Core Grafx with broken scart

[moonwhistle]

My Core Grafx 2 (RGB and region modded) has started malfunctioning. The RGB cable needs to be wiggled around in the core grafx din socket to get it working properly. When moving the cable around in the socket, the picture changes between widescreen - 4:3, standard - colour boosted and between mono and stereo.

At first this was workable but now I can't get it working right no matter how much I move the cable around. The modder of the console is a deadbeat and won't reply or help me out. I'm trying to figure out if it's the cable or the socket that's broken. I was told that a Megadrive RGB cable is identical but I don't have another cable to test it with.

At the moment I'm using an external "RGB box" instead that plugs into the expansion port as a work around but it's only a temporary measure as I can no longer hook it up to my briefcase setup.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[soop]

Hmmm... I was kind of getting that from a Megadrive SCART cable I just got.  I TBH, I spent so long messing around with it, I've forgotten what the cause was, but a final wiggle switched it from an AV display to an RGB one.  At other times, I was getting sound and picture interference.

Try it in the other (non RGB) SCART slot if you have one and see how it deals with composite.  I'm tempted to say it's the cable, but without any kind of redundant swap it's going to be hard to tell.

[moonwhistle]

Hmmm... I was kind of getting that from a Megadrive SCART cable I just got.  I TBH, I spent so long messing around with it, I've forgotten what the cause was, but a final wiggle switched it from an AV display to an RGB one.  At other times, I was getting sound and picture interference.

Try it in the other (non RGB) SCART slot if you have one and see how it deals with composite.  I'm tempted to say it's the cable, but without any kind of redundant swap it's going to be hard to tell.

Unfortunately the RGB socket replaced the original AV socket so I can't test it that way. I really hoping that it's the cable that's broken becauase the original modder isn't going to fix the socket if that's the problem.

[soop]

Hmmm... I was kind of getting that from a Megadrive SCART cable I just got.  I TBH, I spent so long messing around with it, I've forgotten what the cause was, but a final wiggle switched it from an AV display to an RGB one.  At other times, I was getting sound and picture interference.

Try it in the other (non RGB) SCART slot if you have one and see how it deals with composite.  I'm tempted to say it's the cable, but without any kind of redundant swap it's going to be hard to tell.

Unfortunately the RGB socket replaced the original AV socket so I can't test it that way. I really hoping that it's the cable that's broken becauase the original modder isn't going to fix the socket if that's the problem.

Ah, no same socket on your Grafx, different socket on your TV.  One socket should be RGB enabled (usually SCART 1), the other will be RGB.  The cable will be capable of sending the signal and the TV will output as composite.

[Frank_fjs]

One socket should be RGB enabled (usually SCART 1), the other will be RGB[composite].  The cable will be capable of sending the signal and the TV will output as composite.

You meant to say composite there, right?

[soop]

One socket should be RGB enabled (usually SCART 1), the other will be RGB[composite].  The cable will be capable of sending the signal and the TV will output as composite.

You meant to say composite there, right?

Ooops. Yes.  Yes I did.

[ccovell]

Check if the solder points inside the PCE are cracking and/or need resoldering.

[moonwhistle]

I tried via AV2 scart and it runs ok. The picture will still switch between 4:3 - 16:9 / stereo - mono if the cable is moved in the core grafx's socket but it easier to get it in the right position. Obviously the isn't the same problem with switching the RGB signal on and off. I hate composite though so I still want the RGB fixed.

So I opened it up. It's a rats nest of wires in there due to the region switch and RGB mods. It was hard to get a good look as the top is connected to the bottom by a stiff ribbon cable that I don't want to mess with. However it appears that the AV socket is a bit loose and the GREEN wire connecting to it has a lot of play in it. I'm guessing this is the fault rather than the cable?

I have soldered a couple of times but I'm rubbish at it and this Core Grafx cost me quite a lot. I'm not sure what to do now. I always noticed that the AV socket was very stiff and I guess plugging it in and out cracked the solder joints. I wish I'd gone for the PS1 AV socket mod as DIN sockets are shit imo.

The modder who did this for me is a deadbeat and I think I'm gonna name and shame her in a different thread.

Thanks for your help so far guys.

[soop]

Obviously the output is not as good on AV2, but it should keep you going.  On the plus side, it doesn't seem like it will be too hard to suss out, so keep your chin up.  This board has some real heroes on it, and if there's any way of fixing it, someone here can do it.

[Frank_fjs]

Name & shame! People should stand by their work. I actually have a rough idea on who it might be.

[ApolloBoy]

If the green wire is loose, you can try reflowing the solder that connects it to the DIN jack, that should fix it. I think I might know who did it as well, and if it's who I think it is, I'm surprised as she usually does good work.