Thanks, so glad for your help - I will definitely do that.....may get the bug fixed ROM - I assume the chips are socketed in and can be easily removed?.......

I don't see the ROM offered on your site, are you selling these?

Thanks again, Nate

Mine was new replacement so the age of the part is not 100% reason you are having problems.

For the record, It is, yes.

Depends on which version. One thing for sure, all the Oliver ones have the endless countdown bug. The .6x/.7x branches do not, but neither of those are /10 versions. I could kick out a /10 version based on the .6x branch (6 digit displays) relatively easily. I will be going into my codebase for Meteor in the near future as finally thanks to CoreyStup I know enough to transplant sounds, so I'll finally have the sound effect I want for the additional sweep features. I will build a /10 version without all the features enabled so you can update it (since those versions also have the ram clear)

Also I want to update the spinner to record the high spins, and to work >100. Was playing this today and several people got close to 100, an average spin was 50-70. Most I've gotten was 94 IIRC so it's only a matter time until I really nail it.

A lot of the sb300 games seem to have issues with using leftover kruft in the ram - dragonfist does too, but you can't just clear it, you have to set it to the correct values. The game has a routine to do this after every ball... but doesn't do it at game start. Pretty stupid!

Coming soon..... lightning with spinner counter and no-ball relocking during multiball.

I would make it part of an award during multi-ball...
1) no-ball relock multi-ball. = easy
2) complete "X" = "X" ball does not lock. = med to hard.

So start multiball, if (presumably) I can get enough dip switches/memory locations free, set to easy, balls that drop back into the saucers just eject (this is what it does now in testing, assuming it works once it goes in machine).

Otherwise, the ball will relock unless you complete a PF advance X? Or the bonus multiplier X? Or, "X" as in generic unknown?

If I get some more memory free I'm thinking of letting the end user change the valhalla bonus time from 30 seconds to anything from 00 (off) to 99 (very liberal....) Setting it to 00 would take care of freeing up a dip as well that I can use for something else (like the multiball relock).

So if balls are back in the lock and you do X do they then release? I guess it wouldn't make sense otherwise.

I had a pinsider ask me to do a custom nylon pop ring like the classic nylon rings but with altered dimensions (outer ring dia) to replace his metal pop rings that were deformed which are NLA. This new proto parts 2A-141 and 1A-234 is just one part now.

https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace?q=swinkscsbumper&sort=newest

Coupled with the stern plastic base and the whole mech can be dropped out as a complete assembly.

710x528_35693343_18714166_1630928039_1_0 (resized).png

Early Stern Thumper Rod & Ring (resized).png

early stern pop assembly (resized).png

slochar
"X" as in generic unknown?
Answer: yes...
Like complete a 3bank = 1 ball does not lock.
Or have an "X" set of targets flashing... "X" = 1 through 10? spot targets...
complete the set of flashing targets = 1 ball does not lock.
I know a lot has to do with what is available, ram/rom...
I have been there... squeezing the bites to free up bites.

That no ball re-locking during multi-ball would be a nice upgrade for Catacomb.

Is it possible to have it eject any locked balls at game over?

I agree and will probably address that at some point. Hopefully as straightforward as Lightning and not as convoluted as flight 2000.

Yes but right now the game doesn't check for all balls before starting so that would have to be added.

On a side note:
What I find interesting is that Bally's early designing prototyping had three 6821 pia's.
What options one could have today; if the boards did use three, instead of two pia's.

I'd guess they weren't doing the PIA function sharing on the protos and someone hit on the idea that software costs nothing vs. increasing your PIA costs by 50%. (We all know that software development time is 'free', right? Like forcing Pfutz to code all that ball handling crap for flight 2000 instead of just putting 2 more switches in the walker, right??)

Bally's PIA are super busy. The multiplexing going on is really impressive compared to how WMS implemented (up to five PIAs). At U10 one PIA port may be doing three different things.

