X Files, The
Sega, 1997Quoted from Evilive69:I am adding stadium style side lights and lights on each ramp which are controlled by a pinlightshield and a switchshield.
I need to make a few more changes to the code for the ramp lights before I call it done. Here is a preview of the ramp lights.
This is so beautiful - I legit teared up a little.
If you sold the lights and provided the code at a reasonable price - I’m in.
I bought the arduino boards come from BigLebowski in Germany https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/always-wanted-to-build-your-own-pinball-lightmod
I also bought some of his adapter boards to make it easier to tap into the connectors on the MPU.
I made all of the connector cables, found the side emitting LEDs on Amazon and wired everything else up myself (lots of trial and error).
The majority of the code came from LyonsDen who makes the Pinduino. He has been a huge help with adapting his code to work on the other shields.
Hopefully I can get some time this week to flush out the rest of the ramp code. Then I will record a game play video. And once that is done I think it will be time for ramp lights on Independence Day.
Quoted from SilverballSleuth:This is so beautiful - I legit teared up a little.
If you sold the lights and provided the code at a reasonable price - I’m in.
Me too! Would love to have a set.
I finally got some time to finish up the code. I wanted the colors and effects to be as random as possible so it took a little longer than I anticipated. Disregard the horrible game play, its hard to stand behind a tripod and try to play without bumping the camera. The first 30 seconds show off the stadium style lights, the LED effects are triggered based on which playfield lights are lit. After that the ramps effects kick in during attract mode.
Quoted from Evilive69:I finally got some time to finish up the code. I wanted the colors and effects to be as random as possible so it took a little longer than I anticipated. Disregard the horrible game play, its hard to stand behind a tripod and try to play without bumping the camera. The first 30 seconds show off the stadium style lights, the LED effects are triggered based on which playfield lights are lit. After that the ramps effects kick in during attract mode.
You make me miss selling my X-Files. I loved the game. Still do. Will probably get it again at a time.
Finally done with my X files. Fully LEDd, added tilt graphics side blades, put in the flipper fidelity 10 inch sub upgrade, added a trough light, trap door LED strip, VUK LED strip, pop bumper ring for the alien, shooter lane plastic LED strip, external sub, and purple undercab lighting. Really went all out with this one, and I couldn’t be more happy. Just a fantastic game. Shoutout to the Comet Matrix system! Even the cat is enjoying it!
6E0C6204-4507-461B-92FD-5E339021BD70.jpeg923C1345-3055-4A48-A137-B298A1E0F6FE.jpeg50CB31EB-2EF0-4B39-8AF6-C899D08EBF2A.jpegBCA0786F-F77A-4FFC-991A-3F90561C5935.jpegC8FEF977-0D93-4AC7-9CDD-4AF11F3C9FCA.jpegQuoted from mrossman5:Finally done with my X files. Fully LEDd, added tilt graphics side blades, put in the flipper fidelity 10 inch sub upgrade, added a trough light, trap door LED strip, VUK LED strip, pop bumper ring for the alien, shooter lane plastic LED strip, external sub, and purple undercab lighting. Really went all out with this one, and I couldn’t be more happy. Just a fantastic game. Shoutout to the Comet Matrix system! Even the cat is enjoying it!
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Looks fantastic. Love the inner art blades.
Quoted from mrossman5:Finally done with my X-files.
Looks nice, but what is leaking from the game that you need a bucket underneath to catch drippings?
Quoted from littlecammi:Looks nice, but what is leaking from the game that you need a bucket underneath to catch drippings?
Lol, nothing is leaking. Don’t really know where else to put it.
image.jpgQuoted from mrossman5:trap door LED strip, VUK LED strip
Ooh, tell me more about these please!
Quoted from SkyKing2301:Ooh, tell me more about these please!
The trapdoor LED is very easy to install. I used this (https://www.cometpinball.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=6.3VSMDSTRIPS)
and just unscrewed the metal box where the ball falls, and stuck the strip to the inside of it. I then connected it using alligator clips to the GI. Looks fantastic, especially in person.
