The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Handy hints and tips => Topic started by: pinnies4me on October 12, 2008, 12:02:55 PM
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A little over a year ago I bought two of Pascal Janin's Gottlieb System 1 replacement boards. For one game I got the stand alone CPU as I had scored a NIB power supply and driver board. For the other game I got the all in one board - this has the CPU, power supply and driver board combined into a single board.
Last night I went over to my mates place for a party. He's got my Joker Poker with the CPU only version. I haven't been there since I dropped the game off (we see each other each week for footy so don't tend to visit much otherwise).
It dawned on me just how good that system is - the game was still in perfect working condition (I'll need to get over with some novus and some rubbers though) and has not missed a single beat. It got played the whole night by adults and kids (it was never not being played) and it just performed flawlessly. Of course I did re-pin every connector which adds to the reliability, but it reminded me just how good the Pascal boards are. I have one in my Asteroid Annie (alas, packed away at the moment) and that was flawless too until she was packed away.
The boards allow the user to play under identical rules to the original, or a big selection off improvements, and a "wizard" setting which enables all of the relevant extra things in one setting - vastly improved light show, a skill shot, free play and every bug or issue with the original code fixed. The displays are even used as a basic alpha numeric (some of the letters are a stretch, but it works really well). A whole bunch of diagnostics not found in these old games is of course provided.
And you don't need the original ROM - Pascal has written every code for every system 1 game onto the unit, so you simply select which game using the credit switch when you first install it, and it stays that game unless changed.
So if you ever come across a system 1 with a faulty or missing CPU (and it's basically impossible to repair the CPU if the spider chip is fried) then never hesitate if you like the game - these boards are fantastic!
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I concur.. Pascal's Boards are A1..
I'm on the System80 "all in one" list already.
I have installed a PI-X4 on a Genie and it has never missed a beat..
His support is second to none.
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Just bought one for the Sinbad which I can't wait to play with it installed. (hint hint Nino ^^^)
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I tried to contact him a few years back and never got a response... and was told at the time by a mate in Sydney that Pascal is a hard man to track down!
I take it things have changed now??
I've only ever heard great reports about his board system, but never seen one in the flesh so to speak...
Which has meant that I have only ever used the other replacement board that is available, and have had great dealings with them over the last few years (Not sure if I should mention the name in this thread... if OK, then I will).
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Not sure if I should mention the name in this thread... if OK, then I will.
Absolutely you should Owen - the more info the better and alternatives are a good thing!
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I'm sure most of you know about the Ni-Wumpf boards for the System 1 Gottliebs anyway... I just didn't want to take away from the kudos to Pascal...
A few years back, I contacted Ace (David Humphrey) at Ni-Wumpf because of a software problem I was having on one of their replacement CPU boards. The problem was that the bookkeeping information was getting messed up, and this in turn caused other random and intermittent faults. After emailing Ace back and forth with questions, answers and information, he worked out that it was due to the new software (at that time) which they had incorporated for the "G-Sound" board's extended functions.
He was so helpful with that problem, and I was glad I could also help them with fault-finding and testing of the revised version of the software he sent to me to test for them. They have always answered any emails quickly for me, and so I have been using their boards ever since.
But, I still would like to see one of Pascal's boards in action... I want to see what all the fuss is about!
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When I finally get Asteroid Annie out again you can come over and have a beer or 2 Owen and put her through her paces! :D
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I have used Ni Wumpfs on several machines and had great results. Both Pascal and Ace (David Humphrey) are a credit to the hobbyist and I have nothing but great reports from both camps.
Owen - When I have done Tony's Sinbad (PI-X4), I'll give you a call and you can see it "first hand" - and anyone else who wants to see a Pascal board !...
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I've never played Asteroid Annie Nick, so definitely up for that!
And thanks also Nino, The PI-X4 sounds pretty amazing... gotta see it!
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Hey Nino, you gonna fight me over having Owen over?? :D
Looks like Annie trumped ya!
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I've never played Asteroid Annie Nick, so definitely up for that!
And thanks also Nino, The PI-X4 sounds pretty amazing... gotta see it!
No probs - Sinbad restore will be after the Rocky is finished.. Will be dome before Christmas or Tony will be very upset with me !!
So I'll PM when I'm done !
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Hey Nino, you gonna fight me over having Owen over?? :D
Looks like Annie trumped ya!
PI-X4 should be here next week *%*
But that's fine - Owen can see both in action, and when I have the new PI X80 for my GTB Spirit.. Well you can all come over #*#
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Sounds like neither will be available to play any time soon tho... but if you don't mind Nino, I'd like to have a look at the board when it comes in.
I didn't know Pascal had done a System 80 board also?? Cool! This is more great news in the pinball world!
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But that's fine - Owen can see both in action, and when I have the new PI X80 for my GTB Spirit.. Well you can all come over #*#
Party at Ninos!!! #*#
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I'm looking at doing a Joker Poker. Think after reading this feedback I might ditch the original boards and just go with one of Pascals boards. Nice to read feedback of someone that has actually played a game with one of these boards.
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Sounds like neither will be available to play any time soon tho... but if you don't mind Nino, I'd like to have a look at the board when it comes in.
I didn't know Pascal had done a System 80 board also?? Cool! This is more great news in the pinball world!
No probs. I'll let you know when it is here.
Pascal has not finished the SYS80 board - it should be ready in 3 months.. and it will have the code for Spirit !
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I'm looking at doing a Joker Poker. Think after reading this feedback I might ditch the original boards and just go with one of Pascals boards. Nice to read feedback of someone that has actually played a game with one of these boards.
