Technical and Repair Assistance

[UglyJoe]

If you had an NTSC VCR with a/v out, you could connect the Famicom to the VCR and connect the VCR to your TV with the a/v cables.  What you're after is an NTSC tuner, which an NTSC VCR will have.  I'm not an expert when it comes to PAL/NTSC differences, but I don't see why that wouldn't work.

[133MHz]

UglyJoe is right. Keep in mind that the VCR should be able to tune into NTSC broadcasts, not just play NTSC tapes (as most multisystem VCRs).

[sharc]

howdy folks. having some fds problems and i figured this is the place to come for help.

recently picked up a copy of wardner no mori / ワードナの森, and for some reason the sound is really scratchy and unpleasant. if i had to describe it i'd say there's a more ragged edge to the sound; it's never smooth but always slightly static-y. at first i thought it was the old headphones i was using, but it happens even from the tv's speakers.

my famicom and fds are in fine working order, and i haven't seen this problem with any of my other discs. so is it possible this is somehow related to damage or wear-and-tear on this specific copy? or is it just how all copies of this game are?

[133MHz]

Clean the cartridge contacts on your Famicom and on your FDS RAM adapter.

[sharc]

contacts are clean, but i gave them a once-over last night and it didn't change anything. warder no mori still sounds a little scratchy, and it's unique to that particular game

[Microwaved-Spud]

Hello,
i've just found my old famicom in a cupboard and remembered i foolishly broke it when i was a kid by plugging in an incorrect ac adapter (tragic childhood memory).

anyway, i want to fix it and after taking a look, i've popped a transistor and it just so happens to have got rid of the writing on it telling me what transistor it is... so, basically i was wondering if anyone had any idea what transistor it is? or even better what transistor i need to get to replace it.  I've attached a photo so you know which transistor i'm on about (i've taken off the heatsink).

thanks very much everyone,
hello famicom world ^_^
>Marcus

edit: The sticker on the back says it's a HVC-002 but the engraving in the plastic says HVC-001...(?)
also, sorry if this in the wrong place just saw the repair thread at the top :/

[ericj]

It's a voltage regulator. I think it's 8306, but someone on here can verify.

Also, check around the site. There are probably already pics someplace with the part number you're looking for.

EDIT: Oh yeah, welcome!

[133MHz]

Welcome! It should be a 7805. Replacements are around a dollar each.

[ericj]

It should be a 7805. Replacements are around a dollar each.

haha, yeah, that's what I meant 

Also, you probably want to check out your capacitors, they typically get fried, too. 

[Microwaved-Spud]

ahh cheers guys

i've already looked around at all the caps and none were bulging or had stuff coming out of them heh, so i guess they're fine

i'm getting on this now... 63p from maplins, awesome.

now i gotta find all the games

thanks again!

[wentle85]

Here's a question. Is the belt that goes on the disk drive in my Sharp Twin Famicom the same size as the one that fits on regular FDS? I ask because I found a Yahoo JP auction for a belt that specifically says it's for the Twin. Was there any difference at all?

Here's the link:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpage18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp%2Fjp%2Fauction%2Fw26895418&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=ja&ie=UFT-8

Also, is that a fair price? I would be getting it through Shopping Mall Japan so there would be even more fees added. I haven't heard anyone mention what the going rate for one of the belts is. I want a backup around for when I need it most.

[JC]

I think the belts are the same on the FDS and Twin. Some auctions come with two thicknesses. 800Y is a bit expensive. You can find auctions at 350Y BIN, but the one that was up isn't anymore because a buddy of mine just bought it. I've been waiting for it to be relisted, 'cause I need two belts. You can buy more than one belt at the listed price in most of these auctions, but that requires contacting the seller.

EDIT: Relisted: HERE

[Muzer]

I own a famicom twin, and ever since I got it the video has been a bit off. I can't really describe it, but it looks like every other line of some sprites is missing (either transparent, or replaced with black, depending on game and sprites). I am not sure if this is exactly what is happening, and other problems (eg slight misalignments) happen as well. It is especially noticable in SMB, where is just doesn't look "right", and especially in 3D hot rally in the status bar, where all the text definitely has every other line missing. I'll take a photo tomorrow to show you.

In the Retro Gamer forum, someone suggested it could have been poor power input problems, and I do use 7.5V with a generic DC adaptor rather than 7.6V like it says it requires. I don't use the original because I live in the UK, and we use 240V, so a 100V adaptor would probably completely piss up.

EDIT: Oh sorry, I didn't see this thread. Thanks for moving my post.

[ericj]

133mhz is our tech whiz, so he can probably help. 

My first thought is that you have a cold solder joint  or a weak capacitor on the power supply board.

Other ideas could be a cold solder joint on the video composite output. Does the image quality change if you mess around with the video output while you're playing it?

Edit: How does your TV look when different electronics are hooked up to the video input? It's a good idea to rule out the tv first.

[Muzer]

Here are some photos:








(yes, the lines in this one are visible (in fact moreso than is visible here) on the TV screen with the naked eye)