Battlezone trouble

MikeSandwick

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I have a Battlezone that recently developed a problem. It displays a "78" on the screen (but it shakes - jumps between 2 positions back and forth). You can hear the game play in the background, but just see the 78 on the screen.

In test mode, it doesn't display anything, it just clicks twice every few seconds.

The edge connector was newly replaced, the solder joints for the interconnect cable was reflowed. ARII rebuilt, and i verified proper voltages. New big blue.

I swapped out a different aux board, and had the same symptom. I swapped out the main board for one that has scrambled graphics and resets, and it shows the screen and goes into test mode. This leads me to believe that it is the main board that is having the problem, in the video circuitry.

Has anyone seen this issue before, and what is an area i should focus on?

Thanks,
Mike
 
Well, i got the solid low tone in test mode, which according to that guide, means that the ROM B/C3 is bad. I swapped this out with a couple other spare boards, same issue. I replaced the socket today, now I am getting horrible static noise, and now does the 2 low beeps and then 2 high beeps, indicating RAMs A1 and B1 are bad. These are not socketed chips, and not sure how to remove them without damaging them (i have a couple parts boards). Soldered chips are a PITA!
 
The ram chips will need to be desoldered, CAREFULLY!! Because the old traces will break off really, really easily. You'll need to buy new memory chips and sockets. The sockets you will solder in place and put the RAM chip in the socket.

The ROM issue could be with the socket itself, they are known to go bad. So try to locate another socket, and replace it, and try to ROM again.
 
Before you go too much further on this, make sure the header pins on the interconnect cable between both boards are reflowed with fresh solder.

Too often guys start chasing what they think are problems with RAM and ROM and it was cold solder all along.

When you're faced with any Atari Vector that uses an interconnect cable, the very first thing you should do is properly reflow those header pins. Then proceed with troubleshooting.
 
The edge connector was newly replaced, the solder joints for the interconnect cable was reflowed. ARII rebuilt, and i verified proper voltages. New big blue.

Before you go too much further on this, make sure the header pins on the interconnect cable between both boards are reflowed with fresh solder.

Too often guys start chasing what they think are problems with RAM and ROM and it was cold solder all along.

When you're faced with any Atari Vector that uses an interconnect cable, the very first thing you should do is properly reflow those header pins. Then proceed with troubleshooting.

I think he has got that covered Mike.

Not saying it would fix this problem, but i would get the HS kit for it and eliminate several potential problems all at once.

This problem sounds like it is deeper than what the HS kit covers.

Run it down to Dick Millikan, it is only a couple of blocks from you.
 
Ok, here is the latest. I replaced the 2114 RAMs at A1 and A2 (the 2 high beeps at the 3rd and 4th position indicated those RAMs) with new sockets and new RAMs i had bought a while ago , still doing the 2 low and then 2 high beeps.

On second thought, isn't it supposed to stop at the first high beep? It is doing the 2 low then 2 high. There is something going on with this board.

I think Dick has said in the past he doesn't work on these, so i didn't check with him before. I am checking with him now.
 
Ok, here is the latest. I replaced the 2114 RAMs at A1 and A2 (the 2 high beeps at the 3rd and 4th position indicated those RAMs) with new sockets and new RAMs i had bought a while ago , still doing the 2 low and then 2 high beeps.

On second thought, isn't it supposed to stop at the first high beep? It is doing the 2 low then 2 high. There is something going on with this board.

I think Dick has said in the past he doesn't work on these, so i didn't check with him before. I am checking with him now.
 
Not saying it would fix this problem, but i would get the HS kit for it and eliminate several potential problems all at once.
It may not fix the problem, but will help eliminate issues with most of the ROM sockets (and rule those out as being the problem). My BZ proms creep and I have to reseat them every 6-10 months, so I bought the Brasington BZ HS kit to eliminate the issue.

Scott C.
 
I received the Brasington BZ High Score kit, and that did not fix my problem. Still gives me 2 low beeps then 2 high beeps in test mode, with no picture. This board is going to Dick.
 
I also have this exact problem on 2 board sets. 1st set -no pic., one high/two low 2nd set- no pic. 9 high /1 low. I have replaced the corresponding RAM with no luck on either, and have reflowed solider at board connector pins. Set #1 has new set of ROMs. Triple checked voltages. Game worked about 2 years ago, set #2 was rebuilt by Eldorado games 2006, than died 1 1/2 years later?
Who is Dick, and what does charge?
Thanks for any info
 
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