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**Reel Slots** Gaming Machines => Bally Alpha Reel Games => Topic started by: Ash100 on July 14, 2023, 04:43:31 AM

Title: Testing MPU Outside of Machine? With PC Monitor?
Post by: Ash100 on July 14, 2023, 04:43:31 AM

I have an S9000 5 Reel Game that I recently set up and had it playing great.

The problem started out with the LCD color flickering in and out, which then moved to the entire display going black intermittently until it just finally went black. Now it just stays powered off (red LED).

I suspected a bad LCD, so I swapped in a spare, still no video. I get the LED to turn Green on power up, display reads "No Signal" then LED goes Red.

Now I'm thinking I have a faulty MPU not sending Video Out. So, I tried 3 spare MPUs with still no change.

My questions are...

1. Can you test an MPU on the bench with just the MPU, it's Power Supply and a Computer Monitor? Or does it require the other 2 Main Power Supplies located inside of the Cabinet?

2. Could this be a Cable Problem or the Bulkhead Connector between the Upper and Lower Cabinet? I'm not quite ready to disassemble the machine to start swapping Cables yet, but will if it needs to be done.

If I can't bench test, I will try to link an external Cable directly from MPU to rear of LCD.

Thanks, Curtis ash100

Title: Re: Testing MPU Outside of Machine? With PC Monitor?
Post by: RB on July 14, 2023, 06:49:37 AM

I use a Dell desktop monitor and CPU to test CF cards. All that's needed is the power cord and a VGA cable. Obviously the game won't completely boot but it gets to the point of turn the attendant key.

Title: Re: Testing MPU Outside of Machine? With PC Monitor?
Post by: Ash100 on July 14, 2023, 07:42:02 AM

Thanks Ron,

That's the direction I'll head in first.

Curtis ash100

Title: Re: Testing MPU Outside of Machine? With PC Monitor?
Post by: coolwavepic on July 27, 2023, 11:58:35 PM

Quote from: Ash100 on July 14, 2023, 07:42:02 AM

Thanks Ron,

That's the direction I'll head in first.

Curtis ash100

Did you figure this out? If you having the issue on 3 different MPUs and you are getting power since you said "No signal" shows up on the other monitor, check and make sure the VGA cable isn't loose between the MPU > Middle of the cabinet > Top box to the monitor. Also just run a standard VGA cable from the MPU to the monitor. I have a ton of new VGA cables laying around and I had a color issue that was caused by the OEM VGA cable. See if that helps.

If you fixed the issue, please post your fix so others who may have this same issue can troubleshoot as well.

Title: Re: Testing MPU Outside of Machine? With PC Monitor?
Post by: Ash100 on July 28, 2023, 04:46:12 AM

Yes, and no, as far as figuring this one out.

I bench tested all of my spare Bally MPUs, all produce video via VGA to a PC LCD Monitor.

Installed good MPU into Cabinet, no video. Slaved in new VGA Cable from Bulkhead Connector to top LCD, still no video. VGA from MPU straight to LCD, video is present.

So, it's either the lower VGA Cable or the Feed thru Connector.

I'll pull the Reels to access the Cable end and go from there. But, I'm guessing that I'll have a good fix once I replace the lower cable or bypass the Feed thru.

I'll update this post once complete.

Thanks,

Curtis ash100