Discussion:
OT: Solid state ball bowlers
(too old to reply)
SeymourGoldfarbJr
2014-02-25 23:57:36 UTC
Permalink
I am hoping this group might have some collective knowledge to help with solid state ball bowlers. Some say these are abominations, but I'm not looking to debate that. I love them and am thankful they were made.

Currently I have a converted bowler which is running the Stern "Stars and Strikes" software. Off this group, I actually found someone who sent me the files for these ROMs.

I just bought another converted bowler. The backglass on this one is "Solid State Bowl" and chips on the CPU are labeled "Monroe Bowl".

Can anyone tell me what the "Monroe Bowl" software is originally from? Was there ever another solid state bowler made aside from "Stars and Strikes"?

I sent the ROM files for "stars and strikes" to a company who makes a replacement CPU. He compared "Monroe Bowl" to "Stars and Strikes" and said they are different programs.

I'm just looking to expand my knowledge of these games, specifically the programs they run, since there obviously is not much published information on them.
Gott Lieb?
2014-02-26 02:07:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by SeymourGoldfarbJr
I am hoping this group might have some collective knowledge to help with solid state ball bowlers. Some say these are abominations, but I'm not looking to debate that. I love them and am thankful they were made.
Currently I have a converted bowler which is running the Stern "Stars and Strikes" software. Off this group, I actually found someone who sent me the files for these ROMs.
I just bought another converted bowler. The backglass on this one is "Solid State Bowl" and chips on the CPU are labeled "Monroe Bowl".
Can anyone tell me what the "Monroe Bowl" software is originally from? Was there ever another solid state bowler made aside from "Stars and Strikes"?
I sent the ROM files for "stars and strikes" to a company who makes a replacement CPU. He compared "Monroe Bowl" to "Stars and Strikes" and said they are different programs.
I'm just looking to expand my knowledge of these games, specifically the programs they run, since there obviously is not much published information on them.
Below is the info I wrote down about 1-1/2 years ago for the one I had.

Jim
_____________________________________________________________________

The enclosed files are for a solid state ball bowler conversion kit. This particular ball bowler has a plexiglass backglass which is yellow, red, and blue, and is simply called "SOLID STATE BOWLER" with no manufacturer markings.

On each of the original EPROMs, they are marked "Monroe Bowl", are dated 1983, and use factory Stern EPROM stickers. These chips are specifically used in a
Stern M-200 MPU board. It is unknown if a Bally -35 would work for this application.

The EPROMs were dumped on 8/6/2012 and have the following checksums.

U1 - 2c01e
U2 - 26778
U5 - 31104
U6 - 45d66
seymour.shabow
2014-02-26 05:04:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gott Lieb?
The enclosed files are for a solid state ball bowler conversion kit.
This particular ball bowler has a plexiglass backglass which is
yellow, red, and blue, and is simply called "SOLID STATE BOWLER" with
no manufacturer markings.
On each of the original EPROMs, they are marked "Monroe Bowl", are
dated 1983, and use factory Stern EPROM stickers. These chips are
specifically used in a Stern M-200 MPU board. It is unknown if a
Bally -35 would work for this application.
The EPROMs were dumped on 8/6/2012 and have the following checksums.
U1 - 2c01e U2 - 26778 U5 - 31104 U6 - 45d66
send me the file Jim and I can probably tell something about the
architecture
Gott Lieb?
2014-02-26 12:32:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by seymour.shabow
Post by Gott Lieb?
The enclosed files are for a solid state ball bowler conversion kit.
This particular ball bowler has a plexiglass backglass which is
yellow, red, and blue, and is simply called "SOLID STATE BOWLER" with
no manufacturer markings.
On each of the original EPROMs, they are marked "Monroe Bowl", are
dated 1983, and use factory Stern EPROM stickers. These chips are
specifically used in a Stern M-200 MPU board. It is unknown if a
Bally -35 would work for this application.
The EPROMs were dumped on 8/6/2012 and have the following checksums.
U1 - 2c01e U2 - 26778 U5 - 31104 U6 - 45d66
send me the file Jim and I can probably tell something about the
architecture
I sent it and Black Beauty code. LMK if you don't get them, due to the zip extensions.

