Amnéville
I will post pictures of my Alien as soon as flipperwert has repaired my 2 I/O cards
(Topic ID: 106728)
Linked Games
Alien (Heighway Pinball)
Heighway Pinball, 2017
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Great Falls, VA
Quoted from enzare45:Thank you Averell for your quick response I will send the 2 I/O cards to Flipperwerk.
I'm still loyal to this Alien pinball machine that I've had for 5 years, Alien LE number 336# still a passion.
Thanks also to the community for being there and sharing our passion.
You've bet on the right horse....we're here!
Canberra
5 min job to replace the poor quality USB 2 mini sockets with the right kit. I did one today.
The PIC32 on the IO's have ethernet capability. I imported the hex into MPLAB today and confirmed.
Why oh why use FT231'S UART IC's for the comms?
IMG_20230607_143237 (resized).jpgIMG_20230607_153339 (resized).jpgQuoted from shaneo:5 min job to replace the poor quality USB 2 mini sockets with the right kit. I did one today.
The PIC32 on the IO's have ethernet capability. I imported the hex into MPLAB today and confirmed.
Why oh why use FT231'S UART IC's for the comms?
[quoted image][quoted image]
So do you believe the system could be converted to ethernet ? The computer has a single rj45 connection point as I recall. Reconfig of port assignments and a small switch?
A long time dream of mine for this game...don't have the chops to pull it off myself, but majorly interested ...
Quoted from MK6PIN:So do you believe the system could be converted to ethernet ? The computer has a single rj45 connection point as I recall. Reconfig of port assignments and a small switch?
A long time dream of mine for this game...don't have the chops to pull it off myself, but majorly interested ...
MPF would be an easier, stabler and a more modern solution than re-engineering these boards IO boards and connected architectures.
The PIC32MX795L devices used on the IO's do have 10/100 ethernet, and the several Full Throttle and Alien IO update.hex' I imported into MPLAB today all had this configuration bit enabled, but not configured as a peripheral.
Program Flash Write Protect, Boot Flash Write Protect and Code Protect configuration bits disabled.
I also learnt these PIC32 devices have 6 UART's, which were configured as peripherals - may be why the RGB LED's are serial.
I dont' understand the related execution memory, data memory, CPU register stuff yet.
Quoted from TomDK:I got 2 facehugger as a present from a well know member ... thank you !
This facehugger are for PB, anyone ever mounted them on Heighway ? It seems that the mechanik is different. So my plan is just to swap the rubber facehugger.
Did someone this before ?
Would be nice to know before I destroy them
I have some original Heighway facehuggers
Quoted from shaneo:MPF would be an easier, stabler and a more modern solution than re-engineering these boards IO boards and connected architectures.
Easier? Errr, no. Stabler? Probably not. That would entail rewriting the entirety of the game's code -- rules for dozens of modes, multiballs, and misc features; all the choreography; etc. Huge undertaking.
Quoted from Ferret:Easier? Errr, no. Stabler? Probably not. That would entail rewriting the entirety of the game's code -- rules for dozens of modes, multiballs, and misc features; all the choreography; etc. Huge undertaking.
Great to see you pop in the " real" Alien thread on occasion, Pinbud!!!
My dream would be a revd I/O board without the need to bypass the protection circuit ( meaning final bugs worked out) along with ethernet transmission ( nice, locking RJ45's in a vibrating machine).
A man can dream ( while enjoying his killer game going on 5 years now) lol... 
I monitor this thread constantly... I just mostly don't have much to say... y'all actually understand the hardware and electrical issues far better than I do.
I'm just happy that lots of people get to enjoy the game, whether the Heighway version or the Pinball Brothers version.
Quoted from Ferret:I monitor this thread constantly... I just mostly don't have much to say... y'all actually understand the hardware and electrical issues far better than I do.
I'm just happy that lots of people get to enjoy the game, whether the Heighway version or the Pinball Brothers version.
You're a great guy Joe, and truly appreciate what you, Brian, and others did for this amazing game.
Quoted from MK6PIN:Great to see you pop in the " real" Alien thread on occasion, Pinbud!!!
My dream would be a revd I/O board without the need to bypass the protection circuit ( meaning final bugs worked out) along with ethernet transmission ( nice, locking RJ45's in a vibrating machine).
A man can dream ( while enjoying his killer game going on 5 years now) lol...
Them's boards are not up to the strain of an RJ45 jack. Board will flex, broken trace in one of the layers occurs and it's in the pile used for component pulls.
A complete redesign of the board nescessary for eth to connect to the peripheral pins that need to be configured on the PIC for eth.
Random thought as I'm working on emulating 32 bit Armel on QEMU to say goodbye to Utilites, I wonder if IO's can be emulated? BTW, I do think highly of the Utilites. Build quality is excellent. It's just in this use case they chose to go cheap and not get the 32GB MSATA option. The failure point is the uSD 3.3v.
