MAX7000 initialization problem

I thought we are talking about clked registers(though called latches). I understand you have clk and therefore you can run a counter at powerup reseting until count 6 and release reset at count 7.

Without clk, I never tried that but I can imagine a non standard method of a signal followed by good delay then use logic for edge detection.

After all, power up values are insignificant if you have your own external or internal reset.