3
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/JULY 1982
ATARI
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MIDWAY
SERVICE BULLETINS
"CENTIPEDE"
"HAUNTED HOUSE"
SERVICE TIPS
By Don Gray
Rainbow Distributors
Vero Beach, FL
Subject Atari "Centipede"
Symptom: Intermittent Misfiring
Solution: On three different "Centipede"
games the problem was corrected by
improving the ground connection to the
control panel. I first removed the connec-
tion from the control panel (because the
panel acts as a heat sink), then I soldered
the "solderless" connector to the ground
wire. Finally, replace the ground wire
insuring it is fastened securely to the
panel.
Subject Gottlieb "Haunted House"
Pinball
Symptom: The lower level ball lift solenoid
requires more than one try to return the
ball to the main playfield.
Solution: I found that even after carefully
aligning the plastic tube the ball passes
through, it still required more than one
effort by the solenoid. I removed the
plastic tube, and using pinball playfield
cleaner and polish (I used Wildcat# 125)
I cleaned and polished the inside of the
tube and then re-installed it. The ball now
passes up to the main playfield on the first
effort.
STERN
"AM I DAR" /"SCRAMBLE"
"SUPER COBRA" INTERMITTENTS
By Kenneth R. Duncan
Memphis Amusement, Memphis, TN
Problem: Video turns to "garbage",
squares, dots, letters, numbers, etc. Audio
dies, becomes intermittent, etc.
Temporary On-Location Solution:
Plug loose ROMS firmly into their sockets.
Permanent In-Shop Solution: Remove
the Texas Instrument sockets. Install
Robinson-Nugent ( or other brand) sockets,
the type which stand up off the PCB about
¼ inch. Use a nylon Ty-Rap to secure
each ROM into its new socket. Mechan-
ical vibration will never again loosen the
ROMS from their sockets. You can cut
the nylon Ty-Rap if you need to trouble-
shoot for a bad ROM.
" PAC-MAN"/"GALAGA"/"KICK-MAN"/"BOSCONIAN"/
"RALL Y-X"/"MS. PAC-MAN"/"ROBBY ROTO"/"TRON"
Games:
"Pac-Man" & "Ms. Pac-Man"
Subject:
Intermittent loss of sound (static)
Modification:
1. Cut trace to pin #1 of 2M (74LS273).
2. Solder lK resistor from +5VDC to pin #1 ofIC 2M. (See Figure #1.)
+5V
Figure 1
1
CUT HERE
2M
74LS273
Games:
"Ms. Pac-Man", "Kick-Man" & "Galaga"
Subject
Wells-Gardner color monitor (19K4900 & 13K4800)
Condition:
Loss of vertical deflection (white line down center of screen).
Remedy:
Check C313 ( 4 7 / 160V) capacitor for loose solder connection.
Games:
"Rally-X", "Galaga" & " Bosconian"
Subject
Power supply (A084-90414-C935)
1. Power supply A084-90414-C935 has been revised and the new part number is
A082-90420-BOOO.
2. The A084-90414-C935 and the A082-90420-BOO0 power supplies are
interchangeable.
3. Either power supply will function in "Rally-X", "Galaga" & "Bosconian" .
Games:
"Robby Roto", "Ms. Pac-Man" & "Galaga"
Subject
Coin meters (counter)
Modification:
1. The 1N4004 clamping diode is now soldered across the meter coil in the meter.
(A090-0057-0000)
2. When replacing the coin meter, use a meter with a diode to prevent logic board
damage.
3. In earlier games the diode was located on a terminal strip by the transformer.
Games:
" Tron" & "Kick-Man"
Subject
Objectionable hum in sound
Modification:
Power supply (A082-90412-COOO)
Cut jumper wire J-4 on power supply (next to the fuse) .
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