New Life Games LLC

**Video Poker, Keno, Slots, 21** Gaming machines => **Video Gaming Machines** **General Chat** => Topic started by: Gav on January 08, 2015, 06:22:39 PM

Title: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Gav on January 08, 2015, 06:22:39 PM
Hi,
      I'm looking for spare parts and any info on this game.

My machine says missing card reader player 1-4 and goes no further.

Nova Pci serial card ??

Thanks in advance

Gav in Oz.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on March 15, 2015, 10:45:20 PM
I have two of these and am currently working with the same issue. How have you made out so far?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on June 29, 2015, 02:21:44 AM
I also have one of these machines. Mine has the error "Critical Memory Error" every time it loads :(


I'm desperate to get help on this.


Or maybe somebody can give me a copy of the actual software so i can reinstall it?


Anybody with a PokerKard machine willing to please help me out? I've tried emailing BMIGaming and i get no response. The support on these machines are terrible.


Its a basic computer inside running Windows XP with the pokerkard software on it stored in a folder called Pokerkard on the C Drive.
I need a copy of this folder please
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on June 29, 2015, 05:02:32 AM
I have restored two of these machines and can help anyone with issues.
Todd  (267) 424-3564  call or text
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on June 29, 2015, 05:39:51 AM
 :dancing_2: Awesome!!!


I just PM'd you. Would appreciate any help at all. Thanks
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on June 30, 2015, 08:42:45 AM
Does someone perhaps have the software for me please?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on June 30, 2015, 12:00:09 PM
Software version is usually labelled as shown.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on June 30, 2015, 12:59:16 PM
I dont appear to have that label. I know the software version is 2.0 though. I emailed you more pics and s rundown of the error. Thanks
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: ifr500 on July 06, 2015, 01:45:11 AM
Hi Gav,
I have the same problem with my unit.
It did the same as yours but has the critical memory error now.
found some drivers for the pci card but that didn't help.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on July 19, 2015, 04:34:32 AM
Just an update


So - i found someone not too far away from me with a working PokerKard machine. He let me make a clone of his hard drive, which i did successfully.
Plugged in the cloned drive to my pokerkard machine but it still shows the same error " Critical Memory Error" - after windows xp loads and after it does the Nova Security check.


I'm totally stumped with this. Just bought the machine - feels like a whole lot of money wasted. Dont know what else to try
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on July 29, 2015, 01:35:49 AM
This issue is so annoying.

I've now tried buying new memory that matches the old one EXACTLY.

Still the same issue  :banghead:
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on July 29, 2015, 03:04:37 AM
Critical memory error is a key problem.  Normally it means the key is not from that machine.  I am working on a way to rematch or re sync the keys.  I'll let you know when it's done.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on July 29, 2015, 03:42:42 AM
Wow. Thank you very much. Thats the most promising news I've heard.

Appreciate it.

PS: Does this mean its got something to do with the USB attachment on the machine?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on July 29, 2015, 06:46:19 AM
The usb dongle is the security key.  Critical memory error means your unit is fine but after loading it sees the wrong info on the use key.  In other words if you had two machines and swapped the keys you would get that message.  Somehow they sync the key to the machine when originally installing.  I just haven't figured out how yet.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on July 29, 2015, 07:00:39 AM
Now it makes sense and clears it up somewhat.

Explains why, despite cloning a working machines hard drive it still doesn't work. And despite trying different memory modules and even buying a new matching DIMM module, still didn't help.

It must be said though, when i cloned the working machines drive I also made a copy of the working machines USB contents which i copied to my USB dongle. Its only a few megabytes big. Windows XP treats the USB dongle as a normal memory card. Despite doing that though, still didn't work.

For the past week I've been trying to chase up on different leads, trying to get the manufacturer and distributors to help. No luck on that front. I sincerely hope you can perhaps isolate the cause and hopefully a fix. I feel so disheartened with this expensive machine that doesnt work
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on July 29, 2015, 07:21:23 AM
The usb is a security device.  Even though you cloned drive and copied usb contents it still won't work.  The reason is since it's a security device it uses some sort of config program which writes info based on computer id and usb id which can't be copied.
The manufacturer could certainly help with this but I feel that option is no longer avail.
Now - the reason I know how much I do is because way back I actually ran a program off the key which changed the contents of the key and made a working unit no longer operational.  So I know that the software on the key can stop it from working, it must also key things so that they will work.
I'll let you know if I find out more.  Reloading or changing anything on the usb drive will render it non-functional. 
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on July 29, 2015, 07:24:39 AM
Thanks again. Great Youtube Channel by the way
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on August 01, 2015, 07:18:24 PM
Hi
I also have this critical memory error on my machine,
Windows XP loads, then boots into Pokerkard folder,Nova.exe, then another sysmax.exe in the same folder and shows the critical memory error
have checked hard drive for errors have replaced physical ram,on the pc, backed up the hard drive and the USB security dongle,tried different hard drives, no luck, back to square one.My software shows version 1.14.


