Tensor Flow 1
Tensor Flow 1
Tensor Flow 1
April 2008
Page 4 - Editorial
Page 30 - Teamwork
It was sort of a mini TechFest with a lot of hands-on repair lab thrown in. We
had a really great monitor lab where we fixed dozens of bad monitors including
one 37 inch Kortek LCD monitor which we repaired in less than a half hour with
a 15 cent capacitor. That’s what being a technician is all about! A $1500 moni-
tor (I’m guessing) repaired for less than two bits.
Joining me for the training were some folks with whom Slot Tech Magazine
readers are familiar: Jack Geller (JCM), David Oldham (Suzo-Happ) and Paul
Hatin (3M Touch Systems). Thanks gentlemen, for making this a really awesome
Slot Tech training class!
Paul Hatin
3M Touch Systems
Randy Fromm's
Slot Tech Magazine
Editor
Randy Fromm
Technical Writers
Ted Befus, Kevin Noble,
Herschel W. Peeler, Pat
Porath, Vic Fortenbach,
James Borg, Mario “Slot
Tech Juan” Oliva
International Contributor
Martin Dempsey
Slot Tech Magazine is published
monthly by
Slot Tech Magazine
1944 Falmouth Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020-2827
tel.619.593.6131 fax.619.593.6132
e-mail [email protected]
Visit the website at slot-techs.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Domestic (USA)
1 year - $60.00 2 years - $120.00
International
1 year - $120.00 2 years -
$240.00
From White Oak Casino: Mark Coady, Steven “Freddy” Krueger, Jeremy Baird.
Copyright 2008 under the Universal From Palace Casino: Ben Lowry, Bill O’Neal, Mikki Johnson. From Northern
Copyright Convention. All rights re- Lights Casino: Joe Belgarde, Terry Norton, Ron Wind, Tony Henke, Kevin
served. Gentry, Elton Crandall, Billy Krotzer.
A
s the title implies, latest operating system). Note: If you don’t have
this is a how-to on EKEY3 installed it, will not
what to do (say that I guess we’ll start by actu- unlock the all of the diag-
three times fast) when you ally going through the pro- nostic features. You must
accidentally (or intention- cedure on how to wipe the have this installed in order
ally I guess) blow away the hard drive to start with. to wipe the hard drive
hard drive on the IGT AVP® You’re going to need a few clean.
platform. Of course this things in order to do this
stems from real world — job. You will need a diag- To wipe the drive clean is
mishaps we’ll call them, nostic CD, along with a very simple. Press the
brought on by one of our write jumper and an EKEY3 HARD DRIVE tab. From
guys wiping a hard drive (installation key). For the there, you enter the wipe
when it really wasn’t neces- locations of the EKEY and screen. To complete the
sary. These examples are the write jumper, refer to wipe, you must first make
from an emulated game (I- figure #1. certain that the write
Game running on an AVP jumper is installed. If it is
platform). The true AVP The diagnostic CD version not, you will see a red
games may react differently will depend on the operat- warning on the top of the
than as described in this ing system. First off, we’re screen telling you to install
article.
Figure 1
Firstly, let me say that if
you don’t have to intention-
ally blow away a hard drive,
DON’T. I can almost guar-
antee that you probably
don’t have the CDs neces-
sary to remedy this (but I
guess that depends on
whether or not you asked
IGT for those when you
Page 6 Slot Tech Magazine April 2008
The Gold Standard in Gaming Printers
Futurelogic ad here
- Ted Befus
Figure 7 [email protected]
All LCDs include Touch Screen and Controller as noted CERONIX, INC.
