Falz at 15:21, 9 July 2014

2014-07-09T15:21:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:21, 9 July 2014
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	[[Category:~~Arcade~~]]		[[Category:Video Games]]

	Well, it was the summer of 1995. A friend of mine owned a store Called The ''7th Dimention'' (previously called ''The Dark Side'') which sold [http://www.wizards.com/ Magic: The Gathering] cards (during their heyday), Star Wars toys, and strangely, there was a vinyl record store in the back which catered to local DJ's (electronic). I helped open the store, and worked there on and off for several years.		Well, it was the summer of 1995. A friend of mine owned a store Called The ''7th Dimention'' (previously called ''The Dark Side'') which sold [http://www.wizards.com/ Magic: The Gathering] cards (during their heyday), Star Wars toys, and strangely, there was a vinyl record store in the back which catered to local DJ's (electronic). I helped open the store, and worked there on and off for several years.

Falz: Created page with "Category:Arcade Well, it was the summer of 1995. A friend of mine owned a store Called The ''7th Dimention'' (previously called ''The Dark Side'') which sold [http://www.w..."

2014-07-09T15:14:36Z

Created page with "Category:Arcade Well, it was the summer of 1995. A friend of mine owned a store Called The ''7th Dimention'' (previously called ''The Dark Side'') which sold [http://www.w..."

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[[Category:Arcade]]
Well, it was the summer of 1995. A friend of mine owned a store Called The ''7th Dimention'' (previously called ''The Dark Side'') which sold [http://www.wizards.com/ Magic: The Gathering] cards (during their heyday), Star Wars toys, and strangely, there was a vinyl record store in the back which catered to local DJ's (electronic). I helped open the store, and worked there on and off for several years.

The name changed from ''The Dark Side'' because, well, people misunderstood it. Often there were people coming in which frequented the liquor store next door who saw the word "magic" on the front window, and assumed that we were some type of occult shop. On several occasions, what I beleive to be drunks would come in yelling at us because we sell "magic" to kids. Too bad i didn't have a video camera back then.

Anyhow, we got off track a bit. On boring days at the store, you'd often find yourself either playing some old golf game on the PC, or browsing the internet. I happened to be looking at a local newsgroup (uwisc.forsale) here in [http://visitmadison.com/ Madison, WI] and [http://groups.google.com/group/uwisc.forsale/browse_frm/thread/3a9b8641c5a63522/30d2639330a0eb56 came across this]:
<pre>
From: hagemann@persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: FS: Star Wars Stand-Up Arcade Game
Date: 1995/08/15
Message-ID: <40qk3r$b7g_001@news.alpha.net>#1/1
organization: Persoft, Inc.
newsgroups: uwisc.forsale

I've got a fully-working Star Wars arcade game for sale. If you remember
the game (circa 1983) it's one of the best XY vector games Atari ever came
out with. The cabinet is in very good condition, only a few scratches and
nicks. I recently replaced the high-voltage and deflection boards. It
takes quarters (the token converter has been removed). I have all the
manuals and schematics. I would prefer to sell it in the Madison area
because they are impossible to ship. I'll even help you move it. Because
of it's good condition, I'm asking $450.00, but I'll accept reasonable
offers. Please direct responses to:

hagemann@persoft.com or
hagemann@earth.execpc.com

Thanks in advance for any replies.
John P. Hagemann
</pre>

<Gasp> Are you kidding? Only $450 for a working Star Wars arcade machine? I didn't know much about arcade games at the time (and still don't, really), but since we sold Star Wars stuff, it certainly had value from that aspect. The Star Wars collectors guide at the time had an upright game listed for ~$2000. I immediately called the owner of the store and told him about it, he agreed that it would be a nice fit in the shop, and that he would purchase it. I emailed the seller, and though "Aweseome! Now I can play Star Wars daily at work!" Or not..

