Repairing a Space Invaders Arcade

[@TheGeekPub]

For those of you who are experienced repairing Space Invaders (or other arcade) boards, what would you have done differently?

[@francistaylor1822]

I have a space stranger cab here (though its not exactly the same as other examples) I put in an rpiJamma with replacement controls as there was just too much to learn to get the full cab and original screen working (I have the parts though so it can be returned to stock).

[@francistaylor1822]

@@juliedunken1150 what are you talking about?

[@richardknezevic7371]

@@francistaylor1822 i am chuck

[@francistaylor1822]

@@richardknezevic7371 what?

[@francistaylor1822]

@@juliedunken1150 I wanst replying to you I was replying to the above post by TheGeekPub. when you are replied to you see the @ symbol followed by your name.

[@joseph_b319]

I don't know anything about your soldering debate of Dual leaf or turn socket, but you never realize how much wrong you do in life until you are on KZbin.

[@TheGeekPub]

You won the comments section on this video! HAHA!!!!

[@achannelhasnoname5182]

It makes sense tho. If you do something, anything really and thousands of people are watching you, there will be a lot of people who have more knowledge about certain things than you do.

[@TheGeekPub]

@@achannelhasnoname5182 Except I seem to find the exact opposite to be true. The most vocal "you did it wrong" commenters have the least amount of knowledge on a topic.

[@achannelhasnoname5182]

@@TheGeekPub welp, I guess not everyone can handle criticism well.

[@MeppyMan]

@@TheGeekPub yeah that would have been how I took this thread. More armchair critics and experts than actual ones.

[@ianrendall]

I am so glad that we have people like you and David keeping this vintage equipment alive.

[@Richthofen80]

+1 replacing all chips with sockets. Hero for the next guy who owns it.

[@imcrow6674]

10:06 i always kinda view a repair job as a display of your skill in a sort of artform its like, the organization of wires, how clean your fixes are, how smooth things run mechanically (when doing mechanical work like tape decks), how the thing overall runs, like new or kinda wonky etc being able to just fix something so it works and being able to fix something so it runs like new, or better than new, just really speaks volumes imo. really is a bit of an artform in its own way

[@guyguy467]

Ditto

[@OscarSommerbo]

I am one of those wishy-washy types, Turned pin for "permanent" ICs and dual leaf spring sockets for ICs that you change often. And since ram isn't something you change until it breaks, I think turned pin was the right choice. Fun how I came here for the Petscii robots cabinet, but I stayed because you make well polish and accessible videos. I am very impressed.

[@WX4CB]

yup totally agree with the socket comment

[@alanhennessy9196]

Great fix, a real sense of accomplishment after all your work. Well done. Enjoy your new working Space Invaders!!

[@MaximRecoil]

Why would you use machined pin sockets at all? They are designed for components with machined pins (pins with a round cross section). Standard through-hole DIP chips have sheet metal legs (thin rectangular cross section), so if you stick sheet metal legs into round holes, the legs will only make contact on the front and rear thin edges. You get more contact surface area by using the type of sockets that are designed for chips with sheet metal legs, especially if you use the "dual wipe" variety.

[@charlesjmouse]

Yep, I'd go with that.

[@MrLurchsThings]

A very nice repair. Well done. As for the sockets, honestly - personal preference. There’s pros and cons for both. People who want to jump up and down in the comments on it clearly have too much time on their hands.

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

@@YoureUsingWordsIncorrectly Time or sockets?

[@kuzadupa185]

Not only do they have too much time on their hands... im willing to go as far as some of them may not even have experience with a repair/replacement like this

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

You make it way too easy for the next enthusiast that's gonna repair this 40 years from now 😄 Great job. Love to see how old hardware can still be brought back to life.

[@gugajedi]

I really miss this channel videos and projects. During 2023, I hoped and I hoped for a new video from this channel... but it never came... I really want to see a full video about the Office Space renovations, and also more projects on arcades and raspberry and so on... This channel was very cool...

