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can someone help troubleshoot my KICK machine?

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Pac-Fan:
After many years and owning 5 complete 3 layer boards, I have yet to assemble a fully working KICK(man) setup, even after multiple swaps of boards within the layers, chips on the board, etc. Closest I ever got was a full working one without sound, then that one died after storing for a few months and boots to a single color screen like yours, with a random graphic or two showing.

The MCR boards seem to be very fragile, especially the interconnect cables and connectors. First step is to look at and test them and repair/resolder/replace anything bad there. (Do a continuity check from the solder point on one board to the solder point on the next board with the cable in place on every single pin on all the connectors).

Speaking of randomly dying boards, I've been coming across more and more eproms that seem to be losing bits. Have we reached a end of original-programming-life on them?  A reprogram usually fixes it or a swap with a new chip, but in the last year I've found many Atari and Bally/Midway boards with this problem starting.

Good luck with your efforts.

vintagegamer:
Thanks for the info PF- I actually have a set of the SCSI ribbon cables that I wanted to replace the paper ribbon connectors with, however I think there's more to it than just remove and replace, so I need to figure out what's involved- but I think that would definitely help out the reliability of the boards.  I know it has done wonders for the TRON boards my TRON machine uses today.

I really do think though that this may be a voltage issue.  I will keep you posted if I get the power supply swapped out and what the results are.  Damm I really enjoyed playing this game too.  Even have a classic arcade pic showing one "out in the trenches".

VG

vintagegamer:
Pac Fan,

I just got an update that might help your machine too..  There is a PURPLE WIRE that goes from the power supply board on the left wall, to the PCB boards on the right..  CUT IT.  It powers a reset circuit that apparently locks up on these things all the time-  the guys at KLOV recommended it, and I cut the wire and got a step closer on mine!  I have my old ROM error again, but that should be easier to troubleshoot than the other prob I was having.

Give it a go and report in!

VG

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