Mattel Computer Backgammon Troubleshooting Guide
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Fault-finding on the Mattel Computer Backgammon handheld LCD game (model 1777, 1980). Mattel published no service manual, schematic or parts list, and no repair of the game has been written up. Mattel's playing booklet is the only technical source: it describes what the game shows and sounds like when it is working, which makes most apparent faults easy to rule out. Battery and care are covered on Mattel Computer Backgammon General Maintenance.
What a working game does
[edit | edit source]- Slide the ON/OFF switch to the left. The LCD shows the board in the game's starting position.[1]
- Press LEVEL and a number key: a short buzz confirms the level. Without a level chosen the computer plays at level 1.[1]
- Press ROLL: a "roll" sound plays while the dice change, then the dice windows show the result.[1]
- Press a number key for a die value: a legal move gives a double signal and the man flashes, then moves.[1]
Sounds
[edit | edit source]| Sound | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Single tone, then three ascending tones | Dice roll |
| Short tone, then four ascending tones | A man is hit |
| Buzz | An illegal move; or the computer has rolled but cannot move; or the first roll is a double |
| Beep | The cube option has been turned on |
| Beep beep, repeated | The computer has doubled and is waiting for DBL (accept) or PASS (concede) |
| Six-note victory tune | You win |
| Two long buzzes | The computer wins |
| Tune or buzz twice | Gammon |
| Tune or buzz three times | Backgammon |
Source: the booklet's list of sound effects and its playing instructions.[1]
Things that are not faults
[edit | edit source]- The computer takes a long time to move. Mattel gives 15 to 20 seconds on average at level 1, 35 to 40 seconds at level 6, slightly faster with the cube off, and longest when it has rolled doubles and can hit, or when you have a man on the bar. The maximum is about two and a half minutes, which is rare.[1]
- After you press MOVE there may be a pause before the dice roll, while the computer decides whether to double.[1]
- A buzz on the first roll means it came up doubles: press ROLL again.[1]
- No cursor appears when you have a man on the bar: re-entering that man is your only legal move.[1]
- Men flash on a point. When a point holds more than five men, the display shows the count with flashing men.[1]
- The computer accepted a move that left a die unused. The booklet says the game will allow a move that prevents the second die being used; playing both dice where possible is left to the player.[1]
Battery first
[edit | edit source]Mattel's booklet: "If game malfunctions this is the first sign of battery wear. A fresh battery should solve the problem. Use 9-volt high quality alkaline batteries."[1] Fit a fresh alkaline battery before looking further.
Symptom table
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Probable cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Blank display at switch-on | Flat or wrongly fitted battery; corroded snap; dirty switch | Fit a fresh alkaline battery; inspect the snap; work the switch. See Mattel Computer Backgammon General Maintenance[1] |
| Display faint, erratic or garbled | Weak battery | Fit a fresh alkaline battery[1] |
| Game seems frozen during the computer's turn | Computer still thinking | Wait at least two and a half minutes before switching off[1] |
| One key never responds | Key contact | Test the key in a situation where it must act (for example ROLL at the start of a turn); clean the key contacts if it still fails[1] |
| Part of the board, a die or a cube window never appears | LCD segment or its connection to the board | Compare against the board drawing in the booklet to identify the missing segment. No repair procedure has been published for the display |
| No sound, display normal | The sound device or its connection | The booklet lists the sounds to expect; no information on the sound circuit has been published |
Final notes
[edit | edit source]- No published source identifies the processor or describes the board, so faults beyond the battery, switch and keys cannot be traced from documentation.
- Capacitors are covered, as far as anything is known, on Mattel Computer Backgammon Capacitor Replacement Guide.
- Mattel's repair service, at the Mattel Electronics Repair Center in Hawthorne, California, charged US$10.00 after the 90-day warranty.[1]
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Mattel Computer Backgammon
- Mattel Computer Backgammon General Maintenance
- Mattel Computer Backgammon Capacitor Replacement Guide
- Mattel Computer Backgammon Documentation
- Capacitor Failure Symptoms
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Mattel, Inc., Computer Backgammon Playing Instructions (1777-0920, 1980), File:Mattel Computer Backgammon Playing Instructions (1980).pdf. PDF p. 4: the board drawing. PDF p. 5: switch on to the left and the board appears in the start position; LEVEL then a number key gives a short buzz; level 1 by default; ROLL and the "roll" sound; a first roll of doubles must be re-rolled. PDF p. 6: a legal move gives a double signal and the man flashes; an illegal move gives a buzz. PDF p. 7: the computer will allow a move that prevents use of the second die. PDF p. 8: the pause before the dice roll while the computer decides whether to double, with a continuous "beep beep" if it doubles; no cursor indicator with a man on the bar; computer decision time. PDF p. 9: stacked men (more than 5 on a point); sound effects. PDF p. 10: sound effects continued. PDF pp. 26-27: 90-day warranty, US$10.00 service charge, Mattel Electronics Repair Center, Hawthorne; "Important information" on battery wear.