- TechToolsList - listserv.classicarcade.com

power supply question
by tom mcclintock 03 Dec '99

03 Dec '99

Does anyone have any good opinion as to a proper bench adjustable power supply unit? For repairing most game boards, I will need the standard +-12 VDC, and a generous +24 VDC for some Gottlieb sound boards, but I never see any mention of the proper amperage, and all the bench supplies I have seen vary wildly in their specs. Suggestions? tom

2 1

Re: Atari orange test fixture
by John Robertson 30 Nov '99

30 Nov '99

1 0

Atari orange test fixture
by tom mcclintock 30 Nov '99

30 Nov '99

Ok: I'm in the process of acquiring that orange Atari test fixture that was just on eBay, and I'm wondering who has any documentation on this? Or even the correct name? John Robertson - I know you have one of these, and I know it's strictly for raster games, but what else can I do with it? Am I correct in assuming it is basically a test rig? Here's a link to the auction: (http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=205478827) tom

2 2

Re: Atari orange test fixture
by Thomas43＠aol.com 29 Nov '99

29 Nov '99

In a message dated 11/29/99 3:25:36 PM, ayeckley(a)neo.rr.com writes: << On a similar topic, has anyone ever seen/have an Atari PBS-1 Simulator (for testing Atari Pinballs)? >> No, but I have these two units- The Atari Universal Test Fixture for testing B&W stuff and an Atari RAM/ROM tester. The UTF connects to a television via an RF adapter. It has program plugs for a bunch of B&W games. The logic board plugs into the yellow cable with the edge connector. Here are some pics. www.safestuff.com/utf1.jpg www.safestuff.com/utf2.jpg www.safestuff.com/ramrom.jpg Scott

2 1

Re: Atari orange test fixture
by Thomas43＠aol.com 29 Nov '99

29 Nov '99

In a message dated 11/29/99 10:34:38 AM, tomm(a)mgcap.com writes: << Ok: I'm in the process of acquiring that orange Atari test fixture that was just on eBay, and I'm wondering who has any documentation on this? Or even the correct name? John Robertson - I know you have one of these, and I know it's strictly for raster games, but what else can I do with it? Am I correct in assuming it is basically a test rig? Here's a link to the auction: (http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=205478827) >> I emailed my friend at Atari and asked him about the unit, and here was his response. << Yes that's a picture of a CTF 1 (Computer Test Fixture) or as we use to call it 'a boat anchor'... It uses a program plugs like the ones on the PAT. The plugs are not compatible and if mistakenly plugged into the PAT could do considerable damage to the PAT. Later>> I own a PAT 9000, and all the game adapters only use one of those plugs per game. This unit uses 3 per game. I would suspect that the plug adapters for this unit would be nearly impossible to come by. I also did some research on the parts required to make one of the adapters for the PAT 9000. You can order all the parts needed from ITT Cannon, but they will cost about $125 per plug. Just multiply that by 3 for each plug you need for this unit. That's about all I know, and all my source could remember. Scott

1 0

CAT Cwestions?
by Trollian 29 Nov '99

29 Nov '99

Hi to all TTL'ers! I have just acquired another CAT box but this time I got 3 pods with it.(6809,Z8002,Z80) I haven't quite got to grips with it as yet but have a few questions if anyone can help Which Atari games use the Z8002 & Z80? The Z80 pod I got was uncased..... did it come this way and why 4 connectors? Did Atari ever have a manual which accompanied these pods? What other Atari pods were produced? Anyone have the Atari info for the mod required to do ROM checksums with the CAT? How good a job does the CAT box do? (Are all my troubles over?) Anyone got a flyer for the CAT box? Thanks in advance -- XY-Man

