Star Tech Journal

Cellular Telephone
Static Cures
Wnis Progranis Out
Hardware Failures
Bill Johnston
Johnston Video
Buffalo, New York
Larry DeMar
Williams Electronics
Chicago, Illinois
SUBJECT
SUBJECT
Service tip for your mobile phone. In our van,
increasing problems of static noise on the cellu-
lar phone was making me crazy.
For the problem of "what to do while you're
waiting for the part". In the case of the Fun
House's Trap Door, as well as the Steps Gate and
Rudy's Mouth, there are adjustments to disable
these mechanisms, and compensate in the soft-
ware.
SYMPTOMS
I went through the system for antenna problems
and reset with power problems, etc, with no
luck.
This went on for months while I avoided the
inevitable high-cost service call, expecting a
$120 bill for what is now a $1 phone (with a 12-
month contract, of course).
SOLUTION
I
Tums out to be a corroded battery terminal in
the van. Cleaned it up and now the cellular
phone has absolutely static-free clarity again,
just like when it was new 5 years ago.
I feel just a little bit dumber and smart.e r at the
same time. So, I guess that whether it's a video
game or a cellular phone, check the power
supply.
Evan Wessel
Mercury Amusement
Havertown, Pennsylvania
II
Glass mounted cellular antennas are the cause
of most static and disconnects. As soon as I went
roof mount, my problems almost disappeared.
SOLUTION
PROCEDURE
These adjustments are the last few in the "fea-
ture adjustment" menu.
• For the Trap Door, you need to cover up the
hole, and set "Disable Trap Door" to "yes". The
game will not try to operate the door, and will use
the switch above the door to indicate a hit.
• If you lose a Rudy Jaw gear, set "Disable Rudy
Jaw" to "yes" and force his mouth open. The
game will not operate the Rudy Jaw motor.
FACTORY Poucy
Our software staff is constantly trying to come
up with new ways to keep the games running,
while reporting problems that we come across.
We also try to design game rules with the possi-
bility of component failure in mind to make sure
the player can still get most or all of the major
features as different parts stop working.
We are also striving to limit the failures through
better mechanical design and quality control,
but it never hurts to have a really large safety net.
It has been a company-wide policy to program
the games in this manner. Its a philosophy that
we started on High Speed, and have been refin-
ing ever since.
Phone & Fax
See page 21 for updated manufacturer
customer service phone & fax numbers.
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