Robotron Reset

AndyD421

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Hey, I just picked up a Robotron Cocktail, and it keeps resetting and glitching up it says "RAM ERROR 33" sometimes. Any idea whats wrong and how to fix it? Also, the sound is barely audible when its turned all the way up. Any ideas?


Thanks,

Andy
 
Yeah, its got one of those JAMMA power supplies, not the original Williams. I have a spare one, so I'm gonna throw it in and see what happens.
 
Check the wiring and make sure the sound card is being powered off the 12v. It will run on 5V, but the sound will be low.

ken
 
If the other things don't work, you could also try re-seating your RAM chip at 33 or also try switching it with another RAM chip next to it. If the error pops up on the new location of the RAM chip it's the RAM chip that's bad.

Just as FYI, switching power supplies in this game have a known issue with erasing your high scores. I would get your original power supply rebuilt and use that instead.
 
If the other things don't work, you could also try re-seating your RAM chip at 33 or also try switching it with another RAM chip next to it. If the error pops up on the new location of the RAM chip it's the RAM chip that's bad.

Just as FYI, switching power supplies in this game have a known issue with erasing your high scores. I would get your original power supply rebuilt and use that instead.

I have no experience with taking apart components of PCB's... and it didn't come with an original power supply.
 
You can get a chip extractor at Radio Shack. Before I had one of those, I used a pliers but I really don't recommend that method! The RAM chips just pull out of the sockets but be careful that you don't damage the chip's legs. Gently ease them out by rocking them gently. Don't force them out.

Swapping out RAM on a Williams game is probably the simpliest thing you can do. I've done it many times - especially before I replaced the original RAM. I can't do much else with most boards. Anyone can do this.

There are three banks of RAM that have I believe 8 rows each. So RAM error 33 means the third chip in the third row is bad. Sometimes this also means that your power is low but a way to check is to swap the problem RAM with another RAM chip and see if the message changes. Also re-seating the RAM after cleaning the legs sometimes will solve the problem because the legs can get corroded over time. You are talking about an almost 30 year old game.

You have to be able to fix simple problems yourself, there are not many skilled people willing to come to your home these days to fix these old games.

You should also use a multimeter to measure the amount of voltage coming out of the switcher and the voltage at the board. You may need to adjust it.
 
I'm no stranger to a DMM. If someone has a good reference on what boards should be getting what power, I'll start testing today. Thanks.
 
Check the RAM at 33 before you do anything. take it out, and put it back in. Power up. If the error is still there, then swap it with another RAM and then turn it back on. If it still says 33 then it's likely the power supply. Since there is a switcher check the voltage. it should be around 5.1. If it's not, adjust. If it won't adjust, get another power supply.

Like I said, a switcher in this particular game is not really desirable so at some point you should get a linear one.

.
 
The RAM 33 Error is highly intermittent. i've booted the game up ten times today, and it hasn't popped up. The game will still reset though. I'm thinking its that power supply. I do have a question. The game currently has a 115V switching power supply. I have one that can only do 110V/220V. Will it work?
 
The RAM 33 Error is highly intermittent. i've booted the game up ten times today, and it hasn't popped up. The game will still reset though. I'm thinking its that power supply. I do have a question. The game currently has a 115V switching power supply. I have one that can only do 110V/220V. Will it work?

Test the current power supply's +5vdc to see what it is putting out. Adjust it to +5.10 vdc, and retest for the problem.
 
So, I started to switch out the power supply.. I need a little help in getting the wires right. I'm getting rid of this:
IMG_0107-1.jpg


And Putting in this:
IMG_0106-2.jpg


Some of of the amps and symbols seem a little different:
IMG_0105-2.jpg


So far, I have come up with this:

Wire Color: | Current PS | New PS
Brown/White | +12V 1A | +12V 3A
Blue/light blue | -5V 1A | -5V 1A
Grey/White | GND | Wierd Symbol? (Is that ground?)
Red, Red/Pink | +5V 7A | +5V 15A
Blue/Yellow | AC | AC/N
Yellow/Brown | AC | AC/L

Now, there are also some hacked wires inside the cabinet:

IMG_0108-1.jpg

IMG_0111.jpg


From what I can tell, the colors correspond as so:

Williams Harness ---------- Wire to PS
Purple/Yellow = Yellow/Brown
Purple/Yellow = Blue/ Yellow
Gray/Yellow, Gray/ White = Brown White
Gray x2 = Red
Gray x2 = Red/Pink
Orange, Grey/Green = Blue/Light Blue
Black (A Lot) = Grey White

So.... in other words... I need A LOT of help. And a quick dumb question: what does the knob do at the top of the power supply? I'm pretty sure it changes the voltage in some way, but I'm not 100%... I just really don't want to fry my beautiful new Robotron Cocktail..
 
Also, I do have a very nasty old Williams PS from a Defender Cocktail.. i don't think it will fit in this game.. and I bet money that its completely dead.
IMG_0112.jpg
 
From those pics, most of the wiring I need for a template is there. Show me more pics of the wiring. [email protected]

I have the power supply that you need, and you have the big ass heat sink that goes with it.

Shoot me a pm and we can talk about getting you all back to original if you want.
Dave
 
Just installed the new switching power supply! The game boots up like a charm every time now, but it loves flashing that RAM 33 ERROR.. Looks like I'm going for a Chip Extractor and a few new Williams RAMs?
 
Take a small flat blade screwdriver and swap out 33 with another one and see if the problem moves with the RAM, it may be the socket.
 
An option for the 4116 RAM is to replace all of it with 4164 RAM which is more reliable. Bob roberts sells the upgrade kit. It includes the RAM and an adapter for your CPU. I replaced most of the RAM in my Williams games with 4164 and this stopped the RAM errors.

There is a very good chance that with an older game that once you replace a RAM and start playing the game with some regularity you will get additional RAM failures.

If you have dirty sockets this will not fix the problem, though. I destroyed a Williams board when i tried replacing the sockets. If you have to replace some sockets be very careful.
 
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