Old global vr arcade game not booting.. noob needs help

[MasterBri]

I just got this slide it! arcade game and the PC is not booting up.. I was hoping that someone could walk me through some troubleshooting steps on how to fix this. I don't understand the computer speak that this thing is pumping out.
I believe that my problem is within this text: but I don't know what it's telling me!

 

[turkey3_scratch]

What do you mean you got "this slideit game"? Where did you get this game?

 

[MasterBri]

I mean: I went out and bought this game...

 

[turkey3_scratch]

I mean: I went out and bought this game...

Okay, just making sure it's not pirated/illegal. Glad to know it's legal. But to be frank I have no idea else what to do so I guess wait for somebody else to pop their head in here.

 

[USAFRet]

I mean: I went out and bought this game...

What do you mean by 'this game'?
Is this something you installed on your PC, or is this a standalone arcade game of some sort?

 

[MasterBri]

This is an arcade game

 

[USAFRet]

This is an arcade game

A standalone arcade game? Can you give us any more info on this?

This thing? http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9586

 

[MasterBri]

Yes that thing lol!

 

[USAFRet]

Yes that thing lol!

Maybe go through the Forums at that link.
Specifically, this: http://forums.arcade-museum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14
Technical - Videogames - General Repair And Help

People there would probably have more specialized info on a possible fix.

 

[MasterBri]

I am a member over there. I have exhausted those resources.. this is a purely computer issue

 

[USAFRet]

I am a member over there. I have exhausted those resources.. this is a purely computer issue

Right.
A specialized, almost 20 year old, computer issue.

From your screenshot, it says "Out of Memory". That would point to a RAM issue.
So...what RAM is in there? Does it work? Is it replaceable?

Or, maybe the motherboard is shot where the RAM plugs into.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Did you not make sure it works before you bought it?

 

[MasterBri]

From what I can tell it looks like there are 2 ram chips in there. Both 168 pin sdram with one extra slot empty. I don't know how much ram there is, or how to tell. I thought the same thing when I saw the 'not enough memory thing' but at the same time how could that be? How can I erase some of it or make it smaller somehow? How can I find where to erase it from? If I get another ram chip and throw it in there won't I have to format it or something to tell it to work?

What about all the other error messages?

 

[MasterBri]

I was fully aware of its non working state when I bought it. I prefer to buy things broken. That's how you learn how to fix things, sometimes you have to enlist the help of experts of various fields.... which is why I'm here, on a PC forum

 

[USAFRet]

"How could that be?"
Bad ram chip or two. It's 20 years old. Things break.

[strike]Did it work when you bought it?[/strike]

 

[USAFRet]

From what I can tell it looks like there are 2 ram chips in there. Both 168 pin sdram with one extra slot empty. I don't know how much ram there is, or how to tell. I thought the same thing when I saw the 'not enough memory thing' but at the same time how could that be? How can I erase some of it or make it smaller somehow? How can I find where to erase it from? If I get another ram chip and throw it in there won't I have to format it or something to tell it to work?

What about all the other error messages?

The other error messages may result from the bad RAM. Or whatever is causing the "Out of memory" message.
Could be RAM, could be motherboard, could be something else.

Without dedicated test equipment, or known working parts to swap in, it is near impossible to tell exactly where the fault is.

Try moving the RAM sticks around. See what happens.

 

[MasterBri]

So In theory I can get a few new ram chips and replace the 2 and add a 3rd and it may fix at least the memory issue?

Are they just plug and play like that?

 

[MasterBri]

I'll try that in a little bit..

I haven't figured out how to use this forum that well yet either if you couldn't tell

 

[USAFRet]

So In theory I can get a few new ram chips and replace the 2 and add a 3rd and it may fix at least the memory issue?

Are they just plug and play like that?

IF the ram chips are at fault, probably.
But we have not determined that is the actual issue.

Probably is, but we do not know.
Also, you have to source the right ones. 168 pin SDRAM may be different timing, or too large a capacity that the motherboard (or the OS) cannot handle.

You need to try to source the original service manual for the motherboard. See what it can actually take.

 

[RealBeast]

^ What USAFRet said, you really need the service manual.

I collect pinball machines and stay with the analog (older) models, the ones with circuit boards are a lot more difficult to diagnose and repair.

 

[MasterBri]

I got to plying with the rams.. it wasn't recognizing one of them. Moving them around worked and the game works just fine!

 

[ex_bubblehead]

I got to plying with the rams.. it wasn't recognizing one of them. Moving them around worked and the game works just fine!

Most likely oxidation on one or more pins. It's always a good idea to reseat all socketed chips on those old boards before applying power for the first time.