Collector's Corner - Designer Mach III Master Repair?

[klute]

Hello All

I was contemplating my two non-working Designer Mach III Masters tonight, one of which is factory fresh in original carry case with pieces still sealed.

A very high proportion of the batch of Designer Mach III Masters that Fidelity sent to Australia were faulty.

Does anyone know of a quality repairer (I will consider overseas, considering the value of this model) who might have a reasonable chance of bringing my examples back to life?

Funny thing is, my factory fresh Fidelity Travel Master works perfectly!

Thanks

Cameron

[mclane]

as far as i remember many designers died because of too high or wrong voltage. it can be that the zehner-diode in the power-platine/board is dead.

IMO a normal electronic guy should be able to repair it.

[Steve B]

Hello All

I was contemplating my two non-working Designer Mach III Masters tonight, one of which is factory fresh in original carry case with pieces still sealed.

A very high proportion of the batch of Designer Mach III Masters that Fidelity sent to Australia were faulty.

Does anyone know of a quality repairer (I will consider overseas, considering the value of this model) who might have a reasonable chance of bringing my examples back to life?

Funny thing is, my factory fresh Fidelity Travel Master works perfectly!

Thanks

Cameron

hi Cameron

well many collectors will tell you to use this guy on Kurt's site:

http://www.schachcomputer.at/reparaturen.htm

that having been said i can only tell you that whenever i sent this fellow a chess computer(about 5 in total) it NEVER came back repaired..there was always a reason...
it was repaired but must have become defective again in shipping..
or
he could not find the needed part
or
many things were wrong with the computer and it does not pay to repair\etc.etc.etc

of course this is my personal experience and those located closer to this guy report a far better performance from him

for the last several years i have been using a member here..
ROBIN SMITH...
who also happens to be a correspondence Grand Master and Author of the Computer Chess book"Modern Chess Analysis"
he has repaired EVERY computer i ever sent him..bar none
and i have sent him some very rare birds like my TSB IV La Regence

of course you will have to consider the round trip shipping from the Land Of OZ to the States.. and back

You can send him a PM here..

http://www.talkchess.com/forum/profile. ... ofile&u=45

Best Regards
Steve

[klute]

Hi Thorsten

Thanks, that gives me something to work on. The factory fresh one has only ever had batteries in it and worked fine for a while. I suspect my other one is zapped. When the working one stopped working properly, the symptoms were that the clock was erratic and ridiculously fast, if I could get it fired up at all. The crystal / oscillator is what I've been suspecting.

Regards

Cameron

[klute]

Hi Steve

Thanks for that - Thorsten's reply gives me hope that the problem could be fixable by a mere mortal, I suppose I should seriously investigate what may be this simpler option first.

It's always tormented me that I've had terrible luck with Designer Mach III Masters - perhaps 2007 is the year to try and exorcise this demon!

Regards

Cameron

[Larry]

When the working one stopped working properly, the symptoms were that the clock was erratic and ridiculously fast, if I could get it fired up at all. The crystal / oscillator is what I've been suspecting.

Regards

Cameron

Hi Cameron. I think I might have an idea that could well work for
you. I also have a Designer Mach3 and repaired the exact same
problem, ie, the clock winding over fast. Mine would also power
down, the lights going dim and the controls not responding now
and then.
This is how I fixed it. I took a fine tipped soldering iron and
carefully melted *all* the solder joints on the circuit board. The
machine then powered up and worked like a charm. That was
just a couple of months ago, now it's a really great machine.
I think these things were soldered by robot, and some of the
joints are a bit low on solder. Also, as they age, they develop
'dry' solder joints.
With a bit of luck this will work for you, and save you an
expensive exercise sending the thing overseas. I'm also in Oz,
Gosford NSW to be exact. You're not Cameron Parle by any
chance are you?
all the best
Larry

[klute]

I also have a Designer Mach3 and repaired the exact same
problem, ie, the clock winding over fast. Mine would also power
down, the lights going dim and the controls not responding now
and then.
This is how I fixed it. I took a fine tipped soldering iron and
carefully melted *all* the solder joints on the circuit board. The
machine then powered up and worked like a charm. That was
just a couple of months ago, now it's a really great machine.
I think these things were soldered by robot, and some of the
joints are a bit low on solder. Also, as they age, they develop
'dry' solder joints.
With a bit of luck this will work for you, and save you an
expensive exercise sending the thing overseas.Larry

Hi Larry

Your Designer Mach III problem pretty much matches mine. I think I'll fire up the soldering iron and give it a try - I'm motivated to get this baby humming again affordably and there's nothing like the satisfaction of DIY.

I'm also in Oz,
Gosford NSW to be exact. You're not Cameron Parle by any
chance are you?
all the bestLarry

I'm in the Blue Mountains and yes I'm that Cameron.

Am I famous? Infamous perhaps?

Regards

Cameron

[Terry McCracken]

I also have a Designer Mach3 and repaired the exact same
problem, ie, the clock winding over fast. Mine would also power
down, the lights going dim and the controls not responding now
and then.
This is how I fixed it. I took a fine tipped soldering iron and
carefully melted *all* the solder joints on the circuit board. The
machine then powered up and worked like a charm. That was
just a couple of months ago, now it's a really great machine.
I think these things were soldered by robot, and some of the
joints are a bit low on solder. Also, as they age, they develop
'dry' solder joints.
With a bit of luck this will work for you, and save you an
expensive exercise sending the thing overseas.Larry

Hi Larry

Your Designer Mach III problem pretty much matches mine. I think I'll fire up the soldering iron and give it a try - I'm motivated to get this baby humming again affordably and there's nothing like the satisfaction of DIY.

I'm also in Oz,
Gosford NSW to be exact. You're not Cameron Parle by any
chance are you?
all the bestLarry

I'm in the Blue Mountains and yes I'm that Cameron.

Am I famous? Infamous perhaps?

Regards

Cameron

All these Designer Mach III problems , soon my Designer Mach III will be the only bug free model left

I'll sell it to the highest bidder

Biding my Time Regards,
Terry