Unfortunately, the VUK LED broke right after I posted the picture. I used the same strip, and I think the ball was hitting it, so the wire broke.
My X-Files has a problem with the trap door we cant figure out. It wants to open, but doesnt. In test, it sorta half flaps trying to open, but doesnt work. In game, it basically doesnt move. Coil was replaced, no change. Any ideas?
Quoted from twitami:My X-Files has a problem with the trap door we cant figure out. It wants to open, but doesnt. In test, it sorta half flaps trying to open, but doesnt work. In game, it basically doesnt move. Coil was replaced, no change. Any ideas?
Perhaps have a look at whatever makes it pop closed when it's up and it gets hit by the ball? I don't know if it's a switch or what ... but when the trapdoor is up, and the ball touches it from above, it's supposed to drop just long enough to keep the ball moving. I haven't looked at it so I don't know if it's a switch or whatever -- but perhaps on yours this switch is maladjusted and always telling the door top pop closed.
Just an idea.
Quoted from SkyKing2301:Perhaps have a look at whatever makes it pop closed when it's up and it gets hit by the ball? I don't know if it's a switch or what ... but when the trapdoor is up, and the ball touches it from above, it's supposed to drop just long enough to keep the ball moving. I haven't looked at it so I don't know if it's a switch or whatever -- but perhaps on yours this switch is maladjusted and always telling the door top pop closed.
Just an idea.
Exactly what I thought. This is definitely what I would check.
I just noticed that there are two empty switch slots on the orbit. Anyone know why? Was it a redesign after the playfields were made?
Quoted from Nokoro:I just noticed that there are two empty switch slots on the orbit. Anyone know why? Was it a redesign after the playfields were made?
I noticed the same thing. I think they had to move them up in order for the diverter post in the back to become effective.
Quoted from mrossman5:I noticed the same thing. I think they had to move them up in order for the diverter post in the back to become effective.
Makes sense. So they didn’t test things in the 90s before making playfields? 
Just joined the club this past weekend! Picked up a mint HUO - other than needing some basic cleaning, it feels brand new!
I was going over the machine and I noticed it doesn't have the latest CPU EPROM or DMD EPROM and was looking to order them. However, past experience tells me that the latest ROM version isn't always the preferred (E.g. Getaway). Anyone know the differences between ROM versions for X-Files?
The only difference I could find documented was in service bulletin #105 for "Playfield Update Kit:"
* PROMS v3.02 CPU & v3.00 Display EProms - which reduce the Filing Cabinet Magnet activity by 1/2
http://arcarc.xmission.com/Pinball/Stern%20Service%20Bulletins/sb/sb105.pdf
This Service Bulletin was released to reduce the excessive wear on the playfield from the magnet - so they included mylar for the playfield, a shield above and REDUCED the magnet activity by 50%!
Now I rather like the heavy magnet activity and don't really want to reduce it - especially by half. Is there a way to set the magnet activity in the new version or override the setting somewhere?
The magnetic plate and clear magnet shield seem like they should protect things well enough:
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/535-8265-01
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/830-5908-12
Are there other improved rules or bug fixes? I can't find any details on ROM version differences for X-Files except the magnet.
All I can find for sale are ROM0 EPROM A3.00 (DMD) and U210 EPROM A3.03 (CPU)...the 3 speech EPROMS seem unchanged (checksums all match the latest) so am curious to know what I'm getting by installing the latest version.
Quoted from m0nty:All I can find for sale are ROM0 EPROM A3.00 (DMD) and U210 EPROM A3.03 (CPU)...the 3 speech EPROMS seem unchanged (checksums all match the latest) so am curious to know what I'm getting by installing the latest version.
FYI for those interested, I found other versions of the X-Files ROMs on vpforums (2.00, 2.04, and 3.03).
https://www.vpforums.org/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&search_tags=XFiles&search_app=downloads
Only the Video and CPU files need to be burned on an EPROM since the sounds ones haven't changed. When I get some time, I plan to try out the different versions and share details if anyone is interested.
