SNK Neo Geo AES Repair Part 1 (No Sprites / Missing Graphics)

A short video covering the repair of an SNK Neo Geo AES. This particular AES is owned by Beaps73 and has been worked on by 3 or more people previously...
Original video showing the problem:-
• Neo Geo AES SOS

[@FirstWizardZorander]

That speccy "beep" is just comedy gold. Tempted to fire up my machine to see what you put as the label for that program

[@GadgetUK164]

Haha, I think it was something like Operation Wolf, although I might be wrong. I should have created something as you say - you would have been the first to have worked it out if I had! =D

[@theseabass]

I love finding new repair channels. Watching these videos is my crack. Keep up the good work man! :)

[@GadgetUK164]

+theseabass Thanks =)

[@snkneogeoman]

1) The white background with the "100 mega shock" is normal. 2) Outstanding job keeping the AES from being another victim of the AES graveyard. Looking forward to the 2nd part.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =) And thanks for the info about the white background! I've managed to sort the video and sound noise out - was just a cable problem!

[@GRUSSNewton]

Great video! Beaps73 will be well chuffed! Someone has been busy previously!... What a mess! Glad you've brought it back to life! Looking forward to part 2 :-)

[@GadgetUK164]

Yes, they certainly have been busy lol! I've worked out the humming is just the cable being stereo and the AES output at the socket being mono, so there's nothing on the right channel at the moment. I can sort that later. I am focused on trying to clean the video signal up at moment. I am not sure if its the CXA1145P, the cable or the TV at this stage. I do think the TV is using composite rather than RGB, despite the cable being wired with the colours etc, so it could be that the aweful composite signal is the problem here - not sure, posted on the Neo Geo forum whilst I get my tea to see if anyone has seen the same issue before. Later comes the ROM work, which I am dreading tbh... And I've ordered a new regulator for it as well - the one that's on there isn't mounted correctly and just looks a mess. I think there might be 3 parts to this.

[@GRUSSNewton]

I've got a S-Video to scart cable which I bought for my first CMVS. It's for an AES but for some reason thought it would fit the S-Video socket on the CMVS :-/ If you like, PM me your address and I'll send it over to you :-) I'll never use it as I don't have a AES.

[@GadgetUK164]

GRUSS Newton Thanks, no need! I've just sorted the video and audio problems - WOW this AES gives a good output, it's as good as my direct RGB out of my MVS. Thanks for the offer though =)

[@K1NGARTH3R]

Love watching you work you magic, great news that you fixed up Beaps NGH system! Looking forward to Part 2 :D

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =) Lots to do on it still =/

[@Beaps73]

Oh my what a mess, I never thought it was that bad mate. I nearly chocked up when I saw the game actually running. I can't thank you enough for helping me with this

[@GadgetUK164]

No worries! Glad I could get it working! Just need to sort these things now:- Poor video, sound issue with right channel (I think the cable is just the problem, need to prove that later), ROM, switch, regulator, and upgrade that UNIBIOS to the free 3.1.

[@Bylga]

Amazing repair!

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks! It is one of the most common repairs for the Neo Geo!

[@NotHimJim]

Awesome stuff as always!

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =)

[@KennAndJenn]

awesome job man! those diagnostic bios seem cool. i bought one but never got around to trying it out. i might have to pop it in my broken six slot.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =) Yes, the diag bios from SMKDAN is awesome!!! Makes working on these systems much easier than in the past!

[@royp9344]

Hello. Firstly i really enjoy watching your channel. I'm having a drama with my aes after a voltage issue. Would it be ok with you if I sent you a clip of what is going on and if you could give me some advice. Thanks.

[@RetroGG-74]

Hello , First love the videos you make and been a sub for a while . I have a question of MVS boards . I have one with just a single color on screen(peach) when booting , do you know if that is a diag code or where to maybe start as thats the only clue I have .

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks! Not sure the MVS BIOS gives coloured error codes like the AES one does! Your best bet is to get the SMK Dan Diagnostic BIOS programmed onto a 27C1024 and swap the BIOS out for that diag BIOS. That will tell you if you've got a RAM fault somewhere, which is probably the case.

[@GadgetUK164]

Also check around the battery area for corrosion. Corrosion is often the cause on many MVS faults.

[@Electric5hock]

Hey Gadget, I found your channel a while ago and i have to say "you have amazing contant"! i really like your videos, espacially the one with neo geo aes! the reason why i found your channel is my neo geo aes where i have a few questions about and you might can help me since you look like a big pro when it comes to neo geo aes! :) is there a way to contact you(via email) and show you some pics of my neo geo aes board to get some informations from you? it's all about some minor info like, do i have the right DC adapter, is it a japan, pal or ntsc consol, and a few more. :) thank you in advance and keep the good videos running!

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =D Just upload something on Google+ or YT and I will take a look!

