Ketsui fails... even to open Test menu

[emphatic]

I have a (rom fixed, label says "revision") Ketsui board I've borrowed from a very kind soul. I got a freeze bug a while ago, that forced me to initialize the "default settings" from the test menu, erasing the NVRAM on the PCB. That remedied it that time.

Yesterday I started playing and got perhaps my best stage one score ever, only to have the game freeze right when the first boss exploded (the very last big bang before the bonus starts counting). I waited a couple of seconds to see if it would just start progress a while later, but alas no. I restarted the cabinet and fired up another round. When I got to the two bomber planes a couple of seconds before stage 1 mid boss, the game froze again, but also showed me a text:

ERROR
lots of 0011100 001010 00101 etc. filling most of the left side of the screen. Looks like a NVRAM sort of error to me.

I then tried to access the TEST menu from the cabs TEST button, but it didn't work! I then reseted the board with the flip switch on the board, resetting the settings (good bye, free play on, attract sound off).

Start a new credit, and get the freeze with error message again at the exact same spot. Changed to my trusty ESPGALUDA PCB, and the TEST menu comes up without a problem, clearing the TEST switch as a possible culprit.

Any other way you can erase the NVRAM without drastic measures? OR, could this be related to +5V somehow?

[emphatic]

Going to a shmup meet at the owners house tomorrow, and will bring it to him to check on his cabs. Hopefully it'll work just fine there and I can just get rid of the worry that comes with borrowing expensive games from friends.

[Drakon]

the test button on a cab doesn't work with a ketsui pcb. There's a small black button on the pcb itself that you need to press (and hold for a couple of seconds maybe) to get into the menu.

[emphatic]

the test button on a cab doesn't work with a ketsui pcb. There's a small black button on the pcb itself that you need to press (and hold for a couple of seconds maybe) to get into the menu.

It does indeed work with the cabinets test button. We have now also tested this in another cab, and also that button on the surface of the board. The likelyhood of it needing repairs is very high unfortunately.

[yosai]

No, not another PGM problem.

If the test button is shafted then that could be a problem. Bridging the JAMMA connector doesn't work either I take it.

Just for reference, here's a copy of what rtw posted on the shmups board.

http://forum.arcadeotaku.com/viewtopic. ... ram#p65342"

Hope you get it fixed man.

Just to add. My cabs test button works fine on both my Cave PGM boards.

[emphatic]

No, not another PGM problem.

If the test button is shafted then that could be a problem. Bridging the JAMMA connector doesn't work either I take it.

Just for reference, here's a copy of what rtw posted on the shmups board.

http://forum.arcadeotaku.com/viewtopic. ... ram#p65342"

Hope you get it fixed man.

Just to add. My cabs test button works fine on both my Cave PGM boards.

Thanks for the link even though I've already read it. Yes, I tested my ESPGALUDA board in the same cab and TEST menu comes up without problems. I will get in touch with rtw though, as he's a really swell guy.

Edit:

[yosai]

Is the code the same every time it crashes?

The shmups thread has a completely different set of code.


http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 54ac0fdabd"

[emphatic]

Is the code the same every time it crashes?

The shmups thread has a completely different set of code.


http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 54ac0fdabd"

That's a crash in the original rom. This board as a revised rom. We've tried using the original rom as well, but get the same error. It's surely in the NVRAM. Too bad you can't erase it without using the TEST menu.

[rtw]

That's a crash in the original rom. This board as a revised rom. We've tried using the original rom as well, but get the same error. It's surely in the NVRAM. Too bad you can't erase it without using the TEST menu.

Actually you can, if you flip the big brown switch and hold it for 3 sec's, it will erase NVRAM on a CAVE PGM PCB.

[emphatic]

That's a crash in the original rom. This board as a revised rom. We've tried using the original rom as well, but get the same error. It's surely in the NVRAM. Too bad you can't erase it without using the TEST menu.

Actually you can, if you flip the big brown switch and hold it for 3 sec's, it will erase NVRAM on a CAVE PGM PCB.

Thanks, I'll forward this info to the owner of the board as I no longer have it here.

Edit: Does it have to be powered when you do it?

[emphatic]

Edit: Does it have to be powered when you do it?

Of course

Actually, just flicking that switch while powered off works for the regular reset due to the battery. Unless of course you have removed it or had it burn a hole in your pcb.

[emphatic]

Nope, the "3 seconds of anticipation didn't pay out" (said the nun to the vicar ). Repairs it is.

[Alukid]

Right ok, Ive also had experiences with this very exact same issue as described here with my Ketsui board.
This crash problem also occurred on first stage with my board, however this (seems) only to happened due to the following...

I havent powered on ketsui for over a year
Also this was before i decided to change the Battery (which was dead after not being used for a very long time)

From what i have experienced with my Ketsui, I think its worth mentioning that i have not had this problem as decribed by emphatic since i changed the Battery and run the pcb atleast once in awhile.

(edit)...But you know .. whatever, it's all speculation

[emphatic]

I've since checked the voltages in my cab, and the +5V was set to 5.6. I am responsible, no doubt. I really hope the repair is happening, and I can afford it.

[jonny5]

the test button on a cab doesn't work with a ketsui pcb. There's a small black button on the pcb itself that you need to press (and hold for a couple of seconds maybe) to get into the menu.

wrong....

[thechop]

Sure there's one on mine directly behind the battery or is that something else

[jonny5]

Sure there's one on mine directly behind the battery

this, but test button works fine in cab.....

[thechop]

Sure there's one on mine directly behind the battery

this, but test button works fine in cab.....

Yeah, i just think some people don't hold it long enough and think it doesn't work as it needs a couple of seconds to work.(not instant)

[rtw]

Sure there's one on mine directly behind the battery or is that something else

That is the test button, it can be seen quite clearly here:

http://www.world-of-arcades.net/Cave/Ke ... rdware.htm"

[TwonK]

true, theres no small black button on cave pgm boards.

Yeah there is.