Jim
seymour.shabow
2014-02-26 16:25:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gott Lieb?
I sent it and Black Beauty code. LMK if you don't get them, due to the zip extensions.
Got 'em. Startup is the same on the monroe bowl as a stern mpu200 game
(testing of ram, rom, etc. - same locations as a pinball machine since
the mpu200 board addressing can't really be changed outside those ranges).

The main loop is different, due to the differences in how a pinball
would game would flow vs. a bowler. It does not use the stern mpu200
interpreted pinball language, it's just straight 6800 code with tables
for (most likely) sound effects and/or game parameters. Did not really
look into if it uses the NVram in a different way (there's plenty of
regular 6810 ram in a bowler for game parameters vs. a pinball) - it
tests it as full bytes so the self test would most likely fail on a
bally -35 board (since you couldn't save the lower nibble - that could
be hacked out if needed - but most likely the nvram save/load routines
are straight save and load - clearly the bowler would keep track of
games played, credits, etc.
CactusJack
2014-02-26 21:05:53 UTC
Permalink
Genesis was a Shuffle bowler. Maybe someone hacked the code t
accomodate the ball return? That would be the only difference I coul
think of as far as shuffle vs ball bowler.

I wonder if the Bally CPU code was a hack of the Stern shuffle code?

Monroe was probably Monroe distributing. Mike Pacak got a ton of Ster
parts at one time (mostly solenoid drivers and 6 digit displays) wa
back when. Probably came from them?

R

--
CactusJac
This USENET post sent from http://rgparchive.co
David Rossi
2021-01-28 23:05:01 UTC
Permalink
Jim

Do you still have the Solid State Bowl Rom images is so would you be kind enough to send to me.

Thank you
Post by seymour.shabow
Post by Gott Lieb?
The enclosed files are for a solid state ball bowler conversion kit.
This particular ball bowler has a plexiglass backglass which is
yellow, red, and blue, and is simply called "SOLID STATE BOWLER" with
no manufacturer markings.
On each of the original EPROMs, they are marked "Monroe Bowl", are
dated 1983, and use factory Stern EPROM stickers. These chips are
specifically used in a Stern M-200 MPU board. It is unknown if a
Bally -35 would work for this application.
The EPROMs were dumped on 8/6/2012 and have the following checksums.
U1 - 2c01e U2 - 26778 U5 - 31104 U6 - 45d66
send me the file Jim and I can probably tell something about the
architecture
I sent it and Black Beauty code. LMK if you don't get them, due to the zip extensions.
Jim
David Rossi
2021-01-28 23:01:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gott Lieb?
I am hoping this group might have some collective knowledge to help with solid state ball bowlers. Some say these are abominations, but I'm not looking to debate that. I love them and am thankful they were made.
Currently I have a converted bowler which is running the Stern "Stars and Strikes" software. Off this group, I actually found someone who sent me the files for these ROMs.
I just bought another converted bowler. The backglass on this one is "Solid State Bowl" and chips on the CPU are labeled "Monroe Bowl".
Can anyone tell me what the "Monroe Bowl" software is originally from? Was there ever another solid state bowler made aside from "Stars and Strikes"?
I sent the ROM files for "stars and strikes" to a company who makes a replacement CPU. He compared "Monroe Bowl" to "Stars and Strikes" and said they are different programs.
I'm just looking to expand my knowledge of these games, specifically the programs they run, since there obviously is not much published information on them.
Below is the info I wrote down about 1-1/2 years ago for the one I had.
Jim
_____________________________________________________________________
The enclosed files are for a solid state ball bowler conversion kit. This particular ball bowler has a plexiglass backglass which is yellow, red, and blue, and is simply called "SOLID STATE BOWLER" with no manufacturer markings.
On each of the original EPROMs, they are marked "Monroe Bowl", are dated 1983, and use factory Stern EPROM stickers. These chips are specifically used in a
Stern M-200 MPU board. It is unknown if a Bally -35 would work for this application.
The EPROMs were dumped on 8/6/2012 and have the following checksums.
U1 - 2c01e
U2 - 26778
U5 - 31104
U6 - 45d66
TheChurchoftheSilverBall
2014-02-26 07:07:06 UTC
Permalink
I recall a stern genesis. Are you saying they were em bowlers converted to Ss?
Bruce Nightingale
2014-02-26 11:43:27 UTC
Permalink
I have a 63 Chicago coin that was converted to Bally SS before I bought it
and if you need any help just yell out.