..It was already sold, damnit! Anyhow, after a few weeks, it had almost faded from memory, when I received an email from the seller saying that the original purchaser has fallen through, and we could have it! This time it wouldnt get away from us, so in a matter of days we met him at his house to pick it up. It was in his basement. He implied that his wife wouldn't let him have it around anymore! Bummer- more on this later, though.

He fired up the machine- it took a few minutes for the monitor to brighten, but it certainly became playable! We played a game, wrote the check, and proceeded to haul the beast upstairs. I don't remember this being immensly difficult, as we had three people to do the job.

It was immediately brought back to the store, plugged in, and played hard for about a month! That's when the monitor started to fade away, slowly, slowly. Eventually it would not display any picture. We called the two local amusement dealers- one wouldnt touch anything from an individual ([http://www.bullseyegames.com/ Bullseye Games]), but the other (Quarter Time Distributors) would. Unfortunately I have no recollection of what was wrong at the time, and what they did to fix it. But fix it they did.

It worked nicely for at least another year, likely being played 5 days per week. I'd left the store somewhere in this time, and lost track of the games condition.

I was still friends with the owner, however. (Did I mention his name is Greg?). Years pass..

Myself and another fellow rented a 3 bedroom house, with a large somewhat finished basement. Greg at the time was looking for a place to live (he had a large german shepard at the time) and we obliged. And guess what, the Star Wars game came with!

Unfortunately, it was back to the 'no video' problem. Greg swore that he was going to get this fixed by the time we have a party at our house. Two or Three parties later, he finally called Quarter Time again, but they no longer work on machines for the likes of us. However, they did have one employee who does repairs in his spare time.

I wasn't around when the repair guy (Mark) came, but apparently he did some troubleshooting, and took the HV and the deflector boards. Greg (and myself) had wanted this baby ready for the next party we had, which was only a few weeks away. Unfortunately the repairs were not ready in time, and when Mark did call with the repairs ready, Greg was tight on cash.

Fast forward to about '''TWO YEARS''' later. The machine was still missing the HV board and deflector board! I'd been out of the house for a year, Greg was just about to move to Milwaukee when he called me to let me know that if I can come pick the machine up, It's all mine. Excellent!

Their lease expired on Sunday, June 30, 2002. On Saturday, June 29th myself and a friend ([http://red-cat.org] Jeremy], who recently purchased a mini van) went to pick it up. Of course, it was in the basement. This time it was anything but fun getting it upstairs. After thinking about it for awhile, and trying a few different methods, we decided to lay it on its back on the stairs, and simply push it up. I pushed, he pulled. What seems like 15 minutes later, it was finally upstairs. The hard part was done- we loaded it in the van, brought it to my house, which is where it currently resides.

Now, to get it working. I tracked down Mark, who originally took the boards, and he still had them! On Thursday, July 11, 2002 he arrived to install them. The replaced some caps on the HV board, and didn't do anything to the deflector board. Unfortunately, it's a no go still. Same issue, no video.

Mark beleives it to be the flyback transformer, as do I. It's the original red one, which apparently shouldn't have lasted as long as it had anyhow. Currently Mark is checking with his contacts for a new flyback transformer or possibly the entire HV board (good luck, eh?). I told him about the wintron flybacks, and he seemed to think the price is obscene. I'm okay with it however- it is the only option out there, and since I've paid $0 for this machine, it'd be well worth it.

[http://falz.net/starwars/status A full journal of its status is right here].

Thanks to the USENET gods (''currently [http://www.google.com/ Google]''), I was able to track down many discussions regarding this very machine. Here they are, sorted by date:

==The game ALMOST gets gutted==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/0439f6491da1b0a0/22b08eb3f568a2f4

<pre>
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting
From: hagemann@pervax.persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: Re: Star Wars Motherboard Wanted
Message-ID: <1994Aug8.182910.9155@newsserver.rrzn.uni-hannover.de>
Sender: news@newsserver.rrzn.uni-hannover.de (News Service)
Organization: Persoft, Inc.
X-Newsreader: WinVN 0.91.6
References: <tjt-280794143341@tjt.craycos.com />
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 1994 18:29:10 GMT
Lines: 36

