great job.

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching

[@TboneLoyal]

I bought that solder sucker. Its amazing. And I have a hakko desoldering gun. I use this small one more often cause its just fast to pick up.

[@LyonsArcade]

That's what I like about it too, I like the speed of it. I'm sure the hakko is great but I tried a bootleg hakko once and didn't like it, kept getting clogged...

[@danijelcar5184]

Nice transformation Asteroid is a great game!, 😎👍

[@TMS9918A]

You should give us a tour of the store some time!

[@jk180]

Joe has a better speaking voice ;) Just kidding guys. Love this stuff. Thanks for sharing it

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching

[@lileveretteyoakumiii]

Yodelayheehoo

[@pnegron79v]

I just picked up an Asteroids and am having monitor issues. I ordered a cap kit but am concerned about discharging the CRT. I am reading two different things online. One says that you should discharge it the old fashioned way by safely grounding to the chassis. The other say that if you do this you will damage the components on the boards and that you should bleed the charge using a high voltage probe. What do you do?

[@LyonsArcade]

I believed that nonsense for awhile too, if you think about it power takes the shorted possible path to ground. So if you short it with a screwdriver like normal, it can't possibly damage the high voltage diode, because the voltage is traveling straight to ground through the wire on your screwdriver. Saying that it will damage the High Voltage diode, when the diode when in use regularly holds back the 20,000 volts the entire time it's turned on just isn't logical in my opinion. It's like saying if you drain a swimming pool too fast the walls will collapse. Just nonsense people say that have never actually seen it in use in real life. I short them ground just like normal, but the truth is usually they've bled off the voltage on their own. I've never had it damage a high voltage diode, and I can tell you 100% when Joe did this one he didn't even discharge it, he never does. Usually they bleed off themselves or if they zap you a little bit it's like a good strong cup of coffee :)

[@envisionelectronics]

Unless you’re removing the anode cap, there is no need to discharge anything…

[@pnegron79v]

Thanks for the quick reply! I know what I will be doing this weekend! Happy New Year!

[@clonetek]

Did Joe let one rip @3:12 ?!? lol

[@NotsureOk]

Like a Phoenix from the ashes This beauty wants to be played. Happynew year

[@LyonsArcade]

Happy New Year!

[@00Mandy00]

Unpopular opinion: microfarad is easier to actually say than myooeff.

[@musclesmouse]

U do u!!!! uF everyone

[@flynlr]

headband lights would go a long way to lighting what you all are looking at when dark

[@LyonsArcade]

Yeah but think how damn silly I'd look with a lightbulb strapped to my head!

[@MrReyG1]

Where did you connect the Oscope to so you could see the image?

[@LyonsArcade]

Just at the end of the output there is an X and a Y test point you can hook to. Easy Peasy on these Ataris.

[@brianbirtcher431]

Do ever use ESD protection when messing with chips

[@LyonsArcade]

Never

[@theecrazyoldgamer8770]

Love your videos. please keep up the awesome work. = )

[@LyonsArcade]

Thank you Crazy Old Gamer!

[@Astinsan]

Never seen a arcade monitor with the hi voltage caged

[@LyonsArcade]

Most of the vectors were setup like that. The cage also has something to do with rf shielding

[@dr07828]

I have a solder sucker that works amazing. It's bigger than that one. It works so good. Been using it for years now. Although, i like how small that one is.

[@SiaVids]

It's almost as though you all know what you are doing. 🤣 Great job on yet another sympathetic restoration of a great classic game. 😎

[@alancx523]

Man... Im 49 years old, and I've just sat here watching a man play asteroids, like it mattered...... Somebody shoot me!!!

[@carboumen7661]

Buen trabajo. Me encanta lo que haces.....nice👍🏻

[@LyonsArcade]

I'm trying to learn spanish, I think you said Good Work, I Like what you do..... thank you man I appreciate that, thank you for watching along with us! Feliz Neuvo Ano!

[@bbcreeks779]

Love this channel this video great

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching

[@DemaGeek]

Nice work guys, you're a good team. You make me miss repair work more with every video, as this time frame was my wheelhouse!

[@lepinstar1089]

I finally figured out why you say miccrooofaarraaddd. Somebody must have screwed with you about saying uf. Lol.

[@andymouse]

Blimey nearly made first, Hey Joe you had a good Christmas ? and you Ron, you good ? I do remember you saying in another vid that the thrust noise is generated elsewhere so the quad opamp is a great bet, now I will watch the rest of the vid.......yeah ! you got it, I would love to find one of these in the UK I'm confident with your tutorials I would get it working but I don't have a 'Joe' to do the other stuff ! Looks fantastic....cheers.

