New question - I tried to install a replacement post for the ring ramp which I ordered from PBL. Something must be bent out of shape, since I absolutely could not get the bulkier post to fit into the area. In the end I put the old post back, but I'm worried I should do something about it soon since there's some very noticeable marks. I'll take some pictures next time to see if anyone has ideas. Are there any creative ways to protect that edge of the ramp besides a bulkier/new post?

UPDATE: A few new questions. I'll probably have more to ask soon which I'll place above this update. ANYTHING BELOW IS ALREADY RESOLVED. Many thanks!

I have the original Lord of the Rings (Stern from December 2003) here with me. My current Display/Game version is all the way back at CPU 4.10 and Display 4.04. I'm wondering exactly what I'll need to bring this machine up to date with the 10.00 game rom. I know I'll need the 10.00 U5 Display Controller and U210 CPU Game Rom's for sure and I understand the process of updating these two.

After some reading, I'm concerned as to whether my U7 Sound Rom needs to be updated to 1.01 (or if it is already 1.01), and whether my WhiteStar OS needs to be flashed to meet these newer Rom versions as mentioned in the Stern SB 157. (http://www.sternpinball.com/upload/downloads/sb157.pdf) There isn't a lot of information out there on this from what I can tell, but since my machine is on the older side for LOTR I wanted to make sure this isn't going to be a problem. Did any units even ship without a 1.01 U7? Honestly, I'm not fully understanding the Whitestar sound OS either and what this service bulletin really refers to!

Is my best bet to start by just installing the 10.00 Display and Game Rom's and seeing if everything works properly? If there are sound issues after those are installed, should I re-flash a 1.01 U7 chip and see if that helps or try the Whitestar OS boot flash first?

Also, I just started having trouble with my ring spinner today. It seems the side near the trigger has become slightly bent, causing it to lodge itself in the hole it sits on. It sits horizontally once stuck, so it can't be triggered and needs to be pulled out of the hole. I tried to straighten out the area that needs to be adjusted with pliars, but with it still attached it was just too small a section to properly bend without more leverage. As long as it doesn't get roughly pushed towards that hole, it's spinning perfectly but as it's already happened twice I'm guessing it will be recurring. What's the process for removing, adjusting, and then re-inserting this spinner?

My last question is about my ring magnet, and how to begin repairing it. It hasn't been functional for years, but from my understanding it's likely just fuse F20 might be blown. Is there anyway to easily diagnose the issue, or should I just try a new 4 amp SloBlo Fuse in F20 and see if that solves it? I've also heard some are using 5 amp SB fuses in this slot as Stern said it would be okay, and may keep it from blowing so easily. If the fuse is not the problem, what are the next steps I should take to repairing this feature?

Really appreciate any and all help! I'm very new to this and having a difficult time wrapping my head around everything!

_{Post edited by ElendilAndurilz: Many questions answered, a few newer questions!}

Thanks for the reply!

That's great news. My current plan is definitely to see how things go with just the display and CPU chips upgraded. I'm not looking into trying to convert to LE features like a shaker anytime soon! I wonder if that's why I found a bit of conflicting information since many do seem to be interested in a shaker motor.

I checked the fuse earlier and it definitely doesn't show any signs of being blown, but since I don't have any replacements on hand I guess we'll have to wait and see! I've got a few fuse sets on their way over, so I should be able to test that around Monday. In the meantime, is there any danger to playing with a blown fuse besides the corresponding functions not working? This machine may have been sitting with this blown fuse for 8-9 years, so I sure hope not!

One more question I've thought of since posting.

Is there anything else I should be doing to either bring this machine up to date or future proof it? I've seen a few other service bulletins on the machine, but I wasn't sure how meaningful any of them would really be. Thoughts anyone?

Will check the spinner tomorrow and let you know the result. Do you happen to know the specific name of the test I'm looking for or should keeping an eye out for ramp switch work?

Thanks for the help

Thanks for the replies. I'll run these tests tomorrow and let you know where I stand!

