7 replies to this topic

[ldo]

Hi All.

Found this forum only a few days ago. I had no idea there were so many Fruity Nuts (like me) around the world .

I am trying to resurrect an old MPU3 cabinet I managed to get my hands on but I need to ask someone with previous experience with board level repairs on a Barcrest MPU3.

Here is the question: If one of the static RAM chips is blown (IC7 or IC8) will it cause the entire cabinet not to start up at all?

I have tested all the input voltages and all chips (except for IC7) have the correct VSS (+5v). IC7 seems to be pulling its supply voltage down to around +2.8v. All power supply voltages are correct also but the cabinet does nothing (an I mean nothing!).

There are no lights, no sound, nothing on 7 segment display. Could a faulty RAM chip cause the machine not do do ANYTHING?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

Fellow Fruity lover.

Duwane

[Bencrest]

Hi Duwane,

Theres a couple of techie types that visit here, and will probably be able to help you. However, as MPU3 is an old platform, it may be worth checking out the MPU Mecca, which is dedicated to the older machine platforms, including MPU3.

It's address is

http://www.fruitemu.co.uk

Worth trying a couple of places if it helps you resurrect your bandit

By the way, which machine is it? Any details on manufacturer, name, and a year would be great

Regards,

Ben

[ldo]

Hi Ben.

Thanks for the help. I will check out the Mecca and ask there as well. I have posted a classified add here looking for someone with an MPU3 unit for sale. I know that the chances are slim but worth a try as well.

The machine is called a Rollamatic. It is a bit like a slot machine I guess with three reels and a game feature which looks like a roulette wheel just below the reels (made up of bulbs behind the plexie). The manufacturer of the cabinet I think is a company called Nationwide Group (as this is what is printed on the front control panel) and the year is 1987 (I think - also from control panel).

Not sure if this is what you guys call a bootleg maybe but I used to love playing these machine in casinos and pubs back in the day. It has an original Barcrest MPU3 and Barcrest Mains distribution & lighting unit and is running Ver. 3 of the rom (as this is what is stuck on the EPROM).

At the moment I am trying to find some new RAM chips to see if it does make a difference, but until then I was wanting to find out whether it was worth the cash and time trying to source these OLD chips.

Regards.

Duwane

[GaryMPU34]

Where are you from Ido? Might be able to sort something out

Gary

[ldo]

Hi Gary.

I am in Auckland, New Zealand. Sorry but I am new here Gary. What do you mean by sort something out? Do you do repairs on MPU3 boards?

If you want to see a picture of the machine I have another thread running at fruitemu.co.uk as suggested by Bencrest.

http://www.fruitemu....read.php?t=1555

Regards.

Duwane

[GaryMPU34]

Ah bit far away then lol

I have an mpu3 machine in the garage that is complete so could have tried swapping bits to make sure it is the board thats failed and not just the PSU. But its a bit far to bring the bits around

[ldo]

Thanks for the offer Gary. That would have been ideal... Grrr.

I have a fair level of electronics experience and do have access to an Oscilloscope if someone can tell me what to check for I can do it. I also have the schematic for the MPU3 which is what I have been using for my testing up to this point but now need someone with experience using microcontrollers or MPU3 repairs to see if the data is getting where it is supposed to.

Regards.
Duwane

[Guitar]

This is just a suggestion but if you remove the cover on the PSU there are (5 I believe) fuses clearly visable. Check them. Nothing at all happening suggests a power supply problem as some lights come on directly without going through any IC chips and as long as the power is on, they are on. You may have checked this already but I just wanted to say as it may help. I used to own an MPU3 triple chance machine and it kept blowing one of the fuses.

I hope this helps.