Asteroids Deluxe - Armitage

Asteroids Deluxe Atari 1980. This game was picked up non-working. The following is the repair log of what was done to get it going. Cabinet is is excellent condition along with the physical condition of the power supply, AR board, and game pcb. However, the game pcb is not working.

This is a rev.01 board dated March 18, 1981.

Repair Log:

Game constantly watchdogging in normal mode and no video in play mode or test mode.

The 7442 at L5 was socketed and pin 1 pulled to isolate DMAG0. Game would now play blind and test mode came up with one low beep to indicate all ram/rom chips passed the power on tests (Same as compared to working boardset). This verified that the MPU was running correctly and that the issue lies in the VSM (vector state machine).

PCB electrolytic caps were all replaced using kit from Bob Roberts.

All voltages from the AR board on on the game pcb tested fine.

Program rams (2114's) were pulled, socketed, and replaced with new chips at L1 and M1.

The 74245 at E2 was pulled, socketed, and replaced with a new chip.

Pin 1 of L5 (7442) was reinstated so the VSM was again active. Board was still constantly resetting.

Watchdog was disabled by grounding the watchdog test hook and the game would play blind, however it was running slowly and sounds/game were slowed compared with a normally operating board.

F4, H4, and J4 were all replaced (74LS193N's) and no change.

C8 prom swapped with one from a known working board. No change.

E8 74LS42 socketed and replaced. No change.

K5 74LS08N socketed and replaced. No change.

Game roms D1, E/F1, F/H1, J1, N/P2, R2 swapped into a known working board and worked fine. Known working roms swapped into this board and no change.

6502A swapped from a known working board and no change. 6502A from this board works fine in known working board.

8-22-10 Socketed and replaced the 74LS161N at B6. Pin 15 (output) was stuck low, replaced chip and it is now pulsing. No change to game though, VSM still not running and game watchdogging.

9-11-10 Socketed and replaced the LF353N's at A12 and C12 with NTE858M's per the nteinc.com cross reference page. No change to game.

9-11-10 Socketed and replaced the TL081CP at B/C12 with NTE857M per the nteinc.com cross reference page. No change to game.

9-19-10 Socketed and replaced the TL081CP at E12 with new TL081CP.

9-19-10 Socketed and replaced the 4016B and B12 with new 4016B.

9-19-10 Socketed and replaced the 4016B at D12 (see pic below). Pin 1 was stuck high. Game is fixed. There were several problem chips, but this is the last one that I replaced when the game started working.

9-26-10 Game started acting up again, would run for a while, then go into constant reset mode (damn....)