13350 New Airport Road
Optional Remote Control Feature Available
Auburn, California 95602-2055
Phone: (530) 886-6400
April 2008 Slot Tech Magazine Fax: (530) 888-1065 Page 11
www.ceronix.com
Slot Tech Feature Article
A
slot attendant blew almost instantly. Upon installed. The Digi-Key part
notified me that the further inspection of the number is 490-4154-ND.
top lights weren’t ballast assembly, he noticed (www.digi-key.com) The
working on a Bluebird that there was a small fuses that we have in stock
game. He said he tried two 220pf 1kv ceramic capacitor are from Newark
different florescent tubes that was burned. As the electronics
and neither of them picture shows, the one on www.newark.com, the
worked. I grabbed a bulb the right hand side description is PCB 1A 250v.
from the game next door (obviously) is burned and With a new capacitor in
and put it in the game. No bad. It is supposed to look
doubt the problem was like the component on the
more than just changing left. The replacement is
the light bulb. Why not try “new and blue” while the
replacing the ballast? I fried capacitor is “burned
swapped the complete and black.” Even the top
upper light bulb assembly was cracked open on it.
with the game next door,
and it lit up right away. We replaced the bad
This indicated that more ceramic capacitor and
than likely it was a ballast
problem. Once it was
replaced and the game
turned back on, the bulb lit
right up. Simply replace the
bad part and the game is
fine. Now what about taking
it a step further? What is
wrong with the ballast?
After taking out the two
small screws to remove the
cover, we can see the
various components inside.
Page 12 Slot Tech Magazine April 2008
Touch Solutions
for Interactive Gaming
™
For more than 20 years, MicroTouch touch screens have been the global
™
standard for interactive gaming. MicroTouch ClearTek II capacitive touch
sensors continue that distinction as the industry’s preferred solution for
fast, accurate, and durable touch.
To enroll: Visit the website at slot-techs.com for an enrollment form or contact a Slot Tech Magazine
representative at 619.593.6131. You may also fax a purchase order to 619.593.6132. Be sure to include
the students’ names and whether they wish to attend TechFest or SlotFest. Tuition is $595.00 per person
March 2008 Slot Tech Magazine Page 15
an IGT S-Plus that has a right away. The “upgraded” individual who has the
DBV 200. You may ask why bezel is equipped with a game open is in a hurry,
we may still have a DBV clear plastic piece that is in and FORGETS to push the
200 on the floor? Well, the inside part upon which printer BACK into “home
fortunately there are only a the paper slides. For some position” and tries to close
handful of them left, reason or another, not all of the main slot door, guess
especially with the new the original type of bezels what just happened? There
$5.00 bill that has hit would jam up tickets; some is a chance that the printer
circulation this spring. would and some wouldn’t. frame assembly just got
Also, they are in fact on the We had two games that bent. The repair? A small
floor and some of the would periodically have shim (such as a small steel
customers still like to play “ticket out jams” and when flat washer) needs to be
them so they must be I looked closer at them, the installed on the lower part
working properly. Before games had the older type of the assembly to bring it
heading to the shop and bezel. Of course the newer back so it is more or less in
grabbing a spare bill ones were installed and I a level position. It makes
acceptor and stacker box, haven’t heard of a problem sense though, if the printer
why not take a peek inside with the two games since. is crooked and doesn’t line
and see if there is a bill up with the bezel, paper will
jammed in the box? With Is an upright Bluebird with not print out of the game
proper signatures and “ticket out” jams? It may be properly. Once the shim is
proper personnel, the that the alignment could be in place, it is a good idea to
stacker box was opened to off between the printer and print out an actual ticket to
find a single five dollar bill the bezel. On an upright make sure it is working
that didn’t stack properly. It Bluebird, in order to fill the properly and doesn’t jam
had gotten caught between paper, a small release up. If it tests OK, the game
the “bill pusher” and the button needs to be pulled will be fine.
frame of the box. I removed so the printer slides
the bill, properly stacked it, downward a bit. Simply Atronic e-motion: Bad
and a customer tried a push it back up and it locks Power Supply Was Only
$20.00. This time it worked back into place. HOWEVER, Part of the Problem
great. A jammed bill in the ifit so happens that the
stacker was the problem all
along.