3 2

RE: Fluke 9010
by Clay Cowgill 28 Nov '99

28 Nov '99

> Here is what I get and the > "correct" checksums" > Fluke: Normal: > 3C61 A1A3 > 225B 325D > FD8B 1C21 > I just use the Fluke's checksums as that-- Fluke checksums. It's really best as a "make a record of a good board, save it to tape, and then use it to check bad ones" tool. I use it as a sort-of a multiprocessor ICE for my multigame work. VERY handy just being able to go out and read and write memory-- particularly when you're messing with the memory map. (It's also very nice to use as a manual-tester for setting registers and whatnot when troubleshooting.) The RAM checks are slow-- but they beat the hell out of the memory they're testing. Full walking bits, edge and column sensitivity test, etc. It's a thorough check with real access speeds. If it doesn't find bad bits there probably aren't any... "Auto" is slow too, but once again it's doing a lot of stuff-- multiple checks for ROM, RAM, I/O, etc. It does a pretty respectable job, although large areas of "FF" in ROMs can throw it off. On unknown boards watching the monitor is pretty educational during bus-test-- easy to see where screen memory, sprite RAM, etc. is... The "Bus" test has saved my ass a couple times on the Exidy Multigame already-- solderpaste had shorted out an address line, but the 9010 caught it immediately. Same situation on a control line. It the Fluke complains while doing an operation (like a read or a write to memory) about anything funny on the bus-- believe it. I ignored it (figuring it was just a glitch) and lost about two days thinking there was something wrong with my FPGA until I just hit "bus test" and found the shorted lines... In general, with most PODs you can tell the Fluke to ignore or respect the CPU status lines (reset, bus request, bus grant, whatever). My 6809 pod (for instance) tells me when reset triggers. I haven't really had any problems with my pods reliability-wise. -Clay

1 0

Re: Fluke 9010
by Matt Rossiter - Verio Southern California 28 Nov '99

28 Nov '99

I really think the "key" to using the Fluke 9010 is in learning to program it. Once I get some time - I was thinking of writing a couple of simple programs for games like Defender- just to sort of get started. The nice thing is - you can dump the program out into a text file through the RS232 interface and let someone else add something to it - send it back and reload it into the 9010a by cut and pasting it into a terminal program like hyperterm. Of course, I guess not too many people have a 6809/E fluke pod? Perhaps I should just stick with 6502 or Z80 games. I'll try to get something simple started this week just to get some participation going if that's cool with other people. By the way, are we FINALLY allowed to talk about raster games? Matt _____________________________________________________________________ On Sat, 27 Nov 1999, John Robertson wrote: > Hi Dave! (coinop2000(a)aol.com) > > This is a question that would be better posed to the TechToolsList. I think > the Fluke is good, but slow. The Atari Cat Box is also good, but very > rare... There is a project going on to make a board tester that plugs into > the CPU socket and then you run it from a IBM compatible computer.. As for > pricing, well I found mine on the 'net for around $150US with four pods, > your mileage may vary. I've seen them sell for $100 and up just for the > base unit, and the pods sell for quite a bit...I'm looking for an 8080 pod > fer instance... > > To subscribe to to the techtoolslist send email to: > > techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com > > and have the subject:Subscribe. > > John :-#)# > > At 11:38 AM 11/27/1999 -0500, you wrote: > >I have been reading your thread on the 9010. I need something to test RAM > >onboard for Atari, etc. Sounds like the 9010 is a good choice. I'd also > >need to get pods for CPUs, right? What is a good price for a used one? Any > >other models you can suggest? > > > >thanks > > > > > >Dave > > > John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 > Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games) > http://www.flippers.com > "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out." > >

2 1

Re: Fluke 9010
by ayeckley 27 Nov '99

27 Nov '99

>Follow up on my chat about this 9010 gizmo. What is it with the ROM >checksums with this beastie? They are not the standard ones, and I am not >sure what they represent. Here is what I get and the "correct" checksums" This is not unique to the Fluke 9010. The problem is that there are several ways of calculating a checksum. The Fluke appears to use one of the less popular techniques. I use a known good board and perform a ROM test to get the correct value - I don't think you can convert from one technique to another. BTW, lots of us would be happy to buy pods for the 9010. If anyone stumbles on a treasure-trove of them, please speak up! Anyone want want an 8086 pod? I need a 6502. Alex http://home.neo.lrun.com/ayeckle/ ayeckley(a)neo.lrun.com (Play) yecklea(a)diebold.com (Work)

2 1

RE: Fluke 9010
by Keith, Brendan 26 Nov '99

26 Nov '99

I just bought one but only have the 8085 pod, so far. Since you're unhappy with yours, you can sell me your other pods. There was a guy selling a U820 8080 analyzer in Victoria, recently. Brendan Keith brendan.keith(a)wilcom.com > ---------- > From: John Robertson[SMTP:jrr@flippers.com] > Sent: Thursday, November 25, 1999 12:09 PM > To: techtoolslist(a)flippers.com > Subject: Fluke 9010 > > How many folks are using this gizmo? I find it rather slow in comparison > to > the Atari CAT BOX. Also the fact that the Pod self test doesn't check the > upper address lines is not so great either...how is one to be sure they > are > running correctly? >

2 2