[@guyguy467]

Ditto

[@herrbauman]

Just go to his active channel, Time Rift Arcade

[@jaydavies2001]

As a child in the late '70s > early '80s I was in awe of the magic of video games; I was never any good at them but the graphics and the sounds pumping out of the machines, absolutely amazing; so to see videos like this - the insides of a Space Invaders machine - just adds to that childhood wonder of over 40years ago; as said by others - I love videos like this. Thank you so much for sharing it.....

[@PeterWargo]

It's been a long week, and I found this video to be oddly soothing. Not to mention it brought back memories of going to arcades in the early 80s when various siblings managed them at various times. I was more interested in the inner workings than I was the games themselves. Probably because I sucked at playing them.

[@robllewellyn]

Great fix!! Thx for taking the time to video and edit it all!

[@cybermindarcade5172]

nice loved the background music, got lucky 2 days ago and picked up a working Space Invaders like yours for $50 in the midwest, luckiest find of my life.

[@TheGeekPub]

That's AWESOME!

[@RetroBrew]

It takes an enormous amount of courage and experience to handle ancient power rails. This video shows one of the most straight forward restorations I've ever seen. Good job!

[@samsnacbar]

GG WP, Good work ! I hate when several parts fail together, it makes the troubleshooting like a nightmare, but you succeed wonderfully!

[@TheGeekPub]

Agreed. I have an IT background. Troubleshooting multi-part failures is irritating.

[@MeppyMan]

@@TheGeekPub but oh so satisfying when you approach the in a methodical and practiced way and it pays off. Patience and persistence.

[@chrissmith6028]

It's so nice to see someone actually using a heat gun instead of a lighter for heat shrink tubing.

[@TheKeymaster316]

I remember going to a campground when we were really young in the late 70’s. They had a small arcade room with the bowling game that had the fold up pins. It also had some really old pinball machines. But what I remember most was the Space Invaders arcade machine. Heck, the bowling and pinball games were so old they were only $.10 each, but I didn’t care, I didn’t mind dropping quarters on this game!

[@alisharifian535]

It is a long time that i watch 8-bit guy's videos and it is a few weeks that i have learnt that this channel exist. When i see two brothers or sisters, i like to compare how similar and different they are with each ocher. Mike has lot's in common with his brother David, like using decent methods in creating and repairing, using good vocabulary and suitable music during the narration. They have similar body gestures and body language too.

[@neilwilliams2907]

I'm new here and came looking for a comment like this. So they are related! They sound so alike or is that the accent for part of the USA?

[@alisharifian535]

@@neilwilliams2907 The accent factor exists,but if you watch few episodes of 8-bit guy or 8-bit keys channel,you will see similarities are more than accent. It is the evidence showing that how genetics and raising methods of parents are effective.However,both of them being respectable people,they are different in their behaviours.David is a more computer nerd,and has a more introversive personality,but i feel Mike is a more "businessman" kind of person.

[@captainkevski566]

Absolutely riveting video. Was with you all the way. A true Classic resurrected from the dead. I learn so much from your trouble shooting and methods. Brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[@ngiants2230]

Love your vintage Apple IIe monitor. It's so cool to still see classic things in use.

[@zigbeed]

Wonderful memories watching this video. Thank you.

[@Zenkai76]

wow never seen a rom chip programed before, learned something, awesome video.

[@Simon-qn5wm]

I would use whatever IC sockets you want to use. Excellent video & repair of this classic machine.

[@StevePietras]

Nice video there Dave's brother. There are several folks doing game repairs on youtube BUT your production quality and explaining what it is you are doing and why is fantastic.

[@owenhorn7548]

I hope you come back!!!

[@geekwithsocialskills]

Awesome job on the repair! That Space Invaders cabinet is in really great shape too!

[@Asterra2]

This was really fun to watch. I was a _very_ young kid when I would see this game in arcades and, well, completely random locations. I watched a guy playing the game in what I think was a lone coffee shop in a corner of some airport. It really was ubiquitous. I also played the game exactly one time. Although it wasn't the _first_ arcade game I ever played (that would be Moon Cresta), it was definitely in the top 3. I actually spent most of my childhood watching arcade games being played, or the attract modes, rather than playing them. I can quite easily name every arcade game I've ever played in my life.

[@smeatr0n]

That feeling when a game comes back from the dead never gets old. Yesterday I got a Nintendo red tent working again and I just couldn’t sleep all night I was so elated. What a fun and rewarding hobby :)

[@keithsanders9396]

I really enjoyed this video. That monitor looks pristine.

