Afraid to try again

[SilverFerret]

Hi,
I purchased a couple of I-Games with 3902 boards and trays a short while back (Texas Tea and Catch a Wave) and the programs are now (thanks to Buzz) both working properly. When I received the games, they were both installed on the boards so I just pulled out the existing tray and replaced it with the newly purchased game, board and tray. As I flipped on the power button, (with my finger still on the switch) I heard a sound as if something fried and instantly turned the machine off. It couldn't have been more than 1/2 of a second that the power was on. I smelled burning and was convinced I fried the machine but I put the old tray in and fired it up and it was as if nothing happened. I have since used the other new board and tray I acquired without incident but am terrified to try the tray that made the sound and burning smell.
I've inspected the board and cleaned it well and see nothing visually that is an issue. It was dusty when I received it and I should have cleaned it before putting it in but in my excitement to play the new game, I didn't.
I guess my questions are... should I try it again or is there a way to test it first? Will it destroy software if I try it again and it does have a problem? Will it hurt other parts of the machine if it in fact has an issue with the board?
Convoluted I know but hopefully someone has some insight.
Thanks, Jim

[Amechanic]

Jim,
        If it was me I would check to see if all the eproms are tight and installed in the correct direction. Then I would check the boards battery and its connections. You sure nothing's under the board? If that all checks, and its clean and dry, I would try it again. I do not believe you can do any more damage at this point if any was done? I'm not an expert, but that's what I would do..

Gary

[PLUNGER BOY]

Check the pins that plug into the mother board in the mpu make sure they are not bent and touching other pins P.B.

[SilverFerret]

Gary,
I took the board completely out of the tray and sprayed both sides with electronics cleaner. I inspected both sides as best as I visually can. I didn't see any indication of anything burned or caps bulging. I will check the things you suggest and if all checks okay, I'll put in an old Game King program and try it again. As I was posting this a new reply from Plunger came in. Thanks Plunger I'll look at that also.
Thanks, Jim

[SilverFerret]

Good news! I checked everything suggested and tested the battery before inserting into the machine. The battery read roughly 2.6 volts which I thought was low and sure enough when the game loaded and no smoke came rolling out of the machine, it read low main battery as expected. Thanks for the input. I'll replace the battery and have another back up board.
Thanks again, Jim