Hey all,

First time posting here after reading the colordmd posts. I purchased my earlier this year and it looks like it is v4.0. the Colordmd site says that it needs 5.0 so it looks like i need to update. Just to confirm what I’ve read, a color dmd mod is a must and it looks like LCD is preferred over LED, correct?

I also ordered the pingraffix side blades, which just arrived. It seems slightly blurry but not sure if that’s expected. Any thoughts?

Also, how often do you normally clean and wax the playfield?

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Hey all,

So I ordered an LCD colordmd from the ColorDMD site and being a newb I had someone else install. We downloaded the software and installed it in the new display and when we turned it on it seemed to work. I didn’t really play it at the time so fast forward a couple of weeks and when I turn it on now the power seems to glitch and the display doesn’t come on. What’s weird is that when I turned it on and off it came and stayed on once so I started a game but the images (which were color) didn’t sync with what the game was actually doing. When I hit a shot it would show the appropriate screen reaction but after it would cycle through and display random Simpsons screens/reactions while the ball is in play.

So tonight I turned it back on, the lights flickered and it seems like it was going to crap out power-wise (lights on black box flickered a bit) but then the game display doesn’t come on. Any thoughts?

I’m on v4.0 of TSPP, I see there’s a v5.0 for download on the Stern site so am wondering if I was supposed to upgrade to v5.0 before installing the colordmd.

Any thoughts/insight is appreciated, thanks.

Hmm, so the only way to do so is re-install the old display so I can see what I’m selecting (upgrading properly), then swap it back with the color once upgraded?

Hmm, ok not sure what the new chips you’re referring to. When it was installed we downloaded the TSPP rom code from their site and installed it into the LCD. I presume that’s what you’re referring to?

If so then it sounds like I just need to download the v5 from the Stern Support site and upgrade the pinball machine with it. Thanks for your help.

So a month later and I still haven’t resolved the issue. Believe I was using the same 26 pin cable before the colordmd swap and feedback I received from Randy from ColorDMD says I should check the plugs. However, I did that but it still cycles through random issues. Randy said it has to do with the cpu board sending the signal to the display via the cable so I’ll order and replace the cable to see if that works.

I still am in v4.0 but the color dmd site said v5.0 is needed. However, one reply said they were not on v5.0 and their colordmd works so I’m waiting for Randy to confirm. For those who do have a colordmd are you on v5.0?

Finally getting around to trying to swap out the 26 pin connector to see if that resolves the random images received after my ColorDMD was installed. When trying to unplug the existing one from the head I noticed it’s stuck on with this glue adhesive. I was told this is common but is there a way to properly remove it? Do I just pry it off with my fingernails?

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I was able to confirm that my display and random images isn’t related to the ColorDMD as I get the same weird text when I put my original display back on. With that being eliminated does anyone know what may be causing the issue? Attached is a screenshot of what should say “Participate in local tournaments”.

When in play the display cycles through random gameplay images but when I hit a shot the correct image displays.

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Thanks, I appreciate the insight even though I too don’t fully understand and don’t know how to diagnose/fix but hope to engage someone who can.

Nor I

Anyone experience an issue with their ColorDMD displaying the initial screen (attached) but then going blank after?

My board was just swapped as it was causing a different display issue noted previously but after we got this new board installed everything displayed and worked properly at the time on Friday. Fast forward to today I’m now only seeing the image above before it goes dark. I unplugged the display connections (power and ribbon cables) but get the same result. Thoughts?

The gameplay seems to be operating correctly but the display doesn’t show anything after the e initial screen.

Full disclosure, over the weekend I did move the pin location a few feet but checking the cables just now would have identified any loose connections.

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Everything seems to be in pretty snug on the dmd board. I did just connect the original display back on and got the same result. It is possible there’s not enough power or something?

What’s weird is that even after I moved it to another outlet this weekend I did play a game or two and everything was working as expected.

So after being out of commission for about a year I’m happy to report that my TSPP is now back up and running. Was some sort of fried chip that I had to get fixed.

Along the way in trying to troubleshoot one of my fuses was taken to replace another one that was shot but was never replaced. Can anyone confirm the missing fuse controls the backlight and if I just purchase any other (generic) fuse then it should work again?

Fuses aren’t specific so I can go on any pinball site, purchase a fuse and just put in?

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Thanks. So it would appear the fluorescent tube not coming on may be a separate issue?

Anyone have a recommendation on where to get stickers for these shots?

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Any idea what may be the issue when the motherboard just clicks and the lights go on and off? I had my games on for most of the afternoon but just remembered after being a way a few hours. Found my machine was clicking and lights blinking so I shut it off. A couple of minutes later I turned it back on and it immediately starts clicking and lights start blinking.

Anyone know what may cause the issue of the game freezing and all lights start to flash?

I was able to play a game, then walked away for 30 minutes and when I came back everything was flashing.