Problems with my Turbo Grafx 16

[Zevin_Mars]

So, I bought a TG 16 with a bunch of stuff yesterday, and I'm having a few problems, hopefully they can be fixed, regardless, apparently the Hu Card converter in the box was worth more than what I actually paid for the box, so if I got a broken system, I'm not going to be too butt hurt, since I can afford another one. The Converter made this a good deal regardless. I have a feeling the console may be failing. Regardless, I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water; it may just need opened up and given a good cleaning.

Here is a list of whats happening.

1. My controller has a mind of it's own.
The controller is an Avenue Pad 6 (http://gaming.wikia.com/wiki/NEC_Avenue_6_Pad)
and it has this cable that lets me connect it to the TG 16's controller port.

When I plug the controller directly into the controller port on the system, it does not work at all. However, I also acquired a Turbo Tap in the buy. When you plug the turbo tap into the the controller port, then plug the controller into the Tap, the controller works, but it acts on its own, and buttons randomly change function when I'm playing ninja spirit, the jump button may sometimes cause me to pause the game, while the attack button may switch weapons, or it may act normally. It's a dice roll really.

Worth noting, the controlled was REALLY flipping filthy when I got it, it did all of the same things I just described, but was a lot less responsive. It acts a lot better (i.e. more responsive) after I popped it open and took a spray can of contact and circuit board cleaner to it, however, the random button functionality still occurs almost constantly. I don't have any other controllers to test this with, sadly, and I've never seen any TG 16 stuff in my area before.

2. Weird video/graphics.

The video/graphics are glitchy sometimes, here are some pics. The following occur regardless of if I'm using RF or a set of custom AV cables I made myself.(http://www.cgquarterly.com/articles/tg16_cable.htm

Here is a shot from my TV playing Ninja Spirit (and here is video of it being played normally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx95IY2ZFk0 )



Sorry for the low quality iPhone pic, it's the best I could do with the resources at hand. I think the difference between what it should look like and what my system is putting out is pretty obvious though.

When I boot up Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition (through the converter) The title screen is supposed to be Blue with a big "Street Fighter" logo on it, with the Words "Champion Edition" below it in much smaller text, however, all I get is a black screen with the words "Champion Edition" where they normally would have been.

Okay, so that about sums up whats going on. Any advice? Is the console probably broken or might there be hope?

[Hobie-wan]

Try cleaning the contacts for the cards. Take a piece of food box cardboard and cut it to the width of a card. Fold it brown side out so you have it double or triple thickness. Wet it with contact cleaner and slide it in and out a few times. Of course let it dry a while before firing back up. For the controller, I'm not sure if the A/B perhaps sets it to 2 or 6 button mode or not, my 6 button RX pad has a switch for that. Not sure if some games like Ninja Spirit perhaps don't like 6 button mode like some Genesis games don't. Though does the controller still freak out with SF running?

What power brick are you using? Is it the original one? If you're using something else, a cheap or underpowered brick could be the issue. NEVER use a NES brick since that spits out AC not DC. If you have a model 1 Genesis brick that works fine.

[Zevin_Mars]

Try cleaning the contacts for the cards. Take a piece of food box cardboard and cut it to the width of a card. Fold it brown side out so you have it double or triple thickness. Wet it with contact cleaner and slide it in and out a few times. Of course let it dry a while before firing back up. For the controller, I'm not sure if the A/B perhaps sets it to 2 or 6 button mode or not, my 6 button RX pad has a switch for that. Not sure if some games like Ninja Spirit perhaps don't like 6 button mode like some Genesis games don't. Though does the controller still freak out with SF running?

What power brick are you using? Is it the original one? If you're using something else, a cheap or underpowered brick could be the issue. NEVER use a NES brick since that spits out AC not DC. If you have a model 1 Genesis brick that works fine.

It does the same with Street Fighter running. I've had NES controllers do the same, so I assume it's just an issue of neglect. Not sure why it doesn't work with the console port, but works with the tap though. The dude got it at a yard sale years ago, and then it ended up in his closet for the last decade. So I doubt it was stored in optimal conditions.

I'll try cleaning the contacts. I was having a hard time figuring out how to get back there.

The brick is a Model 1 Genesis one.

[Hobie-wan]

Ok, does that brick work ok with a Genesis, or do you have another you can try? Have you cleaned the connections in the controller chain? When I need to do that just spray contact cleaner in one end or the other and un/replug several times, then let them dry a while. Or maybe very carefully tweak the pins just a tiny bit.

[Zevin_Mars]

Ok, does that brick work ok with a Genesis, or do you have another you can try? Have you cleaned the connections in the controller chain? When I need to do that just spray contact cleaner in one end or the other and un/replug several times, then let them dry a while. Or maybe very carefully tweak the pins just a tiny bit.