I too have also exhausted possible leads to find a solution, company Nova productions UK went bust,other distributors wont answer emails or refuse to help, I have a user manual but was looking for more technical manuals or operation manuals,service manuals, software, upgrades etc all leads
go nowhere, feel pretty useless, I am both an amusement tech and a computer tech with 30 years experience, but feel pretty blind now, needs a software person to help

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 03, 2015, 01:59:05 AM
I share your frustration.

I too have been in the IT Industry for 20 years and if this was a hardware or a straight up OS/driver issue - this would have been a piece of cake to sort out. This whole USB security dongle really throws me for a loop though.

I think our ONLY hope is in the possibility that SpitFire can find a 'fix' of sorts for us. I sincerely hope he can
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 03, 2015, 04:44:03 AM
BossGp - you in South Africa?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 03, 2015, 06:43:37 AM
I also just opened up the sysmax.exe file in Notepad ++ and on line 151 in the .exe it says "Critical Memory Error"

Dont know what to do with this information though

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: jay on August 03, 2015, 06:31:14 PM
Not that this is helpful but you could write it back to the file so it reads "Have a nice day". It won't change the outcome but will be a bit more pleasant when it occurs.
 :banghead: 
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 04, 2015, 07:29:54 AM
Was hoping perhaps theres a way to decompile the sysmax.exe file and somehow skip the security check perhaps or at least let it proceed past the "Critical Memory Error" point in the exe

Running the sysmax.exe file through PEID identifies that it is a Visual Basic executable - so was compiled in VB.

My programming knowledge is less than a 5th Graders  :rotfl:
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on August 04, 2015, 05:55:24 PM
Actually I am in Australia. (PoKerKard79)

I searched the internet and found the person who programmed and designed this game in UK (Simon Jones), but they haven't answered my email,
I even found the new business that NOVA Productions previous owner operates and still no contact.
Everywhere I turn there are dead ends, it's like here is this product but if you want service help your not going to find it.
There must of been, USB sticks floating around that upgraded the system, or service sticks or DVD to help if the hard drives went faulty in operation.
How did people or companies fix these things, where are the service manuals and technical schematics ?
We don't want to mass manufacture them just fix what we bought.
In all my years as a tech I have never been in this situation, HELP
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 05, 2015, 12:53:36 AM
I also tracked down Simon Jones on LinkedIn. I wasn't able to directly contact him though.

This is frustrating as all hell. I have this massive machine that is entirely useless to me right now.  :banghead:

Please let me know if you manage to get any feedback from Simon Jones. Failing which I guess we cross our fingers and toes that Spitfire can somehow find a way around this issue.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on August 08, 2015, 11:12:41 PM
This problem is eating me up inside, I want to know what the TC 65 Terminal by Siemens did, it's a serial to cellular unit, but mine has no sim card inside the unit ? Also I looked at the data inside the security key, I was also able to make a backup of the security key using Acronis to a normal USB stick and replace that for my key and the unit booted as usual to the critical memory error screen. wireless signal strength .I also made a backup of the hard drive using Acronis and that was successful but gave the same result as above.
This is what I found inside the key data:
Address.exe sysmax001001 08003894427 Halfway house Oldham sysmax 15/09/04
location.mig 222222 QLD 2 ( I am in Queensland Australia)
Address.mig 11462 Nova Nova 03/08/09 (the 11462 is my machines serial number)
The 2 folders Bigdeal and Top20 seem to contain the same data  - 2 files in each folder (names.exe - Nova) and (plays.exe 8C 00 32 A5 18 5A A5 A1 18 5A)
I have no idea what Data.bin ,mram.ini or bootex.log do.
Without the security key in it gives an error (searching for Security Module) plug in the original or my backup and it continues to load sysmax.exe and show the critical memory error, not sure why it always says wireless signal strength and shows about 1 bar, this never changes, even though I have tried to plug in a network cable, put a sim card in the Siemens TC 65 and put in a physical wireless card and hooked up to the internet, perhaps is has nothing to do with Signal strength at all.
I would like to get hold of a backup of someones working hard drive and security module just to examine between my setup, can anyone help please looking for a way to help myself and others with the same problem.
Anyway enough for a weekend, I have so many computers and video game consoles to fix.

