Bubble Bobble I/O Error

srarcade80

New member
Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
567
Reaction score
6
Location
Orlando, Florida
I got a Bubble Bobble board that powers up and can run test mode, but in game mode I get a flashing "I/O Error" on the screen.

I built my own jamma adapter for this and so far I have only hooked up the power wires and the video output wires, there are no controls or sound hooked up. So that limits the problem down to something on board the pcb.

I saw another thread on here about this problem but it seemed to dead end, just curious if anyone else was able to fix this error.

Thanks!
 
Check all the control inputs (joysticks/buttons) on the edge connector to see if they are all reading 5v. If any are stuck at ground then you'll get an error.

Also, check the hybrid module for broken pins.
 
As channelmanic says, do check that hybrid module (the brown, vertically mounted device that is rectanglular in shape) - because of the way that it's mounted it's very easy for it to be flexed and, if certain pins break, can cause the I/O ERROR that you're seeing.
 
Hey guys, thanks a bunch! The hybrid module had a busted pin on it like you suggested. After making a little bridge, the game now comes up. Turns out the board is in japanese which is pretty cool.

Now that its running, I do not have any inputs. I triple checked my conversion harness and I am spot on. I also checked the voltage at all the inputs, they are at +5.0V. I don't have any sound yet but I didn't check to see if the attract mode sound dip is off, probably is.

Feels so great to see this game nearly working!
 
If you don't have coin counters then you need to jumper the pads as described in the owners manual.

On the BB boards that cross my workbench, I put pins in the holes so standard PC style jumpers can be used.

RJ
 
Ok- funny thing i've been working off that same page with the coin counter note to build my harness and i never looked to read it.

I must be blind because I can't find this thing. Instructions read:

If you wish to use your "B.B" conversion without a coin meter, a small wire jumper must be installed across the points of J7 located near IC60 (The large brown SIPIC near the "G" connector)

With that stated- I do not see an IC60 anywhere on the top board, especially near the "G" connector. I don't know what they are referring to SIPIC, i have not heard that acronym before. The only large brown component is the hybrid module. Also, I don't see any other components with just a "J" in it. I see plenty of jumper points, including "JP7" opposite the board from the "G" connector but that doesn't look right.

See attached image.
 
Ok- funny thing i've been working off that same page with the coin counter note to build my harness and i never looked to read it.

I must be blind because I can't find this thing. Instructions read:

If you wish to use your "B.B" conversion without a coin meter, a small wire jumper must be installed across the points of J7 located near IC60 (The large brown SIPIC near the "G" connector)

With that stated- I do not see an IC60 anywhere on the top board, especially near the "G" connector. I don't know what they are referring to SIPIC, i have not heard that acronym before. The only large brown component is the hybrid module. Also, I don't see any other components with just a "J" in it. I see plenty of jumper points, including "JP7" opposite the board from the "G" connector but that doesn't look right.

See attached image.


SIPIC = Single Inline Pin Integrated Circuit
if I remember correctly.
 
Found a pic of another BB board and there was a jump on "JPA" so i tried it out and sure enough it was the jump i needed. I guess the manual from crazy kong went to another boardset or something.

So now i have controls, game plays great, sound is missing so that is my next thing to look at. The amp used to have an aluminum heat sink mounted under it and it is now missing the screws are gone and it is running extremely hot. I am going to build a new heat sink, not that it will fix the sound but to at least make it safe.

I am going to double check my harness wiring for correct audio.
 
Next to the hybrid module are four solder pads... 2 are connected together and are the ground side of the connections. Connect the solder points between the 2 sides.
 
Check the schematic. There are a couple of op amps that act as pre-amps or mixing amps. Twice I've had to replace these to get sound workng on BB boards.

ken
 
Another issue is a corrupt sound program ROM. Read the ROM in your EPROM programmer and compare checksums with what's posted on MAME or known by ROMIDENT.
 
Yea, I am going to check the amps next, they look like they have been tampered with before.

Otherwise, I am currently in the market to buy a EPROM programmer now that i have a small stack of boards that need new roms on them.

Thanks for the help everyone, i am glad to get this thing even playable and can still enjoy it at this state.
 
Back
Top Bottom