W
cate using the Senet for
hile working as a
a. Open the main door simple one way signals.
slot floor tech,
b. Press the test switch
there are times
c. Scroll through the op- With that said, we can
when you receive a call to
tions menu (press the diag- deduce that one of the
an IGT reel machine (S-
nostic switch) aforementioned compo-
2000) where the bill valida-
nents has malfunctioned
tor will not reset after the
The options on the menu sending the machine into
attendant has closed the
should be in the following the lost Netplex error. How-
main door. When you
order: ever, I would not focus my
arrive at the machine you
attention on these compo-
find that the bill acceptor
1. Accounting nents just yet.
will reset normally while the
2. History
main door is open but if
3. Options Computer programmers use
you close the main door,
4. I/O Test what is called a while-loop
the validator will not re-
5. Game Test to check the status of the
spond. Well, chances are
6. Out of Service components on a slot ma-
you have a game that is in a
7. Key Chip Config. chine. If any of the compo-
Lost Netplex error, not to be
nents is not operating
confused with Netplex link
Press either: within the programmed
down, which usually shows
parameters, then the game
up after a power reset as
a. CASH OUT = To scroll goes into a tilt.
the result of a weak power
forward
supply.
b. SERVICE = To scroll Sometimes the displayed
backwards tilt is not a true representa-
In some cases, if we re-
tive of the malfunction. The
moved the bill acceptor the
When you go through the malfunction has occurred
game would come up and
menus and you notice that as the result of another
function properly for as
some categories are miss- component or device mal-
long as the machine is not
ing, then indeed you have a functioning. If we want to
powered off. This will not fix
lost Netplex error. prevent the problem from
the root cause of the prob-
coming back in the near
lem but would allow the
I was once told during an future, we need to find the
game to be available for
IGT training session that root cause of the problem.
play. To accomplish fixing
Netplex is like a language
the root cause, you would
spoken by IGT machines In my personal opinion, the
need to remove the weak
when communicating with most common reason for
power supply and install a
devices that require two this type of error has been
refurbished or known good
way communications, such after a bill validator reset,
power supply.
as the bill validator, touch where the stacker was near
Page 22 Slot Tech Magazine April 2008
full or had jammed. Also, do is to verify that there
when I have had a weak are no pinched or dam-
power supply, it appears to aged wires (especially the
me that the current draw printer and display har-
(especially by the BV) is nesses) or the Validator
higher than usual and the harness (especially after
weak power supply cannot the drop crew has dropped
maintain the needed cur- the game). If I do not find
rent flow, therefore the any damage, then I would
validator cannot complete remove and label the
the cycle, sending the game power supply for future
into the error. reference. After installing
a known good power sup-
On occasion, the lost ply, I would deliver the
Netplex error will follow a suspected power supply
printer malfunction or be (with an explanation) to
the result of grounding or a the bench tech for testing
pinched harness on the 7 and repairs (if I had a
segment display or the bench tech).
validator assembly.
Second incident: If the
To clear a lost Netplex er- power supply has been
ror, we perform a simple already replaced or it has
soft RAM clear (swapping been tested and is known
the RAM chips). I do not to be good, I would swap
know how you would be the 7 segment display with
able to clear the error with- the game next to the one
out access to the MPU in error and observe the
cabinet. game for a couple of days
after the incident to see if
It is very important to verify the error follows the 7
the set options after a soft segment display or if the
clear since on some occa- error returns to the same
sions you can lose your game.
game settings. Like I said
before, these fixes will not More times then not, the
cure the root cause of the error would not return
problem but will make the after these steps but if it
game available for play. did, then I would look at
the touch screen controller
Clearing the error is great as a possible source of the
for bringing the game back problem or perhaps the
into play. However, it is printer. If nothing else, it
only a temporary fix unless is a good opportunity to
you find the root cause of practice removing the
the problem. Therefore Netplex devices.
some troubleshooting is in
order at this time. The Good luck.