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: jay on August 09, 2015, 10:54:39 AM
If the program is failing on this executable and you believe its a security module that either passes or doesn't.... why not create an executable of the same name that does nothing. It would get called from the main body of the program, do nothing, return no error code and the program may continue as normal ?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on August 09, 2015, 04:00:04 PM
I know nothing about programming as I am a hardware engineer not software
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 11, 2015, 02:06:47 AM
In the same boat as you BossGp - also pulling out my hair trying to figure this one out. I've been through all the same steps as you with the same results. This is annoying as all hell. I will gladly upload the contents of my USB NOVA device to dropbox for you to compare. I will even upload the POKERKARD folder on the harddrive for you to compare if you want.

Anything, if it can help get this issue resolved for us both and anybody else with the same 'Critical Memory Error' issue
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on August 11, 2015, 02:11:40 AM
That would be great, also looking for someone with
A working unit to do the same, Acronis does
A great job cloning the hdd and security key
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 11, 2015, 03:22:27 AM
It wont work.

I found a working machine and cloned its USB dongle and Hard drive using Acronis. An exact copy. Same issue. "Critical Memory Error'

I'll upload it anyway - will let you know when its available
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on August 24, 2015, 06:09:06 AM
Hello again Spitfire

Was wondering if theres been any progress on your side perhaps?

 :EmoticonHelp4:
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on September 18, 2015, 08:04:38 AM
Hi -

I recently picked up one of these and also am stuck at the missing card reader issue.  I haven't had much time to really investigate this problem, so any help would be appreciated.
I'm documenting my time with this game on my blog, link below...lots of pics and I can add most anything someone needs there.

I made a full CloneZilla image of the hard drive and zipped up the entire "C" drive as well.  They are both posted on my website, so hopefully linking here is OK. 
http://www.scottcking.com (http://www.scottcking.com)

Best regards,
RevisionX

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on September 21, 2015, 06:36:33 PM
Thanks for your post, I have been struggling with my machine trying to make sense of it for ages,goes through boot process and then stuck on "critical memory error" and wifi signal low, no paper work available, service manuals or technical papers, as if the machines don't exist or were never made, even the original makers of these don't want to know about it. I have seen your page and it gives me hope though, downloaded software and willing to try anything, thanks so much I appreciate it.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Paul on September 21, 2015, 06:46:01 PM
Post a good picture of the cpu board ,
maybe there's some clues there.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on September 21, 2015, 06:57:10 PM
The computer part is fine, it looks like what the other poster RevisionX posted on his webpage, I am a hardware engineer and tested the computer parts first
to me it looks like software and dongle issue ? all other parts seem to work as usual, although not sure on the 3G router inside the cabinet there is no
sim card inside so not sure of it's function, everything else is ok
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on September 21, 2015, 09:31:35 PM
Hi -

Glad the drive data and image might help out.  I'm a software developer with a QA background, and I'll try to do some more debugging later this week...to me some of these things just look like a lack of proper exception handling combined with uninformative error messages and poor documentation.  I have (2) complete PCs, plus 3 dongles, so I can do some mixing and matching to see if these errors actually change up and start identifying and documenting them.

Best regards,
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on September 22, 2015, 03:14:25 AM
This is excellent news :)

I'm in the exact same boat as BossGP - "Critical Memory Error" shows up during trying to boot in to Windows XP. I'm convinced this is software and/or dongle related. Nice to have a software dev on it now :)
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on September 22, 2015, 07:38:24 PM
Well from experimenting with RevisionX Pokerkard files I can confirm the problem is definitely to do with the software and Dongle relationship,
replaced his PokerKard folder in my computer and fired up no longer able to detect security module, copied my original one back still has searching for security module message, therefore there must be some relationship between these two items, my guess if you could stop the software inside the pokeKard folder from looking for the security module then it should start up without errors.So by playing with this I have removed the critical memory error but caused another problem, oh well it didn't work before and doesn't work now.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GoutArtist on September 23, 2015, 12:56:43 AM
Hi, I recently bought a pokerkard machine, it was sold as part of a liquidation stock and came without keys.

I've just finished drilling out the locks and found an engineers note saying "Machine will not connect to Novalink, took the PC out for repair". So unfortunately I have a pokerkard machine without a pc inside it. But on the bright side, I do have 3 Pokerkard cards, a dongle, a router and a nice big machine with a monitor & touchscreen that work.