[@RaccoonHenry]

that cabinet is so cool! nice to see it get the love it deserves after all these years!

[@rachelbolyard1527]

Thanks for giving that machine the attention it deserves.

[@blackops84321]

Great job. love the sockets.

[@NanoBurger]

Watch as I fire upwards through our own shield! ...He's a mad man! A mad man!

[@Allen-by6ci]

Nice job.. I love that game. Even with no audio, I can still hear the speakers thumping from the aliens moving across the screen.

[@TheChrisPineWorkshop]

That machine looked pristine! Awesome fix!

[@rectify2003]

Brilliant fix So glad you bring old technology back to life again

[@shorium4409]

The second i saw you post on Arcade Museum i knew this video was coming and was so freaking excited.

[@TheGeekPub]

That's awesome!

[@scsirob]

Nice job! Obviously you wanted to re-use the RAM chips, but if you don't plan on re-using a chip after removing it then a good technique is to use sharp side clippers and just clip all pins from the top, right at the chip body. You end up with all pins standing up as little hooks. Then you can easily lift each pin from the hole with a standard soldering iron, without stress on the traces and without the need for a vacuum desolder pump.

[@AndyHope970]

Shout out to Chuck, love ya big guy

[@mattks1001]

It’s been too long with no new videos, any new content coming? Thanks. I enjoy all your videos.

[@TheGeekPub]

I''ve got some things in the works. They won't be real soon though.

[@mattks1001]

@@TheGeekPub Awesome, glad to hear that! Any plans over on the Geekbits channel as well? Your guys talks always reminds me of my childhood and I really enjoy those.

[@jorgrademaker]

No video for a year... Are you ok, Mike? I miss your content!

[@TheGeekPub]

Just super busy on other projects.

[@jorgrademaker]

@@TheGeekPub Happy to hear you're just busy and it's nothing bad. Good luck with your projects!

[@mister-do5469]

Good Work,you save the machine.

[@NJDrew]

This was an awesome video!

[@HisVirusness]

Excellent repair. That thing is a piece of history; it deserves the restoration.

[@tombarber8929]

if it does start to oxidize over time, you can probably design a basic PCB that sits between the main PCB and the edge connector, that is pretty much just a card edge, and then use jumper wires between that and the original PCB. And then the new card edge PCB will go into the original edge connector.

[@TheGeekPub]

Dude. I am planning to do just this when I get time. I want to design an intermediate PBC. One that has modern gold or enepig plated pins. That way I can plug it into the motherboard "permanently" and only plug and unplug my intermediate board.

[@tombarber8929]

@@TheGeekPub great minds think alike apparently! Would be cool to see that on a video on that when its done

[@bro3162003]

Great job and great work

[@joeschmo5171]

Great job mate! You did fabulous work on both the machine and the video! Thanks!!

[@LERobbo]

Kudos to you for restoring a classic to its former glory, well done!

[@tommygunatl]

Can you do a video dedicated to the tools you use and the brands you prefer for arcade parts? I know you mention in each video but it would be nice to have a video dedicated to just tools and parts. Love your videos, can't wait to make my first cabinet.

[@richy69ify]

Great job!

[@SixOThree]

Love that see-through shot at 3:32.

[@74bobby]

Great Job on getting it up amd Running again.

[@markstewart727]

There has not been a new video in 8 months. I hope everything is ok because this is a great channel!

[@TheGeekPub]

We're still here. Some news coming soon. We're up to something LOL.

[@Elektrotechniker]

@@TheGeekPubAre you okay? It‘s been a year plus now, haven‘t heard anything from you😢

[@TheGeekPub]

@@Elektrotechniker Just busy with other projects.

[@buf0rd]

7:00 so true! Another great vid! Well done.

[@TheRealRustyGrill]

Phenomenal video!

[@jdsa2001]

Great work !! And a very lovely cabinet indeed

[@Colin_Ames]

Some good diagnosing there. Well done.

[@SpecialAgentBillMaxwell]

You know your stuff. That was immaculate work.