following is how I would
proceed with the trouble- Slot Tech Juan
shooting in this particular [email protected]
scenario:
I
t can be awful when a overhead with the occa- she can’t remember what it
client’s having fun on a sional lightning bolt shoot- was she wanted to show me
slot machine and then it ing out of it and finding in the first place! Woe is
suddenly dies on him with myself trying to keep calm me. Another trigger for a
credits and winnings, past, and smile at the client bad mood is ordering a
present and future, still doing my best to re-assure nice, juicy and very yummy
stuck in it. It’s worse than that everything’s going to be hot chocolate and it gets
awful for the poor tech, in fine. It’s not healthy coming cold due to delays on jobs
this case yours truly, who to blows with a frustrated that have to be seen to on
has to deal with the client client, especially if that the floor. Oh yes, what a
trying to explain that it’s a frustrated client happens to wonderful world we live in.
very complex machine after be a very frustrated client
all and just like a light bulb and one who’s lost all his The machine in question
this can suddenly die when cash and it becomes even happened to be an Aristo-
one least expects it. It worse than that since no crat Xcite MK6. Pretty neat
would be no use throwing security personnel are machines that hardly ever
in the old “MACHINE FAIL- visible in the vicinity. Oh fail. My heart sort of
URE VOIDS ALL PAY- joy. pounds about more than
MENTS” line as this doesn’t usual when one of these
usually work in such situa- This sort of touchy situa- babies decides to pull a fast
tions. With the preliminar- tion tends to happen when one as it’s not usually easy
ies out of the way and the you least expect it (like for tackling these. Not forget-
client foaming at the mouth
and hearing him grumble in
the background heart
warming comments like
“this place sucks” and “the
thieving swine” and “I’ll
never set foot in this place
ever again” and “I demand
to be paid for the winnings”
and other colorful com-
ments which I’m not per-
Page 24 Slot Tech Magazine April 2008
ting the waiting and most having a look inside using that electric current was
un-amused client who’s still my trustworthy little LED entering the power supply
foaming at the mouth and flashlight (a Christmas unit, the mains on/off
standing very straight, present from my youngest switch was working per-
arms crossed and guarding son) whilst holding my fectly too, but nothing was
his machine so that nobody breath leads me to conclude coming out of it. It’s died a
goes to play on it. Inciden- what I didn’t want to know death!
tally, I have had cases of in the first place, namely
people trying to put money
in a slot machine that’s well
and truly dead. Proof of this
would be that it won’t be
illuminated, no music com-
ing out of it and nothing at
all is moving. I also have to
include the fact that the
mains plug would be run-
ning around the floor and
not plugged into an electric
outlet. All these clues that
the machine is for some
reason not working don’t
seem to matter and clients
still expect such a machine
to accept their money.
j l b l
jcmglobal.com 8
• 888-JCM-0008
jcmwaffletechnology.com
Teamwork
plus - Out of Order Procedures
By Kevin Noble
P
near where we want it to be
rojects such as Lottery and Gaming therefore we need to rely on
conversions, machine Departmental site structure, our extended family, the slot
moves, service reports, most of the time we have three operations supervisors. Two
and EPROM upgrades place a technicians working on these people really stick out when
lot of additional duties on major projects in addition to these projects are in full
technicians in comparison to our regular floor swing. We know things will be
the everyday routine. As responsibilities. Depending on take care of to the best of their
technicians, we encounter the number of machines and ability. Jim Leblanc and
floor responsibilities that complexity of the project, we Shelly Schneider are those
include burned out lights, sometimes have warehouse two exceptional people upon
preventative maintenance field service technicians whom we rely to help us get
projects, printer jams, and Bill available at our disposal. We through these projects
Acceptor problems which are do not have a technical without us having to pick
now the norm. With the supervisor or manager within ourselves up off the ground,
introduction of TITO, the our structure so we have brush off all the saw dust and
typical coin in and coin out developed a great working rearrange our uniforms to get
jam has been replaced with relationship with our slot shift a call on the floor that was
more RAM clears and, in my managers for project common sense. Jim and
opinion, more advanced submissions from our slot Shelly have gone that extra
troubleshooting problems operations manager. One of mile to learn different aspects
such as games freezing up, our biggest assets is the of the technical job to help us
many CPU board problems, exceptional customer service concentrate on the task at
and games not the slot operations staff brings hand and minimize the
communicating, all of which to our customers. We as machine down time.
