Atari Breakout - Game Structuring; Functional Check of Game Operation

time, after application of AC power. To check the
switch near the coin mechanism assembly unlock
the coin mechanism access door and swing the door
all the way open. The correct response is that the TV
screen should go dark before the door has reached
its
fully open position. Next close and lock the door.
Doing this should restore AC power and the picture
will reappear on the TV screen. To check the switch
beneath the table top again unlock and open the
coin mechanism access door.
After the door is opened and after the screen
has gone dark, reach inside the cabinet and pull
down on the spring-loaded chain that connects to
the table top lock bolts holding the table top in
place. While still pulling down on the chain, use the
other hand to raise the table top up by about 3 or 4
inches.
Now keep holding up the table top but with
the other hand release the chain, pull the hand out,
and close and lock the coin mechanism access door.
The TV screen should now remain dark, even
though the access panel is in place and the coin
door is closed. Then lower the table top and push it
fully down so that both spring-loaded lock bolts can
be heard snapping into place. The correct response
is
that a picture will appear on the TV screen only
when the table top is fully locked into place.
Do not go oh to the remaining paragraphs in
this section until the operation of all interlock
switches has been checked and found to be correct.
4.3 GAME STRUCTURING
Before putting the game into operation at the
game site, the garne structuring should be defined
by the owner/operator. The term "game structur-
ing" refers to the game rules and the duration of the
play sequence. Paragraph 3.3.4 of Section Ill in this
manual covers the owner/operator options featured
in this game and describes how they affect the game
structuring.
In the "Breakout" game all structuring is ac-
complished by selecting positions on various
switches mounted on the game printed circuit
board. To do this the board has to be removed from
its metal enclosure and then the switch positions
have to be adjusted by hand.
Before performing any adjustment, the game
should be de-energized or not operating. Further, it
is also recommended that the power cord be un-
plugged beforehand.
Unlock and open the rear panel access door;
doing this should cause the in~erlock switch to de-
energize the game, as described in paragraph 4.2.2.
If the switch fails to de-energize the game, im-
mediately close and lock the door, unplug the
power cord, and refer to Section VI of this manual to
adjust and/or replace the switch.
While being careful to avoid touching any parts
of the body against the TV chassis components or
other wiring connections inside the cabinet, find thf
metal enclosure that houses the game PCB. Then
unplug the edge connector to the RF board on the
front of the enclosure, carefully noting how the
connector plugs in. (It must be reconnected in
exactly the same way after the switch positions have
been changed.) Next remove the screws holding the
RF board onto the enclosure and unplug the RF
board from the game PCB. Now the game PCB has
been
freed so that it can be slid out of the enclosure
far enough to allow access to the switches. Examine
the surface of the board and identify the switches
shown in Figure 4-1. (Their exact locations are
shown on the PCB assembly drawing, drawing
number A004533 in Section VII of this manual, with
designations S1 through S4; the volume adjustment
potentiometer is designated RSO.) Figure 4-1 also
shows the letters and numerals engraved on the sur-
face
of the board alongside each switch.
(a) Game Credits Switch. Slide the stud on top
of the switch body all the way towards "1/P" to struc-
ture the game for 1 credit/coin, and towards "2/P"
for 2 credits/coin.
(b) Bonus Credit Switch Assembly. Each of the
four two-position switches can be independently set
to either an "on" or "off" position. Table 4-1 shows
the correct setting of each switch to structure . the
game so that no bonus credits will be given, ana
other settings to allow one bonus credit upon
achievement of a given score level. A setting for
either 200 or 300 points is recommended.
(c) Number of Ball Serves Switch. Slide the stud
all the way towards "3B" to structure the game for 3
ball serves per player, and towards "SB" for 5 ball
serves.
(d)
Picture Rotation Switch. Slide the stud to-
wards "NORM" when the board is installed in an
upright cabinet, and towards "CIC" when in a
cocktail table cabinet.
After the desired structuring has been set up,
slide the game PCB back into its enclosure and plug
the RF board back on to the game PCB. Replace the
RF board on the front of the enclosure and secure it
in place. Then replug the edge connector back onto
the RF board, making sure that it is reconnected in
the way originally found.
After performing these adjustments, close and
lock the side panel, and energize the game.
4.4 FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF GAME OP
ERATION
The following procedure provides a simple