MonsterBash
Well-known member
Kinda of an interesting problem. I fired up my games yesterday and got a CMOS RAM Error and then a 'open door to restore defaults' or something like that. This error was follwed be the initial all system operational message
So the first thing I do is check the voltages..I have 5.05 (using a switcher) at the ICs on both the ROM board and the CPU.
No big deal...I grab the backup CPU and ROM set and install for a quick fix as I have people coming over. Surprisingly I have the exact same error and problem.
Of course I opened the door and attempted to restore the defaults.
I've read here that the coin door switch actually completes the path to allow the temporary data to write to the CMOS. I thought this HAD to be the problem. I confirmed the switch is good in the game. I tried a new one with no change and removed and tried the working switch from my Sinistar. I've confirmed the wiring for the switch is intact at both ends with a continuity test from the MM
I've done numerous unplugs..reboots...with both boardset. Some with the batteries (new and tested) removed...some with the batteries installed
Some other notes:
In the menu all the text is garbage. On one boardset it's random garbage...the other boardset has consistent characters..but still garbage. Same with the high scores. One time I fired the boardset up and went into the menu and got through the test..I was asked to enter a high score name.
After a few back and forth board swaps and obviously rebooting, now the 'CMOS RAM Error' on both boards sets (amazingly exactly the same on both sets) is garage text as well. After a few few attempts one boardset boots normally (0 on ROM board) but I get no video output.
It's obviously not an boardset issue..but an environment issue. What the hell am I missing?
So the first thing I do is check the voltages..I have 5.05 (using a switcher) at the ICs on both the ROM board and the CPU.
No big deal...I grab the backup CPU and ROM set and install for a quick fix as I have people coming over. Surprisingly I have the exact same error and problem.
Of course I opened the door and attempted to restore the defaults.
I've read here that the coin door switch actually completes the path to allow the temporary data to write to the CMOS. I thought this HAD to be the problem. I confirmed the switch is good in the game. I tried a new one with no change and removed and tried the working switch from my Sinistar. I've confirmed the wiring for the switch is intact at both ends with a continuity test from the MM
I've done numerous unplugs..reboots...with both boardset. Some with the batteries (new and tested) removed...some with the batteries installed
Some other notes:
In the menu all the text is garbage. On one boardset it's random garbage...the other boardset has consistent characters..but still garbage. Same with the high scores. One time I fired the boardset up and went into the menu and got through the test..I was asked to enter a high score name.
After a few back and forth board swaps and obviously rebooting, now the 'CMOS RAM Error' on both boards sets (amazingly exactly the same on both sets) is garage text as well. After a few few attempts one boardset boots normally (0 on ROM board) but I get no video output.
It's obviously not an boardset issue..but an environment issue. What the hell am I missing?