I am guessing the first prototype had each PIA port just doing one job instead of multiple. The engineering team figured out how to multiplex and cut the BOM down which is probably huge savings at the time once you start making games in the QTY bally was. So I would guess, not much extra could be done.

<3 Doug MacDonald and the Bally team that did the early SS hardware. They did such a good job Stern ripped it off and made their own awesome games with it.

Dumb question, but where do I purchase the "bug fixed" ROM for Meteor we have been discussing so I can see if my sound board is working ok? Barakandl was nice enough to ask and include the chip when I got the CPU board from him. It wouldn't have to be the "divide score by" type, I'm not that good to turn over the score yet...................

I have a six digit display..........

Thanks, Nate

I don't know of anyone selling them, but you can download it from the IPDB and burn it yourself if you have the equipment:

https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=meteor&search=Search+Database&searchtype=quick#1580

Sound fix is not in that ROM that one is the bonus bug fix only.

Thanx, that's good to know. Do you (or anyone) happen to know if that bonus-fixed ROM image on IPDB is the one required to allow the Pinitech NVRAM board work or do I need to join Pinball_Nate and figure out where to source the "sound fix" ROMs? I'm still in the cabinet repair phase of my Meteor restoration but I want to add the NVRAM board when I put this pin back together next month / early November.

NVRAM and Bug Fix ROMs (resized).jpg

I am the source of the nvram fix for the rom that I provided to Andrew it's available here:
http://tsqmadness.com/slochar/ZIP/meteora2(1).zip

This is the nvram sound fix applied to stern's factory 6 digit fix for the endless bonus bug. It clears the sound registers on bootup that were leftover from previous games' bootup.

I don't sell roms though I have just enough to do my software playtesting so you'll have to get them burned somewhere else.

I'm looking for a classic Stern wide body apron (any) if anyone can part with one.

Many thanks for providing the link!

I remember when I had a Galaxy game, it had the same kind of problem on boot-up.
It would keep the same tone constanly on at booting untill you play/start a game.
The game however would just keep on blinking the led untill fully booted.
I never got to fix this problem, but suspect the same kind of sound reset problem.
I used the nvram board from Andrew in this game.

Peter

My Cheetah is being a jerk.

When either flipper button is pressed the game goes into solenoid test mode during gameplay. It doesn’t reset, it actually goes straight into each solenoid firing one by one, weird. During the test it doesn’t start over or reset when the flippers activate, which is also odd. I swapped in a new solenoid board and no change, MPU is a weebly.

Any ideas where I should start looking?

start game disconnect coin door harness hit flippers.... still goes in, some other issue, but if it doesn't.... check the coin door carefully for shorts.

You are a legend, that totally worked. And I see a burn mark on the service menu button so looks like I should start there. Thank you so much!

Okay, I will gladly pay someone to burn me a ROM, I do not have equipment to do so. PM me if you can help out.

Much appreciated in advance......

-Nate

You want https://www.hobbyroms.com/ - Steph is awesome.

Thanks, I will go with them!! Appreciate it.

-Nate

Ok, I contacted hobbyroms, they asked me the following question:

You need to replace 2 eproms.

Rom 1 and Rom 6 if you have the 4 eprom configuration ( 4 x 2716 eproms)

or Rom 2 and Rom 6 if you have the 2 eprom configuration ( 2 x 2732 eproms)

I have an older Barakandl MPU so what does that require (2017 approx)?

Thanks.

Let's summon barakandl himself!

As far as I know, many free play roms/etc are already in Andrew's board, so generally burning new ROMs is not something that you need to do.

He can provide burning instructions. It would likely go into the 27512 expansion slot, and I'm not familiar how that would need to be programmed.

His older boards still took roms like originals.

If it is an older version you probably need either a single 2764 or two 2732s. The people selling ROMs on 2732s for the original MPU should also work fine on the replacement boards without the combo ROM. Just note the silk screen printing on the board about the where pin 1 is on the 2732 ROM as it has four less legs than the IC socket.

