Author Topic: S2000 Triple Stars ram error (Read 14639 times)

T-Stars · « **on:** August 05, 2014, 08:15:55 PM »

Newbie looking for advice on what to do to solve "ram error" alarm/code

CVslots · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2014, 08:31:58 PM »

Turn the small brass key in the lock on the upper right side of the machine...well, right side, handle side, whatever you want to call it.

rickhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2014, 08:53:12 PM »

Door must be open when you turn the key. Then it will probably tell you to hold down the reset button for 2 to 3 seconds. That's the little white button next to the lights on the MPU board.

T-Stars · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2014, 05:09:38 PM »

when I powered on this evening I now get a buzzing noise through speakers and the second led from top on mpu blinks on and off in unison with buzzing noise. No message on display or anything else. I closed door, powered on couple times, all still the same. What's up now? Thanks in advance for any help. I bought the Triple Stars for my wife since I myself have a few old pinball machines. You all know when the wife's happy, all are happy, LOL!

Yoeddy1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2014, 05:42:24 PM »

Did you turn the key?

Jason

cowboygames · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2014, 07:12:17 PM »

Normal procedure when you have a ram error is
Open door, alarm will sound
Cycle jackpot reset key 3 times, vfd display will show "press reset button for 3 seconds
VFD display will ask you to close the door
Machine will reset

If you opened the door and turned the key once, then turned the machine off, I would try turning it on and opening the door then turn the key a couple more times. If that doesn't work, unplug the machine for a few minutes then plug it back in and try again, but close the door while the machine tries to get through it's startup cycle

By the way, the reset button is the white button by the lights on the MPU if that's pertinent information. I don't really know what you know or don't know about these machines so I'll try to cover all bases

Haywired · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2014, 07:01:15 AM »

Quote from: T-Stars on August 06, 2014, 05:09:38 PM

when I powered on this evening I now get a buzzing noise through speakers and the second led from top on mpu blinks on and off in unison with buzzing noise. No message on display or anything else. I closed door, powered on couple times, all still the same. What's up now? Thanks in advance for any help. I bought the Triple Stars for my wife since I myself have a few old pinball machines. You all know when the wife's happy, all are happy, LOL!

Is there anything showing up on the display when you turn the machine on ? ....If it is a blank screen it could be a bent leg or not all legs are seated with the SB chip ...just a thought ...Have you removed any of the chips from the MPU?

T-Stars · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2014, 07:43:39 PM »

Ok, yes, I turned the key...no response. I was getting the ram error message and alarm after usual booting message process, but now nothing but humming when I power on. Nothing on display now....have not removed any chips. Had been working fine till recently.

qbert · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2014, 08:19:14 PM »

Check the voltage on the coin battery located on the MPU it needs to be above 2.7 volts. Make sure unit is turned off before removing anything inside the machine.

Also are the three fluorescent lights in the machine coming on? One of your ballast my be bad if the lights do not come on you may have to unplug a bad ballast before the unit will come up.

Rich

T-Stars · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2014, 08:30:34 PM »

I will check voltage of battery tomorrow but the fluorescent lights are working. Thanks to all....

T-Stars · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2014, 06:53:17 AM »

Ok, checked coin battery...1.8 volts...bad. Also noticed corrosion around green 3.6v battery and some traces and nearby components...also bad. What's my next move? Replace both batteries, I can do, but not sure about trace, component corrosion, and possible board damage (hope not). Help!!! I do have the enhanced sound board which looks fine. The rest of main board seems to look ok.

cowboygames · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2014, 07:00:13 AM »

Green battery doesn't need replaced, just throw it out and clean the corrosion off the board underneath it. If the acid from the battery damaged the traces under it then you will likely need a new board and one of the vendors here can help you out. A primary indication of trace damage will be a perpetual door open message on the FD display, but you will need to replace the coin battery to find out for sure where you stand. Don't get carried away and order a new board yet, but depending on the amount of corrosion it's a good possibility

T-Stars · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2014, 07:30:31 AM »

Thanks Cowboy, for the fast reply. You and a few others here helped me once before when I first got the machine. Was around Christmas, 2011, a present for the wife, not scoring/paying correctly, was wrong SB chip. I will follow your directions once I get a replacement coin battery. What do you suggest to clean board with after I remove old green battery. Also, just for my understanding, why don't I have to replace the green battery? Could I have removed it earlier and possibly not have this corrosion issue? Hanging gutters today, part of my honey-do list. Thanks, again for all your help, Ed.

qbert · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2014, 08:34:58 AM »

When you remove the green battery clean the board with a mild vinegar solution as the make up of the battery is NmH which is alkaline. Then use plenty of water on qtips and be sure it is completely dry before you try to use it.

Good luck
Rich

cowboygames · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2014, 08:48:42 AM »

On your series board the green battery is dead weight and just a problem waiting to happen. And yes, you could have removed it earlier though it may have been to late by then anyway

T-Stars · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2014, 07:26:16 PM »

Thanks, Rich and Cowboy. I will order a new coin battery and remove green battery and do cleaning. Then I guess power up and let you know what happens. I am going out of town next week for a little r-n-r but will post results as soon as I can. Thanks, again.

Badbaud · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2014, 01:26:37 PM »

Replace the battery with a CR2032 and a battery socket.

All Electronics sells the battery and the socket.

Next time your battery gets low all you have to do is pop out the old battery and slip in the new one.

T-Stars · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2014, 06:23:03 PM »

Thanks for the tip Badbaud, will do.

T-Stars · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2014, 01:41:03 PM »

Ok, back at it. Removed old green battery, cleaned corrosion with mild vinegar, and dried well. Then replaced coin battery, got a ram clear chip set and started clear procedure. Removed stepper base chip and installed clear chip (00097). Powered up, got top two amber led. Powered down, replaced stepper base chip, powered back on, went through memory test, got Ram Error, as per instructions. Now the bad part, when I turn reset key to clear error, nothing happens...still get Ram Error and alarm. Tried turning key multiple times but no help. What next?

cowboygames · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:01:32 PM »

If you did a full clear then you have to key chip it and set accounting denom, player demons if it's multi denom capable, machine type, and all your limits.

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Author Topic: S2000 Triple Stars ram error (Read 14639 times)