[@vstags]

Beautiful! I've got an Asteroids Cocktail that has two boards stacked (original and deluxe version). Still was much fun now as it was then. Great job..Thanks

[@themightyimp08]

I've had a cocktail asteroids like this since '82 It's been in my house safe and sound for all that time! Recently the saucer sounds (high and low trill sound) have both stopped. All other sounds are perfect. Could you tell me which chip you think it is? I saw on another help site it is the same chip type you just replaced, right near the one you replaced, and so I have ordered one and received it. But I'd like your opinion on which one it is, because you really understand the schematics, to which I don't have access to.

[@LyonsArcade]

There's a couple suspects, I'd try the 566 right at the last stage of the saucer sound, and if that didn't do it i'd try the 555 timer in that same area. Good luck!

[@themightyimp08]

@@LyonsArcade thanks! I already have them ready to fit from another suggestion elsewhere. I'll let you know how I get on! Thanks for an awesome channel. it's all brilliant material from the EM pinballs right through to the video games. Thanks for sharing it all with us.

[@bobmonzo3137]

Joe I bought that solder sucker. It works great. Any idea what size those clear tips are?

[@LyonsArcade]

The inside is 2mm, I ordered a whole bunch of high heat silicone tubing to replace the tips with.

[@bobmonzo3137]

@@LyonsArcade thank you.

[@anthill7663]

hyper space....does it work ?

[@LyonsArcade]

Yes, I Don't use hyper space tho when I play I always end up right in a Asteroid

[@marcolander1553]

Hi Ron and Joe! Great video! I have the same exact machine. It was working great but recently lost all video even in test mode. The game sounds all work. Do you have a suggestion of where I should start the troubleshooting?

[@Mrshoujo]

Retrobright those old buttons!

[@LyonsArcade]

They're scratched all to hell and new ones cost 3 dollars

[@garystevens6831]

3:54 "Did anyone try the fish tonight?" "That wasn't so good Al..." Yep yep yep....

[@dazdaz105]

Another great video and a wrecker saved from the skip. I would love one of these in my house ! I remember as a kid playing this and how the adrenaline used to pump when I heard the small UFO and often hitting the hyperspace button in sheer panic ! Happy days and great to see videos like this from people with a passion for fixing these old games 👍

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching!

[@richjacka1]

Nice job filming Joe. Next time, get Ronnie back by swing around and getting a shot of him on film. 😁😁😁

[@kieljohnson6507]

We need more Joe 💪..so much more thorough than that Ronnie guy 😉 ..keep up the great work guys ..and merry Christmas 👍

[@LyonsArcade]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for watching

[@davidboucher99]

Thanks for the tip about the solder sucker Ron. I bought one and used it for the first time yesterday and it works so much better than the ones I've used before. Also: great video as always.

[@LyonsArcade]

We use ours pretty much daily and is still going strong, Thanks for watching!

[@lurkersmith810]

I blame Asteroids for taking me completely off the pinball path just as the electronic games started. Who wants to pay 50 cents for 3 balls when you can get 4 ships for a quarter? I like it when there are so many little rocks flying around that the saucer blows up almost as soon as it appears!

[@robinsonsoto8471]

Nice attitude to troubleshoot.

[@LyonsArcade]

Thank you Robinson, we appreciate you watching!

[@Slide100]

Thanks guys! I always enjoy your videos. I hope you and your families have a Happy New Year! 🥳

[@LyonsArcade]

Happy New year!

[@chrisharper7956]

The legs on that machine are screaming for a nice thick coat of Rustoleum Hammered Finnish paint. Great job saving another classic from the trash heap.

[@mdanesi]

Just out of curiosity, for how much goes a game like this, once it is fixed?

[@LyonsArcade]

www.lyonsarcade.com/games/asteroidscocktail.html

[@mdanesi]

That's awesome!

[@michaelnippert945]

The guy that works on my Sega game Told me that when an asteroid came out it out performed Space Invaders

[@iggysfriend4431]

My alltime favourite gam and the coctail cabinet my favourite format.

[@bobnorman1000]

Another excellent vid thanks Ron and Joe this is better than British television great work keep them coming 👍👍👍

[@MakunaRGBIC]

Have you ever tried to polish the glass with a car glass polishing systems? Lots of scratches in that surface.

[@simonjewell8783]

Awesome video joe 👍 well done you did a awesome job on it I always loved those old original cocktail table cabinets

[@hazybasement7101]

Excellent troubleshooting as always, very informative and it really is so satisfying to see one of those saved from the trash heap. I absolutely loved how your guys broke it all down and now I have come away learning somthing new, great work!