Thanks, I have your replacement MPU dated April 2017 in the right hand corner..... so I guess order either the single 2764 or two 2732's correct? Andrew, I take it you do not have these optional chips for sale to correct the sound board issue?

Nate

Screenshot 2021-09-16 211404 (resized).jpg

You can use two 2732s like the normal games by changing the jumper pads to what is outlined on the silk screen.

For a single 2764. Download 2732 images and combine with command prompt line

copy /b U2.732 + U6.732 U2.764

Then you can drop in a 2764 to that older MPU without jumper change.

I don't want to be an EPROM reseller. I encourage anyone that wants to mess with home ROMs to get an eprom burner and learn how to use it. Since you are experiencing a sound bug using one of my boards though I will offer to reprogram the chip with an updated version. I will probably respond fastest to a contact form on the website.

I don't know of a divide by ten version that is bug fixed so I recommend the stock ROM. There is also a new six digit home ROM, but I have not personally used it besides booting on the test fixture. Recommend everyone consider home ROMs in the combo ROM as somewhat of a beta version as a bug here and there can pop up. When using home ROMs I can't guarantee the game will play proper or not have a situation a coil gets locked on. Basically at your own risk with home ROMs on the replacement MPU I make.

In the 6-12-21 COMBO ROM I added Big Game V8. If you are using that Big Game V8 ROM in my MPU do not use solenoid test or the fuse will blow. Switch to big game stock ROM first. Also Dip 8 = off for background sound on in that one. I am going to update Big Game home to V9 in MPUs shipping in the next week or so which will fix solenoid test.

Thanks, I'll drop you a note through the website.

-Nate

Anyone have an old Stern wide body lockdown bar and receiver?

I have an OP friend who had a wide body lockdown bar ad placed on Mr. Pinball. I don't know if he has sold it or not. And he is high priced on his stuff.

isnt the receiver the same as standard size games? If it is, you can get a replacement from Mantis. Wide body lockdown bar are hard to find though, GL!

I believe that is correct regarding the receiver.

The receiver is the same for all of the classic Sterns and Data East pins. But a Data East wide body lockdown bar is a different width than the Stern wide body.

Speaking of Kerry at Mantis, Kerry has advised me the parts that we are wanting are ready. But he will be away from his shop for a month, so we wait until he gets back.

It's time to thin the herd. I have to let 2 go. Here is what I have to choose from:

Big Game
Ali
Sea Witch
Catacomb
Nine Ball
Stars
Cheetah

I'm leaning towards Big Game for certain, and either Sea Witch or Catacomb. I have a Beatles, so having Sea Witch - I admit doesn't play exactly like Beatles, but close might be the best choice. I never really got into Catacomb too much. Stars is too damn much fun. I have a few others but they ain't leaving (QS DF, SG) although the only one I would let go is StarGazer but it would have to be a pretty hefty price tag. I'm not sure I would sell my QS or DF for even obscene amounts.....well you never know.

Any recommendations?

You sort of answer your own question.... Big Game and Catacomb.

My BG is bolted to the floor but Catacomb.... I 'liked' it but not enough to keep it. I keep track of my games played in a spreadsheet and year after year of owning it, I realized I played it <10 times a year, and that was usually before a party to make sure it worked. If you continuously walk past a game and never feel the need to play it, time to move it on.

Most of your games listed would sell for many would consider obscene amounts at this point - of course, I sold all of mine before that market got hot.

I like Catacomb and since you have a Beatles, I say Seawitch.

Matt's Basement

I know exactly what you mean. If you don't turn it on or feel the need to - why keep it?

I like Catacomb and since you have a Beatles, I say Seawitch.

Love the Beatles - so I am questioning the need for both of them. I do love the art of SW though.

I vote Catacomb and Beatles. Keep the Seawitch.

Beatles ain't going nowhere - Best Stern game since Walking Dead.

My friend has a Beatles. I'd like to have one.

I vote Seawitch and Stars.