In article <tjt-280794143341@tjt.craycos.com />, tjt@craycos.com (Tim
Tewalt) says:
>
>I have a couple of Star Wars upright cabinets in poor
>condition. Neither have motherboards and I bought them
>for parts only.
>
>After learning about the Star Wars to Hydra conversions,
>it seems a shame to junk these two hulks. Maybe I could
>make one decent cabinet out of what I've got.
>
>So, I guess I'm looking for a motherboard, eh? If
>anybody is willing to part with one, please let me
>know. I will not take offense to _any_ asking price
>even if it's a hundred jillion dollars. 8^) (Sorry,
>couldn't resist)
>
>Tim
>
>--
>Tim Tewalt
>Cray Computer Corporation
>Colorado Springs, CO
>
>"I know a little about electricity, eh?" - Doug McKenzie

I have a Star Wars machine with a bad power supply. I'd be interested in
parting with the motherboard for about $450. I've had many offers for
the entire machine, but no one in my area and sending an entire machine
doesn't do much for me. In another article, you requested the control
panel and yoke, that also is for sale for $150. Anything else is for
sale if you need it. Make an offer.

John P. Hagemann
Persoft, Inc.
Madison, WI
</pre>

==The repair quest begings==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/be94319ef11f8a80/c69dd53cfeeb6e86

<pre> From: damien413@aol.com (Damien413)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting
Subject: Wanted: Deflection Board and Flyback Transformer for Star Wars
Date: 29 Aug 1994 19:28:01 -0400
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Lines: 9
Sender: news@search01.news.aol.com
Message-ID: <33tqu1$s79@search01.news.aol.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: search01.news.aol.com

I've got a Star Wars standup that's not working and I'd like to buy a
deflection board and a flyback transformer. If anyone's got one, please
send me mail at
hagemann@pervax.persoft.com

Give me an idea of what you'd like for them. I'm also looking for the
docs for this machine.
</pre>

==Searching for gold==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/a1d738253746b520/3de880c739ee3202

<pre> Newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting
From: hagemann@pervax.persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: Star Wars (Ampliphone) Boards Needed
Message-ID: <1994Oct3.150347.16124@newsserver.rrzn.uni-hannover.de>
Sender: news@newsserver.rrzn.uni-hannover.de (News Service)
Organization: Persoft, Inc.
X-Newsreader: WinVN 0.92.5
Date: Mon, 3 Oct 1994 15:03:47 GMT
Lines: 11

I have a Star Wars upright that has a monitor problems. It is an
Ampliphone monitor (not Wells-Gardner). I don't know much about these
things, but I've been told that my problem is either a bad HV board or
the flyback transformer. So I'm looking for these things (I'd like both
if possible). If anyone has such a thing they'd like to sell, please
write me at:

hagemann@pervax.persoft.com

Thanks,
John P. Hagemann
</pre>

==It had a Wells Gardner in it for a moment==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/bb254c2582593b8b/32e7382ab6b01e9f

<pre> From: hagemann@persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: HELP! Wells-Gardner Repair Needed
Date: 1995/05/24
Message-ID: <3pv9ah$veg_002@cis.nctu.edu.tw>#1/1
organization: Persoft, Inc.
newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting

I've got a Star Wars standup in great condition. The only problem is
(and you may have seen my previous posts on this) the video system is
hosed. Tim Tewalt (a great guy, haven't heard from him in a while) sent
me a Wells-Gardner retrofit to fix my screwy Amplifone setup. I can't
fix it myself-I just don't have the expertise. What I'm looking for is
someone I can send the whole video subsystem to for repair. I'm more
than willing to pay for shipping, repair time, and parts. This is an
urgent plea to anyone who knows how to fix Atari vector games...This
poor thing has been dead for far too long (over 5 years). Any responses
would be greatly appreciated.