Very helpful, I think that clears up how I should handle the potential for a sound issue.

Great! I'll check it out tomorrow! Really appreciate the help.

Tested the ring magnet. Coil wasn't functioning, replaced fuse F20 with a new 4a SB and it's working perfectly! Thanks for the help!

Still waiting on my 10.00 roms. I have my fingers crossed hoping I won't have to do a whitestar boot flash. (But trying to read up in case I do! If anyone wants to share anything on the subject, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm confused as to where the jumpers I may need to adjust are located especially.)

Also, I just started having trouble with my ring spinner today. It seems the side near the trigger has become slightly bent, causing it to lodge itself in the hole it sits on. It sits horizontally once stuck, so it can't be triggered and needs to be pulled out of the hole. I tried to straighten out the area that needs to be adjusted with pliars, but with it still attached it was just too small a section to properly bend without more leverage. As long as it doesn't get roughly pushed towards that hole, it's spinning perfectly but as it's already happened twice I'm guessing it will be recurring. What's the process for removing, adjusting, and then re-inserting this spinner?

Thanks in advance as always

You guys are great. That guide was very comprehensive DeathHimself, I'll certainly look back if any sound issues show up. Thanks for the nifty diagram!

So today I received my 10.00 display+cpu roms. I installed both, booted up the machine and nothing showed up on the dot matrix display. I removed the display rom and double checked that all pins were in place and the rom was facing the proper direction. Still no luck. I replaced it with the old 4.04 display rom and display was fine. Sounds like a faulty/misflashed chip? I'm planning to exchange it unless anyone has any ideas.

On a good note, I played a game with the 10.00 game rom, and 4.04 display rom (obviously a few bugs here and there with the display) and had no sound issues so far. I'd assume the game rom was going to be the culprit for the whitestar issues, correct? If so, I may be in the clear in that regard. I was pleasantly surprised, as it sounds like I'm coming from a version that frequently deals with that issue. Assuming I do have no sound issues, I believe I read that there's no quality difference between the WhiteStar OS's. If someone could verify that I'd appreciate it!

I've ordered a new spinner, but also seem to have bent the metal back into place for the time being.

Can't wait to have a working display rom, since I believe the rest of the machine is now in working order!

Any other general recommendations while I'm doing work on the machine? I'm really enjoying getting into the basic maintenance, and I'd be up for doing some pro-active work if anyone has ideas!

Looking into those, thanks!

Is the general consensus that the ring ramp left post should be upgraded regardless of current condition. Mine doesn't seem to be bent as of yet, but it's definitely the stock piece.

Also how often should this pin be waxed? My guess is after 10 years of storage it could probably benefit from from some play field maintenance. Is the standard stuff people talk about on the forum good for LoTR and should I know anything special before starting that?

Also my tilt seems to be acting a bit off. Some very small moves seem to trigger tilt almost immediately, while bigger moves don't register or occasionally give a warning. How would I go about tuning that?

I sure do have a lot of questions. Never expected the flood of information I'd find once I came to this community, it just keeps leading to more questions! Thanks for being patient with me!

Good idea. Done.

Not sure. I'll take a picture and post it tonight!

Had some great luck today. The replacement 10.00 display rom worked perfectly, and I don't seem to have any sound issues so no need to flash the whitestar os.

Tilt seems to be working fine today as well. I made sure the tilt bob looked and felt right, and haven't noticed any issues since. Here's some pictures for reference in case I'm wrong! (Sorry for my poor cell phone photography!)
photo 2-969.JPG
photo 1-312.JPG
photo 3-595.JPG

I tried to install a replacement post for the ring ramp which I ordered from PBL. Something must be bent out of shape, since I absolutely could not get the bulkier post to fit into the area. In the end I put the old post back, but I'm worried I should do something about it soon since there's some very noticeable marks. I'll take some pictures next time to see if anyone has ideas. Are there any creative ways to protect that edge of the ramp besides a bulkier/new post?