Discussion:
Is Stern DMD controller board backwards compatible?
(too old to reply)
e***@yahoo.com
2007-09-14 02:48:00 UTC
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Can anyone tell me if this Stern controller board (520-5055-03):

http://www.marcospecialties.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=520%2D5055%2D03

is backwards compatible and will work in my Data East Star Wars (which
uses controller board 520-5055-00)?

I thought I read a post saying it was, but cannot find it.
Regards,
Ed
Gunstar Hero
2007-09-14 02:52:36 UTC
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Post by e***@yahoo.com
http://www.marcospecialties.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=520%2D5055%2D03
is backwards compatible and will work in my Data East Star Wars (which
uses controller board 520-5055-00)?
I thought I read a post saying it was, but cannot find it.
Regards,
Ed
I think it is. I used a display driver board from a Stern Sharkey's
Shootout in my Last Action Hero and my Rocky and Bullwinkle a couple
times.
Bay Area Amusements LLC
2007-09-14 03:41:00 UTC
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http://www.sternpinball.com/APPENDIXES/Appendix-D.html
e***@yahoo.com
2007-09-14 17:03:19 UTC
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This looks like a usefull chart if you don't know what board was
originally in the game, but it does not say (or I just don't see it)
what DMD controller boards will interchange.

On Sep 13, 10:41 pm, "Bay Area Amusements LLC"
Post by Bay Area Amusements LLC
http://www.sternpinball.com/APPENDIXES/Appendix-D.html
Ken
2007-09-14 15:17:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by e***@yahoo.com
http://www.marcospecialties.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=520%2D5055%2D03
is backwards compatible and will work in my Data East Star Wars (which
uses controller board 520-5055-00)?
I thought I read a post saying it was, but cannot find it.
Regards,
Ed
Check with Terry at Pinball Life. I had a LW3 that was missing the
display and controller board. I got a new Stern controller board
(don't recall which, but Stern took care of all of the compatability
issues via Terry) and Vishay display from Terry.

The only issue I had was that I had John Wart Jr. supply the ROMs.
The problem wasn't him :-), but the LW3 download from Stern didn't
work. The old style boards use 2 ROMs and the new style uses 1. John
was unable to combine them, even tho they tested OK and the download
was successful. He eventually contacted Stern and they emailed him
the rom file. That one did the trick and the game played perfectly.

John did a great job, too, because I was under a time crunch and he
dropped what he was doing and helped me out. Great guy!

It also saved me $60 ~ $70 that Stern wanted for the complete ROM
chip.

My advice is to have Terry do the leg work for the controller board
and have John Wart Jr do your ROM's. You'll be all set within 2-3
weeks once the board from Stern comes in to Terry. Knowing Terry, he
may have ordered more than one and have it in stock, etc...

-Ken
PAPA10 #143
www.Team-EM.com
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