[@vabearcub]

I'd love to see you build a Virtual pinball machine with all the extras.

[@TheGeekPub]

We would love to do that too. Someday for sure!

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

I need that Hakko desoldering tool - I have the same Hakko fan as you and I'm a huge user of their soldering station.

[@SteveOwensRoswell]

Great job on the repair. Cabinet is in great shape.

[@mutexS4]

i absolutely love videos like this. i’m fact, i learned about your channel from watching your brother’s channel. i’d say these types of vids (where you or your brother repair old hardware like an arcade or an NES that was found dead on the side of the road lol) are my favorites. keep making more of these!

[@MaximNightFury]

I love how both you and David are expensive on the b-roll, when you don't have to be. It just adds that extra bit to the video.

[@mondodaftasabrush]

Where the speakers / sound card broken it would have been nice to hear the retro sounds of the music and game play as the push buttons and joystick where operated

[@TheGeekPub]

Nope. Speakers and sound work great.

[@bLaaSsFTW]

Oh my god what a joooooob!!! You are such an amazing electronics engineer :O

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

Nice repair job. Also you find put that you don't have the lightning fast reactions that you had as a kid when you used play this!!

[@BoricuaFez]

Awesome troubleshooting!!

[@tankracer6579]

Great work man!

[@mdoyle1981]

Excellent troubleshooting, as for sockets I prefer dual wipe for repairs only because I'm typically using pulls for replacement IC's, and dual wipe sockets are more tolerant of the errant chip leg.

[@PCBWay]

We thank you back for bringing u such AMAZING content, Cheers 🥂🍻

[@tekvax01]

nicely done!

[@juanylescasmartinez5669]

Simplemente increíble, cuando sabes lo que haces y eres todo un PRO, sabes que al final todo va a quedar Chingoooonnnn!!! Felicidades por tan increible canal!!!! Saludos desde la CDMX!!!!!

[@eatonjb]

Are you coming back any time soon, also the Geek podcast? lots of fun. hope all is good.

[@flhoosier64]

Great video

[@colinshanta1001]

Nice work with those labels. You need to go back in and leave a service record just like Chuck did.

[@TheGeekPub]

Great idea

[@KevinFields777]

Nicely done, great job of future proofing it! :)

[@markc871]

Fantastic work

[@miketrissel5494]

Wow, I get to be # 100 ... Hard fixing antiques like this. Even harder when you have to fix other people's fixes first. Good job

[@x-anime2585]

great job

[@peterpuke2841]

I'm not a knowledgeable person when it comes to arcade machines, and let's not talk about troubleshooting one and repair it, it was very interesting and not boring at all.

[@trufantom21]

Awesome fix

[@hifi-reparatur_eu]

I am from germany and do repair headphones for living. Keep the good work. I can still learn a lot from you.

[@sandmanxo]

That's a nice condition cab. The only SI cabs I've run across are either beat to hell or they want way too much money, and that was over a decade ago. That board looks similar to my Pole Position board for terrible bodge jobs and it also has ram issues that I need to fix.

[@darkman042]

Great video, thank you!

[@raoullangner-macmillan7655]

What a great video, thanks.

[@azariayehezkel9064]

Round socket. You King 👑

[@bonzeroni1]

this was awesome to watch. brings back memories

[@rdyer8764]

Really cool to watch. Vicarious joy!!

[@qaz3000]

Awesome!

[@fyreantz2555]

Let's hear it for Chuck!!!

[@organiccold]

Yeahh we having more videos from TheGeekPub. Great job you done here. :)

[@greatkingrat]

Great video and I did subscribe…..I would have loved to hear the game’s sound effects though. :)

[@RobSchofield]

That was great! 😀

[@Locomamonk]

amazing job!!

[@Mattye2902]

You’re a genius! Such a cool video

[@marioserrano5087]

Nice job

[@TRONMAGNUM2099]

Great Job on the repair!!

[@BollingHolt]

Very cool!

[@samsolitaryroll]

Hi, new subscribers here. The first time I stumble upon your channel was from when the 8-bit Guy mentioned you. But I was sceptical at first until I went and watched several of your videos. I subbed after that. I like your videos and your works.

[@VA7ACG]

Well done. I have one of these as well.