If you can get the game working with the old boards - try that first - just to be sure everything works. Then at least you have a spare set you can sell later on.
I installed one in a Genie, and it was able to utilize the "advanced sounds" that are incorporated into the daughterboard (extra expense). The end result was a system 1 game with similar sounds to a system 80.. Remarkably better.
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What he said - but don't blame the board set unless you have re-pinned all the connectors - remarkable how many problems are resolved by replacing the connectors.
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Yeah I know only too well how important the connectors are, I have a HH.
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Yeah I know only too well how important the connectors are, I have a HH.
I will be fixing the original HH boardset in mine (missing a CPU board), and then either just buying a Ni Wumpf sys80 CPU board or go the big $$ on a Pascal PI X80... I will buy a PI X80 for the Spirit.
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Love HH, I've done every mod to this machine of mine now and it runs very nice.
I rebuilt the original power supply, but thought that the 5v wasn't still good enough and ended up buying a replacement from greatplains which is an excellent product.
Upgraded the original pop bumper boards but ended up replacing them with rottendog, which are excellent.
Bought the rottendog driver board for it, it too suffers from grounding problems and originally wouldn't work in my machine. Got it to work, still prefer the original driver board thou the rottendog seems to give the solenoids an extra punch during play.
Bought the Ni Wumpf cpu, didn't like it so the original went back in.
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What issues did you have with the HH CPU from Ni Wumpf ? I'm interested as I was thinking of getting one and yours is the second Ni Wumpf in a HH that is not 100%..
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Love HH, I've done every mod to this machine of mine now and it runs very nice.
I rebuilt the original power supply, but thought that the 5v wasn't still good enough and ended up buying a replacement from greatplains which is an excellent product.
Upgraded the original pop bumper boards but ended up replacing them with rottendog, which are excellent.
Bought the rottendog driver board for it, it too suffers from grounding problems and originally wouldn't work in my machine. Got it to work, still prefer the original driver board thou the rottendog seems to give the solenoids an extra punch during play.
Bought the Ni Wumpf cpu, didn't like it so the original went back in.
My brother owned an HH a few years ago, it had it's fair share of problems so when he decided to sell it, I passed up the opportunity to buy it because I thought it was too much trouble to fix it. There was nothing wrong with the playfield, cabinet or BG, it was only electrical problems. Now I know that all of the problems could have been fixed and I regret the decision not to buy it. Hindsight sucks ::)
Matthew
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Regarding the Ni Wumph board for sys1 pins... two yrs ago i bought two of them... One ended up in my Solar Ride, and the other i tried in Roller Disco, which i promptly pulled out and put the original cpu back in. It seems they changed some of the rules for some games, so some of the features worked differently.. eg; on Roller Disco, normally when xtra ball is won it holds any bonus multipliers won and carries the over to the next ball... the Ni Wumpf board resets multipliers for every ball. Also the advance multiplier lanes usually score 20,000 when 5x bonus is lit on the original board, and only 5000 for the Ni Wumpf!! And the bonus countdown is painfully slow!!! Had similar issues with the Ni Wumpf when tried in my Buck Rogers.
Well that was over two yrs ago... maybe they've changed the software since then?? Or maybe i'm being too picky, lol.
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They definitely have changed the software since you last tried it, but I don't know if it has fixed the problems you have found...
I contacted Pascal yesterday to enquire about the PI-X4 board, and he responded very quickly! So have decided to order it with the add-on sound board for a Hulk pinball. The owner contacted me about it after purchasing the machine with no boards or displays... so this will be my first time using the PI-X4 board... unless of course I go to Nino's place for the party first!
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What issues did you have with the HH CPU from Ni Wumpf ? I'm interested as I was thinking of getting one and yours is the second Ni Wumpf in a HH that is not 100%..
Plays the game start music at the start of every ball ^.^
Also scoring is different.
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sounds like Pascal is ahead in the Battle of the Boards!
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sounds like Pascal is ahead in the Battle of the Boards!
I would agree... Rottendog are now entering the market with system1 and system80 CPU boards.
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They definitely have changed the software since you last tried it, but I don't know if it has fixed the problems you have found...
I contacted Pascal yesterday to enquire about the PI-X4 board, and he responded very quickly! So have decided to order it with the add-on sound board for a Hulk pinball. The owner contacted me about it after purchasing the machine with no boards or displays... so this will be my first time using the PI-X4 board... unless of course I go to Nino's place for the party first!
Well, the Pascal PI-1 X4 board arrived today (actually a week ago, but I only got to the PO Box for the first time in a week today)...
I only ordered them a couple of weeks ago, so this is great and fast service! And Pascal has been very quick to respond to all my emails... always within 24 hours.
So, another big THANKS and Thumbs Up to Pascal for providing a great product, along with great service ^^^ ^^^ ^^^
Now to go install the board...
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What issues did you have with the HH CPU from Ni Wumpf ? I'm interested as I was thinking of getting one and yours is the second Ni Wumpf in a HH that is not 100%..
Plays the game start music at the start of every ball ^.^
Also scoring is different.
Yes I found the scoring different when in attract mode. Dont know if it is only the version of software I have and if it has since been revised and fixed.
For example if only one player had played the normal sys 1 shows the actual final score in player 1 and in player Nos. 2, 3 & 4 it reads 000000, NiWumph shows only a single 0 in player 2,3 & 4 displays. Also noted that when the game ends the NIWUMPH flicks to High Score to Date immediatly instead of staying on the final players scores for a few seconds so that you can see if you have matched or not.
Anyone know if this was fixed in later software revisions?