[@Electric5hock]

thanks you very much! sent you a privat message on YT! :)

[@capcomgamer1000]

the AES cant deliver stereo on its video output, only on the earphones you can get stereo sound. You can only mod the console or buy a moded rgb cable who has a sound cable on it which can be connected to the headphone jack to deliver stereo instead of mono

[@gadgetuk1643]

Thanks for the info! Suspected as much - pin 7 was wired for the other audio channel on the cable but as you say the DIN output is mono and pin 7 is used for composite or something.

[@radiokidaaa]

Hey Gadget, have to say that your videos really inspire everything I do with my old consoles (and my various ebay find etc). I find your camera style and musings while doing your thing really help me to troubleshoot my issues. I have one issue; an ongoing one that is really causing me headaches, and I have posted it here www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?267352-Neo-Geo-Static-Sprite-corruption-maybe-S-ROM-related. I realise you probably have more than enough to be getting on with without looking at other peoples problems, but I would really appreciate your input.

[@GadgetUK164]

Glad you sorted it =D Well done tracing the fault!

[@royp9344]

Thanks. I don't really see a change after an hour. Could it be one of the ram chips aswell as caps? Could you link your Rgb video please. Do you have another way of messaging you eg facebook if you don't mind me racking your brain.

[@GadgetUK164]

+roy paddon No, definitely looks like a sync problem to me! Not RAM related! Most likely capacitors, or your TV just doesn't like the Neo Geo sync. Here's the video where I swapped out the caps:- kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJPSd5aMj8dplas I don't use facebook or other social media!

[@FireSharkFury]

You can use a Sega Mega Drive on/off switch to replace the missing switch on the AES!

[@GadgetUK164]

Really, does that fit reasonably well? That sounds like an awesome fix! Thanks, will check that out!

[@GadgetUK164]

FireSharkFury Awesome!!! Thanks =)

[@Beaps73]

FireSharkFury I would never though of that, interesting.

[@RGD-Repairs]

what are sprites?

[@GadgetUK164]

gamerdude1989 typically the foreground graphics used for a character, effects, objects etc in a game. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_%28computer_graphics%29

[@hannonm]

Ah the console From hell....Good Times :P

[@GadgetUK164]

+Amy Marie Haha lol! Every time you comment I end up having to watch these as well =D

[@hannonm]

Its such a Good video set.

[@arcadeuk]

Hahaha, I would be swearing at that dodgy soldering on the ROM bodge! I hate seeing stuff like that. I think soldering iron's in the UK should require a licence and you should have to pass a soldering test each year to renew your licence :)

[@GadgetUK164]

Haha lol - Great idea on licensing soldering =D That ROM bodge was a nightmare... I swore a fair bit in the next part when I removed it...

[@fys4287]

Gadget, get on twitter!

[@GadgetUK164]

@GadgetUK164 =D

[@GlobalGarageAus]

+GadgetUK164 Great channel mate, I've learned a lot from watching your videos. Im stuck on this AES graphics issue though at the moment. Wonder if you've seen this before? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXnSq6ZnntGYbq8m17s

[@GadgetUK164]

+Global Garage Subbed =D Great stuff! You can make the Z80 test cart by taking one of your existing carts, remove the M1, get the M1 test ROM from SMK dans website and program that onto a 27C010 (or 27C020), and then stick that onto the board. With regards to the graphics issues you still have, have you inspected around the backup battery area? I would suspect bad connections related to the ZMC2, or dirtry / bad cart slot.

[@GlobalGarageAus]

GadgetUK164 Thanks for the tips. My AES doesn't have battery backup, Ive only seen that on MVS boards. Do you mean the ZMC2 inside the cart? The thing is the game works perfectly in another console, so I've ruled that out.

[@GadgetUK164]

Sorry, I got side tracked half way through and when I returned I was thinking it was an MVS! Ignore comment about battery and ZMC2. I will watch again to check what board revision you have.

[@Bylga]

Are you the NEO GEO Jesus?

[@GadgetUK164]

Haha! No, anyone can do these repairs - It's all about taking your time and getting enough practice before you start working on a proper board. The hardest part here was removing the old chips. Thanks for watching and commenting =)

[@Bylga]

It is very impressive. Lukemorse1 skills.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =)

[@icedlain]

Time to change the intro / background music, it's getting old

[@GadgetUK164]

Yes it is! I just haven't had the time... I will find something else soon =)

[@icedlain]

yay! i'm a big fan of your videos, i've learned a lot. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the world, keep going ;)

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks, really appreciate it =) Sometimes when I hardly get any comments etc I wonder if I am wasting my time uploading these!

[@icedlain]

Absolutely not!, I'm not expert in electronics (i'm designer) but my hobby is restore video game consoles and your videos inspire me to do something crazy experiments. I'm deeply grateful with you. PD: My english is not perfect, sorry if I made some mistakes

[@icedlain]

I wish you a quick health recovery :) cheers!