Turbografx-16 - Part 1 - Repairing bad controller plug - Fixing Ebay Junk

[@fmdof]

I think I can speak for all of us stuck at home. We'd love to see a full on repair of that cracked board. Especially since the price working tg16's go for a pretty penny, would hate to see it scrapped.

[@RetroRepairs]

It definitely wont be scrapped, worst case it's a parts donor, but id like to try and revive it

[@Alteracious]

That is a HUGE undertaking with that much board cracked.. Its doable, but man, thats a lot of work. Super Props to @RetroRepairs if he does it.

[@RetroRepairs]

My concern though, is there was clearly a reason that somebody was poking around in there in the first place,. I wonder what else is wrong. That would suck to fix it and it still doesn't work because the cpu is fried or something.

[@thecaptain2281]

@@RetroRepairs I would love to see you try, even if you fail. I've fixed cracks like that a few times and I would like to see how you would solve the problems!

[@bassarpeggio5648]

I was impressed by the knowhow and craftsmanship on display here, but I was really impressed by the initiative to go way above and beyond on that plug repair. I probably wouldn't have thought to try that.

[@HellaNorCal916]

My best friend had one growing up. It was never are go to system. Once the SNES was released it was totally forgotten about. It never had a great "System seller". Bonk was kind of weird. My favorite game by far was Splatterhouse.

[@toxicavenger6172]

Love your videos. I was able to replace my broken SNES power input yesterday with the knowledge I've gained by watching your videos.

[@gamer_guts9836]

Even broken retro consoles are expensive. Good video as usual!

[@RetroRepairs]

I managed to get the second one for $30, it's crazy how expensive broken tg16 go for now

[@ItzElixsis]

Love this video. I enjoyed the long video. I never got to play this console when I was a kid and seeing the inside is that much more interesting.

[@El1988Che]

This is hilarious! I recapped mine (and also did the jailbars fix), last week. And I was like, man, there's not a good video about repairing or recapping this console (I did find one for the jailbars fix)... And today, you upload one! The TG 16 is awesome by the way. And you can get Turbo EverDrives from aliexpress for 45 CAD. Both shields are soldered into place and mine also had that sort of flux residue all over it. As for composite or RGB, you can directly tap into the pins on the attachment port. The accessories are just a bypass, they don't have any circuitry.

[@chefkdowg]

Lol he almost said f***. This was great, good job.

[@ThriftyAV]

I really wanted one of these back when they came out... I ended up spending my money on my drumset instead.

[@nickolaswilcox425]

my controller had a similar issue, the connector had fallen out but thankfully the parts were all still undamaged so a bit of hot glue and it went back in and has stayed solid and functional ever since

[@ceejayszee]

Adam Health Tips, I love it man

[@johnc7642]

It was not popular in America because it was insanely expensive for its time. I remember them selling it 400 hundred dollars to start which was just insane. My cousin had one and was the only person I knew who owned one. I have one now in my collection but it took me 30+ years to get my hands on one.

[@RetroRepairs]

It launched at $199, same as the NES and Master System. The problem was it was based on an 8-bit CPU, and since it launched two years later than it did in Japan, it had to compete with the Genesis and SNES, making it DOA. The PC Engine actually outsold the Famicom for a while. You might be thinking of the Neo Geo which was $649 in91, or the 3DO which launched at $700 in 93.

[@retrosave]

Hi, I in your place I try to repair the broken board, even at the risk after many hours of work, even if there is the risk of having another serious problem, as here in Europe it is a little rare and expensive it would be worth trying, keep up the good work.

[@mickeyb2219]

Frankenplug lives!

[@abime-humain7466]

Yass a new repair video i love ur chanel!

[@JuicyJakeRepairs]

6:07 dam thats impressive

[@DarthDestiny07]

I would love to see a Gameboy Advance Sp being repaired, but most of those are screen damage or charging port issues. Those are fairly easy to fix, I hear. Best of luck with your TurboGraphix repair(s)!

[@buddyweiz]

Check out "The Retro Future"-channel. Lots of Game Boy related stuff there. Cheers and stay safe!

[@earlspencer7863]

@@buddyweiz Retro Future's repair of that SP was epic

[@TheSkaldenmettrunk]

Wow.. never saw that console. Heard of it before, but under the Name PC Engine as you said. Thanks for this interesting video.

[@RetroRepairs]

Yeah, the pc engine looked way different too, basically a tiny square, half the size of this thing

[@TheSkaldenmettrunk]

@@RetroRepairs it's crazy how consoles in the early days where so different in other countries. The american snes, fot example, the one with the purple power and reset button and the purple controller buttons was here in europe so different. The controller for example had colored, a red, a blue, a green and a yellow, buttons and the consols itself had no purple at all. It looked like the super famicon, but was labled as snes.

