STAR*TECH Journal
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DATA EAST
CASSETTE SYSTEM:
Operation & Maintenance
One of the most important components
of this system is the Cassette deck, as
it transfers the actual game program
data from the tape to the logic boards,
Consequently, regular maintenance to
the cassette deck is advisable to
ensure a long trouble free life,
THEORY OF OPERATION
Three leaf switches detect the
presence and correct orientation of the
tape, When the tape is inserted
correctly, the tape is rewound at high
speed to the beginning of the tape,
where the BOT/EQT sensor detects the
clear header tape, The tape is then
wound forward at a constant speed for
data to be read.
As the data is stored on the tape in
sections, the cassette deck reads the
tape in sections and stops the tape to
verify the data. If the data is
correct, the deck will then read the
next sect ion,
If the data is faulty or read
incorrectly, the deck will rewind to
the beginning of that section and
attempt to read it again. If it fails
seven times in re-reading a section of
data, the machine will reset and
display a cassette error message.
When the tape has been fully read,
the tape is rewound to the beginning of
the tape, ready for the next data
transfer,
GENERAL FAULTS
Data may be corrupted from a data
tape in one of several ways:
1. TAPE HEAD FAULT. The tape head
must be clean and correctly positioned.
2. DRIVE MECHANISM FAULT. Data must
read at correct speed otherwise data is
not accepted by the logic boards.
3. P.C.B. FAULT. Tape head amplifier
or motor drive electronics may be
faulty causing too small a signal or
corruption of data.
4. TAPE FAULT. The data on the tape
■ay be corrupted due to exposure to
strong magnetic fields, inadequate
handling or storage, or misuse. Solle
tapes may be too tightly wound and so
cause the motor to operate slOMer,
causing the data to be r-eJected.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Once every month or two, clean the
tape head with a cotton swab soaked in
denatured alcohol. Once every 12 to 15
110nths, the deck should have the rubber
drive wheels replaced, the speed
calibrated, and the tape head adJusted,
This is preventive maintenance that
can be done by Data East should you not
have the necessary test equipment.
This service is NOT covered under your
lifetime warranty~
CASSETTE ERROR CODE INFORMATION
Error Code
Solution
01
1,8,9,3
82
3,4,5,
3,4,5
3,4,5
2,3
83
04
32
33
5
8,9,4
52
58
3,4,5
6,7,8
59
SOLUTIONS
1. Check the tape and module game
ntllle to ensure they are properly
matched,
2. Clean the tape deck head with
alcohol and cotton swab.
3. Change the cassette tape,
4, Change the cassette deck,
5. If error persists, change the BIO
board.
6. Check the tape deck connector.
7. Check the key module connector.
8, Check the tape to ensure side 'A'
is facing up,
9. Check the tape to ensure that the
tape is on the spool opposite the
letter 'A', if not, advance the tape
manually onto the correct spool with a
screwdriver.
~
RO □ T·
TI-E PLAYER
By John 'Root' Pilarchik
Pennsauken, NJ
A 110nthly analysis of pinball
machines cuurently out on the street
from strictly a player's point of view.
EIGHT BALL DELUXE by Bally has to be
one of the best machines to come along
in recent years, First to be introduced
was the original EIGHT BALL which was a
sharp machine. Next came the EIGHT BALL
DRUXE Model which, in my opinion, out
classes Just about every machine that I
October
l'385
(4)
have played to date.
Flipper skill, not luck, is the key
to succeed in hitting on this machine.
I myself usually favor a machine which
features the standard two flippers,
hONever, EIGHT BALL DELUXE has a third
flipper located on the far left side at
the midway point of the machine
(directly across from the Deluxe
targets), which can benefit the player
who possesses the proper flipper
skills, By using the appropriate
strategy and shooting the ball up the
left side, you can work your way up to
the Free Ball and then onto the
Special,
Next, the left side features the Bank
Shot where you can work your way up
from 5,000 points and also a Special.
The key characteristic of this machine
is the Deluxe targets located on the
right side, By knocking down all the
targets twice and hitting the Eight
Ball, you will succeed in obtaining
another game in addition to lighting up
another letter on the back glass t01o1ard
spelling the word 'DRUXE', which, once
accomplished, will award you three Free
Salles. This feature keeps the players
endeavoring to spell out D-E-L-U-X-E
which means that the machine gets
plenty of playing time. These letters
on the back glass remain lit game after
gtllle until the full word 'DaUXE' is
spelled out and then this process is
repeated.
Example:
A player has been at the machine for
a period of time and has accomplished
the letters 'DELUX' before retiring.
Another player comes along and has only
the remaining letter 'E' to succeed in
receiving three Free Games. This player
will attempt to gain this last letter,
spending however much time he feels
necessary in trying to obtain this
goal; and so the cycle goes,,,
Of all the games that have passed
through the local establishments, this
particular machine appears to be the
finest and busiest of all, There was a
time when you could find this machine
almost everywhere, but now it's getting
10re difficult to-find this machine to
play. To me, it seems a waste to allow
a sharp machine like this to pass
through the doors.
Another machine of Baily's that
offers similar fun and reward is
FRONTIER. A fine characteristic of this
11achine is the variety of ways to hit
on Specials which keeps the true
players interest and also, bonus points
accumulated remain through the entire
game,
Although, as I stated before (see
last month -S*TJ Vo17, No4), I
preferred a three game interval of
scores for hitting games, this machine
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