Star Tech Journal

Issue: 1983-August - Vol 5 Issue 6

5
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/AUGUST 1983
ATARI
TECH TIPS
* DANGEROUS DISPLAY HARNESS* USING THE 280 INTERFACE
* FOOD FIGHT JOYSTICK CALIBRATION/SELECTING OPTIONS
Dangerous Display Harness
Immediately check all upright cabinets of the following games
for an unsecured display connector on the main harness. Games
with higher serial numbers have already had the display
connectors properly secured at the factory.
Arabian
UR00001-UR00500
Food Fight
UR00001-UR01501
Millipede
UROOOO 1-UR09997
Xevious
UR00001-UR05499
WARNING: To avoid serious injury to anyone playing or even
touching the game, you must secure the display connector as
described below to prevent short circuiting with high-voltage
components on the display.
On Food Fight games using the Disco or Matsushita displays,
use a cable tie to secure the red display connector (J205B) as
shown. On games using the Electrohome or Atari displays, use a
cable tie to secure the white display connector (J205A) as
shown.
Whenever you install a new display, be sure that the unused
display connector is properly secured to the harness as shown.
Note: The Xevious connectors will look different from the
connectors shown in the illustration. However, the unused
connector(s) MUST be secured to the harness for safety.
To - - - " 7
Display
Unused Connector
Using the ZB0 Interface
To eliminate problems while using the Z80 interface on game
boards, remove Pl from J1 and place Pl on J2. Jumper MREQ
to ground.
Jumper Wire
+5v
Ground Plane
R4
R5
n - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - t 3 8 MREQ
C ' > - - - - - - - + - - - - + - - - - - 1 4 0 IORQ
-=-~Jumper
Food Fight Joystick Calibration/Selecting Options
The following is a revised version of the JOYSTICK CALI-
BRATION information contained in Chapter 2, page 2-3 of the
Food Fight game manual (TM-229). This revision is applicable
for both the cocktail and upright games.
JOYSTICK CALIBRATION resets the joystick minimum
and maximum values, and should be used whenever the
NVRAM or joystick is replaced. When the JOYSTICK
CALIBRATION test is selected for the upright game, the
display appears as shown in Figure 2-3. Hold the joystick steady
for a full five seconds in each direction (left, right, up, and down).
Press the one-player start button twice to return to the main
SELF TEST menu (see Figure 2-1 in TM-229).
When the JOYSTICK CALIBRATION test is selected for
the cocktail game, the display appears as shown in Figure 2-4.
The display shown in Figure 2-4 indicates that the player-one
joystick is selected for calibration. Hold the player-one joystick
steady for a full five seconds in each direction (left, right, up, and
down). Press the two-player start button and repeat the preceding
procedure for the player-two joystick. Press the one-player start
button twice to return to the main SELF TE ST menu ( see Figure
2-1 in TM-229).
IMPORT ANT: To store new joystick values, you must return to
the main SELF TEST menu and exit the self-test mode by
turning the self-test switch off. If the self-test mode is interrupted
(i.e., the self-test switch is turned off or game power is removed)
before returning to the main SELF TEST menu, repeat the
joystick calibration procedure.
Continued on next page.
6
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/AUGUST 1983
Atari Tech Tips continued from page 6.
JOYSTICK CALIBRATION
JOYSTICK CALIBRATION
HOLD JOYSTICK IN EACH DIRECTION
FOR FIVE SECONDS
HOLD JOYSTICK IN EACH DIRECTION
FOR FIVE SECONDS
PUSH START 2 TO CALIBRATE
PLAYER 2 JOYSTICK
PUSH START 1 TO END
PUSH START 1 TO END
Figure 2-3 Joystick Calibration
Display (Upright Game)
Figure 2-4 Joystick Calibration
Display (Cocktail Game)
The following is a revised version of the Selecting the Options information contained in
Chapter 2, page 2-5 of the Food Fight game manual (see TM-229). This revision is
applicable for both the cocktail and upright games.
C. SELECTING THE OPTIONS
Selection OPTIONS, the third selection on the main SELF TEST menu, causes the
OPTIONS display shown in Figure 2-7 (see TM-229) to appear. (The cocktail game
should display ON for the COCKTAIL MODE setting.) Use this display to view or
change game option settings, or to clear the high scores or statistics. Press the THROW
button to cycle through the values on the current row (indicated in red). Change the
current row using the joystick or the two-player start button. Press the one-player start
button to end this display and return to the main SELF TEST menu. When the self-test
switch is turned off, the displayed option settings become the current settings.
To restore option settings or to clear high scores or statistic values, select the desired
row and press the THROW button. RESTORED or CLEARED is then displayed.
IMPORTANT: To store new options settings, you must return to the main SELF
TEST menu and exit the self-test mode by turning the self-test switch off. If the self-test
mode is interrupted (i.e., the self-test switch is turned off, or game power is removed)
before returning to the main SELF TEST menu, repeat the preceding procedure for
changing options or clearing high scores or statistics.
The options and settings available are shown in Table 2-5.
Table 2-5 Option Settings
Option
Settings Available
Factory Setting
Lives per game
Difficulty
First bonus stage
Higher bonus stage
Level select bonus
Level select mode
Attract sounds
Language
Cocktail mode
Coin counters
2-5
1-5
Off, 5000-1,000,000
Off, 5000-1,000,000
Off/On
Normal, constant, demo, off
Off/On
.English, German, Spanish, French
Off/On
One/Two
3
2
25,000
100,000
On
Constant
On (Off*)
English
Off (On*)
One
*Cocktail game factory setting
BALLY MIDWAY
125VA POWER SUPPLY BLOWN FUSES CURE
By Dennis Marvin and Mike Sch~ of Royal Distributing Corp., Cincinnati, OH
Symptom: Blowing of the F5 and F6 fuses in the Midway 125va power chassis. Fuse
may blow immediately or after a few minutes that game has been on.
Disconnecting ground strap or video inputs from monitor sometimes stops the fuses
from blowing.
Cure: In the games that we have had with this problem, the fix has been easy- just
difficult to find the first time. Down in the power chassis there are four stud-mounted
rectifier diodes. Either the mica insulator is cracked or the nylon bushing is pinched and
shorting the unregulated 1 0vdc to earth ground.
S•TJ 4th ANNUAL READER SURVEY
In this issue is our fourth Annual Reader
Survey. We invite you to participate in this
survey and share your evaluations with us.
A lot of changes have taken place in the last
year and you've been right on top of them, so
let's hear from you
After yoove filled out the various categories
listed, simply fold, tape or staple the survey and
drop it in the mail Ifs postage-paid for your
convenience.
We will be listing the additional comments
you may wish to make.
The results will appear in our October issue
which will be distributed at the 1983 A.M.O.A.
Exposition to be held in New Orleans, LA
So gear up! Let the industry hear from you
Your observations really DO count! Please
return by September 9, 1983.

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