[@Retrocatone]

14:31 « thats my health tip of the day » you got me 😂😂

[@FranktheTank319]

If you have a panavise, the helping hands that attach to that are amazing. I got mine for $45, but they're goose neck, really rigid, and have magnetic feet, so you can reposition them on the base plate and take off the ones you don't need at the moment. I highly recommend them. I've used them to help mod my gameboy advances and a few snes controllers. Edit: They're called QuadHands on Amazon.

[@RetroRepairs]

I've been looking at a panavice, I've just got so little space as it is. I need to rebuild my garage, then move out there

[@FranktheTank319]

@@RetroRepairs they're definitely worth it if you're willing to spend the money on them. I use mine for a lot of different stuff. And when I'm done with it, I just put it back on my shelf.

[@aloehart3374]

You've got more patience than I do. I would have found the broken connector and just ordered a new mini din. It's just a standard connector isn't it

[@markfleming7705]

Another entertaining video, well done and thanks

[@davidschneider1074]

Cool video! Hey question, what size gauge wire is that for controller wire? What gauge did you use to cut the wire?

[@RetroRepairs]

The individual conductors are 30awg

[@davidschneider1074]

RetroRepairs thanks! Love the videos!

[@jasonrebello9898]

Cant wait for part two

[@RetroRepairs]

It'll be up tomorrow afternoon

[@jasonrebello9898]

@@RetroRepairs wow one of my favorite youtubers replied to me

[@RetroRepairs]

Cheers! Hopefully see you tomorrow for part 2.

[@senketsu8632]

You Sir are amazing i love your video's i have learned so much from you.

[@GadgetUK164]

Just quickly catching up with part 1 - WOW at those cracks =/

[@gcz-zy9ix]

Tell me how you manage to crack a board.

[@RetroRepairs]

I wish I knew

[@partypiggaming9344]

My best guess is that it was disassembled, left on the side and then was dropped but that doesn't explain why the cracks are where they are.

[@davidmcgill1000]

@@partypiggaming9344 Looks like it was propped up on that side and something fell on the point between the cracks.

[@_SixthDay_]

If it was my bad luck something heavy around my desk would’ve dropped on it like a lamp or something.

[@biggunz31]

Button one is bombs, button two is shooting. If going right on the directional pad isn’t working, it doesn’t surprise me that button two does not work either.

[@mullinsjm1]

I had one of these when I was 12-13. We traded our NES for it. We had several games with it.

[@antionio77db]

good job had one 30 years ago was a good game.

[@jesuszamora6949]

First off, you mentioned getting extra parts. Where from? Got a link? Also, Hyperkin makes a controller for the TG16, called the Specialist.

[@RetroRepairs]

I get most of my console parts from console5.com Handheld console parts from handheldlegend.com. ive got a referral code to hhl if you find anything there for 10% off your first order, ive posted it in some of my recent handheld videos

[@stude1965]

Cool! It's nice to see that a TG16 controller cable is finally available. All I've seen before were ones for the PC Engine. I tried to solder on a plug but failed miserably.

[@pointedspider]

I wanna see u fix those broken traces!

[@Crimok]

I have never seen a broken board until now. How can someone break it? I mean you must use much force to break it, I think. But selling it without telling you about it, is pretty bad. I mean It's obvious the owner before you opened it and brokened it somehow. The PC Engine or Turbografx 16 wasn't popular in germany as well. But it wasn't sold here. Neither does the new Mini version. I think importing this device is part of our retro feeling xD I love your videos. Keep it up and stay healthy :)

[@RetroRepairs]

Interestingly, the pc engine and turbografx never had a proper pal release. France imported the japanese version, and the rest of europe eventually got the north American version, which was able to convert the signal to 50hz to work with pal sets. They used north American released games though, no special pal releases.

[@Crimok]

@@RetroRepairs True. It's a little bit sad because it has some great games and it wasn't a bad console. Maybe I get one as well if I find a good deal :)

[@RetroRepairs]

Good luck in your hunt!

[@Crimok]

@@RetroRepairs Thank you! :)

[@earlspencer7863]

Have one with the pins missing from the end of the connector. I guess they glued the pins somehow at the end. Is there some replacement part available or do I have to replace entire connector? Never mind saw another comment console5 has them

[@earlspencer7863]

One can use needles to test continuity so you won't need to damage the cables so much.

[@KorAllRBare]

I watched This and part 2, But where is the rest? Like you know, the bad channel output it gave and did you get that new controller cable? Oh and more importantly I love the circuit board fix in part 2 that you achieved like a Legend, so how about giving a go at repairing the "udder" board, WAIT! I mean "other" broken board? Dropped a like BTW..