Now, Nova Productions Ltd (The company that originally produced the Pokerkard) has a bit of a chequered history,  it seemed to often close down and reopen with a slightly different name.

So I am guessing that Nova have pulled the plug on their server in the UK which would mean that all Pokerkard machines in the UK that needed to connect to the Novalink server would fail. Does anyone in the UK have a machine working that has recently connected to the Novalink server?

It also might be the same across Europe because the GDTronics (the European distributor) website is down, which might mean that that company has gone bust too.

For me it isn't a problem, I can still use the unit. I'll just bung a shuttle PC in there and taking the art assets uploaded by RevisionX and building my own version of the game in my spare time for fun.

But does anyone know anything about the touchscreen in this machine? who the manufacturer is and if the Nova connector card is anything special or different to a standard parallel port card? I guess my first test will be to get a parallel port card and test that with my own system.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on September 23, 2015, 01:54:57 AM
Thanks for the update BossGP. I'm also going to try this weekend and see if I get the same results. This issue is driving me absolutely nuts!

Hi GoutArtist, love the suggestion. Count me in for the suggested route :)

WRT the touchscreen - its not so much a touchscreen  from what I can tell. The actual screen itself does not appear to have touch capability. It seems there are some minute electronic strips built in to the actual glass above the screen. The strip is in places where a player would normally select something in the game itself. That what I've managed to see so far, I may be off target though
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GoutArtist on September 23, 2015, 06:28:53 AM
Yeah, I'm guessing it runs off the serial port, is there any way somebody could test it(if you can boot to windows and pull the serial cable and see if the touch screen still works)?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on September 23, 2015, 05:11:57 PM
Hi count me in too,
The touchscreen has never worked for me in Windows XP, I am guessing it only works when the software properly loads,the 37 "monitor looks almost the same as I imported from Taiwan to make virtual pinball cabs, in fact I was thinking about putting it in a pinball cab if I did not get a solution to my Big Tony machine until I found this website and it made me continue on with the project.

Also I am so glad I made a copy of the security dongle as my original got overwritten when I used the software from RevisionX Pokerkard files.
So RevisionX could you do me a favor and make a backup of your dongle too for me to try on my machine please with your software.
Anyway seems we are getting places slowly, thanks and cheers to everyone
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GoutArtist on September 23, 2015, 10:10:10 PM
Hi Guys,
I've been looking into the touch screen and found the company that I think created it.
The company name is zytronic, The model number for the touchscreen controller boards (there are 4 of them) zys-s-off-16-a.
I've sent them an email about drivers / newer boards with usb output.
I noticed that the touchscreen interface is the EDAC/ jamma style one rather than the parallel port, and I think trying to get that working would be a nightmare.
 
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on September 24, 2015, 07:51:19 PM
All + BossGP:

The USB files as well as an image of the 1GB device are now up on my website.
http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219)

I should have time this weekend to start debugging...will update the page and add more images as I go...

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on September 27, 2015, 05:15:23 PM
Thank you, will give that a try when I recover from a bad cold and flu.
However just for the record, I did a little more testing and the motherboard has a cable from the internal floppy port
to the NOVAMAX T4 REV.3 I/O PCB and a cable from the pci parallel card,
I have removed both of these and get my usual message "critical memory error" so cant be related to the cards, I think seriously the idea that
someone else mentioned about the units connecting to a server seems probable through the 3g router built inside each game.
Now for someone to work on the software modification.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on September 27, 2015, 06:38:24 PM
Came down with a cold this weekend too - didn't get around to any trouble shooing.  I'm out of town this week, but will have time next weekend.

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GoutArtist on October 16, 2015, 09:34:20 AM
https://youtu.be/XLdGNqCLUS8 (https://youtu.be/XLdGNqCLUS8)
 
An video of my progress trying to create a version of the tony's pokerkard game in Unity. Lots to do, I'm just trying to get the game to flow at the moment.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on October 16, 2015, 09:47:33 AM
Hi -

Does anyone know someone that has a fully working PokerKard machine?  I'm curious what the game "should do" from boot to attract mode - hoping someone might be able to upload a video to YouTube or similar.

