Big Bang Bar

[RatherPlayPinball]

Hello everyone and happy new year. Hope 2008 goes well for all. Without trying to be an antagonist, I have a few questions. If the answers are buried deep in prior threads, I apologize for re-asking....

- Status of spare parts? I think many of us would like a spare of the unique to BBB parts, such as the arrows, green targets, circuit boards, etc.

- Status of the speaker cut-outs? Whatever happened to them, I thought we were suppose to get a pair?

- Status of finding the source code for the firmware? Sure would be cool to eliminate some of the bugs.

- Is their a final manual, without missing pages and not a "crude scan" in PDF form somewhere?

That's about it!

Thanks

Jack #58

[harrrrrrr]

Jack,

Search the site for the "Scanning the manual" thread. A fairly high quality pdf of the manual (w/missing pages) and schematics is linked in that thread.

Here are the links:
http://www.robertwinter.com/pinball/bbb/shared/Big_Bang_Bar_Manual.pdf

http://www.robertwinter.com/pinball/bbb/shared/Big_Bang_Bar_Schematics.pdf

Hope this helps.

John

[jadziedzic]

Jack - Here are some observations regarding the game software.

1) I spoke with Gene and he doesn't believe he has the source code. I've tried to contact TOG but he hasn't responded to my e-mails. I was going to ask Gene about my approaching Capcom to inquire if they had archival copies, but his surgery happened right about that time, so nothing happened on that front. I resolve for 2008 to make further inquiries.

2) I've exchanged e-mail with a few ex-Capcom engineers (Pfutz, Steve King), but none of them have the source code. Steve was very cordial and shared quite a few details of how the code was structured.

3) I started to disassemble the binary code to try to understand enough about the game structure to actually make binary patches - which is a REAL nightmare way to make any significant changes. I did sort out enough details about the lamp control table to determine what has to be patched to teach the game that lamp #48B (the credit lamp on the apron) really does exist.

4) In the course of #3 I found a copyright statement for the original compiler / toolset vendor (Software Development Systems). That company was sold to Wind River systems several years back. I have obtained some documentation on the toolset which might help with #3 OR it might help if I ever get game source code from some where.

It's hard to remain enthusiastic when it doesn't seem that PMI cares about maintaining or upgrading the BBB software. They might care should Kingpin ever become a reality, but that's only a guess on my part.
_________________
Joseph "Tony" Dziedzic
BBB #39

[Bertl]

Wasn't a ring-binded manual attached with the machines? (Like other Capcom machines had.)

The manual, that came with the machine i have with me is the same like the *.pdf files (the black spots of bad copying are at the same places)

(The manual i have is missing page 106/107, but this page is in the files)

And it has the fold-out wiring diagrams.

Brgds
Norbert

[rjb]

http://www.robertwinter.com/pinball/bbb/shared/Big_Bang_Bar_Schematics.pdf are not really the schematics, they are the wiring diagrams. I would really like to get a copy of the schematics for each board. Without the schematics, if a card should ever fail, it will be tough to repair.

Are they available? They aren't unique to the BBB and should be the same as used in other Capcoms (except for Breakshot).
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BBB#11

[latecomer]

The PM manual I have certainly has schematics for the boards. They seem identical to the BBB boards at a glance. There might be the odd cap rating change or the like, but I believe fundamentally the boards are all the same between these games (except for Breakshot).

The manual is on IPDB, but ugly-big at 17MB and with their slow speed limit, will take a little patience!
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Vegemite Nick #123

[marspinball]

[kirklake13]

I got mine (2) and a key fob from Kim at IPB.

captkirk
BBB #78
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BBB #102

[marspinball]

[eandries]

i send mail to bye some and still no respons.
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BBB#69

[kirklake13]

Nothing special. IPB order form and follow up.

captkirk
BBB#78
_________________
BBB #102

[BBB94]

I believe TOG has returned to his real life. I'm not sure if or how often he can check PMI email, unless you have another addr for him. I will try to get word to him - to check the forum.

I think Gene would know more about what BBB IP is available, than TOG. One possibilty would be to call Gene and ask if he has computers, disks, tapes, etc. from Capcom and if you could go there and look at what is there.

I believe that Gene has a lot of data that is in severe danger of disappearing due to hardware obsolescence, cd rot, magnetic degradation, etc.

[Bertl]

[tcat]

Happy New Year to my fellow Big Bang Barians.......


I saw this ebay item today

http://tinyurl.com/79puyw


and it made me wonder once more about the spare parts and the speaker cut outs. It looks like some of them made it out of the warehouse.?

I am still hopeful that the parts will come someday. Just like my BBB did eventually.


Harold BBB#132

[BBB94]

Anyone that has not received parts that they paid for should call Gene and inquire. Maybe there was a mix-up.

It was my understanding that the new parts that people were hoping for were going to be combined with KP parts orders. Now that KP is on hold, at least until the economy improves, I don't think new parts are imeadiately forthcoming.