Star Wars Pachinko - Wont start first time?

[markjbevan]

Evening all!

I recently bought a Star Wars pachinko, and was very impressed with the machine - the sound, video and general presentation is extremely impressive!

However, I have encountered a problem. When the machine arrived, I switched it on and rather than starting straight off, it seemed to have problems initialising. Basically, a line periodically flashed across the screen, a random selection of lights illuminate and the R2D2 charachter just moves back and forth - but the machine does not start.

Initially, I just left it trying to start in case it was havnig problems as it has been moved in transit, but eventually it times out and the machine remains dark and does not start. Eventually, after switching on/off a few times it started ok. However, next time I switched it on the same thing happened - but this time, no matter how many times I switched on and off, it would not start.

The supplier was very reasonably and offered to exchange the machine. However although the new machine started ok the first time, now the same thing happens and it takes a few times switching on and off before it properly starts. This gets frustrating, especially when Im showing off the machine to friends

I have been told that the machines sometimes dont start properly in cold tempretures - but this shouldnt be a problem, as it is indoors and the weather has been hot. Also, I have been told to try and reset the machine - but when I switch it on with the little button (by the internal switch) held down, it doesnt seem to do anything.

I love the machine, and would be very grateful for any suggestions what I can do to make it start first time every time I switch it on! I also have a Flunky Dog pachinko which starts without problems every time.

Many thanks,

Mark

[drcrippen324]

hi your problem is the memory back up me and the good profesor longsiders conducted an experiment in another thread and it seems that if you leave the achine on for quite a while it will recharge the memory capacitor/ battory and then next time you come to start the machine up it should be fine or not so troublesome it works alot like the cmos battory in a puter

give it a go it cant hurt

[markjbevan]

Hi drcrippen, thanks for the recommendation! As it only arrived last week, Ive only had it switched on two or three times - and they were only for a couple of hours each. When I get home from work tonight I'll switch it on and leave it on all night and see if that makes any difference

Should the er-set on Star Wars be the same as my other machine? Ie; switch off (by internal switch), hold down small button by this switch, then switch on with button held down. When I do this on Flunky Dog, I get a beep and the alarm sounds - which Iev been told is normal.

But, when I do this same procedure on Star Wars, it does not seem to have any effect. Do you think it might if I try the reset once the battery is charged?

Thanks again,

Mark :o)

[drcrippen324]

i cant remember if there is a bleep on starwars or not some machines dont bleep or alarm but you do have to hold the reset button in for a count of 10 after you have turned on

i wouldent leave it turned on over night unles you got a fuse inline between the machine and the transformer for saftys sake

[Chris]

Mark,

This is a common thing with Star Wars. I have had a Star Wars machine for well over 12 months & every time I turn it on I have this, you just have to wait for the R2D2 to seat himself & stop moving about. Once this has happened you can then turn it off & then back on with the button on the side. It should then come on.

[Tulsa]

This is common in Star Wars?

I know that Arby said mine never saw life inside of a parlor but it's never happened to me and I've had it for quite sometime now.

[hanabi]

This is common in Star Wars?

I know that Arby said mine never saw life inside of a parlor but it's never happened to me and I've had it for quite sometime now.

I also never have a problem with starting up my Star Wars - no matter how long it's been switched off.....

[Lddrizzt]

I agree with Tulsa and Hanabi. Mine has never not started when I turn it on. It's been off for weeks at a time. One of the slots on the same power strip will alarm cuz they been off for so long and I have to do a minor reset on it, but StarWars always boots right up.
I say you might have a loose connection somewhere. Sounds like your vendor probably doesn't seat the same connector on each machine completely. And it works it's way loose upon shipment.

[daverob]

I wouldn't expect it to be a loose connector type of problem as the same problem seems to exist on all of my Sankyo pachinkos, and most of them have been completely dismantled and reassembled quite a few times.

In my experience it does seem to be a temperature dependant issue. My games room is unheated and in the winter this happens all of the time, even after the machines have been switched off for only a couple of hours, in the summer they can be switched on first time with no problems, even if left for weeks between being powered up.

On my machines the critical temperature between working fine and not powering up seems to be between 10 and 15 degrees celsius (50-60 F). If your games are in your house, then they might never get cold enough for it to be a problem.

If it is the memory backup capacitor, then it's possible that it could be discharged faster at different temperatures, but I wouldn't normally expect that kind of variation.

I think it's time I got the screwdrivers out again, as I feel that a little more experimentation is in order...

[tornadoclaw]

This is common in Star Wars?

I know that Arby said mine never saw life inside of a parlor but it's never happened to me and I've had it for quite sometime now.

Tulsa, Arby said you started him on pachinkos. Your Thunderzone caused him to switch from customizing pachislos to his road to pachinko superstardom. Is that true? If it's true, considering that Thunderzone just came out in 2003, how did the two of you acquire so much knowledge of pachinkos in less than three years?

[birdbrain]

arby imported them, learned and deseminated his knowlage here

[luckydog]

PachiTalk Rules

If you read, you will learn

[Tulsa]

arby imported them, learned and deseminated his knowlage here

This is pretty right on. Yes, he credits me talking about my Thunderzone and that caused him to try one. From there, he became the master of them. I've learned from Arby since then.

[hanabi]

PachiTalk Rules

If you read, you will learn

[drcrippen324]

I blame pachi talk for all my addiction i started with a pachislo for my wifes crimble present and did a littel reserch first and found this place then i discovered pachinko typed it in to ebay out of pure wonderance and unfortunatly / fortunatly found them

my life was in tatters i head to have one then another then another then another then inproted them for my self then for others then well the story gose on with alot of help and support from arby and the other members my lurning cureve went in a 90 degree slope up hill so thank you tulsa fro converting arby / running this site and thank you arby for being converted and being da man and sharing your knowledge

[logicprobe]

As I recall...
Arby resisted the force of the pachinko with great spirit.

And now, the One who once called pachinko balls "nothing more than round tokens" has become the PachiMaster.
And he is an excellent teacher, as well.

[luckydog]

The Force is strong, It's very hard to resist it.

And when you run out of room, pachislos make great stands for pachinkos

[hanabi]

The Force is strong, It's very hard to resist it.

And when you run out of room, pachislos make great stands for pachinkos

yet again!!!

Hmmm......maybe that's what I should do with those Pachislos hiding out in the Garage?



PS Don't tell the Wookie

[drcrippen324]

hmm no you cant do that unless you move the pachislos in the house to use them as pachinko stands

[hanabi]

hmm no you cant do that unless you move the pachislos in the house to use them as pachinko stands

Hmmm.....You know I think you're right!

best leave 'em in the Garage, then.....