Thanks!
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GoutArtist on October 16, 2015, 10:59:10 AM
Anyone interested in buying some spares? I'm going to sell 1 dongle, 3 pokerkard cards, 4 of the touch screen interface boards and 4 of the pokerkard communication boards. PM me if you are interested.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on October 16, 2015, 04:00:53 PM
Quote from: GoutArtist on October 16, 2015, 09:34:20 AM
https://youtu.be/XLdGNqCLUS8 (https://youtu.be/XLdGNqCLUS8)
 
An video of my progress trying to create a version of the tony's pokerkard game in Unity. Lots to do, I'm just trying to get the game to flow at the moment.

Nice work, been away for 3 weeks in hospital from sickness, I would like to support your effort to get this working in the Big Tony pokerkard machine
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GetSlideWays on October 16, 2015, 04:51:54 PM
Quote from: RevisionX on October 16, 2015, 09:47:33 AM
Hi -

Does anyone know someone that has a fully working PokerKard machine?  I'm curious what the game "should do" from boot to attract mode - hoping someone might be able to upload a video to YouTube or similar.

Thanks!
RevisionX

I am curious about this too.

I keep getting stuck at the "Test Screen"

Two touch sensors are simultaneously lit up green on opposite ends of the table. I am assuming there is a false trigger somewhere but would love to be certain for figure a way to diagnose the culprit.

Great thread BTW!  :1:
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GetSlideWays on October 16, 2015, 05:23:20 PM
I moved around, and ultimately unplugged all of the zys-s-off-16-a boards, and the same two sensor were still lit up green. So I am thinking its not the sensors or the screen itself.

I did have to replace the BIOS/CMOS battery as it was dead. I have heard this can mess up the drivers.  Perhaps the driver for the touch screen sensors needs to be reinstalled? If so anyone know how to go about that?

Thank you much!
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GetSlideWays on October 17, 2015, 11:59:43 AM
Can someone tell me what they see under device manager on their system?

I have a warning triangle under "other devices" and its labeled as "ethernet controller"

I am just wondering if it is attaching the label because it doesn't know what else to call it. I am wondering if maybe I am having driver issues with the "novamax t4 rev3" board.

I am really stuck and left scratching my head
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on October 18, 2015, 01:20:11 PM
All you guys with the stuck on test screen and two lit up buttons have a simple bios setup problem.  That "floppy" connection on the mainboard is actually a parallel interface.
If you want to get your games working text/call me (267) 424-3564 or email tragor@verizon.net.
As for those of you who are copying onto your security dongle - I highly recommend you do not do that.  Doing so will most often render you into a critical memory error.  If security dongle is wrong that's the message you get.  Basically after the game code loads it will fail with that error if your security dongle has been modified or does not match the software on your drive.
Therefore reloading the hard drive or dongle will in itself render that message on a permanent basis.
I have spent many hours working on these machines and the only thing I have not been able to do yet is reload and relink the system with a dongle.  If anyone has the install/load USB stick I'd love to get a copy.
MOST FAILURES ON THIS MACHINE IS FTOM BIOS BEING LOST AND SIMPLY REQUIRES A NEW BATTERY AND BIOS CONFIG CORRECTLY.  Contact me for that info I have made a PDF to reconfigure and can offer support.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on October 18, 2015, 01:23:43 PM
The nova board is an 8 port serial interface that also communicates via parallel and jamma.  Rather odd beast but also very basic in design as just a communication interface to read the various devices.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Spitfiremods on October 18, 2015, 01:30:29 PM
Also, about the "touch screen", it is not at all a touch screen as you would think of a touch screen.  It is simply a thick piece of glass (good to hold your beverages) with a series of "buttons" touch sensitive pads under it positioned in the correctly matching Lcd spots where the game asks you to touch.
So it is more comparative to a set of buttons and is technically buttons and not anything like a mouse or touch screen interface.  It's easy to think drivers are issues with this game but that is very rarely (I've never seen it) the case.  As the only way it could be drivers is if you are reloading the game from scratch which I have yet to see done.  Again - if anyone has the original or an update USB dongle I would love to get one so I could break down how this game keys the dongle to the hard drive.  Modifying the dongle at all typically renders the game to fail with a critical memory error.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GetSlideWays on October 19, 2015, 08:58:32 PM
I'll see if I can upload photos later, but it looks like I may have found it after talking with a fellow forum member as well as a family friend who used to work in the game industry. He confirmed that it was an odd bios setting that needed adjustment as he has actually worked on these in the past:

Bios Settings

Legacy A Drive: Default (3.5") Change to "NONE"

Plug and Play: Default: (NO) Change to "YES"

PARALLEL PORT: Default: (ECP) Change to "SPP"

Thats looks to have done it. Now it loads right into the game. Its late so I haven't gone too much further to test everything, but just wanted to share the info so others in the future would have it. Anyone know how to load into the test screen? Now it looks to bypass it. Maybe i have to touch a few of the sensors during startup. Its late so I am done playing around with it for the evening. lol I will try getting into the test screen tomorrow so I can set it on free play.