John P. Hagemann hagemann@persoft.com
Persoft, Inc.exi
</pre>

==Control Troubles==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/137e21a78c62e89d/0e65bf049de1ca2e

<pre> From: hagemann@earth.execpc.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: Star Wars Control Panel Wiring
Date: 1995/07/22
Message-ID: <3urjtf$bu8@homer.alpha.net>#1/1
organization: Alpha.net -- Milwaukee, WI
newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting

I'm looking for help with my Star Wars standup machine. Anyone who might
have schematics for the control panel wiring might be able to help.When
I disassembling the machine last time, I dropped the control panel and
the wires pulled out of the harness. There are 4 sets of harnesses, each
with 3 wires each (Red, White, and Black). These four harnesses plug
into a main wiring harness that looks like this:

x x x +
+ o x x
x o x +

+ = round hole with connection
X = D shaped hole with connection
o = round hole with no connection

I've got the four individual harnesses labeled by their purpose (up/down,
right/left, left trigger/button, right trigger/button). Do you have a
schematic that shows what wires go in what holes in the main harness? Also,
I noticed that there are 12 wires total, but only 10 holes with connections.
There is also a green wire (a ground?) that occupies one of the connecters
in the main harness. That wire is still connected to the harness, so I
know where it belongs. There are 3 wires left over, where do they go?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

John P. Hagemann hagemann@persoft.com
Persoft, Inc.
</pre>

==It's alive!==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/f112a6c0a0a3a8c8/8e61d62667da2fa3

<pre> From: hagemann@persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: Star Wars Lives!!!
Date: 1995/08/03
Message-ID: <3vr74g$me_002@cis.nctu.edu.tw>#1/1
organization: Persoft, Inc.
newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting

After a delay of 5 (count 'em...5) years, I've finally gotten Star Wars
working. I could not have done it without the selfless assistance of
Tim Tewalt who has gone through hell and highwater to help me. A special
thanks to him. Also, thanks to anyone who replied to my pleas for help
over the last few months. It's been a long time since I've seen those
glorious XY graphics, but it was worth the wait!

John P. Hagemann hagemann@persoft.com
Persoft, Inc.
</pre>

==Amazingly, only TWELVE days later:==
http://groups.google.com/group/uwisc.forsale/browse_frm/thread/3a9b8641c5a63522/30d2639330a0eb56

<pre> From: hagemann@persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: FS: Star Wars Stand-Up Arcade Game
Date: 1995/08/15
Message-ID: <40qk3r$b7g_001@news.alpha.net>#1/1
organization: Persoft, Inc.
newsgroups: uwisc.forsale

I've got a fully-working Star Wars arcade game for sale. If you remember
the game (circa 1983) it's one of the best XY vector games Atari ever came
out with. The cabinet is in very good condition, only a few scratches and
nicks. I recently replaced the high-voltage and deflection boards. It
takes quarters (the token converter has been removed). I have all the
manuals and schematics. I would prefer to sell it in the Madison area
because they are impossible to ship. I'll even help you move it. Because
of it's good condition, I'm asking $450.00, but I'll accept reasonable
offers. Please direct responses to:

hagemann@persoft.com or
hagemann@earth.execpc.com

Thanks in advance for any replies.
John P. Hagemann
</pre>

==Suspicious flyback?==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/96230e4b71d79178/588a52cbb3ef7a0e

<pre> From: tewalt@mtnrun (Tim Tewalt)
Subject: Star Wars Flyback Transformer Update
Date: 1995/09/05
Message-ID: <42i5j5$d7e@nntpd2.cxo.dec.com>#1/1
organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
reply-to: tewalt@peaks.enet.dec.com
newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting

(Sorry to post this, but my mailer is fussy today and I don't think this
went out to all those intended - Tim)

Hi guys... bad news. Bottom line is, $150 each when ordering a total of 25
flybacks.

As Gregg Woodcock pointed out, Penn Trans of Wingate PA, is no longer in
business... Hell, there's no such thing as Wingate, PA, either for that
matter.

I called the Postmaster in Bellefonte, PA and found that Wingate was
swallowed up by Bellefonte and more importantly, Penn Trans was bought
out by Wintron Inc.