Quoted from shaneo:Them's boards are not up to the strain of an RJ45 jack. Board will flex, broken trace in one of the layers occurs and it's in the pile used for component pulls.
A complete redesign of the board nescessary for eth to connect to the peripheral pins that need to be configured on the PIC for eth.
Random thought as I'm working on emulating 32 bit Armel on QEMU to say goodbye to Utilites, I wonder if IO's can be emulated? BTW, I do think highly of the Utilites. Build quality is excellent. It's just in this use case they chose to go cheap and not get the 32GB MSATA option. The failure point is the uSD 3.3v.
[quoted image]
Great info....there were several, way smarter than I , that started a deep dive in what you're doing...sadly, back then ( and now) there was never a manufacturer to invest and complete/ support properly.
Props to you for sharing and helping to ensure the survival of the fittest!!
Canmore, AB
Quoted from chucky87:Hello everyone
Following a request I will relaunch a production of the illuminated EL panel for the backglass who will be interested? contact in pm thank you
Highly recommended, one of the best updates to my machine. U coming out with anything else ?
The difference between 1.3 and 1.4b is a hardware revision and bridged (done after production) MosFets.
Version 1.4c is a fairy tale...
Quoted from Oneangrymo:Fortement recommandé, l'une des meilleures mises à jour de ma machine. Tu sors avec autre chose ?
no, it will be the same model, it's just that I had requests. otherwise for those who do not have the blades and the backboard lit on their standard version, I have a complete kit left, including the inverter.
1 week later
Quoted from enzare45:hi aliens
as agreed I came back I promised you pictures of my Alien once finished, so I/O card repaired by markus mini USB port resolder
Right on. Averell is a real asset to this community, as are others!!
Quoted from enzare45:hi aliens
as agreed I came back I promised you pictures of my Alien once finished, so I/O card repaired by markus mini USB port resolder
Nice....my lineup still revolves around this machine....just continues to fascinate me!!
Quoted from calprog:Game is just about done. Just changing out flipper mechs and she is finished!
[quoted image]
Wrong thread
Quoted from MK6PIN:Hypersleep chamber mod w interactive center screen video mod still on my damn bench. I have not forgotten this PITA effort...the machine deserves it...just need to find the time (ugh)...( Averell will of course create an awesome manual for it... ..)
I need it.
Quoted from MK6PIN:Wrong thread
Quoted from calprog:Game is just about done. Just changing out flipper mechs and she is finished!
[quoted image]
Watch out, someone has stolen your monitor from the playfield !!
Anyway, looks nice !
2 weeks later
Just for your information,
we have found out that the ALIEN resets when a 2nd or 3rd ball is fired into the shooter lane. The cause is a stuck target in front of the right scoop.
So if your device behaves like this, check if one of the two targets is stuck or has contact against the metal of the scoop.
I will add this information to the Rulesheet that will be provided if we get a software update sometimes.
Losheim Am See
Quoted from Averell:Just for your information,
we have found out that the ALIEN resets when a 2nd or 3rd ball is fired into the shooter lane. The cause is a stuck target in front of the right scoop.
So if your device behaves like this, check if one of the two targets is stuck or has contact against the metal of the scoop.
I will add this information to the Rulesheet that will be provided if we get a software update sometimes.
I guess you do mean the 2 weapon targets? They are hardly under fire and get some strong hits. I guess there was a kind of target frame in the aftermarket which could avoid this after installing. It prevents the target and contacts to bend ...
Quoted from Averell:These are my thoughts about some known issues and how to fix them...
[quoted image]
You are the big reason I’m keeping my game for this long besides the love I have for it. Well done brother
Again I wrote an email to Brian regarding an update for ALIEN near in the future.
I hope we will get it soon.
If so, I would like to share the latest Rulesheet in revision 1.3 with all known issues and some information about settings and gameplay.
Reading
I finally got around to fixing the left xeno target which wasn't registering. These are what I used (7mm shaft)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255088248268
7mm switch (resized).png
Quoted from Averell:These are my thoughts about some known issues and how to fix them...
[quoted image]
It's funny how the small things cause big issues on this game (not really funny)....believe everyone is nervous as zero schematics, factory support, etc.
Sometimes, just gotta step back from the thing. The magnetized balls drove me nuts!!! ( experienced quirkiness when a switch gets stuck as well)...
Mine plays so solid, but swear I could put one together in my sleep now..... 
Quoted from Averell:Again I wrote an email to Brian regarding an update for ALIEN near in the future.
I hope we will get it soon.
If so, I would like to share the latest Rulesheet in revision 1.3 with all known issues and some information about settings and gameplay.
Have stopped holding my breath for another rev (just to cover some bugs).....love the game, and suspect it will outlast me...
You do great manuals and your ongoing engagement in the thread is priceless. Will hope to get something finished for you to write another manual for soon!!
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