[@RetroRepairs]

Part 3 will clean up the video and watch it all come together. Im just waiting on some parts

[@KorAllRBare]

Great to hear@@RetroRepairs that you will be continuing the series..

[@cyo_corner]

Hey Adam. I'll be making a wireless turbografx16 controller kit. Should be available I estimate in 6-12 months. I'll contact you once it's done ofc. As far as the controller you could check the logic ICs with your logic probe when power is applied (console is on). Logic IC could be bad inside the controller.

[@RetroRepairs]

That would be awesome. It's great to see all the new development for these old systems. I just finished up part 2 of this series where i solve that right button problem. It should be uploaded tomorrow. Good luck with the development!

[@cyo_corner]

@@RetroRepairs curious if it's what I speculated it is. I look forward to it. Stay safe.

[@RetroRepairs]

I couldn't ruin the surprise... Spoiler: It was something else.

[@SparkY0]

If you can't source IPA, You can use denatured alcohol, but you should probably avoid touching it because methanol can absorb through skin

[@justincarroll8656]

I improvise a third hand with a pair of pliers and rubber band if I don't have some vice grips handy. Might help you out next time.

[@theannoyedmrfloyd3998]

Bridging the cracked traces is not impossible - finding all the breaks will take time, especially if any of those flat packs are over them. I saw someone fix a cracked Sega Genesis.

[@anonheart]

RetroGameTech I think

[@RetroRepairs]

Yep, definitely doable, just a lot of work. I dont particularly like that the crack runs under an ic, I'll have to remove it, then that presents an obvious future failure point should the board get stressed

[@mullinsjm1]

@@anonheart was just about to say that. Lol

[@Sanrasxz]

@@RetroRepairs How would the board get stressed if it's a stationary console? Seems to me no one's bending the thing.

[@RetroRepairs]

It's right near the card slot,so that itself is a big stress point. The controller plus in right there, so the pushing and pulling will also stress the board

[@Androx74]

hi nice video, a question, why you don't try to solder some pins directly on the broken connector and plugin normally ?, i'm a beginner maybe is a stupid question, but i'm curious. :/, thanks for the video anyway stll learning a lot

[@RetroRepairs]

I wouldnt trust the strength. Solder isn't particularly strong, and any pins i could add would need to be perfectly straight and the proper width to work correctly

[@ryguy6971]

Were you able to find a new controller cord? I have a controller that has broken off pins. Have yet to find a replacement cord.

[@RetroRepairs]

Console5.com has them

[@ryguy6971]

@@RetroRepairs Thank you! love your channel. keep it up.

[@emmettturner9452]

I've got a TG16 repair video in the works with a bad VDP, VDC, or VCE where I need to salvage and swap a replacement from a PC Engine or TG16. I'd love to salvage them from yours if you haven't thrown it out. :)

[@Meubeu1]

It hurts to see that cracked board, what happened ... Btw maybe you know this but you can make yourself a cheap composite video with some random RCA video cable and dupont connectors; and use that back plug, like in this tutorial : www.cgquarterly.com/2010/04/26/building-a-turbografx-16-pc-engine-composite-av-cable/. I used one many times before modding my consoles and good thing is, I don't know about the turbografx, but the composite signal of the pcengine is really clean and will be a nice upgrade from that rf. Thanks for the video, good stuff !

[@RetroRepairs]

Im planning on doing a slightly more permanent version of that mod. I'll use a trrs plug and wire it inside the case. It'll be a bit cleaner, and grab from the same pins, but just from the board side

[@Meubeu1]

@@RetroRepairs Oh fair enough, if you're planning on making a video of it I'll be curious.

[@RetroRepairs]

I might tinker with that board later, but id like to get one fully functional first

[@Tiger351]

Shell swap is the way to go here I think, that broken board looks terminal to me. BTW a better way to test wires rather than using the wire strippers would be to get a fine sewing pin/needle and push it through the insulation to test continuity, it's much lass invasive and exposes much less of the copper to oxidisation.

[@RetroRepairs]

Good idea. Basically how ethernet plugs are terminated

[@Gamer-wf3jx]

How do you find these things off eBay

[@RetroRepairs]

Luck, and sometimes people send me tips when they see good deals

[@SpecterVideoGamer]

U fix Virtual Boys?

[@murrij]

Some jerk tried to force the hue card in wrong or it fell, got bumped, etc. with the card in.😣 With the fingerprints on the heat shield whwn you first opened it up, some clod hopper definitely was there first.

[@davidschmidhamer]

I probably would of tried using resistor legs to create new pins in the plug

[@rob41n]

Wow i would love for you to repair my Intellivision console with a faulty controller. But we live in different continents.

