Hi there. I have an Al-Mithali MSX, whose video port doesn't work anymore. I checked and it was very corroded, this is the very first time I'll have to replace it. Problem is, I don't know how. Can someone on this forum help me out?
Which one of those is it?
If it's the MSX1 model, they're not hard to replace, or desolder, clean and put back. I can't see what kind of connectors the MSX2 model has, but seeing it has RGB, that's a bit harder to clean/replace as it has a lot of pins and they're all in the connector where the MSX1 model has RCA connectors of which the connecting metal is bare and easily reachable.
I wouldn't know what material to use to remove the rust, maybe some comtact spray (just clean that stuff off right after you're done cleaning cuz contact spray can have nasty after effects). I'd probably replace the connectors.
Be aware that the problem doesn't have to be caused by the connectors. Have you checked if the cable is good? The screen ok? It could be another issue inside the computer as well.
Does caps lock work? Motor -command? Any sound with play command,mkeyclick sounds?
No video (at all!) sounds like something more important is failing. With bad connectors you should get at least intermittent image if you wiggle the connectors in their sockets. Use the above commands to make sure the msx is actually running (if you haven't already).
For the connector's I'd use contact spray as suggested by Meits. If that doesn't help, you need to get the connectors replaved. Since you need to ask how to replace them, you are not up to the task, and this can not be walked trough on a forum.
Take it to someone who knows how to do it. You need a soldering station, something to remove old solder and solder in new ones. Depending on the connector type, it can be easy or more difficult (but certainly doable!).
Alright, thanks. I used to get a signal when I wiggled the wire but that doesn't work anymore, so I think the problem is with the connector itself. I'll use some contract spray and clean it.
Also, it could be that there is "solder fracture" where the connector is soldered onto the motherboard. When wiggling the cable you will get the same behavior as you described.
Simple heating up the solder with a solder gun to reflow the solder will fix this.
First check if you have +/-5V and +/-12V fine. My regulator passed away and had no video output, checked and had +/-2V instead 12V. Once the regulator was fixed, it's working again.
That machine seems to have RCA composite video connectors. It could definitely be the case with the soldering insted, since it needs to be *very* corroded to not give any connection. Also, it should get better (not worse) with repeated insertions.
You can try contact spray (ut wont hurt), but I'd also open it to see if there's anything obviously wrong. If the connector is rusty, who knows what is going on inside.
