What’s going on with my PGM motherboard?!

[Mrhide]

Has been working fine and now weird issues

First glitch screen

With or without a cart. Holding the test button brought me in the test mode… everything is fine, check the dip switches… oh dip 5 is on ! That’s my problem right?

Well not so much

Then it boots. No sound (but in the test its fine)
Then it comes back but really bad

And more of this

And why not

So where do i start?

Thanks!

 

[ItsBobDudes]

Sounds like a connection issue between the cart and the cart slot. Clean the cart edge. Inspect the cart slot pins. If you get it working 100% don't remove your cart, and get a new MB for each game

 

[kikaso]

@ItsBobDudes is right, cleaning the cartridge and motherboard connector is your first step. PGM‘s are notorious for having finicky connectors especially if you don’t have a dual wipe connector as pictured below. @GC8TECH has a great website with tons of PGM info including troubleshooting.

 

[Joko3]

and get a new MB for each game

This is what I did seeing as to how they were so cheap. One of my boards has sound that is distorted AF that I need to look into fixing. For all the hassle of trying to send it back and play the waiting game it really wasn't worth it for me. Easier to just try and fix. Any ideas where to start? : )

 

[kikaso]

This is what I did seeing as to how they were so cheap. One of my boards has sound that is distorted AF that I need to look into fixing. For all the hassle of trying to send it back and play the waiting game it really wasn't worth it for me. Easier to just try and fix. Any ideas where to start? : )

The volume pots on the PGM are a common point of failure. I would suggest you start there. See if you can improve with deoxit or if sound distorts further as you adjust.

 

[Joko3]

The volume pots on the PGM are a common point of failure. I would suggest you start there. See if you can improve with deoxit or if sound distorts further as you adjust.

Maybe I should replace the pot. There's a small shop in Akiba that has all the choices in the world. I'll clean it first and add fresh solder as well.