[@PhaQ2]

I think the guy that tried to fix the first one didn't have a soldering iron and just broke the shielding off, cracking the board in two places...

[@RetroRepairs]

I suspect it was broken trying to rip the board out, not realizing there's two screws holding it in near the card connector.

[@PhaQ2]

@@RetroRepairs You would certainly have a much better hypothesis than me. Thanks for the content and good luck!!

[@jeremym9011]

Wow, I would love to get one of these game systems......

[@RetroRepairs]

If you ever see one that's not crazy expensive, buy it. They're getting up there in price

[@gmcnewlook]

I knew one cousin that had one, thought it was cool

[@TechWithSean]

Almost looks like someone tried to clean it with some solution that left a residue all over in there

[@jmssun]

I have no idea how and why they decided to design the elegant PC-Engine into this atrocity

[@darkworlddenizen]

It is surprisingly ugly. Looks more like an automotive module than a game system.

[@RetroRepairs]

Similar reason to why the NES looks nothing like the Famicom and the SNES was nothing like the super famicom In the late 80s, the video game crash killed the industry, and Americans were viewing video games as "toys". The NES was made to look like a VCR or any other piece of A/V equipment. Same thing with the SNES. I think that was part of the idea with the tg-16 as well

[@schweatty]

You could've just soldered some cap legs where the missing posts were on pins 2, 6 & 7

[@RetroRepairs]

The cap legs would not have been thick enough to connect into the connector

[@schweatty]

@@RetroRepairs 2 or 3 legs together. All you're trying to do is make a contact

[@jasongooden917]

Every generation has 3 consoles. One is always Nintendo.

[@redmage777]

Only as long as Nintendo has had a console... but also longer than there have been 3 console per generation.

[@RetroRepairs]

The first five generations all saw no fewer than 5 consoles each. (With the exception of 3rd gen games) The fourth (which this was part of) also included the CD-i and Neo Geo)

[@rafaelchavez9413]

Are you up for GC repairs or are not too retro yet?

[@RetroRepairs]

I haven't dived into gc yet, haven't done much with disc based systems, but I'd be into it if i find some cheap ones

[@earlspencer7863]

Most of them are laser issues. It was a sturdy console.

[@RetroRepairs]

Yeah, that's what I've seen. That's part of why I've been reluctant to dive into ps2 and gc repairs. Lasers have a lifespan and eventually just need replacing. You can tweak them a bit, but eventually they'll burn out.

[@2bad83]

Hi, I'm a electronics engineer myself can't say much about the repair side but 30:32 "Going to do a quick continuity check before I go any farther" Farther: Refers to physical distance only. Examples: We had to walk farther than the map indicated. Further: Moreover; in addition; to a greater extent. Examples: We need to discuss this further. Example: Before I go any further...

[@EastDallasKicks]

Was seriously about to ask “did you change you’re channel name from LGR?”

[@pablogerardcozzolino6633]

Genio!

[@55SuperShadow]

I took stuff apart when I was like 13 and while I did a shitty job I never cracked the board, like what the actual fuck

[@instahawk8422]

Thats ridiculous someone selling that on ebay knowing its in that condition with the board damage

[@wilsvgaddiction4456]

I've had worse TG-16 boards. That's easy day, all day.

[@missionpassed4584]

Someone's taken that damaged board from a smashed system and swapped to a better case to sell it.

[@RetroRepairs]

Im not sure about that. I think they broke it trying to pull it out of the shell

[@ky-gp4sz]

Finally

[@dinodin007]

No Kona? this video :(

[@ionbladezofficial]

666th like satan has joined the chat

[@ZackMuffinMan]

:D

[@earlspencer7863]

Don't bother with the cracked board. Would rather you spend more time teaching us to fix things that anyone can actually repair.

[@josephnealeUKscratchcards]

3rd

[@mjc0961]

Whoever did that to the motherboard should have a few of their bones cracked, see how they like it. 🤬

[@jeffwilliams2031]

What ever you do, never show the head of the screw. We would never want to know ahead of time in case we want to fix one ourselves. NOT.

[@keithwilson13]

are you gonna be ok. you know this is just youtube right

[@jeffwilliams2031]

@@keithwilson13 LOL. Nice. It just would be nice to know what tools I would need to fix mine. I can figure it out.

[@RetroRepairs]

Larger Gamebit screwdriver for the security screws, precision Phillips for the controller, #2 Phillips for the screws inside the case.

[@cvejoxgames3679]

Why do you always sound like you're about to cry and you're holding back tears?

[@RetroRepairs]

Because im always about to cry and am holding back tears.