I'm betting that the game won't start because all the balls aren't in the trough. Lots of games are like that.

1497 2 is not an error code. It's something like the game number, or something. All firepowers will read that (maybe also contains the software version?)

If you're losing your sound mid-game, I would expect some sort of bad connection. Start a game, and while its sitting there, open the backbox and start wiggling connectors and see if you can duplicate the issue. I predict you'll find a bad connector somewhere.

Not too familiar with the Rottendog MPU...is that an MPU/driver combo? If so, 75% of your potential problems just went away.

Good luck,
Jeff