Ok, so I have an issue on a LOTR. If I leave the power off it a bit and turn it back on it displays "OPEN THE DOOR", i.e. All memory is lost. Easy right, batteries are dead, replace batteries and party on, right? NOPE.

1) Batteries are new
2) I get 4.76V from the VBATT loop at all times.
3) I get 4.76V going into VCC of the RAM chip at all times.
4) I reflowed the RAM chip solder points, I checked seating, but this thing hasn't moved in ages.
5) It recently got updated chips to 10.x with the shaker motor mod, but this was prior to the failure.

Anyone got any logical next steps for me to take? Do these RAM chips fail? Here's what I would do, given unlimited access to other stuff.

0) Replace the batteries for the hell of it.
1) Revert back to previous version of ROM and see if it still exists.
2) Replace the 8k RAM Chip
3) Reflow all the things.
4) Replace the F*ing board.

What say you? (Thanks in advance)

-Wes

Edit: Issue has been resolved. Bad PAL chip. Check the thread for more details.

Yep, even with the power off, even unplugged, even with the board on the workbench, while wiggling the battery holder. That's what so weird.

Yeah, I had reflowed that too. No Joy.

-Wes

Tech Bump Super Tech Style Tech Fighter 2 Plus Alpha.

Hrm, interesting. Yeah, the PAL chip was upgraded. Are these known to fail?

-Wes

Update! (Still not working)

1) Batteries are new
2) I get 4.76V from the VBATT loop at all times (including power off and unplugged).
3) I get 4.76V going into VCC of the RAM chip at all times.
4) I reflowed the RAM chip solder points, I checked seating, but this thing hasn't moved in ages.
5) It recently got updated chips to 10.0.2 with the shaker motor mod, but this was prior to the failure.
6) Replaced the batteries for the hell of it.
7) Reseated all the Chips.
8) Reverted back to Previous ROM (but not the PAL, going to try that full backout next once I have the chip in my possession).
9) Prayed to the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Still no worky. I'm thinking of reverting everything back to 9x, including the PAL, and reflowing a few additional spots between RAM and CPU. We'll see how it goes.

-Wes

So lyonsden swung by yesterday and we reverted to the 10.0.0 version of the ROM and the old PAL chip, it fixed the issue. Looks like lilrocky nailed it! Now, just have to find a source on the newer 10.0.2 compatible PAL chip.

-Wes