Star Tech Journal

Issue: 1981-June - Vol 3 Issue 4

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To determine which failure mode we have:
S* T JUNE 1981 7
1 - Connect Signature Analyzer ground-board ground.
2 - Connect Logic Pulser power leads to board (+5 & Ground)
3 - Put Signature Analyzer Probe to inverter output
4 - Place Logic Pulser tip to inverter output.
5 - Activate pulser, either 1 shot or 5 HZ mode.
6 - If the Signature Analyzer Probe pulse light pulses the fault is at point A or C. To isolate the fault further, lift or clip the pin at the output of the
inverter and if the output gives the proper signature, UPFF, then the input of the second inverter is bad, if you still have 0000 then the first inverter
is bad.
7 - If in 6 above the pulse light does not pulse then you have a physical short
FIGURE 2 •
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UPFF
A
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4
B
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V CC.
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FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
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7
u
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Figure 6 shows address lines from a CPU to buffers (G3) to the address bus.
Proper signatures at the CPU and input of buffers but incorrect at buffer output
is a fault mode. Where you find 2 or more incorrect but some signatures this
indicates two bus lines shorted together.
Figure 7 shows a counter which has an incorrect signature (47C3) on pin 13
but correct signature on the other pins. To determine if the IC is bad, lift or clip
pin 13 and take the signature from the pin. If it is correct you will find another
signature on the trace showing a short trace. Incorrect signatures on the lifted
or slipped pin indicates a bad IC.
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FIGURE 7
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FIGURE 8
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p
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ul
Figure 4 shows a gate or line with a failure mode "stuck at 1 ". This is fault
isolated the same for a "stuck at O".
Figure 5 shows the signatures (or probes) indications for a broken trace.
Note: In any test we must check to be sure the device has proper voltages.
For the CPU we must also be certain we have clock both %1 & ¢2, if
required. A properly designed NOP will eliminate the possibility of an
interrupt causing a CPU lockup.
Once we have determined we have an operational CPU with proper signatures
on each address pin, each address line can be traced to its termination. Figure
8 shows the logical test progression for the address bus. Checking inputs of
the bus drivers and then the outputs assure you that the address bus is clear.
If it isn't, use the fault isolation instructions given you.
All devices are now being properly addressed so we are ready to begin to
measure their response.
NEXT MONTH: Address Decoders, Roms, Rams, Sync and Timing Chains.
S*T J JUNE 1981 8
Stem
'' Berzerk"
Credn
Accumulation
Checklist
If your Stern "Berzerk" video g~me
gives free credits when the power is
deliberately intenupted {tampering
with the line cord) Stern's customer
service group recommends these mod-
ifications and inspections.
1. Remove the AC power lines for the
service outlet from the cable harness
located on the right side (front view)
of the cabinet. Isolate the AC lines
and retie the harness.
2. On coin chute #1 (closest to the
coin door hinge} remove the blue/-
white wire and replace it with the
brown/white wire that is taped and
hanging from the coin door harness.
This is the unused #3 chute. {After
this modification, check program-
ming for correct coins/ credits set-
up at this chute.)
3. Check for correct polarity of the
Ni-Cad battery on the logic boards.
4. Check for correct bookkeeping RAM
at location IE (#6513 or #6514).
5. Visually inspect the RAM and its
socket at location lE for looseness
or bent pins.
6. Check for correct polarity at the
incoming line filter {AC power
lines}.
Performing these modifications and
inspections should eliminate the free
credit problem. If you have any ques-
tions about these procedures, call
Stern's customer service engineers at
800-621-6424.
eS ~e°'
S'\).q~ GAME
IMPROVEMENTS
by Todd Erickson
All of us have to agree that the games are much
better in respect to income and maintenance than a
few years back. We also have to understand that the
manufacturers make many different models a year
so there will always be a few problems.
·1n the operator's eyes every game will have some-
thing that can be improved upon. Many of his points
.:r;nay be good, but he never seems to take the time to
fill out the card that comes with the game and send in
the information. This information is needed by the
manufacturer so that they know what the problems
are with their products. If just a few people notify the
manufacturer, then nothing may be done.
Even an easy service call can cost over $25.00. There
must be a better relationship between the operator,
distributor and the manufacturer in the 1980' s.
Here are a few of my major complaints;
1. Coin rejectors can be jammed with Canadian
coins.
2. Back door interlock switches are mounted high
without a spring on videos. If the door warps or the
lock is loose, the games go off.
3. Poor quality in critical points (points that if they
fail the_ game is out of order) on pin games. I can
remember when Gottlieb had 2 points on score
reels.
4. Power supplies and fuse blocks on the bottom of a
video game so that coins and hardware can fall on
them and short out the game.
5. Games that are not drink proof. Who pays for
repairs on a 2 year old game?
6. One fire button on a video game.
The list could go on for some time, but I think the
point has been made. We must all become a little
more involved in our industry.

8 II
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