The Genesis 1 brick works with my Genesis and my NES Top Loader. I have another brick that works with the Genesis but it still does the same thing.

Cleaning the contacts in the slot didn't do a whole lot for me, so I have a feeling it unfortunately goes a little deeper than that.

Thing is, when we tested it in the office I swear I got the title screen for Street Fighter to come up no problem. I'm going to try it on that TV again tomorrow, see how it fares again.

Anything else? I don't have the right bit to take it apart, but there is a retro game store in town that is closing really soon ( ), they might be willing to give theirs up if they have it. I'm not to keen on soldering when I'm dealing with sensitive parts.

[Breetai]

1. My controller has a mind of it's own.
The controller is an Avenue Pad 6 (http://gaming.wikia.com/wiki/NEC_Avenue_6_Pad)
and it has this cable that lets me connect it to the TG 16's controller port.

When I plug the controller directly into the controller port on the system, it does not work at all. However, I also acquired a Turbo Tap in the buy. When you plug the turbo tap into the the controller port, then plug the controller into the Tap, the controller works, but it acts on its own, and buttons randomly change function when I'm playing ninja spirit, the jump button may sometimes cause me to pause the game, while the attack button may switch weapons, or it may act normally. It's a dice roll really.

A few points to consider:
-Some games just plain do not work with the Turbotap correctly (lots of 1 player games). The game itself needs to have been programmed to use the tap. If it wasn't, but you still try to use it, the controller either might react strangely or might not work at all.
-Make sure the Ave6 pad it switched to 2-button mode for 2-button games!!!!! (I think it is mode "A" on the Ave6, but I'm too lazy to check). If it's on 6-button mode for a 2-button game, it WILL act strangely. That might very well explain what is wrong with Ninja Spirit.

Worth noting, the controlled was REALLY flipping filthy when I got it, it did all of the same things I just described, but was a lot less responsive. It acts a lot better (i.e. more responsive) after I popped it open and took a spray can of contact and circuit board cleaner to it, however, the random button functionality still occurs almost constantly. I don't have any other controllers to test this with, sadly, and I've never seen any TG 16 stuff in my area before.

-So, the board inside is all totally clean? How about the contacts where the cord connects to the board? Are all the pins making contact when you plug it in to the system (I assume the original PC Engine cord has just been replaced with a TG-16 cord)?

2. Weird video/graphics.

The video/graphics are glitchy sometimes, here are some pics. The following occur regardless of if I'm using RF or a set of custom AV cables I made myself.

So, you tried with both RF and by attaching wires to the expansion bay on the back to get AV out, both with the same result? It's got to either by the HuCard slot being dirty, or maybe something on the board inside. Have you opened up the Turbo and looked at the board? Are any capacitors leaking at all, or does everything look good and clean? If not, do what Hobie said and clean the heck out of that connector. It could also be a damaged trace on the motherboard, which would be a bad thing. One more idea that I'll get to below...

When I boot up Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition (through the converter) The title screen is supposed to be Blue with a big "Street Fighter" logo on it, with the Words "Champion Edition" below it in much smaller text, however, all I get is a black screen with the words "Champion Edition" where they normally would have been.

Are all your games PC Engine games, or are some of them, like Ninja Spirit, TG-16 games? If it's just PC Engine games that have video issues, perhaps your region converter cart is not making the proper contacts. Basically, EVERY converter cart is finicky (the Kisado having the best reputation, but it's still not perfect). If this could be the case, try fiddling with the position of the converter card and seeing what happens. It could be just very, very touchy.

Is the console probably broken or might there be hope?

There is always hope! Some of the guys at PCEngineFX.com can help you out if Hobie or my suggestions didn't work.

[Zevin_Mars]

1. My controller has a mind of it's own.
The controller is an Avenue Pad 6 (http://gaming.wikia.com/wiki/NEC_Avenue_6_Pad)
and it has this cable that lets me connect it to the TG 16's controller port.

When I plug the controller directly into the controller port on the system, it does not work at all. However, I also acquired a Turbo Tap in the buy. When you plug the turbo tap into the the controller port, then plug the controller into the Tap, the controller works, but it acts on its own, and buttons randomly change function when I'm playing ninja spirit, the jump button may sometimes cause me to pause the game, while the attack button may switch weapons, or it may act normally. It's a dice roll really.

A few points to consider:
-Some games just plain do not work with the Turbotap correctly (lots of 1 player games). The game itself needs to have been programmed to use the tap. If it wasn't, but you still try to use it, the controller either might react strangely or might not work at all.
-Make sure the Ave6 pad it switched to 2-button mode for 2-button games!!!!! (I think it is mode "A" on the Ave6, but I'm too lazy to check). If it's on 6-button mode for a 2-button game, it WILL act strangely. That might very well explain what is wrong with Ninja Spirit.

