Defender Help

[acevedor2]

Ok, my Defender has been working perfectly for the last 6 months or so
since I got it.  Todau when I turned it on, I had no controls.  What I
mean is that unit came on, sound is good, goes through intitial test,
comes up to screen, and all looks well.  Shows credits and everything
is fine.  Except I can't play it.  When I push the player 1 or 2
button start (or any other button for that matter), it won't start,
almost as if the control panel or something wasn't working.

So I opened up the back (complete newbie here when it comes to working on the insides, with no idea of what to
look for).  I figured I would look for the basics like disconnected
wires, broken switches, etc.  The only thing I saw was three old ass
AA batteries.  They weren't corroded or leaking, but I replaced them
anyway.

So now I go to turn on the game and everything comes on as before but
now I am stuck in settings (number of freeplays, total coins,number of
ships, etc).  How do I get out of that mode now?

Any ideas as to where my gremlins could be?  Thanks in advance!!!

[spacies]

There are buttons inside the coin door.
The one closest to the door ( I think)  should get you out of there.

[acevedor2]

Tried that.  It will change the value of whatever admin mode is up (number of ships, etc), but will not get me out....Stays in admin mode, but I can cycle through all settings.  I just can't get back to "game over". 

[Icantlogin]

Set free play to 1 (option 17 I think) then just step through the rest of the options, 28 in all. Then you should go into attract mode.

You will have to do this every time as long as you have no batteries installed.

You should look into replacing the AA's with the lithium battery kit from Bob Roberts, it's inexpensive and easy to install.

[CheffoJeffo]

Sounds like you might have had a widget (interface) board problem. Then, when you yanked the batteries, you reset everything, so it boots into game adjustments.

Get yourself a manual and check the section on game adjustments (it'll tell you how to advance through the screens). Then check the section on PowerUp/Reset tests -- in particular Test 6 (switches).

There are a few good Williams resources listed in the Restoration page in the wiki.

 

[acevedor2]

Thanks, problem is that it never leaves the setting and goes into attract mode.  I cycle through all 28 options and it just goes right back to number 1.....I can't get it out of admin mode.  I replaced the batteries with new energizer AAs. Any ideas?  Thanks.

[CheffoJeffo]

Did you set to Auto Up when you hit the Advance button on #28 ?

[acevedor2]

Yes, I downloaded the manual and it says:

in manual down push advance to get to function 28 - check!
then do auto up and then push advance to return to game over - check!

Nothing happens.  When I push advance in auto up, it just goes down to 27 -same as if it was in manual down!  Could it be the center (auto up/manual down switch) is bad?

[Kevin Mullins]

Could it be the center (auto up/manual down switch) is bad?

You should be able to easily check that switch with an ohmeter......

Auto-Up should have continuity between the two contacts. (.000)
Manual-Down should be open. (no continuity or some odd looking readings)

[acevedor2]

Thanks.  I'll check that switch.  Not to ask a dumb question, but I should check it with the power on - correct?  Thanks again!

[Kevin Mullins]

Doesn't matter much for a test like that.... you can do it with power off.