Can't enter name in joust high score or setup screen

billyb2084

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Can't enter name in joust high score or setup screen

I Recently purchased a used joust cabinet and noticed that I cannot add initials into the high score fields. I also cannot enter alpha characters into the attract mode in setup. When you get to the entry screens neither the joystick or flap buttons change or enter characters. These buttons work in the game but stop registering at the character entry portions.

Does anybody have an idea where to start looking? Is this a function of a board, setup, ??

Thank you
 
Go into the menu and see if you can change stuff there. Sometimes you get weird stuff happening like this if the batteries are low. Pull them, wait a bit, replace them, then try again...
 
There is a setting in the setup screen that enables adding high scores. Press the advance button (on the inside of the coin door) until you get to the setup screen. IIRC it is almost all of the way down the screen.

ken
 
I swapped the batteries for new ones, still does it. I also checked the settings and there is an option for allowing daily high score (set to yes) and number of characters for high score (set to 3). All switches register at the switch test but not in character entry screens.
It almost seems to lock up at that point as none of the buttons register. Including the advance button on the coin door.
For both high score entry and attract message entries the screen appears with a zero for the first character and freezes/no input.
 
Set the red button down and then go into test and run it through the RAM, CMOS RAM, etc tests and see if anything pops up...
 
I ran through all of the tests, everything checks out ok. This cabinet also has a set of Stargate boards in it so the wiring has been modified. What I don't know is if the ability to enter text is a function of a board or a separate wire somewhere (that was missed)?? Maybe I need to get a manual for it.
All your help is appreciated - believe me. Thanks
 
A different set of boards? Completely? Different interface boards and everything?
 
Yep. Complete with two sets of boards. Just flip the main power cable/connector from one set to the other and replace the control panel with a quick change moles connector. Works great except for the hi score issue (and the thrust in Stargate recently quit but I haven't looked into that one yet).
Does that give you any clue as to my issues?
 
I believe it could be something with the Memory Interlock Protect on the CPU board

That's a 4-pin connector (IJ2) located between the power connector (IJ1)
and the monitor connector (IJ3).

If pin 1 is grounded, the lock is on ( ... I think...)
(... pin 1 is connected to a switch somewhere in the cabinet ).

As a simple test, simply remove that 4 pin connector and see what happens.

If that doesn't work, try connecting pin 1 with pin 3 ( Ground ),
which would simulate the switch being closed...

Good luck

Cheers,
Steph

EDIT : In reading your previous post, since you say you have the same problem
with two different boardsets, so the problem is obviously with the lock protection switch IN THE CABINET.
Follow where the connector for IJ2 goes, and you'll find your problem..
 
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Thanks Steph. Actually, I can save scores in Stargate, only Joust has this particular issue which is why I though it might be a setting or component on the Joust board.
I found the connector you mentioned. It currently has a red wire with yellow stripe connected to pin one (only wire in connector). I jumped pin 1 to pin 3 and then win into settings screen and it fails on CMOS ram error. (door must be open). As I think you were expecting. I think this means with the connector on, memory write is on (allowed). If I go past the error and try to change set attract message it won't let me select yes.
I think your on the right track and I have already learned at least 3 new things. :) Thanks
 
Not sure if it means anything but the high score entry acts the same wether the jumper is in place, connector, or no wires (no entry allowed, joy sticks and flap do nothing but player one will start a new game). Eventually it times out and returns to the main screen.
 
Can't help, but I've seen other machines do this. An arcade not far from me has a Joust and it occasionally does this (I know it worked at one time, as I have a few entries with my initials on the high score table ;) )
 
I figured someone out there had this issue too, just need to find someone who figured out what caused it.
I did verify that the memory interlock wire is going to do the coin door switch and that the switch is working (breaking the 24 volts).
Not that I am setting any records, but I would sure like record high scores :(
 
Update
I found a thread on here that indicated a bad interface board. I tried pulling the two large cable connectors and ribbon cable and reseating. Now the video is all garbage (not the rug but similar). How, if at all, does the interface board affect video? Help
 
Final update! Fixed. It was indeed the interface board. After a half dozen reseats of the two main cables the video came back and viola the high score entry works. Thanks KLOV! And everyone who helped here, you kept on track. Love my Joust again :)
 
Final update! Fixed. It was indeed the interface board. After a half dozen reseats of the two main cables the video came back and viola the high score entry works. Thanks KLOV! And everyone who helped here, you kept on track. Love my Joust again :)

I just had this exact issue, it ended up being a bad 6821 PIA on the widget board. worked fine in game mode, but wouldn't let you enter initials. The only difference I saw was that during switch test (where buttons worked) line 19 coming out of the 6821 was pulsing, but during anywhere you needed to enter initials, it was high.

replacing the 6821 and only the 6821 fixed it, not sure why. If you reseated the connector it still wouldn't fix it, but finally swapping the 6821 did. So either swap the widget board, or the chip and it seems like we've all confirmed now it'll fix it.
 
I just had this issue and saw this thread. In my case, the PIA was not the issue. It was the 4049 furthest from the connectors on the widget/interface board. I piggybacked a new one to be sure and that fixed it.

Sharing for when someone else runs in to this.
 
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