Cps2 consolization Video Issue

[GGPO_Halfro]

I have a cps2 with a few components that I am using together. Things have been going good-ish thus far getting it together (from what I can tell), however when I have just finished wiring up my CPS2 HDMI AV board, all I am getting a black screen (with response from the buttons including scanlines I presume).

I am using:

Phoenixed SFA1 board
Darksoft Multi
CPS2 AV board
Suzo / Happ Power Supply

I started with just getting power to the CPS2 A - Board connecting the power supply (fan runs so yay?). I think hooked in the B - Board with the Darksoft Kit which the LCD powers up and gives me info that it is writing / etc. I sat the B board aside and began the wiring for the HDMI AV board, got everything hooked up correct (I believe) but only getting black screen. Because there is so many components and so many possibilities for errors that could be causing this, I just wanted to hit the forum and see if anyone had ideas to narrow this down. I do not have a way of testing the A + B board via Jamma because I don't own a super gun or anything that I could hook the supergun up to atm. Little help? I will add pictures of my set up as well in the morning to give a better Idea of what I am working with.

p.s. I do own a multimeter and am decent with directions, just trying to figure this out and enjoy my cps2 set up

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

I have attached my CPS2 AV photos above, here is the Darksoft set up. As I post I am noticing how dusty it really is, I am going to disassemble, give a good scrubbing and then reassemble.

 

[nam9]

I would start by reseating everything, and making sure all connections are as solid as possible. I mean Darksoft kit to B board, B board to A board etc.
Have you installed key writing wires?
Are you using unencrypted rom files?
Check this thread: The Definitive Guide to Fixing Your CPS2 Multi Kit
Try the test roms available here: Romset to verify your CPS2 Kit

Actually, I would just start with the test roms. Everything could be working as intended, you could just have encrypted files loaded to SD card...

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

Alright, for the time being I had some roms already on the card, it appears based on the "OK HAVE FUN" message that the roms are being loaded correctly but.....

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

I will give the test data a shot just to check it actually is working as intended.

I do not have the key writing wires soldered, if that is a requirement, I must have missed it. I will also research that info.

 

[nam9]

Yeah, the multi kit will tell you to have fun if it is working correctly, but that just means that everything is written across the B-Board.
A black screen can mean that you are trying to run encrypted roms without the key-writing system functioning correctly - either key writing wiring missing (as in your case), or if you haven’t correctly cleared the old keys by shorting the EXC5 cap properly.

Of course you are running blind due to the CPS2HDMI mod, so that could be an issue...

I would make sure you are using a properly decrypted rom set first...

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

EXC5 CAP? LOL well lets work on this some more stuff to work on. So I need to short the EXC5 Cap....all 3 legs or? I soldered the key writing set up to C9 from the darksoft.

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

Alright working some more on the project this morning:

I did some research, I picked up my board in 2019 from paradise arcade shop. I am assuming the firmware should be the correct one to play the games as long as the key write wires are hooked up correctly (which I believe I did after your advice initially).

Test files:
01010101 Loaded and gave the OK message
10101010 Loaded and gave the OK message


I am running blind and its making this more difficult. I am going to have to try and get with my local arcade owner down here and see if he will let me test my multi with one of his cabs. If I know that the boards don't run via Jamma, at least I can make better observations lol

 

[nam9]

No luck after adding key writing wires, shorting EXC5 (sure, across all three legs) and booting a new game?

I believe the test roms are for the multi board itself. Could still have connection issues between A+B board for example.

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

- I touched all 3 pins simultaneously on EXC5 with no change
- Tried booting a different game, no change

I looked over the pins on the A + B boards just to make sure there arent any broken / bent pins and I didnt notice anything. I took it all apart and cleaned everything, still no result.

 

[nam9]

Can you try and source a set of decrypted roms? At least eliminate that from the equation...

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

Can you try and source a set of decrypted roms? At least eliminate that from the equation...

Definitely! I will work on that today and post results here. Thanks so much for the ideas and help on this.

 

[GGPO_Halfro]

I tried a couple off the decrypted files I found (SFA2, Marvel Super Heroes and AVP), no response from the video feed there either. Ill keep working at this.