[@Nexfero]

Beautiful restoration. Love your interpretation of the sound fx haha 10:44

[@tigerjeb]

oh the stories that machine could tell

[@LyonsArcade]

It's probably had a front row seat for some strangeness

[@robertbox5399]

You-eff. Glorious lol!!

[@robertbox5399]

I called 10nF ten nufters too.

[@Sodoffshotgun]

yeah it's a lot crisper now with the sound but they're still kind of different I guess that's just how it was in the '80s model

[@anthonydenn4345]

Good diagnosis. I think the fact that it was messing up a couple of sounds (but not all) involving this op amp made it a safe bet.

[@GHILLIESARCADEANDMORE]

Cool

[@naytch2003]

First....ahhh crappp😩

[@LyonsArcade]

You were passed out again weren't ya

[@naytch2003]

@@LyonsArcade maybe 😁

[@naytch2003]

@@LyonsArcade Haha something funny happened today Ronnie..was waiting at the traffic lights and to my right was a guy in a BMW convertible just him in the car wearing a mask..I said to him 'Hey buddy..did you know that man who wear mask alone in car, also wear condom alone in bed?!'😆

[@mattwuk]

Obviously just kidding. Great job guys.

[@adamwalker8483]

Could I ask how much would you expect to sell this for?

[@GRAHAMAUS]

My absolute favourite game in college, 1979. It's amazing all those sound effects have their own little analogue generator circuit hardwired in. Charmingly naive from a modern perspective!

[@LyonsArcade]

That tech is why they can do it the way they can do it today :) Thanks for watching Grahamaus!

[@danratsnapnames]

wow.. they just dont make them like that anymore. so little work to bring it back to life.

[@hippyamp]

let me show you somethin

[@LyonsArcade]

classic

[@pochosousa4653]

Excelente trabajo y un juego más salvado.

[@Custompc48809]

Ron love the videos as normal keep up the awesome work. To Joe, hey great video man you did awesome. We all know it will be hard to get time to record but we will love to see more of your work as well. Please take care guys and have a beautiful and safe 2022. See you Both soon!

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for the kind words, Happy New year!

[@RobSchofield]

DANG! Not only can you fix stuff, you are a talented Space Pilot too! You, sir, are a Steely-Eyed Missile Man!!

[@LyonsArcade]

Thank you for watching Rob!

[@staryduren]

one of the best games! Regards from Poland!

[@LyonsArcade]

Thank you for watching in Poland Gekozoid! My mother's family we believe descended from Poland.

[@staryduren]

@@LyonsArcade Hi Joe! are you looking for Polish ancestors?

[@williamcooper2368]

U guys do great work.❤️

[@mikebell2112]

I like that each sound is generated by its own custom circuit.

[@foxyloon]

I've been looking for a good quality solder sucker for a long time! I'd gladly click the link your site, but isn't working at the moment.

[@LyonsArcade]

Weird, Just tried it and it works fine for me, Maybe try it in google chrome. Thanks for watching

[@randywilliams9531]

That's cool Ron you folks rock on the old machines

[@danratsnapnames]

thinking that an upgrade would be in order. maybe swap out that massive beast of a board for a Raspberry PI with a few emulators, and you could have that thing playing EVERY game made in the 70's 80's 90's and 2000's.. lol.

[@danratsnapnames]

including Console games like NES, or SuperNES, or Intellivision and many others

[@simondempsey1]

Great video from the both of you. I can remember these coming on the scene in the eraly 80's i think?

[@LyonsArcade]

Thanks for watching!

[@markae0]

Fixed thrust sound at 17:11. Great show!

[@user-uk7uu9us1w]

You need to try the hakko fr 301 desoldering gun you will never Use that pump again

[@LyonsArcade]

Already did, sold it

[@thecroydonway1]

Joe good to see you taking part! Ryan get you feet up

[@clumaster]

hyperspace not working in this? also curious if this has the updated eeprom to fix the exploit or if it was original..

[@LyonsArcade]

It is, we just don't like Hyperspace always end up right in front of a asteroid

[@sinistermoon]

Nicely done, dudes!

[@michaelnippert945]

Have Joe play some of the games

[@clivesilk3501]

beautiful machine !!!

[@christhompson2006]

Can't wait to see what's next.

[@vince581]

Love these videos

[@TonyJewell0]

My favourite game. Closely followed by tank. Many hours and much money playing in the pub in my younger years. Great repair and thanks for the video.