CFTBL doesn't love me anymore... please help

[luvyawork389]

Hopefully someone out there has some advice for me on what needs replacing, etc.

When turning on, there's one tone (sound) and then the display shows random patterns of dots (different each time and always in the lower half of the screen, like a rippling ocean almost).  The machine doesn't boot up. 

Had many flawless years before and unsure of what repairs, mods, may have been done before I bought (say 8 years ago?).

Any advice please?

[robm]

Start by reseating the ribbon cables between the boards in the backbox, including the ones going to the display itself. Very possibly just a slightly dodgy connection

[luvyawork389]

Hey thanks!  I will try that.  I have had the headboard open though with my very limited knowledge of the kinds of electronics that it runs on, didn't want to poke around too much.

The 3 batteries (that are mounted remotely off of the back circuit board) haven't been replaced.  Ever.  They're not in a neat housing; they're kind of soldered together.  Wondered if that had anything to do with it though someone told me they simply maintain supply so that high-scores, etc don't wipe if the machine is unplugged.

[swinks]

like what Rob said check that all the plugs are pushed firmly on to the boards. Next don't worry about high scores and remove those before they cause acid damage to your boards.

Lastly - just happened today? is it hot where you are?

[luvyawork389]

Hey swinks.

No it actually happened about a year (maybe more) ago.  I'm just a lazy arse and missing it and so getting around to it now :)

I probably should've added that; I've rebooted a gazillion times and even left it unplugged for extended periods, but it keeps happening!

[luvyawork389]

like what Rob said check that all the plugs are pushed firmly on to the boards. Next don't worry about high scores and remove those before they cause acid damage to your boards.

Lastly - just happened today? is it hot where you are?

Oh and sorry, the dry cell batteries aren't mounted to the circuit boards :)

[luvyawork389]

Hi all.

I took your advice and checked all the ribbon connections.  They all seemed solid and tight though I lightly pressed them home if there was any give.

Unfortunately it made no difference.  The machine still did the same thing :(

Any other suggestions please?

[Strangeways]

On the CPU board, there are three LEDs - what are they doing ?

One will flash constantly when the game boots. If not, then it can be a number of things.

[luvyawork389]

Hey Strangeways.  I can only locate 2 and they flash, very quickly (almost constantly).

[luvyawork389]

On the CPU board, there are three LEDs - what are they doing ?

One will flash constantly when the game boots. If not, then it can be a number of things.

An update, I had a closer look and there are 3 and they stay on constantly (no flashing).

Thanks!

[Strangeways]

On the CPU board, there are three LEDs - what are they doing ?

One will flash constantly when the game boots. If not, then it can be a number of things.

An update, I had a closer look and there are 3 and they stay on constantly (no flashing).

Thanks!

Sounds like you are getting +5V.

Try reseating the ASIC chip (the big square IC) - just give it a push in the four corners. Reseat the ROM, CPU and RAM.

Hopefully the board has no acid damage from leaky batteries ?

[VanillaSlicePie]

Referring to my CFTBL manual on game power up LED D19 and D21 turn on for a moment then D19 turns off and D20 starts to blink rapidly. D21 remains on. So, if LED D20 blinks one time - rom error @ u6. Blinks two times-ram error @ u8. Blinks three times-custom chip failure @ u9. That should narrow it down!!!!

[luvyawork389]

On the CPU board, there are three LEDs - what are they doing ?

One will flash constantly when the game boots. If not, then it can be a number of things.

An update, I had a closer look and there are 3 and they stay on constantly (no flashing).

Thanks!

Thanks, I reseat all those chips and still the same problem.  All 3 lights stay on and machine doesn't boot up.

Sounds like you are getting +5V.

Try reseating the ASIC chip (the big square IC) - just give it a push in the four corners. Reseat the ROM, CPU and RAM.

Hopefully the board has no acid damage from leaky batteries ?

[luvyawork389]

Referring to my CFTBL manual on game power up LED D19 and D21 turn on for a moment then D19 turns off and D20 starts to blink rapidly. D21 remains on. So, if LED D20 blinks one time - rom error @ u6. Blinks two times-ram error @ u8. Blinks three times-custom chip failure @ u9. That should narrow it down!!!!

Thanks, that's good to know.  I have all 3 LEDs coming on and staying on.  Is there anything in the manual on that? :)

[luvyawork389]

On the CPU board, there are three LEDs - what are they doing ?

One will flash constantly when the game boots. If not, then it can be a number of things.

An update, I had a closer look and there are 3 and they stay on constantly (no flashing).

Thanks!

Oh and what does +5V mean?  I'm not the up on the tech lingo (sorry).

Thanks, I reseat all those chips and still the same problem.  All 3 lights stay on and machine doesn't boot up.

Sounds like you are getting +5V.

Try reseating the ASIC chip (the big square IC) - just give it a push in the four corners. Reseat the ROM, CPU and RAM.

Hopefully the board has no acid damage from leaky batteries ?