Star Tech Journal

May 1986 (6)
STAR*TECH Journal
5. Reassenble the game by reversing the
procedure.
PINBALL GAMES
For System II games (HIGH SPEED and
future), exhibiting switch problems, here
is the recommended technique for Clearing
switch Problems:
When a switch is inoperative (either never
opening or never closing), the game
program displays a switch Problem Report
message at Game Tum-on or at the
beginning of the Diagnostic Tests. This
message can include up to three switches
that did not operate during the nost
recent 60 balls (20 games) played, or were
not cleared by repair. Accorrpanying the
message is a knocker sound, which may be
turned off by choosing NO as the setting
for Adjustment item 'Ad 50'.
The ONLY effective technique for clearing
the switch Problem message is to repair
the switch, and then enter the switch
Tests portion of the Diagnostic Tests. Use
either the switch Fdges or the switch
Levels test to confirm that repair was
satisfactory. When the game program senses
proper operation of the switch (during the
switch test), it deletes the switch
designation from the switch Problem Report
message.
WARNING: Because the CMOO RAM stores the
game audit data and the game adjustment
selections, as well as the switch
actuation data, the 'quick and dirty'
procedure of pulling the batteries to
clear the 010S RAM is very STR(N;LY
discouraged. The operator loses all
previous game audit data and any
operator-installed game adjustments.
For System 9 or System II games with
erroneous Game Reset actions:
If the game appears to reset in the midst
of game play, check the diodes on the
SO-volt Flipper coils, Kicker coils, etc.
A faulty diode can possibly allow excess
noise to feed back into the system (CPU),
thereby resulting in the "false" reset.
Also, make sure that ALL printed circuit
board nounting screws are re-installed,
when boards are disnounted for repairs or
testing.
G.1\ME MANUALS
To obtain your Game Instruction Manual
(replacing the preliminary manual shipped
with the game), be sure to note that you
want a manual on your Game Registration
card, when you return it to Williams.
G.1\ME TRANSPORI' PREO\Ul'IONS
During transport of assenbled Williams
pinball games to a location by open truck
(especially if the journey is nore than a
few miles or over rough roads), we
recorrmend that the backbox be lowered
(with cushioning for protection) onto the
cabinet. This sinple precaution can
prevent possible game damage caused by
vibration or road shocks. Final elevation
of the backbox and securing it into
position with the furnished bolts then
takes only a few minutes at the selected
game location, but you have assured that
it has arrived safely.
About Pinball Boards
By John Batistic
Univid Test Systems
Cleveland, OH
I have written quite a bit about the ins
and outs of video game board repairs, but
I have not mentioned pinball boards.
First of all, one of the problems you will
encounter is the reality that there is not
a bench test fixture available to the
operator. Pinball systems are nuch
different from video systems. They differ
greatly from one to the next. They all use
different voltages to power up and
different components even though they all
present the same type of game.
The fact is, a universal type test fixture
does not exist for pinball and it is
doubtful it ever will. Manufacturers would
have to do sore nore standardization for a
universal fixture to appear in our
industry. Presently, the cost of
engineering and manufacturing would be
nuch too high to be successful.