Vectrex Display Question

[Bivotar]

I dug out my Vectrex from storage (clean basement, packed away in a tub) where it has been for the past several years, and was all ready for some vector gaming goodness. I fired it up, heard that old familiar startup tune, but no display. I just get the dreaded "white dot" in the center of the screen. Jacked with the brightness, even took apart the case to look for loose connections or obvious problems, but no luck. This really is a bummer. It worked great when I packed it away. I have over a dozen games for it, many with overlays.

 

The games play fine (can hear them, and control them), just can't see them. I've spent quite a bit of time looking over different forums for ideas. It doesn't sound good.

 

Does anybody have any ideas what the problem may be, and what a possible remedy is?

[Lord Thag]

Yep. You need to replace one or more capacitors on the video board. In arcade parlance, it's called a 'cap kit':

 

Zanen electronics Vectrex cap kit

 

If you don't know how to discharge the monitor, and solder the caps in, pay a local electrician/tv repairman to do it.

[FABombjoy]

I'd think that some component-level troubleshooting would be in order before a cap kit. I've recapped a few vectrexes, and I'm of the opinion that it's not worth it unless the caps are absolutely, positively bad.

[Technosis]

Yep. You need to replace one or more capacitors on the video board. In arcade parlance, it's called a 'cap kit':

 

Zanen electronics Vectrex cap kit

 

If you don't know how to discharge the monitor, and solder the caps in, pay a local electrician/tv repairman to do it.

 

Thanks for the caps kit link! I might just order one to keep one on hand just in case

[FABombjoy]

FWIW, I've ordered the Zanen kit twice and both times had to order missing parts elsewhere.

[VectrexMad!]

I dug out my Vectrex from storage (clean basement, packed away in a tub) where it has been for the past several years, and was all ready for some vector gaming goodness. I fired it up, heard that old familiar startup tune, but no display. I just get the dreaded "white dot" in the center of the screen. Jacked with the brightness, even took apart the case to look for loose connections or obvious problems, but no luck. This really is a bummer. It worked great when I packed it away. I have over a dozen games for it, many with overlays.

 

The games play fine (can hear them, and control them), just can't see them. I've spent quite a bit of time looking over different forums for ideas. It doesn't sound good.

 

Does anybody have any ideas what the problem may be, and what a possible remedy is?

 

If you look in the Vectrex FAQ you will find this:

 

7.4) My Vectrex just shows a white dot when I turn it on. I can hear the

game playing but there is no picture. Can I fix it?

There is 1 common problem that will cause this symptom. Inside the unit

there is a 4-wire power connector connecting the side board to the

bottom board. Often units with no picture have bad solder joints on

this connector. Try resoldering the pins and see if that helps.

 

Hoping the above might help...

 

regards

VectrexMad!

http://www.vectrex.co.uk

[Frotz]

I dug out my Vectrex from storage (clean basement, packed away in a tub) where it has been for the past several years, and was all ready for some vector gaming goodness. I fired it up, heard that old familiar startup tune, but no display. I just get the dreaded "white dot" in the center of the screen. Jacked with the brightness, even took apart the case to look for loose connections or obvious problems, but no luck. This really is a bummer. It worked great when I packed it away. I have over a dozen games for it, many with overlays.

 

The games play fine (can hear them, and control them), just can't see them. I've spent quite a bit of time looking over different forums for ideas. It doesn't sound good.

 

Does anybody have any ideas what the problem may be, and what a possible remedy is?

 

If you look in the Vectrex FAQ you will find this:

 

7.4) My Vectrex just shows a white dot when I turn it on. I can hear the

game playing but there is no picture. Can I fix it?

There is 1 common problem that will cause this symptom. Inside the unit

there is a 4-wire power connector connecting the side board to the

bottom board. Often units with no picture have bad solder joints on

this connector. Try resoldering the pins and see if that helps.

 

Hoping the above might help...

 

regards

VectrexMad!

http://www.vectrex.co.uk

 

Which cap kit is the right one? I just acquired a Vectrex that has wobbly graphics near the bottom of the screen.