tech: Strange behaviour from WPC game (Creech)

[Shock_me]

Hey folks,

Just wondering if I may have an issue with my CFTBL. The MPU has the battery holder removed with no damage to be seen on the board. The game also has the PMD Hologram mod installed, and it seems to be done well with all connections checked and tight.

Here are the issues. When the game is sitting idling in attract mode if you listen closely to the display panel speakers you can very faintly hear one of the game tunes playing. The "attract sounds" are turned off btw. Also I've noticed when you complete the "FILM" letters in sequence you will be awarded 8 Million points. My game however will do this when I get the letters in sequence, but it will also award me the points if I complete the letters like this: "FLIM". Since I'm getting the award both ways It's obvious to me that there is not a reversed connector somewhere.

Any thoughts? A chip going bad? I've reseated every chip and connector in the game so far.

 

[Menace]

I would try a factory reset from the service menu and see if that resolves things. It's definitely not a connector issue.
Report back after.

D

 

[Shock_me]

Thanks, I'll do that tonight when I get home Doug. Another thing I've been noticing is the PMD hologram mod gets garbled while playing the "Move your Car" mode on rare occasions. Not sure if this whole thing isn't originating from the mod or not. Hope the Factory Reset does some good!

 

[Fifty]

I would disconnect the mod first to eliminate it as the cause of your problems.

 

[Menace]

I would disconnect the mod first to eliminate it as the cause of your problems.

Not a terrible idea... especially where it's easy to do.

D

 

[mitch_a]

If the factory reset and disconnecting the mod doesn't help, maybe a bad ram?

 

[Fifty]

Not a terrible idea... especially where it's easy to do.

D

Ha! Thanks. Occasionally I pull a decent idea out of my ass.

 

[Shock_me]

So far only tried the Factory Reset with no luck. I'll unplug the mod tonight to see if that works. Which chip on the MPU is the RAM?

 

[Menace]

The RAM is the IC between the ASIC and the ROM on the MPU. It's soldered in, so swapping it isn't exactly easy.

D

 

[Shock_me]

Yeah I didn't think so. Can I just trade out MPU's with my Drac and change the game ROM to eliminate a board issue?

 

[Menace]

Yeah I didn't think so. Can I just trade out MPU's with my Drac and change the game ROM to eliminate a board issue?

Yep, these are both the same generation of WPC MPU. You will lose all of your scores and settings...

D