DMD strange issue

configurethis

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Every once in a while my ST:TNG dmd will act like a fog bank is rolling through it. You can still see all, just in the back ground. I first saw it when I started worm hole, and had a new lx7 rom installed (not sure if it is a glitch) Cables and all connectors reseated. I am not really worried about it, just thought it strange!
 
Have you tried. Power off. Reseating ribbon cables from CPU to DMD driver board to DMD ?
LTG :)
 
Every once in a while my ST:TNG dmd will act like a fog bank is rolling through it. You can still see all, just in the back ground. I first saw it when I started worm hole, and had a new lx7 rom installed (not sure if it is a glitch) Cables and all connectors reseated. I am not really worried about it, just thought it strange!


lol...i thought i was the only person in the history of forever to see that particular "issue." my white water does the same thing: it may play fine for 20+ plays, but every once in a while it has this glowing mass take over the DMD.....and yes, it's like a fog bank rolling in......you can still see everything and it doesn't affect gameplay or the DMD scoring display, but it is definitely there. i have no earthly idea what causes it or how to fix it.

Have you tried. Power off. Reseating ribbon cables from CPU to DMD driver board to DMD ?
LTG :)


power off/power on does not help.....and i've tried to reseat the cables with no help. it's a really weird issue......and again, it doesn't even affect gameplay, it's just there. really weird. i have decided to pretty much just roll with it until my DMD becomes a real problem (like going out completely).
 
me?
i'd bust out my ESR meter and test the electrolytic capacitors on the DMD controller in the hopes of finding a problem with one of those

all kinds of screwy things can happen when a cap is going bad
 
Make sure the heat sinks are firm against the transistors at Q3, Q6, and Q7 on the Dot Matrix Controller board. Mine was having similar issues that went away after I tightened them.
 
Have you tried. Power off. Reseating ribbon cables from CPU to DMD driver board to DMD ?
LTG :)

Every once in a while my ST:TNG dmd will act like a fog bank is rolling through it. You can still see all, just in the back ground. I first saw it when I started worm hole, and had a new lx7 rom installed (not sure if it is a glitch)
Cables and all connectors reseated. I am not really worried about it, just thought it strange!

Yes all connectors removed and reseated.
 
Make sure the heat sinks are firm against the transistors at Q3, Q6, and Q7 on the Dot Matrix Controller board. Mine was having similar issues that went away after I tightened them.

I will tighten them up if needed. Thanks for the tip!
 
I had the same issue with my TZ. I would bet anything it is the DMD controller board. You will have to rebuild or replace it. No amount of reseating or fidgeting will fix it.

Personally, I would just buy a rottendog replacement if you plan on keeping your pin. They can be had for ~$80. It's a drop in replacement and it fixes the heat issues with the original that cause this.

I would only rebuild it if you a)just want the experience or b) plan on selling it and want to keep your investment to an absolute minimum.
 
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