I've noticed a few things with our POTC lately:

1) Occasionally during a game, everything will go dead except the GI (including the display). if you turn the machine off and back on, it usually goes back to normal.

2) I've had it where it ocassionally will just keep awarding PARLAY letters (opto problem?).

3) Sometimes when you push "start" it starts 2 players. I have not seen this one myself, but my son has.

4) We just had it where after the match sequence, the display froze plus no after game music.

Any idea if these things are all tied to the same problem? And what the problem could be?

Thanks.

I reseated the ribbon cables. I played one game that went well until after the match - when it froze up again. Now when I turn the game on, I get the GI lights and nothing else and cannot start a game.

I edited the title of the post since since the main issue seems to be that on power up, only the GI lights come on - no display, the ship does not reset and you cannot start a game. Any help is greatly appreciated.

The LEDs all seem to be working, although now the game is starting up again. Is it possible that it is being caused by the power at the wall? I know that in the summer when everyone is running their air conditioners, it can cause some voltage drops in the power.

Hmm...I didn't really notice if the sails were down, but will keep an eye on it. They were down when the last time the game "froze" and would not start.

Thanks Ralphwiggum, I will look at that tonight when I get home.

Thanks Rob. Last night I was getting around 119V at the wall. I was using a power strip, but ended up plugging the machine directly into the wall with the same result. I was able to plug it in to another outlet in a different room, again same results. After turning the game on several times over about 3 hours, it finally booted all of the way up. The kids were in bed last night and this morning so I was not able to play it.

Just an update - I was able to run home and check things out. The wires from the ship all seem to be good. I measured the voltage at the wall again and it was 112V - but seemed to be steady. Last night it seemed to be "jumping" a bit more. I did play 3 games and did not have any issues.

Thanks guys. I thought 112V was pretty low, but will continue to check the voltage at the wall. The POTC is my collection at the moment - it is an "only child" I like the idea of the UPS, but the jumper idea may be the way to go if it mostly stays around 112V.

That looks a whole lot easier (and safer) than constantly checking it with a multimeter. I was able to get several games on it last night without issues - I even took the GC away from my son It wasn't as hot last night, so I'm guessing our power is the culprit and the game itself is fine.

Well...after a couple of days of no issues, I am once again unable to start a game again. The power at the wall is a constant 120V at the moment, so I'm thinking that the wall voltage is not the problem. I reseated the both ribbon connectors and pushed on all of the other connectors and chips, and still nothing.

Just to recap, when the power switch is turned on, the only thing that comes on is the GI (no controlled lamps, dmd, the ship's sails do not reset). Any ideas of what I should check next?

The sails were actually up this time. After leaving the game on for a few minutes, the game did come to life again (at a time when I wasn't pushing any connectors or anything). What I did notice, when the game was not working properly, LED L18 on the power driver board was flashing. When it was working properly, the LED was steady. I'm not sure if that helps with the issue or not.

Man, I do love this game, but it is being a real PITA.

I may just end up unloading this machine for a loss and be done with it and the hobby (as this is my only machine). I have not had much luck with my machines as of late and this issue seems to be one that no one has a clue about. Any idea of what a POTC in this condition is worth?

I'm in the west Michigan area, but I've already have spoken with several different experts that do not have any idea what is going on. The other is issue is it is very intermittent - the places around here are $94/hour in shop (no in-home)...I can't imagine what it would end up costing me.

The game was working again, but then the display froze mid-game. I did measure the +5V (at the test point of the power driver board) and it was around 3.5. After a couple of minutes, the game rebooted, but it was still only measuring 3.9V.

Rob,

Both boards are currently showing 3.6V. I turned the small blue pot, but unfortunately it was already turned up all the way. You can turn it down, but not up. The game is currently not booting.

Rob,

I will do so. I know you're busy so no hurry - I'm just hoping we finally narrowed it down. Thanks for all of your help, Rob, it's much appreciated.