I have a question for fellow X-Files owners, just picked up one for my wife and after going through it noticed something odd.
There is a 906 flasher under the FBI trapdoor which never seems to work. One would think logically that as soon as the door is open, it would be going off. I can trigger it in the test menu but have never seen it go off during game play. Is this normal?
Quoted from gdonovan:I have a question for fellow X-Files owners, just picked up one for my wife and after going through it noticed something odd.
There is a 906 flasher under the FBI trapdoor which never seems to work. One would think logically that as soon as the door is open, it would be going off. I can trigger it in the test menu but have never seen it go off during game play. Is this normal?
What about during that mode — I forget the name — where you first shoot the trap door while points run down backwards, and then once you get it, all shots are worth that number of points. I’m pretty sure it flashes there while the door is open for the first shot.
Quoted from mrossman5:Yes, the flasher activates during Terma.
Watched two videos on youtube, not seeing any flashing. The video above is linked right before it goes into Terma.
Curious.
Quoted from gdonovan:Watched two videos on youtube, not seeing any flashing. The video above is linked right before it goes into Terma.
Curious.
It’s incredibly hard to access, so it’s probably burnt out. I can guarantee it flashes during that mode.
Quoted from mrossman5:It’s incredibly hard to access, so it’s probably burnt out. I can guarantee it flashes during that mode.
Not burned out, fresh bulb and I can test it in the diagnostics menu. Not that hard to get at, pulled it out 3 times yesterday.
Quoted from gdonovan:Not burned out, fresh bulb and I can test it in the diagnostics menu. Not that hard to get at, pulled it out 3 times yesterday.
What code are you on?
Quoted from mrossman5:What code are you on?
On boot I think it states 3.03? But don't quote me on that, I'll have to check when I get home.
Quoted from gdonovan:Watched two videos on youtube, not seeing any flashing. The video above is linked right before it goes into Terma.
Curious.
It’s subtle. May be hard to see in a video.
Quoted from Nokoro:It’s subtle. May be hard to see in a video.
I'm uploading a video; it is there! Entirely possible the 2 videos I saw that the bulbs were out on those machines. I manually went through each mode till I got to Terma and there it was.
Quoted from dewisp02:Has anyone tried to install a shaker motor in their x-files yet? I saw in the menu an option for it. Recently picked one up and am currently procuring leds and other stuff for it.
I was going to wire in a flasher to that part of the circuit to see if it lit up at any point in the game (to test for code), but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm also interested in putting a shaker in....
Quoted from wildside:Deleted post
As an FYI I installed an LED strip at the bottom of the trapdoor opening, looks great! I'll have to do another video..it is wired into the "F" in FBI so almost without exception it is lit and flashing when open.
So I found a loose wire going to the power board put back and I am 100%
First time I ever bought a non working game and it turn out to literally be a small fix
Only problem I have now is the game wants to keep putting two balls in the shooter a lot
Quoted from Spacemanratso09:So I found a loose wire going to the power board put back and I am 100%
First time I ever bought a non working game and it turn out to literally be a small fix
Only problem I have now is the game wants to keep putting two balls in the shooter a lot
That is great. I just bought a Time Machine and it would only light up. Needed a new power supply board. But I got an incredible deal on it because it was not working so it was totally worth it.
X-Files gets a bad rap. I have had mine for about six years. I still love it! Getting to wizard mode is tough but awesome!
I added some pinstadium Fusions to my
The X Files table recently and what an awesome light show!
Here's the video showing some gameplay - sorry it's not quite level as I was using my cell phone. :/ The flashing looks more blinding in the video than it is in person. I haven't pulled the trigger on an LED order yet for inserts and GI, but you might notice a few test LED's I've installed under some of the inserts (it's why the bottom right light in the X is ghosting and very bright compared to the rest). However, with the PinStadiums it almost doesn't need any LED's which is why i invested in a shaker next.
