HELP! Bank Error and ROM Cartridge error

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tandrews_ny

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I have two different games giving me weird issues. They work fine in my friends 1 slot, I have a 4 slot.

I have a samuari shodown 4 that gives me a bank error message and a metal slug x that gives me "this rom cartridge is for use with original snk boards only." It doesn't matter what slot I put them into, the errors persist.

They are legit boards from what I can tell, all normal chips, no window'd chips.

Any help would be great as I need these working.
 
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tandrews_ny

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Anyone? Would this likely be an issue with the MVS or the cartridges? I need a starting point.
 
madman

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Are the cart edges clean? Did you try clearing the backup RAM?
 
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tandrews_ny

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madn00b said:
Are the cart edges clean? Did you try clearing the backup RAM?
Click to expand...

I used rubbing alcohol, I don't have any contact cleaner. I was going to try with a rubber eraser today.

Why would they work in another system and none of my slots?

I think I cleared it right, flipped switches, left it for a few minutes? I also did the A+B+C thing.
 
wyo

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If the carts work fine in the 1 slot then the cause is your 4 slot or something else other than the carts.
 
madman

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Have you checked voltage? I've heard of weird 4 slot issues when there isn't enough power to it.
 
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tandrews_ny

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Yes sir, ~5.1 with cartridges.

Now I measured this at the PS. I will measure at the cartridge slot too.
 
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tandrews_ny

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JoeAwesome said:
Are you comparing them to MVS scans, or winging it? Pics would help.
Click to expand...

To some extent winging it I guess, but I will compare them to MVS scans in a bit. Doesn't explain why the work in another unit, but worth doing.

Edit:
SS4 - completely legit based on mvs scans
Metal Slug X - completely legit too
 
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JoeAwesome

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What are your other carts? Are you plugging those in with the problem carts, or just the problem carts individually?
 
BIG BEAR

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I am trying to recall from memory .. I believe this may be a battery issue... is your battery dead on your 4 slot?
BB
 
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tandrews_ny

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BIG BEAR said:
I am trying to recall from memory .. I believe this may be a battery issue... is your battery dead on your 4 slot?
BB
Click to expand...

How can I tell? I assume setting the calendar and shutting it off? I can sure as hell check.

If anyone else has an idea, let me know.
 
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tandrews_ny

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BIG BEAR said:
I am trying to recall from memory .. I believe this may be a battery issue... is your battery dead on your 4 slot?
BB
Click to expand...

I checked the clock and found if I set it the values remained through power off. I also cleaned the slot and cartridge with contact cleaner. I'm at my wit's end here...It doesn't make sense, both games work fine in another neo Geo:((
 
BIG BEAR

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Check the dip switches and make sure none are turned on. (7 on=free play which is fine)
BB
 
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tandrews_ny

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BIG BEAR said:
Check the dip switches and make sure none are turned on. (7 on=free play which is fine)
BB
Click to expand...

All are up and show off in test.
Even odder is the games both worked when I first got them. Then I went to play them and they didn't
 
BIG BEAR

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What bios chip do you have inserted? Swap the bios chips if you have access to another. If you are using a uni-bios,disregard.
BB
 
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tandrews_ny

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BIG BEAR said:
What bios chip do you have inserted? Swap the bios chips if you have access to another. If you are using a uni-bios,disregard.
BB
Click to expand...

Whatever it came with so I imagine stock? I don't have a 1024 EPROM. Is the bios a windowed prom? I could erase and reprogram it if it is.
 
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tandrews_ny

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Ok, so I used the built in rom checking function and heres the results:
SS:
Program rom: Ok
Every bank 0-3: No Good

Metal Slug X:
Program + Bank 0: OK
Bank 1-3: NG

Question becomes, is this a hardware issue or a cartridge issue.

Attached photos.
 

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tandrews_ny

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is there a chip that controls the bank switching on the neo geo?

Used the diag bios and all tests passed. If that helps any.
 
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tandrews_ny

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Here is a final check list of all I've done:
* Flashed to Unibios and checked the roms, see above pictures
* Cleaned the carts and edge connectors real well (contact cleaner)
* Cleaned the board to board connectors
* Verified voltage @ the harness and PS
* Verified cartridges worked on another Neo Geo.
* Checked internal battery
* Cleared work ram.

I'm waiting on replacement cartridges to test those. In the mean time, does ANYONE have any ideas? thank you.
 
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