Centipede not saving high scores...

keithsarcade

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Well, the manual tells me it should be saving the top 3 scores, but its not saving anything. The "4FF" always appears in test mode, chip at 5E is present (apparently this is where the scores are saved). Bad chip? If so, where can I get one? Any other opinions?
 
Well, the manual tells me it should be saving the top 3 scores, but its not saving anything. The "4FF" always appears in test mode, chip at 5E is present (apparently this is where the scores are saved). Bad chip? If so, where can I get one? Any other opinions?

The chip could be bad...it happens, but first check the voltages. There should be a negative 30VDC test lug. If that voltage is missing or way off....the chip at 5E will never work.

Edward
 
The chip could be bad...it happens, but first check the voltages. There should be a negative 30VDC test lug. If that voltage is missing or way off....the chip at 5E will never work.

Im not finding this, can you tell me about where it is on the PCB?
 
Found it (in the corner, DUH!). Its reading -13.7v. Where do I go from here?

Has the cab been converted to run the board of a switcher ?

Then assuming it's all standard.. In the schematics under "High Score Memory Circuitry" there's a 555 timer that's all part of -30v generation, that can go bad. Check there's output on pin 3, if you can't easily check just swap and then recheck the voltages.

- James
 
Has the cab been converted to run the board of a switcher ?

Then assuming it's all standard.. In the schematics under "High Score Memory Circuitry" there's a 555 timer that's all part of -30v generation, that can go bad. Check there's output on pin 3, if you can't easily check just swap and then recheck the voltages.

- James

It's all original. Assuming pin 3 is on top (3rd from the top dot) and its the 555 timer at A11 (according to schematics), I'm not getting a reading there. Bad timer?
 
It's all original. Assuming pin 3 is on top (3rd from the top dot) and its the 555 timer at A11 (according to schematics), I'm not getting a reading there. Bad timer?

Yes, it's pin 3 and you should be getting a +15v square wave at around 7500 Hz out of the 555.

- James
 
My experience, if it's not the 555 times.....there's a couple diodes and a few caps that can go bad (CR4, CR5, C83, C84, C85, and C86).

Edward
 
Is this a sign of a dying PCB? It works flawlessly aside from not saving the scores. Ill go ahead and replace the timer, but if it dosent solve it, I'm more worried about the PCB dying on me anyway than I am about saving high scores. Thoughts?
 
I had this exact issue about a year ago. I was told the 555s /rarely/ go bad. I replaced it anyway, with no change. The the board was completely recapped. No change. Finally it developed other issues and wouldn't boot at all (but I believe that's unrelated).
 
I had this exact issue about a year ago. I was told the 555s /rarely/ go bad. I replaced it anyway, with no change. The the board was completely recapped. No change. Finally it developed other issues and wouldn't boot at all (but I believe that's unrelated).
Oh Lord, hope you didnt jinx me.
 
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