"TheChurchoftheSilverBall" wrote in message news:fabaa9e8-e354-4245-bb2a-***@googlegroups.com...

I recall a stern genesis. Are you saying they were em bowlers converted to
Ss?
Gott Lieb?
2014-02-26 12:36:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by TheChurchoftheSilverBall
I recall a stern genesis. Are you saying they were em bowlers converted to Ss?
Yes, there was a large distributor in Ohio who converted EM bowlers to SS. There were / are a vast amount of them located in western PA around the Pittsburgh area. I'm sure there are a fair amount in Ohio too. It's pretty cool how they did them. The only thing I'm not a big fan of is that the 48VDC solenoid bus is "live" on all of the metalwork on topside of the pin deck.

Jim
c***@provide.net
2014-02-27 11:22:16 UTC
Permalink
So please help me understand... why do you like the solid state
versions of these games? personally i like EM bowlers, think
the SS bowlers (though my experience is with SS shuffles) are
"soul-less devils" of the coin operated bowling world. no heart,
no great stepper sounds. what is the appeal?
Post by SeymourGoldfarbJr
I am hoping this group might have some collective knowledge to help with solid state ball bowlers. Some say these are abominations, but I'm not looking to debate that. I love them and am thankful they were made.
Currently I have a converted bowler which is running the Stern "Stars and Strikes" software. Off this group, I actually found someone who sent me the files for these ROMs.
I just bought another converted bowler. The backglass on this one is "Solid State Bowl" and chips on the CPU are labeled "Monroe Bowl".
Can anyone tell me what the "Monroe Bowl" software is originally from? Was there ever another solid state bowler made aside from "Stars and Strikes"?
I sent the ROM files for "stars and strikes" to a company who makes a replacement CPU. He compared "Monroe Bowl" to "Stars and Strikes" and said they are different programs.
I'm just looking to expand my knowledge of these games, specifically the programs they run, since there obviously is not much published information on them.
SeymourGoldfarbJr
2014-02-27 13:32:46 UTC
Permalink
I don't know why I am even replying. I want this thread to be about expanding my knowledge of SS bowlers, not debating them.

But to answer your question.....I have no fond memories of EM equipment. I was born after the last EM pinball was ever made. I have no memories of ever playing an EM machine as a kid. The sounds of stepper units, relays and chimes are foreign to me. The idea of fixing a PC board is way easier than fixing and EM (which I never have). It's like arguing what's better carbs. vs. fuel injection. I've never owned a car with a carb nor have I ever worked on one. It's simply not something I want in my garage now. I'd rather be able to plug a computer into my car and tune it. I feel the same way about SS vs. EM.
j***@gmail.com
2018-10-15 16:11:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by SeymourGoldfarbJr
I am hoping this group might have some collective knowledge to help with solid state ball bowlers. Some say these are abominations, but I'm not looking to debate that. I love them and am thankful they were made.
Currently I have a converted bowler which is running the Stern "Stars and Strikes" software. Off this group, I actually found someone who sent me the files for these ROMs.
I just bought another converted bowler. The backglass on this one is "Solid State Bowl" and chips on the CPU are labeled "Monroe Bowl".
Can anyone tell me what the "Monroe Bowl" software is originally from? Was there ever another solid state bowler made aside from "Stars and Strikes"?
I sent the ROM files for "stars and strikes" to a company who makes a replacement CPU. He compared "Monroe Bowl" to "Stars and Strikes" and said they are different programs.
I'm just looking to expand my knowledge of these games, specifically the programs they run, since there obviously is not much published information on them.
Just picked up a project for my Son and I to work on. It to is a converted EM ball bowler to solid state. Has a Bally MPU with hand labeled roms in U2 and U6? U1 has socket but its empty. Have not tried it yet as the Stern solenoid driver voltage section is blown needs to be repaired. Appears this was a chicago coin Holiday at one point in its past. Just looking for any info or files that may help us bring this back to life
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