LCD Startup issues CR Crimson Fear 2003

[matthew818ply]

Lately when I turn on my machine the screen shows grey pixels and flashes, usually random LED sections turn on, or sounds play. I have to turn the machine on and off 20 times or so to get the machine loaded and ready. How can I fix this?

[compirate]

Is it in a cold room? Sankyo's seem to have that issue with cold.

[heima]

If not temperature, then some part is starting to fail.

[daverob]

If not temperature, then some part is starting to fail.

It's the 'Samurai Force' graphics chip used on quite a few Sankyo machines in the Victory and Lumina frames. If the machine is cold it tends to play up like this, give it a while to warm up and it's fine. I did lots of experiments a few years ago with a can of freezer spray and a hairdryer trying to track down what was causing the issue.

If you have access to suitable equipment for reflowing the solder connections on a 100+ pin fine pitch quad-flat-pack IC, then there's a good chance it might improve things a bit (but doesn't appear to work all the time for me). Because of this partial success, I'm guessing it might be contaminated solder connections, but can't prove it without completely removing the graphics chip and cleaning all traces of old solder from both the IC and the board before re-soldering it with fresh solder. Unfortunately I don't have enough confidence in the equipment on my workbench to try this on a board that is 'kind of working ok', but bordering on irreplaceable* if I mess up something while attempting to remove or replace the chip.

* OK, while not actually irreplaceable as I could probably source one from Japan, it would probably cost more that I originally paid for the machine.

[matthew818ply]

Thanks, I can't believe these machines can't function right in cold rooms!