Once in multi-ball, the jackpot shots lights go nuts...I love it!
Installation was a breeze - The PinStadiums GI lights are pulsing between green and blue. The Orion’s Belt Flashers are connected to the flasher signals on the slingshot flashers (white on right sling/red on left sling), pop bumper flasher (green), filing cabinet flashers (blue), and stand up target flasher (red). Each one is set to a specific color that I thought appropriate for the trigger. Still playing around with the App for different color combinations and brightness level but I think it's just about where I want it....needless to say I'm super happy with the investment and results.
https://pinstadium.com/product/pin-stadium-fusion/
I just ordered a shaker motor as well from PinShakers...can't wait to get this installed next.
http://www.pinshakers.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=51
I was never really a fan of the other instruction cards out there, so I made my own. I tried to explain the rules more clearly for beginners. You can have the cards if you want -- download the full res version and the original PSD files (if you want to modify them) at https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pnMaN7X_W3A441Xan2BwmS0HaPNPKJNQ ... note, they're sized to be printed at a shop on 4x6 prints, then you trim off the green border.
X-Files_Card1 (resized).jpgX-Files_Card2 (resized).jpg
20191108_003730 (resized).jpg
I've been shopping an X-Files that I took in trade. The cabinet was in rough shape, but boards were good and playfield decent (typical metal covered magnet area). Did a 95% topside teardown, 3 stage buff and polish, followed by a coat of 1Grand wax. New Titan rubbers, tweaked some lighting, added a couple more spotlights, flipper rebuild, file cabinet tweak, as well as installed custom carbon fiber magnet cover and "trap door" area. I completely stripped and painted the cabinet prior to installing RetroRefurbs cabinet decals, and "Sideblades". I refinished the entire "Showcase" backbox, and added LED tube light. Added Flipper Fidelity backbox speakers and cabinet speaker. Refinished the side rails and lockdown bar using "HEP" inspired products and procedures. New DMD and translight lexan. Lit the start button, and the "back wall" Scully and Mulder badges, installed purple lighted flipper buttons. The game now looks great and plays fast.
20191201_200551 (resized).jpg20191201_200610 (resized).jpg20191201_202559 (resized).jpg20191201_215025 (resized).jpg20191203_203536 (resized).jpg20191204_204416 (resized).jpg20191205_205221 (resized).jpg20191211_211432 (resized).jpg20191214_112619 (resized).jpg20191219_220516 (resized).jpg20191223_110435 (resized).jpg20191223_165213 (resized).jpg20191229_201056 (resized).jpg20200105_210433 (resized).jpg20200109_164339 (resized).jpg20200123_102651 (resized).jpg20200123_103438 (resized).jpg20200123_103445 (resized).jpgQuoted from epeabs:I've been shopping an X-Files that I took in trade. The cabinet was in rough shape, but boards were good and playfield decent (typical metal covered magnet area). Did a 95% topside teardown, 3 stage buff and polish, followed by a coat of 1Grand wax. New Titan rubbers, tweaked some lighting, added a couple more spotlights, flipper rebuild, file cabinet tweak, as well as installed custom carbon fiber magnet cover and "trap door" area. I completely stripped and painted the cabinet prior to installing RetroRefurbs cabinet decals, and "Sideblades". I refinished the entire "Showcase" backbox, and added LED tube light. Added Flipper Fidelity backbox speakers and cabinet speaker. Refinished the side rails and lockdown bar using "HEP" inspired products and procedures. New DMD and translight lexan. Lit the start button, and the "back wall" Scully and Mulder badges, installed purple lighted flipper buttons. The game now looks great and plays fast.[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Nice job!
Looks great!
Quoted from Nokoro:Nice job!
Looks great!
Just a tad different from when it came to me.
Quoted from epeabs:Just a tad different from when it came to me.
Well, the high score is still there. 
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Gambrills, MD