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Post by segaj on Apr 9, 2021 15:58:31 GMT
Hi! I'm new here, but I've had an SMS since about 1988 or 1989. We got it for Christmas that year, and I've loved it and had dreams about playing it ever since.
I recently grabbed it out of storage and want to make it work again. I have a power adapter that powers it, and I have a RF COAX connector. When I turn it on, it doesn't fully appear on the screen, and there is no sound. It kind of turns half the screen into a dark gray box and the top half is just TV snow and stuff.
Any ideas? Is it the RF? The power? Some sort of internal issue?
Any help is much appreciated!!
SEG_AJ
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Post by Batman666 on Apr 13, 2021 15:10:30 GMT
From the time period you should have the first model, which means that you have a light indicator on the SMS itself to tell you when it's on. Does that light turn on? If it doesn't it could be the power adapter, I personally had to exchange my original late 80s one.
But if it lights up and you don't get a picture with you RF connector, try doing a channel search on your TV while the system is on.
If it still doesn't work after that, it could be more complex like something internally that has been damaged by time.
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Post by segaj on Apr 13, 2021 15:35:41 GMT
Thanks, yeah, the light turns on for sure, and I tried using channel 3 and 4, but still doesn't work. I'll try more channels... I'm kind of afraid it is more complex and internal.
Thank you for the reply!
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Post by segaj on Apr 13, 2021 15:49:30 GMT
Yep... tried all the channels and options, and nothing worked :-(
Any tips on fixing a "more complex" issue? I suppose I could start by seeing if any wires are loose, disconnected or corroded?
THX
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Post by segamasterdude on Apr 13, 2021 16:00:18 GMT
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Post by Batman666 on Apr 13, 2021 22:57:18 GMT
Yeah I agree with segamasterdude, try a scart connector first. So that you can eliminate the cable as the source of trouble. If that doesn't work then I'm out of advice as I have no knowledge of replacing or cleaning any internal parts. I can though direct you to SMS Power if that ends up being the case. I'm sure somebody might be able to help you there as they have generally more in-depth technical discussions.
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Post by 8bitboyuk on May 12, 2021 11:49:21 GMT
Thanks, yeah, the light turns on for sure, and I tried using channel 3 and 4, but still doesn't work. I'll try more channels... I'm kind of afraid it is more complex and internal. Thank you for the reply! Hi SegaJ, I am by no means an expert but I too started using my SMS1 in 2019 and had a few issues which I am glad to say are sorted out now. Firstly, if possible try another TV. My SMS works great on out brand new Samsung and Sony 4K TVs but that is with an AV/S-Video cable I picked up from eBay for about £3. Not RF. But I have used the TV in our play room and it too displayed the game but No sound. You could also try opening it up and using a multimeter on the voltage regulator to check its getting enough volts to everything. It should read about 5v output. Don't worry it's pretty safe.
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Post by KnightWarrior on Nov 18, 2021 7:46:46 GMT
I guess he's gone to never to come back
But
What TV are you using?
HDTV or a CRT?
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Post by Retrobob on Nov 18, 2021 19:12:55 GMT
If you could see the SMS picture but it was messed up then it sounds like you just need to do some fine tuning, and you'd also find the sound kicks in too. Assuming that's what it is. That said, if you've already tried re-tuning you're going to have to keep searching for it, find the signal and then adjust a bit. You know, in the 15+ years I've been on this forum, I don't think I've ever described this!
That said, the picture quality from an RF cable is crap. I guess you are using a CRT TV rather than an LCD or Plasma?
Welcome to the forum!
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