This is my shop log for that Data East Star Wars on eBay that went for £1480 gulp.
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Complete Data East Star Wars
- Thread starter Andrew Hannay
- Start date
OP
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Here are some pictures as it was when I picked it up. And unloaded from the van. As you can see the back of it is fairly rotten.
The back of my Hook was similar, probably worse and I rebuilt it, some pics here
https://www.pinballinfo.com/community/threads/hook-line-and-sinkered.18709/page-6#post-130542
https://www.pinballinfo.com/community/threads/hook-line-and-sinkered.18709/page-6#post-130542
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There were no keys with it so the coin box door had been forced open saving me one job but I thought I would have to drill out the back box lock. However, much to my delight, I found a key screwed securely to the inside of the cabinet.
The key fitted the back box lock saving me a lot of trouble. As a quick fix I dismantled the coin door lock barrel and moved / modified the lock pins so the back box key now operated both locks.
There was battery corrosion but it wasn’t bad. I will still be removing the board to inspect it a bit more and clean it up.
It does a ball search immediately on power up and the DMD doesn’t turn on immediately. Starting a game also results in the DMD turning off and a ball search so I guess there might be issues with switch matrix or connections. The connector pins are all oxidised so I will have to go through each of those and clean them up.
My priority is to fix the back of the cabinet first, so complete strip down has been advised.
It’s Alive........just
The key fitted the back box lock saving me a lot of trouble. As a quick fix I dismantled the coin door lock barrel and moved / modified the lock pins so the back box key now operated both locks.
There was battery corrosion but it wasn’t bad. I will still be removing the board to inspect it a bit more and clean it up.
It does a ball search immediately on power up and the DMD doesn’t turn on immediately. Starting a game also results in the DMD turning off and a ball search so I guess there might be issues with switch matrix or connections. The connector pins are all oxidised so I will have to go through each of those and clean them up.
My priority is to fix the back of the cabinet first, so complete strip down has been advised.
It’s Alive........just
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Thanks, I might well go down that route then.
I just need to get the correct paint colour. Any idea what colour I can use or should I get it mixed at Homebase or B&Q?
There is some good advice on cabinet repairs here: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cabinet-restoration-vids-guide
Apart from the back of the cabinet, it doesn't look that bad.
Apart from the back of the cabinet, it doesn't look that bad.
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So now the pressure is on for me to do a good job.
Andy B did an excellent job on his. Worth having a look to inspire you if you haven't already seen it.
Complete - Data East Star Wars
Got all the bits together to re decal my Data East Star Wars. Was going to wait unti Easter to start it but then display stopped working Monday so thought ***k it I’ll start now. The decals I have bought are the black version from Retrorefurbs.com. Pete said he didn’t know of anyone yet that...
www.pinballinfo.com
Has it got the improved game ROM?
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The machine has pretty much been in storage since 2008 so no.
I have already downloaded the newest ROM version 1.07 and will program an EPROM (I have a programmer) when I've got it all up and running properly.
I have already downloaded the newest ROM version 1.07 and will program an EPROM (I have a programmer) when I've got it all up and running properly.
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Think I have found why a whole column of the switch matrix wasn’t working.
Rodent mod?
Rodent mod?
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Stripped some of the plywood layers that the water damage had got to on the back of the cabinet. It was only a small area that had de-laminated but it would be easier to repair if I stripped off the whole lot rather than try to fix the small areas. Will glue some 4mm ply over the top once I have prepared the surface. Might also have to remove the plastic cable exit hole thing as the screws holing it on have rusted and are picking through - Either that or just file them flat on the outside. Have also bought some fine car filler to repair the smaller areas.
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Rubbed down and ready for 5mm ply to be glued in.
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Plywood glued and nailed. Just needs filling and painting. 
Don’t bother cleaning the connector pins just replace them they don’t cost bugger all
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Yeah, but the crimping tool cost a small fortune. 
It really doesn’t
About £10
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Oh ok. That told me.
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That’s that done. Want to get on with the playfield now so this will do for the time being. The colour match paint doesn’t quite colour match so will buy new black style decals in the future and paint the cab black.
Hey Andrew, I read you have a programmer will you do me an eprom too?
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I took some paint flakes from the back of the head which when looking at it now is a slightly different blue to the body. Should have taken it from the side. I found a match at Homebase using the colour strips in the Dulux section. It was called Amazon Beat 1 but the paint doesn’t match the card very well anyway.
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I can indeed, but I haven’t used the programmer in ages since I moved 10 years ago. So I need to make sure my Win98 PC & Programmer setup still works. I’ll let you know how I get on. Sourcing plastics will be my next challenge.
Not gone for the new plastics myself, they seem to be easy to find but don’t know if they’re cheap repro stuff or genuine stock, anybody know what quality of replacements are like?
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I’ll take cheap repro stuff any day if they are actually cheap. So far a complete set cost a small fortune.
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Playfield strip has started
