HELP WITH ARROW PROBLEM! (metal pad)

matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

Ok here is my problem. I have this pad here: http://www.ddrgame.com/psdadaremeda1.html

My up arrow seems to be a little weird. I had this pad for about a month and a half almost. It seems I have to press my up arrow a little harder than the others. It's not as sensitive. like sometimes I step on it and it will register then kind of blink quickly a couple more times even though I only hit the arrow once. My question, would buying a replacement arrow fix this? does the thin metal on the bottom of the arrow "wear out" over time? Also, what about the 6 LED lights on the arrow... the main wire is like fed way underneath the pad, so would I have to cut it? It really doesnt matter just as long as it registers more sensitively. any help appreciated! THANKS!
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psisarah · Trick Member Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Location: Toronto

Sounds like a dirty contact. Try taking apart the pad and cleaning the underside of the arrow... they get dirtier than you'd imagine with regular play.
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matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

i did try that. seemed to be working ok today, but still something weird about it. If thats all it is, I have no problem with getting a replacement arrow.
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[TCO] Patrick · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:56 pm Post subject:

I doubt it has anything to do with the LEDs, so dont worry about that. These TX-1000/Clones are a pain to rip apart, so just contine to try and tinker with it without trying to gut it.

Its sorta pointless to buy a whole new arrow. You should be able to fix it without having to buy a whole new arrow. It might be the contact foil is ripped/dirty as a mother. You can replace it with sheet metal and see how that works out. Check the contact sensor that the foil hits as well, see what condition that things in.
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matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

Buying a whole new arrow is no problem for me. I dont want to have to buy a whole new pad after only 1 month and waste another $200 plus dollars. Im praying all I need is a new arrow. I did tinker with it, a tiny better but still takes more pressure to register the arrow. The metal stuck under the bottom of the arrow was a little dirty and some very small tears, don't know if that affects it, I guess it would.

I played in my socks the whole time, I read some other guy used shoes on a pad like this, its better cause it evens out the weight when you step on the arrows as supposed to like my tippy toes in socks usually doing that.
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Marq(uistadorous) · Trick Member Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Location: Arvada, CO

DUDE. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ARROW PANEL ITSELF. YOU DON"T NEED A KNEW ARROW!!!!!! Trust me. I have a tx1000 just like yours. I've had to fix it many times. Look for any broken wires leading to the sensor. Then make sure that all of the copper on the sensor is touching each other, besides the 2 different sides of course
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matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

Noone is answering my question. I tried messing with all those wires, I can't tell where anything is going, Wires seem fine though. Someone please answer me this: WILL A NEW ARROW FIX THIS? I don't mind buying a new arrow is like fricken $7, nothing. I have to press harder on the up arrow for it to even register and sometimes while I hold the press it will blink... I hope a new arrow would fix this, cause that is no big deal for me.
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psisarah · Trick Member Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Location: Toronto

You seem to have your mind set on buying a new arrow so just buy a new arrow.

Although replacement arrows are for the instance if you crack or break one of you arrows, IIRC. So replacing one has nothing to do with the circuitry. All you're doing is putting a new piece of plastic on it.
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matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

I have no clue what to look for in the circuits. They seemed fine, I can barely look inside, except for the up arrow has this white thing with a bunch of wires connected to it and then going under the pad to wherever. contact sensor seems in great condition and the metal under the arrow and the contact sensor definately touch when i press the up arrow, so they are making contact, its just hard to get it to register. What do they expect people to do buy a new pad every month? I cant even find small replacement parts for this pad except for an arrow which you guys are telling me an arrow replacement probably wont fix it, so basically, im screwed....

by the way the contact sensor the arrow hits is like glued, I cant find a way to even look under it... They should have a manual for problems like this...
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kahuna · Trick Member Joined: 04 Jan 2005

Take a look here:
http://www.rufus3.com/ddr/mmbold.html

If you read the whole page, you'll know what problems plague a tx-1000 and what to do to fix it. You'll also learn how to clean the arrow and grid. Did you also clean the copper grid underneath the arrow on the pad itself? You mention cleaning the underside of the arrow, but you don't mention cleaning the copper grid, which is something you should do from time to time.

In my opinion, you either still have a dirty electrical contact on the arrow or grid or a loose solder joint on the grid which would potentially make the circuit cut in and out when you press on the arrow, thereby giving the "blinking arrow" symptom. I'd make sure that both the arrow and the grid are clean before checking into the solder joint.
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mthegreatone · Trick Member Joined: 25 Sep 2005

matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

How am I going to gut open my pad? from the bottom? There is some thin foam that is like glued to the bottom, so how do I go about getting that off the bottom then putting it back on when im done?
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[TCO] Patrick · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject:

Well...You could try unscrewing the four screws that hold the arrows in place. Youll be able to remove them then. Just be careful not to damage the metal lip thats used to hold them in place along the edges.
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William Howard Taft wrote:

Japanese arcade dancing simulations are built upon a strict code of honor and pride.

videoCWK wrote:

ITG can go beyond level 10? Woah...

matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

ok people. look at these pictures after taking out my up arrow and you tell me how on earth to "GUT IT" without runing anything. everything is glued. the contact that is copper color is glued to the wood, that circuit is stuck to the black stuff which is sticky glue. i tore the metal sheet off the x arrow to try on the up arrow, worked a little better, but it got crinkled so it still wasnt perfect. I probably got a cheap version of this pad. stupid ddrgame.com. Noone else's pad seems to look like this under the arrow. mine is like wood and poopy and sticky stuff. everything glued so you cant get to nothing...

PICTURES: http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=9075462&uid=3763036
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Marq(uistadorous) · Trick Member Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Location: Arvada, CO

Lol. You really didn't need to tear up your pad. I'm pretty sure you don't need to see those wires
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matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

I DIDNT TEAR IT UP! God! That picture shows just taking out the up arrow...........
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Marq(uistadorous) · Trick Member Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Location: Arvada, CO

matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

See what I mean! I think I got fricken ripped off. I feel like returning that pad to DDRGAME.COM I think I am going to. Other site has it cheaper anyway and probably not a rip off of the tx1000. I can't wait to tell off those people on that site. They better let me return it....
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[TCO] Patrick · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:03 am Post subject:

^ If the pads cheaper, its probably not going to be much better than this. Buying a metal pad is a learning experience all the way through (at least it was for me). Before buying your next one, I suggest maybe like, doing a buttload of researching and seeing what people have to say about it.

And also listen to yourself when youre buying a pad. Dont try to convince yourself about a pad. If you feel it probably wont be able to function or work well with you, then dont go with it. If you do end up buying a new pad, go check out some of those all metal TX-4000s. I keep hearing how good they are.
_________________

William Howard Taft wrote:

Japanese arcade dancing simulations are built upon a strict code of honor and pride.

videoCWK wrote:

ITG can go beyond level 10? Woah...

matt_magnone · Trick Member Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Location: Ambridge, PA

I even tried the sheet metal mod. still same thing. works most of the time, then suddenly on like a hold it starts that blinking poopy. DDRgame said I could return it for another one... said its a better version than V3.0 tx-1000. i dont have alot of money just so you people know.....
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