Guys,
This kind of game behavior is typically caused by a ribbon installed 1 row off.
There is no short.
The ribbons, with the exception of the thinner dot controller to DMD ribbon, extend the processor data bus. Connecting ribbons one row off will corrupt the data bus, causing this kind of result.
I wouldn't do another thing without checking each of the ribbons one more time. One of them HAS to be installed wrong.
Also, while it will work, the four position ribbon is not for your game. It's for a pre-DCS game, that has a smaller sound board. That's why it's stretched like a banjo string in your game. Maybe that's your TAF ribbon.
Yes, you can boot the game with ribbons removed. Usually, this is benign, but it's possible that something might lock on. Don't let things lock on. Immediately switch the game off. Coils are one thing. Flashers are another. A locked on flasher gets hot fast, and melts domes and plastics.
It looks like you have all the pin 1-to-pin 1 connections right. Find the ribbon connector that is one row off.
If you don't find that, examine each male ribbon header for missing or bent pins.
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The new place for pinball repair info