have become a regular technicians play a large part
occurrence. RAM clears and in our customer service with When new machines arrive
machine options now take our quick response time. The and the Manufacturer’s
more time in some models technicians can be at the representatives are eager to
compared to others with have machine, interacting with the pass on operational
seen in the past. Software customer, troubleshooting, information such as how the
upgrades and Multi- repairing, and wishing the game is played, bonus rounds,
Denomination games are customer “Good Luck” after last game and bill recalls, Jim
loaded with additional options the task is completed. and Shelly stick around for
that need to be set up for the technical information that
TITO. The elimination of During these major projects, the representatives pass on to
hoppers and coin mechs has the floor duties are still our the technicians, including
enabled us to turn our focus number one priority but most RAM clears, setting game
to fiber cable, fiber boards, of the time, the technician is options and the “do”s and
poll numbers and CVTs. The either laying on his back “don’t”s of the machine’s
Page 30 Slot Tech Magazine April 2008
Bob Yabroff
President
“I have always
supported
Slot Tech Magazine”
“But to tell you the truth, the content
of this magazine is gobbledygook to
a seating guy like me.”
P E R F O R M A N C E C A S I N O S E AT I N G
800.969.0999 · garyplatt.com
S L OMarch
T S · 2008
P O K E R · T A B L E G A M E S Slot Tech Magazine Page 31
functions. They have been an getting up from the floor a half • To place back in service, turn
extension of our department dozen times a shift sure saves the reset key first, then turn the
and we have often relied on the ware and tear on our black barrel key.
them when these additional bodies and is well received in
ATRONIC VIDEO e-motion
duties are in progress. There our department. Having both
• Open the main door and press
is a sigh of relief when one or skilled technicians and the “SERVICE BUTTON” on the
the other is scheduled, knowledgeable slot CPU board
knowing that I won’t be called supervisors is important in • Select the “OUT OF ORDER”
away for an unnecessary explaining how the games icon on the top right side of the
reason. work, solving disputes and monitor.
minimizing game down time. • The machine will now display
The benefit of having a well “OUT OF SERVICE” on the
trained operations staff is the Having worked with Jim a monitor.
• Open the main door and press
customer service we can thousand times, we have
the “SERVICE BUTTON” to
provide to our patrons. We worked together in many
place back in service.
can make decisions, solve situations such as opening/
problems and answer closing doors for CVT reports, ATRONIC VIDEO
questions from your patrons. bill & game disputes, placing • Open the main door and press
We cannot compete with games out of service, the “GREEN” diagnostic button
larger commercial casinos in questionnaires, training and on the CPU board.
marketing or in being the first everyday operational • Scroll down using the right lit up
to receive the latest and procedures. I thank Jim every button to the “OUT OF ORDER”
greatest products from the day for his help and written on the bottom of the
screen.
manufacturers but we can contribution on my shift.
• Press the middle lit button to
respond to the patrons’ needs Those thousand times I have
enable.
in a friendly, knowledgeable, worked with him, the handful • The machine will now display
and timely manner. We can of times with Shelly, and the “OUT OF SERVICE” on the
interact with the patrons one million times I did not have to monitor
on one and develop better get up. • Open the main door and press
relationships with the the “GREEN” diagnostic button
customers. Ask any slot Out of Service Procedures on the CPU board to place in
attendant out on the gaming service.
floor and they can point out These are the machine “Out of
• BALLY ALPHA VIDEO & REELS
the regulars that frequent our Service” procedures we have
• Turn the rest key
second home. This means provided to the Slot
• Select the “OUT OF SERVICE”
teamwork. This means Supervisors for disabling box
making yourself more games when we are • Select “SET” and the game will
knowledgeable to the product unavailable during any of go out of order.
or service. This means going those moves, conversions, and • Turn the rest key to place back
that extra mile that Jim, upgrades. in service
Shelly, Reggie, Gary, Chris,
and I practice everyday on the ARISTOCRAT VIDEO BALLY S6000 REELS
gaming floor. • Using the black barrel key, turn • Open the main door and turn
and hold in the “ON” position the “COIN MECH” switch “OFF”
• Using the “SERVICE BUTTON” or in the “DOWN” position.
