Stargate "ram error 31"

MIKE96

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my Stargate was working fine now it has rug pattern on screen and says ram error 31, I pulled out the chip in the 31 position and reset it and its still the same issue. any help??
thank you
 
my Stargate was working fine now it has rug pattern on screen and says ram error 31, I pulled out the chip in the 31 position and reset it and its still the same issue. any help??
thank you

1-3-1 is one of the most common of diagonostic messages for this board type. It basically means that the first RAM chips tested failed. This does not necessarilly mean that chip 1-3-1 is bad, just that being first in line to be tested, it failed. Some chip other than 1-3-1 reporting bad has a much greater chance of being an actual RAM error.

First check the potential [voltages] at the 4 corners of a couple of RAM chips. Next inspect the header pins for power to the board. Report back what you find.

Saltbreez
 
Measure the voltage at the 4 corners of one of the RAM chips.

The voltages should be
Pin 1 = -5V,
Pin 8 = +12V
Pin 9 = +5V
Pin 16 = Ground

The pins are numbered starting in the upper left corner (notch being up), going counter clockwise.

If any of them are low or are fluctuating more than 0.1 V you need to check your power supply. There are 3 LEDs on the power supply. If any of these are out, check the corresponding fuses. If the fuses are good, the PS probably needs rebuilding.

<shameless_plug>
If the power supply is bad, I do rebuild Williams power supply boards and I also sell rebuilt boards. PM for details.
</shameless_plug>

ken
 
i would replace the ribbon cable going to the ROM board. while youre at it just order them both and eliminate a potential problem. i had same error code and replacing the ribbon cable fixed my problem.
you can find them HERE. you will see them a little more than halfway down, look for this:
Wms Ribbon Cable Main PCB to Rom PCB $8.50
http://therealbobroberts.net/parts.html#flyback
 
i would replace the ribbon cable going to the ROM board. while youre at it just order them both and eliminate a potential problem. i had same error code and replacing the ribbon cable fixed my problem.
you can find them HERE. you will see them a little more than halfway down, look for this:
Wms Ribbon Cable Main PCB to Rom PCB $8.50
http://therealbobroberts.net/parts.html#flyback

Why start shotgunning parts before taking any readings, and or swapping out the RAM at location 31? It only make sense if you have pockets full of money to burn.

Do the suggested testing before you buy anything.
 
thank you for all the help guys I'm gonna try and measure the voltage at the 4 corners first and then go from there.
 
I used state of the art, high tech diagonistic equipment on the board you sent me.

My nose told me there was a chip plugged in backward and was massivly overheating. Sure enough, RAM chip 1-3-1 and the 7474 socketed directly below 1-3-1 were both socketed upside down.

The board works fine now with new correctly socketed chips.

Hope you get lots of good use out of the board I sent.

Saltbreez
 
Dave, [Dokert]
Ken, [YellowDog]

What are you all charging for rebuilt Williams power supplies: Stargate [no I do not know which one] shipped?

Looking for Mike to open a new thread.

Saltbreez
 
Dave, [Dokert]
Ken, [YellowDog]

What are you all charging for rebuilt Williams power supplies: Stargate [no I do not know which one] shipped?

Looking for Mike to open a new thread.

Saltbreez

$25 + shipping for either. In fact, I have a Joust style one out on EBay right now.

I have a couple Defender style ones, just sitting here bored looking for new homes.

ken
 
Totally Agree

My SG was having same issue. Was 100% due to low voltage. Was 4.6V; increased to 5.1V and problem solved.

Why start shotgunning parts before taking any readings, and or swapping out the RAM at location 31? It only make sense if you have pockets full of money to burn.

Do the suggested testing before you buy anything.
 
Ram error

I have/had the same problem with my Stargate. It worked after reseating all the connectors, fuses, and ram chips. Still ordered the 4164s because they are mis-matched chips, and I want it to run cooler.
 
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