Anyone know what's up with this repair job on White PCE?

[BlackandBlue]

I won an auction for a white PCE from Retro Game City on Ebay and when it came in, it would only display a black screen and the unit was getting warm.  I tried in both my IFU and with an RF adapter.  I opened the unit up to see if anything was wrong and this is what I found:







So, does anyone know what they were attempting with mod?  Also, that real thin orange wire attached to the series of resistors, goes through the board and it attached to pin 20 on the HUc6260 chip. 

I figure it no longer works due to the crack in the board (prob from shipping), but was still curious about the mod.  I talked with Andy at Retro City and he is very understanding and is sending me a replacement free of charge.  (I highly recommend him as an ebay seller).  He said that he does not fix consoles, or even know how, so he's not sure what was going on. 

So, before I waste a ton of time trying to fix the many many broken traces, is it even worth it, or should I just keep this one for parts (due to the other stuff going on)?  I figure I could attempt to use a pencil to reconnect the traces (like a graphic card volt mod), but if that doesn't work, I'm going to need a lot of wire.

[Platinumfungi]

I don't have a PCE to look at and ponder over any futher, but from what I think I can see in your photos I wonder if the mod was something to do with bypassing power components.

Due to these tid bits:

- It appears that the longest orange wire connects "Voltage In" (from the expansion port) to a diode. 
- Then the other end of the diode is connected to another component through that small "v" shaped wire.
- Then, it appears, that the straight vertical wire connects the other end of the "v" connection up to the power switch.

I've heard that you can use the "Vin" expansion pin to power the PCE, thus effectively bypassing the use of the power switch. (Even if the power switch is "Off" the unit is still receiving power.)

So...just thought I'd share that. I could be totally incorrect, but it sure looks like it goes from Vin to a diode then to the power switch... No clue what pin 20 does though...

[bacteria]

If he's sending you a replacement free of charge, why not have a go at rewiring the broken traces, then you have a spare system!  :-"

[override]

Well I am not as positive as to why they were using the orange wire...Unless they are trying to fix broken traces....Pin 20 from the hucard slot should trace to Pin 52 of the HuC6280 chip originally. It would be data line 3.

Hope that info helps you figure it out.....On the other hand If you cant figure out whats wrong etc....and you decide to scrap the system....Dont toss it. I am looking for a systems to snag the Hu chips from and possibly the ram chips etc.

[BlackandBlue]

Thankfully he is sending a replacement.  One day when I have free time (ok, days), I'm going to try to fix the traces.  If not, sorry, but I'm going to keep for spare parts.  I was trying to figure out why they cut the traces and jumped the sections.  It'll be fun trying to follow all of the tiny traces to fix em.  It couldn't break somewhere else on the board... Thanks guys

[BlackandBlue]

Well I am not as positive as to why they were using the orange wire...Unless they are trying to fix broken traces....Pin 20 from the hucard slot should trace to Pin 52 of the HuC6280 chip originally. It would be data line 3.

Hope that info helps you figure it out.....On the other hand If you cant figure out whats wrong etc....and you decide to scrap the system....Dont toss it. I am looking for a systems to snag the Hu chips from and possibly the ram chips etc.

Actually, if I can't get it working, all I really wanted was the case and hu slot. I could always send you the main board.

[override]

Actually, if I can't get it working, all I really wanted was the case and hu slot. I could always send you the main board.

Sounds kick ass!!!!I could really use some spare chips...I have two systems...One with a video issues (according to ?? damn cant remember his user name) that is believed to be the Hu chips....The second one is the sound issues that still persist ever after 2 full cap replacements....Its gotta be a chip just gotta start replacing em one at a time to figure out which one! So the PCB would deff be going to good use!

[BlackandBlue]

Actually, if I can't get it working, all I really wanted was the case and hu slot. I could always send you the main board.

Sounds kick ass!!!!I could really use some spare chips...I have two systems...One with a video issues (according to ?? damn cant remember his user name) that is believed to be the Hu chips....The second one is the sound issues that still persist ever after 2 full cap replacements....Its gotta be a chip just gotta start replacing em one at a time to figure out which one! So the PCB would deff be going to good use!

Alright, give me a week or so for the replacement to arrive, so I know that works and I'll get back to you.  I don't need another PCE and don't really trust what they've done to it already, so fixing the traces would just be a moot point.  It was just to see if I could.  But, I'd rather give it to you so you can fix your consoles.