Training and knowledge is
scroll down to #6 • NO CREDITS MUST BE ON
practiced and taught at our (miscellaneous) GAME AS THEY COULD BE
establishment. It is important • To enter the desired option, CASHED OUT
that we excel in customer press the 2nd button from the • Open the main door and turn
service to attract and right on the top row. the “COIN MECH” switch “ON”
maintain our patrons. As a • Scroll down using the or in the “UP” position to place
department, having “SERVICE BUTTON” to #6.3 back in service.
supervisor’s like Shelly and (out of service) and release the
Jim that respond to the call black barrel key. BALLY 7200 VIDEO
• The machine will now display • Open the main door and turn
first and solving the problems
“OUT OF SERVICE” on the the reset key
first hand might take some
monitor.
floor calls away from us but
Page 32 Slot Tech Magazine April 2008
• Select the “OUT OF SERVICE” IGT VIDEO (BLUE & RED SCREEN) “MACHINE IN SERVICE”
bar • Turn reset key with main door mode.
• Select the “OUT OF SERVICE” closed • Close the main door
red box and the game will • Select the “OUT OF SERVICE”
display “GAME DISABLED”. box IGT S+ REEL
• Open the main door and turn • “OUT OF SERVICE” screen will • Open the main door and
the reset key now be displayed. press the white diagnostic
• Select the “OUT OF SERVICE” • Turn the reset key to place back switch located behind the
bar in service on/off switch until option
• Select the “IN SERVICE” red #90 is displayed in the coin
box and the game will be IGT S2000 Reel played window or two “0s”
placed back in service. • Open the main door and press are split in the winner paid
the “DIAGNOSTIC SWITCH” window
MIKOHN (SIGMA VIDEO) • Press the “CASHOUT • Press the “SPIN” button
• Turn the reset key and select BUTTON” to #6 “OUT OF until two 1s are now
the “MORE” box SERVICE” mode. displayed and close the
• Select the “CABINET • Select the “SPIN” button to door.
LOCKOUT” (out of order) box enter and the “SERVICE” • Open the main door and
• Game will now go “OUT OF button the place the game in press the white diagnostic
SERVICE” “MACHINE OUT OF SERVICE” switch located behind the
• Turn the reset key and the mode. on/off switch until option
game will be placed in service. • Close the main door #90 is displayed in the coin
• Open the main door and press played window or two “1s”
KONAMI VIDEO & REEL the “DIAGNOSTIC SWITCH” are split in the winner paid
• Open the main door • Press the “CASHOUT window
• Turn and hold the reset key in BUTTON” to #6 “OUT OF • Press the “SPIN” button
the “ON” position SERVICE” mode. until two 0s are now
• Scroll down to “OUT OF • Select the “SPIN” button to displayed and close the
SERVICE” using the left lit enter and the “SERVICE” door.
button and press the right lit button the place the game in
button to enter. - Kevin Noble
• Release the reset key and the [email protected]
game will be placed out of
service.
• Turn the reset key to place back
in service.
WMS VIDEO
• Turn the rest key
• Select the “OUT OF SERVICE”
box
• Select “SET” and the game will
go out of order.
• Turn the rest key to place back
in service
WMS REEL
• Open the door and press the
white diagnostic button
• OUT OF SERVICE - OFF
appears
• Press the “SPIN” to turn “ON”
and close the main door
• Open the door and press the
white diagnostic button
• OUT OF SERVICE - ON
appears
• Press the “SPIN” to turn “OFF”
and close the main door