Williams Stargate - Can't make game adjustments

[t...@mydax.com]

Hi, Our Stargate is perfectly playable, but it seems to have unlimited lives, smart bombs, etc.

When I try to go to the Game Adjustment page, only the words "Extra Ship Every" is visible. The rest of the screen is black, so no way to make any game adjustments.

Game passes all ROM, RAM and CMOS tests.

I anyone could help point me in a direction to check out to fix this, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you!
Tom

[t...@mydax.com]

FIXED!

From Muel on KLOV Forums:

Tom,

I've had this happen to my Stargate - corrupt data in the CMOS causes the seemingly infinite lives and the inability to make adjustments in the service menu.

To fix:

Remove batteries from the MPU.

Open the coin door

Start the game

You should get a factory settings restored message because of the open coin door switch being activated.

Power down.

Put new batteries in the MPU

Start the game again and adjust the game settings to your desire.

..should be back to normal at this point.

(Works for my Stargate whenever this happens.)


-Muel


Thank you Muel!

This worked perfectly!

I really appreciate the help!

Regards,
Tom

[John Robertson]

On 2017/08/13 8:53 PM, t...@mydax.com wrote:
> FIXED!
>
> From Muel on KLOV Forums:
>
> Tom,
>
> I've had this happen to my Stargate - corrupt data in the CMOS causes the seemingly infinite lives and the inability to make adjustments in the service menu.
>
> To fix:
>
> Remove batteries from the MPU.
>
> Open the coin door
>
> Start the game
>
> You should get a factory settings restored message because of the open coin door switch being activated.
>
> Power down.
>
> Put new batteries in the MPU
>
> Start the game again and adjust the game settings to your desire.
>

> ...should be back to normal at this point.

>
> (Works for my Stargate whenever this happens.)
>
>
> -Muel
>
>
> Thank you Muel!
>
> This worked perfectly!
>
> I really appreciate the help!
>
> Regards,
> Tom
>

This is usually caused by a problem with the Memory Protect switch -
perhaps you play the game with the coin door open, or the switch is
disabled for some reason.

So set it permanently with a jumper wire Molex plug across pins 1 & 3 so
MemProt is always active. Remove the jumper plug to make changes...

John :-#)#

--
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[Ro Blackwood]

Having the same issue with my Stargate machine. Could you elaborate on where the MPU is located / what it looks like? Just picked my unit recently, so kind of new to this, thus starting my learning curve.

[John Robertson]

Is your machine an upright, cocktail table, or mini upright (cabaret)?
The way to access the boards is different for each version.

I recommend doing an online search for the game manuals for your version
of the game and then open up the section that holds the game boards and
check the largest board that has three AA batteries on it. Chances are
the batteries have leaked, but if the game is running the damage isn't
severe - yet.

https://flippers.com/battery.html

We service those boards here in Burnaby, BC, Canada (address at the
bottom) or if you can solder ICs then we sell the replacement NVRAM for
the CMOS Memory IC that needs to be replaced so you can be rid of
batteries once and for all!

Hope this helps get you started!