The part number 926862802 from my flyback, matches the Wintron flyback part
number, so I was pretty sure I had found the source. They faxed me a quote
a few days later with a price of $173.13 each on a quantity of ten and $149.83
each on a quantity of twenty-five. *NOT* the deal I was looking for.

So anyway, I have decided not to pursue this any further. If someone else
would like to look into this, you'll find some pertinent information below.

Thanks a lot for your interest, guys. Sorry I wasn't able to come through.

Tim

Flyback Transformer for Amplihone XY monitor:
Atari part number: A201005-01
Type number: 926862802

WinTron Inc.
250 Runville Road
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-1521
FAX: (814) 355-1524

People interested in replacement flyback:

Tim Tewalt tewalt@peaks.enet.dec.com
Mike Mushovic mushovic@babagi.enet.dec.com
Tony Jones tony@rtd.com
Rich Gopstein gopstein@helix.bms.com
Doug Terrebone dougt@netcom.com
Al McCormick dmccorm1@students.wisc.edu
David Shoemaker A-bds@microsoft.com
Greg Kam gkam@newbridge
Tom Royar troyar@wildfire.com
Peter Taylor ptaylor@nero.uvic.ca
Gregg Woodcock woodcock@bnr.ca
David Holcomb holcomb@cray-ymp.acm.stuorg.vt.edu
<b>John Hagemann hagemann@persoft.com</b>
David Humphrey dover@ll.mit.edu
Ruben Parossian malcor@ozemail.com.au
</pre>

==For sale, again:==
http://groups.google.com/group/uwisc.forsale/browse_frm/thread/87c6582377362e54/294fecbbcb50a935

<pre> From: hagemann@persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: FS: Atari Star Wars stand-up arcade game
Date: 1995/09/13
Message-ID: <4371pn$ugk_001@news.alpha.net>#1/1
organization: Persoft, Inc.
newsgroups: uwisc.forsale

I've got an Atari Star Wars arcade game for sale in the Madison, WI area.
It's the classic vector graphics game from the mid-1980s. It's fully
functional and in great shape. I've got all the documentation and
schematics as well. I would prefer to sell it in the Madison area, but
may be willing to move it if need be. I'm looking to get $450.00 OBO
for it. If you're interested, contact me at: hagemann@persoft.com

Thanks in advance for any replies.

John P. Hagemann hagemann@persoft.com
Persoft, Inc.
</pre>

==Lowered Price, five days later==
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade.collecting/browse_frm/thread/88443e295d220752/d9347a75691a3039

<pre> From: hagemann@persoft.com (John P. Hagemann)
Subject: FS or Trade: Star Wars Upright
Date: 1995/09/18
Message-ID: <43k7ua$vng_001@cis.nctu.edu.tw>#1/1
organization: Persoft, Inc.
newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting

I've got a working (thanks to Tim Tewalt) Star Wars upright for sale in
Madison, WI area. It's got the Amplifone monitor setup. The flyback has
NOT been replaced yet, but she still works. The cabinet is in very good
condition, with very few nicks or scratches. Controller is in good shape.
Some of the original tamperproof screws were stripped, so I retapped the
holes and replaced the screws with non-tamperproof screws. I don't want
to ship this thing, so I'd prefer to sell it to someone in this area or
to someone who's willing to come get it. I love this machine, but it's
time to move on to another one. I'm looking to get $400 for it. If you're
interested, contact me at: hagemann@persoft.com

Thanks in advance for any replies.

John P. Hagemann hagemann@persoft.com
</pre>

I'm really not 100% sure as to which post I had originally responded, nor when the original buyer fell through. He must have rememberd the email address for us when last message was posted.

Starwars Arcade Cabinet - History - Revision history

Falz at 15:21, 9 July 2014

Falz: Created page with "Category:Arcade Well, it was the summer of 1995. A friend of mine owned a store Called The ''7th Dimention'' (previously called ''The Dark Side'') which sold [http://www.w..."