Actually, that reminds me, the board in the turbo tap is really sticky, I didn't want to mess with it to much because I have no idea what is on it, but the entirety of the side with the components on it is sticky. Mean anything?

Worth noting, the controlled was REALLY flipping filthy when I got it, it did all of the same things I just described, but was a lot less responsive. It acts a lot better (i.e. more responsive) after I popped it open and took a spray can of contact and circuit board cleaner to it, however, the random button functionality still occurs almost constantly. I don't have any other controllers to test this with, sadly, and I've never seen any TG 16 stuff in my area before.

-So, the board inside is all totally clean? How about the contacts where the cord connects to the board? Are all the pins making contact when you plug it in to the system (I assume the original PC Engine cord has just been replaced with a TG-16 cord)?

Everything checks out fine here.

2. Weird video/graphics.

The video/graphics are glitchy sometimes, here are some pics. The following occur regardless of if I'm using RF or a set of custom AV cables I made myself.

So, you tried with both RF and by attaching wires to the expansion bay on the back to get AV out, both with the same result? It's got to either by the HuCard slot being dirty, or maybe something on the board inside. Have you opened up the Turbo and looked at the board? Are any capacitors leaking at all, or does everything look good and clean? If not, do what Hobie said and clean the heck out of that connector. It could also be a damaged trace on the motherboard, which would be a bad thing. One more idea that I'll get to below...

I don't have the right bit to take it apart, but there is a retro game store in town that is closing really soon ( The store that got me into this as hobby as opposed to a silly thing me and my college buddies did on our laptops. ), they might be willing to give theirs up if they have it. I'm not to keen on soldering when I'm dealing with sensitive parts though, but I do have friends who do a lot of high-end computer/electronics work, so they might be able to if it came to that. Not saying I can't do it myself, but I've don't know what I'd be getting into.

When I boot up Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition (through the converter) The title screen is supposed to be Blue with a big "Street Fighter" logo on it, with the Words "Champion Edition" below it in much smaller text, however, all I get is a black screen with the words "Champion Edition" where they normally would have been.

Are all your games PC Engine games, or are some of them, like Ninja Spirit, TG-16 games? If it's just PC Engine games that have video issues, perhaps your region converter cart is not making the proper contacts. Basically, EVERY converter cart is finicky (the Kisado having the best reputation, but it's still not perfect). If this could be the case, try fiddling with the position of the converter card and seeing what happens. It could be just very, very touchy.

Street Fighter is the only PC Engine game I have. The rest are TG 16 games and have similar problems.

Is the console probably broken or might there be hope?

There is always hope! Some of the guys at PCEngineFX.com can help you out if Hobie or my suggestions didn't work.

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

[ApolloBoy]

Actually, that reminds me, the board in the turbo tap is really sticky, I didn't want to mess with it to much because I have no idea what is on it, but the entirety of the side with the components on it is sticky. Mean anything?

Sounds like flux from the soldering process, it's perfectly fine and won't harm anything.

If you do manage to get the gamebit for it, I would suggest reflowing the solder joints on the controller port as that may fix your problem.

[Breetai]

Actually, that reminds me, the board in the turbo tap is really sticky, I didn't want to mess with it to much because I have no idea what is on it, but the entirety of the side with the components on it is sticky. Mean anything?

Maybe someone spilled Dr. Pepper on it?

I don't have the right bit to take it apart...

Heat up the end of a Bic pen with a lighter. When it's gooey, stick it on a screw on the back of the TG-16 and let the melted plastic cool around it; molding itself in the shape of the bit. You should not be able to unscrew it. It's a workable solution until you get the proper security bit (4.5mm).

Street Fighter is the only PC Engine game I have. The rest are TG 16 games and have similar problems.

Damn, I was hoping that it just would have been the converter. Would have been an easy problem to figure out!

[Zevin_Mars]

Actually, that reminds me, the board in the turbo tap is really sticky, I didn't want to mess with it to much because I have no idea what is on it, but the entirety of the side with the components on it is sticky. Mean anything?

Maybe someone spilled Dr. Pepper on it?

Nah, it tastes completely different!

I don't have the right bit to take it apart...

Heat up the end of a Bic pen with a lighter. When it's gooey, stick it on a screw on the back of the TG-16 and let the melted plastic cool around it; molding itself in the shape of the bit. You should not be able to unscrew it. It's a workable solution until you get the proper security bit (4.5mm).

I'll try that tomorrow id I can't get one from the shop in town.

Street Fighter is the only PC Engine game I have. The rest are TG 16 games and have similar problems.

Damn, I was hoping that it just would have been the converter. Would have been an easy problem to figure out!

[/quote]

Well, when I looked in the card slot, there was a fine layer of dust on the visible portion of the board, it's not there now that I cleaned it like Hobie-wan, but it's may be on the rest of the board too, I'm not sure how much a little dust could affect things in there, but once I manage to get this baby open we'll see.