Gamemaker Disabled, won't recognize clear chip

[rmccoy67]

I have a Gamemaker v7000. I am attempting to change some games, but the machine won't recognize the clear chip. The machine was working fine prior to swapping 3 games. I have ordered a new clear chip, installed it but still am getting the same message: "Saferam failure; Game Disabled. To run saferam clear please insert clear chip... Otherwise reset dipswitches. Main saferam: Fail, Backup 1: Fail, Backup 2: Fail"

I could use a little help, if anyone has the time.

What I have done already..... Powered Down----> Removed Board---> Set DPSW1 to on (7 & 8 once and all once)-----> removed gamechips----> installed clear chip to P10-----> Installed new games ---> Re-inserted board ----> Powered ON ----> screen displays message stated above.

When I initially changed the games, I did not have a clear chip..... The games were not recognized so I reinstalled the old games and put it back together. The game worked fine, with the exception that the games I had removed and reinstalled were no longer on the menu. I waited for the clear chip to arrive.... Then started the steps above and the game has not worked since that time. I thought it was a bad clear chip so I had the guy from eBay send another one..... same story......

HELP. This game belongs to my mother-in-law and I am losing points DAILY hahaha.

Thanks,
Russ

[RayV]

It looks like to me that you initiated a total clear that did not complete when you changed the dipswitch settings.
For a game change only, you do not need to change the DPSW1 setting.
I am attaching a PDF below with the total clear instructions, I hope this helps.

[RayV]

I can't find my game change only instructions, but here is a link with them at the bottom of the post.
http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=163.0

[StatFreak]

While it is possible to change games without doing a full clear, keep in mind that you cannot have 10 games installed if you do so.

That method still requires the clear chip, which can be installed in any socket for a partial clear (not just P10), but no game chip can be inserted into the socket where the clear chip was used, leaving you with a maximum of 9 installed games.


rmccoy67, have you checked your battery? That's the first thing I'd do.

[StatFreak]

Oh, and   Russ

..
When I initially changed the games, I did not have a clear chip..... The games were not recognized so I reinstalled the old games and put it back together. The game worked fine, with the exception that the games I had removed and reinstalled were no longer on the menu.
...

This behavior is normal.

Besides checking the battery voltage (should be 3.7v, and no lower than 3.2v or so), make sure that you're putting the chips in properly (including the clear). The notch on the chip needs to match the direction of the notch on the socket (and the board). Also, when installing 28 pin chips into the 32 pin sockets, you must place the chips so that the unused socket holes are above the notch end of the chips.

[rmccoy67]

While it is possible to change games without doing a full clear, keep in mind that you cannot have 10 games installed if you do so.

That method still requires the clear chip, which can be installed in any socket for a partial clear (not just P10), but no game chip can be inserted into the socket where the clear chip was used, leaving you with a maximum of 9 installed games.


rmccoy67, have you checked your battery? That's the first thing I'd do.

Yes, The battery was changed last year at the dealer where the game was purchased. I did however check the battery voltage with my voltmeter and it tests high in the "good" range. I am using an analog meter so the reading falls between 3.5 and 3.7 approx.

StatFreak..... The chips are installed correctly, and I have tried placing the clear chip in multiple sockets, yet the machine still asks for the chip to be inserted.


SIde Note... I do have the complete manual for the machine on CD. When initiating the game change procedures I followed the instructions very closely. I am fearing that the clear chip was bad, and has caused a problem with the mains..... any thoughts?

[StatFreak]

...
StatFreak..... The chips are installed correctly, and I have tried placing the clear chip in multiple sockets, yet the machine still asks for the chip to be inserted.
...

Just to clarify, the only time you can put the clear chip in a socket other than P10 is if you're doing a partial clear game change (DIPSW1, sw 7 on*) . For the full clear (DIPSW 1, sw's 7 & 8 on**) you must put the chip in P10.

*It's been a while, but that's specifically what I added to my notes back when I did it. According to the manual, sw7 sets the EEPROM clear and sw8 sets the Saferam clear.  If I'm wrong and it's sw 8 for a partial clear, I'm sure someone will correct me.

** I have never had to turn on all 8 switches to do a full clear. If you look at their listed functions in the manual, it shouldn't be necessary for a home machine.

...
SIde Note... I do have the complete manual for the machine on CD. When initiating the game change procedures I followed the instructions very closely. I am fearing that the clear chip was bad, and has caused a problem with the mains..... any thoughts?

It's possible the the fleapay seller is making bad copies or that they have all been bad by coincidence. I suppose there's a longshot that the actual memory chips used to store the Saferam data have gone bad.

As for the problem being caused by damaged Mains, I don't think so, but perhaps someone with more experience might be able to answer that question.


P.S. Obviously, you should only be trying to do a full clear at this point.

[a69mopar]

You wrote that you removed the game chips then cleared the machine.  You only need to remove the p10 game chip, all of the others can stay in.  I have had to change the Saferam chips on boards before due to the chip itself going bad.

Thanks,
Wayne

I have a Gamemaker v7000. I am attempting to change some games, but the machine won't recognize the clear chip. The machine was working fine prior to swapping 3 games. I have ordered a new clear chip, installed it but still am getting the same message: "Saferam failure; Game Disabled. To run saferam clear please insert clear chip... Otherwise reset dipswitches. Main saferam: Fail, Backup 1: Fail, Backup 2: Fail"

I could use a little help, if anyone has the time.

What I have done already..... Powered Down----> Removed Board---> Set DPSW1 to on (7 & 8 once and all once)-----> removed gamechips----> installed clear chip to P10-----> Installed new games ---> Re-inserted board ----> Powered ON ----> screen displays message stated above.

When I initially changed the games, I did not have a clear chip..... The games were not recognized so I reinstalled the old games and put it back together. The game worked fine, with the exception that the games I had removed and reinstalled were no longer on the menu. I waited for the clear chip to arrive.... Then started the steps above and the game has not worked since that time. I thought it was a bad clear chip so I had the guy from eBay send another one..... same story......

HELP. This game belongs to my mother-in-law and I am losing points DAILY hahaha.

Thanks,
Russ

[StatFreak]

...
-----> removed gamechips----> installed clear chip to P10-----> Installed new games --->
...

You wrote that you removed the game chips then cleared the machine.  You only need to remove the p10 game chip, all of the others can stay in.  I have had to change the Saferam chips on boards before due to the chip itself going bad.

Thanks,
Wayne

Good catch Wayne. 


If the ram chips are okay, then you need to populate the 9 other slots with the games you want along with the clear chip in P10 before starting a full clear. You then power up the machine with switches 7 & 8 on and go though the process as instructed onscreen. Some Mains will go through the initial hardware/machine options setup with the clear installed and some will have you remove it first. Either way, the machine will instruct you when to remove the clear. At that point power off, pull the board, remove the clear in P10 and replace it with the game that you want there. Leave the other 9 chips alone. Turn off switches 7 & 8, reinsert the board, and power up. The machine should then go into the initial game setup screens (or the hardware/machine options for some Mains).

Stat