Red Line down center of Screen - Robotron

Killert6969

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Besides getting a RAM 31 error, I get a solid red line down the center of the screen for whatever game play I can experience before the game either freezes or reboots. Do you think this red line is associated with the RAM 31 error? Or do I have a secondary issue with the monitor as well?
 
Besides getting a RAM 31 error, I get a solid red line down the center of the screen for whatever game play I can experience before the game either freezes or reboots. Do you think this red line is associated with the RAM 31 error? Or do I have a secondary issue with the monitor as well?

Swap RAM 31 with another RAM and see if your symptoms change.
 
Yes, I did and the ram error is being reported elsewhere (135). I just ordered a full set of 24 4116 RAM from roberts...I am also replacing the gray ribbon cables. The red lines still remained though.

Swap RAM 31 with another RAM and see if your symptoms change.
 
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Yes, I did and the ram error is being reported elsewhere (135). I just ordered a full set of 24 4116 RAM from roberts...I am also replacing the gray ribbon cables. The red lines still remained though.

You only need to replace the ones that are bad. Keep the others around though as you'll probably run into it again.
 
Well, I replaced the bad ram chip I receveived from Bob Roberts and the LED display then showed 0. The red line disappeared and I started to play. After the third or fourth screen, the entire game freezes with the audio in an infinite loop but I can still move robotron around. I then replaced the entire 1st bank (The original error resided in Bank 1, RAM 5) and replayed but the same thing occured. Should I replace the other two banks of memory? is this a different issue?
 
Well, I replaced the bad ram chip I receveived from Bob Roberts and the LED display then showed 0. The red line disappeared and I started to play. After the third or fourth screen, the entire game freezes with the audio in an infinite loop but I can still move robotron around. I then replaced the entire 1st bank (The original error resided in Bank 1, RAM 5) and replayed but the same thing occured. Should I replace the other two banks of memory? is this a different issue?

If the LED show's 0, it's unlikely to be a RAM unless one is flaky and failing when it heats up (and the RAM does heat up!).

If you reset the machine after the lockup (without letting it cool down), does it fail again?

If you leave the machine on (but don't play it), does it fail then?
 
If the LED show's 0, it's unlikely to be a RAM unless one is flaky and failing when it heats up (and the RAM does heat up!).

If you reset the machine after the lockup (without letting it cool down), does it fail again?
YES

If you leave the machine on (but don't play it), does it fail then?
I DO NOT KNOW. I will have to check tomorrow. It seems to fail after a few boards in.
 
Ok, I will do that.


I just played it. This time the entire system rebooted. Then it played fine. Still think it could be low voltages? I only ask cause now it is doing something different than before.


I would check power supply for low voltages

Andrew
 
Ok, I will do that.


I just played it. This time the entire system rebooted. Then it played fine. Still think it could be low voltages? I only ask cause now it is doing something different than before.

Low voltages or cold solder joints can cause all sorts of strange behavior.

A good place to check is on the RAM chips. Pins 1, 8 and 9 will give you -5, +12, and +5. The +5 is probably the most important.
 
I have another switching power supply lying around somewhere. I will test the voltages and I also have a switching supply lying around somewhere. I will swap it out and get back you guys after I do some testing

power supply
 
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