Link two Cruis'n USA cabs.....HOW ???

[Luigi]

Hi.

We now have a second Cruis'n USA and would like to link them together.

What is necessary?

A friend of us downloaded the newest ROMs, burned new Eproms and used a printer cable (25pin, 1:1) as linking cable.

When we power tha machines they say "Link established" or something of that kind.....but they don't see each other.

We found something about Link chips at position U38...what are they for and where can we get them??


Thanks 

[SirPeale]

Let's see how much of this I can remember, it's been a while...

1) both machines must be running the same version of the software.

2) I could be wrong, but I don't think you want a pass-thu cable, I think you want a null modem cable.  Like I said, it's been a while.

3) You have to set up the machines in software as well.

[Luigi]

Thanks for your reply

I searched the net but I didn't find any information about linking two Cruis'n cabs

Do you know something about those link chips at position U38??

[SirPeale]

I don't.  What does your manual say?

Like I said, it's been a while.

The good news is that your cab has the hook-up hardware needed, so I don't think it'll be hard to get this going.

Look into the cable, I'm almost certain you've got the wrong one.

And DEFINITELY make sure the ROM versions are the same on both machines.  Otherwise it won't do diddly.

[Havok]

Ask on Klov - they deal primarily with original arcade machines, I'm sure you could get a response. But Peale is right - the answer lies in the manual. If you don't have one, here's an online copy:

http://www.crazykong.com/manuals/CruisnUSA.man.pdf

[SirPeale]

Havok: that manual is the same one I've got, and it doesn't address the networking issue.  I haven't been able to find another revision that includes that.

[SavannahLion]

On Page 1-7, it clearly states Cruis'n is a one player game. Could there have been a second manual sold with some sort of kit or for ops who bought two machines at the same time. That would be my guess.

You got my curiosity peaked as well. I've seen Cruis'n cabs for sale (for too much $$ but whatever) and if I ever spot one for a good deal, be nice to know what's up with this.

[Luigi]

Unfortunaltely I wasn't able to find a manual or instruction about the linking of two cabs.

The manual at Crazykong only hold information about the DIPs to switch Link mode on and where you can select what cab is Master and what is Slave.

One guy in a german forum said that DIPs 4 and 5 of SW2 must be configured correctly to tell the cabs how many machines are attached.....found no other info about that 

We found out that both cabs say "Connection established" .... no matter if there is a link cable connected or not   

We think that those two chips at position U38 are for a kind of "copy protection" but we're not sure of course.

I'll keep my eyes open and share all information I can find.

[Angry_Radish]

You'll need PAL security IC's.
I'd post over at KLOV or on RGVAC, they pop up from time to time.

[fa001]

I have not tried this and could not find a linked Crus'n USA manual. However the Crus'n Exotica conversion manual may have some clues for you.
It states that DIP Switch 1 Switch 6 must be ON to enable link and that DIP Switch 1 switches 7 & 8 set Master / Slave relationship. OFF / OFF is master game, ON / OFF is Slave game.
This manual also indicates that there are Link test in the diagnostic menus. Were you able to find these?

- Fred

[Kevin Mullins]

That's what I was just looking at also..... may be worth a shot to check out.
Cruisin Exotica Conversion Manual

Dipswitch Bank U97
Both machines : switch 6 ON
1st machine : switches 7 & 8 OFF (master)
2nd machine: switch 7 ON and switch 8 OFF (car #2)

That kit comes with a replacement cpu board, so it's hard to say what the differences are as far as linking may be concerned.

I also read that both machines will require ROMS version 4.1 as the earlier ones did not have the linking capabilities. (a four chip rom set)

[Luigi]

A german user scanned a manual for us....I'll attach it.

Both cabs have software 4.1 installed but I guess it's only the two ICs that are missing. I'll look over at KLOV...maybe they show up next time

Can they be copied??

[Kevin Mullins]

the two ICs that are missing.
Can they be copied??

"Linking Decode Pal" at U38

Not sure.... but might be worth asking Steph at http://www.hobbyroms.com/
I'm they would need to know the chip type and the actual file in order to burn one. (if it's even possible)

[Angry_Radish]

From everything I've seen they are called security chips for a reason, no copying 

[Karetaker]

I think it might be dip switch 2. One of the dip switches is for "Link" that should be turned on in both games. Then another dip switch is "master, slave" one game should be set to master. Plug in the cable and that should be pretty much it as I recall. I've owned four of them and that's all I ever recall doing. You can check what the dip switches are set to somewhere in test mode.

[Kevin Mullins]

From everything I've seen they are called security chips for a reason, no copying 

Beings that it is a PAL chip .... you may be right.

But worth checking into as I'm not sure what all is possible these days.
(heck, we have MAME don't we) 

[MonMotha]

PALs can often be either copied (readback and programmed), or they are simple enough usually to create a workalike.  A PAL16V8 (very common) only has 8 latches, so it's usually possible to create something that behaves identically as you can only fit usually a small state machine on them at best.  It's possible it's only used to do something like number what car you have or something silly like that.

PICs and other microcontrollers, however, can be locked down to where copying them is just about impossible.  Many many games used a locked PIC as the basis of their copy protection, though recent development have allowed about a 50% success rate of unlocking those older PICs for program readback (the other 50% of the time you tend to destroy the chip).

[fa001]

I noticed today that on eBay there was a linking kit with cable and chips. It was about $150.00 but could be the easy way to solve the problem.

[SirPeale]

I noticed today that on eBay there was a linking kit with cable and chips. It was about $150.00 but could be the easy way to solve the problem.

Link?

That sounds extremely high, but then I don't know how much the chips go for.  The cables themselves are cheap.

[Kevin Mullins]

Linking kit currently on ebay

[niels]

Been there - done that - and failed.  I have 2 x Crusin USA and purchased an additional one . Copied 4 Eproms . so that SW version all 4.1. - NO GO

Found PAL chip . tried copying this chip . NO GO  I have not yet given in . But I think that the system MUST be at 2 or more player from origin update is not possible.

[Luigi]

Been there - done that - and failed.  I have 2 x Crusin USA and purchased an additional one . Copied 4 Eproms . so that SW version all 4.1. - NO GO

Found PAL chip . tried copying this chip . NO GO  I have not yet given in . But I think that the system MUST be at 2 or more player from origin update is not possible.

[sigh]    We finally gave up trying to link those two machines. I ordered two link PAL chips from Suzo....didn't work. We have replaced the pcb in one of the cabs with a Cruis'n World-PCB.