Thanks again to everyone so far for all of their help and support. Its great to have such a supportive community!  :thank_you:
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: GetSlideWays on October 19, 2015, 09:10:36 PM
all looks good so far, test mode is activated by flicking the toggle switch adjacent to the door trigger switch FYI
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on October 20, 2015, 05:29:59 PM
Awesome work GetSlideWays!  I went from complete BIOS defaults after a battery swap to a working machine in one reboot. 

Mine was previously stuck at the missing card reader issue.  These machines do take a long time to boot all the way up.  I'll try and get a video on YouTube of the entire boot process in the next couple of days.

Photos of the BIOS screens can be found on my blog, here:
http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219)

Cheers GSW!
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on October 22, 2015, 04:51:38 PM
I have changed my bios settings, no go still have critical memory error ! anyone else
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on October 22, 2015, 10:14:49 PM
Bossgp,

I think I may have a solution for you as far as the critical memory error goes.  I was able to create this error after I decided to turn the PC off (using the on/off button) while in the middle of a game.  After it rebooted - "Critical Memory Error".  It certainly didn't like being rebooted mid-game - so odds are something became corrupted or out of sync.  I isolated the problem to the USB key by deleting any PokerKard-related file with a modification date of today.  Error still there.  I had the original image I took of the USB key (used "dd" in Linux) and after re-imaging I'm back in business.

Before re-imaging, I copied the files from my working USB key to the non-working key and this did not work.  Good evidence that there is data somewhere on the drive not visible to file explorers.  Most commercial backup apps (like Acronis) do their backups based on the source drive's file system, and will ignore any space flagged as 'empty.'  True block-by-block copies take a long time, and companies market "speed" as a feature by reconstructing the original file system and copying only the data.  A tool like "dd" doesn't analyse the source, instead it copies each and every block on a device, slowly making a perfect image.

My next test will be to determine if the dongle and the PC are truly "paired" in some way.  I'll create images using my working hardware and image them to non-PokerKard hardware (off the shelf hard drive and USB key). 

Quick Summary:
Game working perfectly.
Put in $2.
Played for about 5 minutes.
Pressed on/off button on CPU.
Booted back up.
Critical Memory Error.
Isolated issue to USB dongle.
Restored USB image.
Game working perfectly.

Next Up:
Image working hard drive using CloneZilla.
Image working USB dongle using dd.
Restore hard drive image to different make/model hard drive.
Restore USB image to an off-the-shelf USB key.

Best regards,
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: jay on October 22, 2015, 10:31:29 PM
EASEUS is a free partition tool that copies everything.
They of course will haunt you forever trying to get you to upgrade to the paid product.
I don't use it often enough but if I was in the market for such a product I would pay for this one.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on October 23, 2015, 08:00:30 AM
All -

CloneZilla and DD are both absolutely free and both can be used by creating boot-able CD/DVD/USB keys.  You can boot to them from Windows machines, but I certainly recommend disconnecting your main hard drive while imaging other devices just to avoid the chance of a catastrophe. 

Once I image my hardware (drive and USB dongle) and write them back successfully (after corrupting each), then I'll just post up those images on my website/blog and people can use those images to get their machines running. 

I'll create some HOW-TO pages on using CloneZilla and DD for PokerKard, to help ease people into using these open source utilities.

Best regards,
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on October 24, 2015, 10:23:10 AM
YouTube videos are up!

The entire boot process - from power up through attract mode:
https://youtu.be/jMciXFJId-s

Game play (2 hands):
https://youtu.be/Zz4NXt7PxJ8

Enjoy!
RevisionX

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on October 24, 2015, 07:45:16 PM
RevisionX , Thank you look forward to your images
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on October 26, 2015, 12:41:29 PM
BossGP -

The images I created are on my web page at:
http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219)

Just scroll down to Step #2 and 3.

I'll try and get some docs up soon for imaging these to your PokerKard hardware.  It will involve a couple of USB keys and I'll write the docs so that the PokerKard PC is being used in the imaging process (that's how I did mine).  Once you have those two images (and working hardware), you're nearly there.  :)

Best regards,
Scott...
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on October 31, 2015, 11:31:58 AM
Hi RevisionX

I'm also trying to get past the "Critical Memory Error" issue on my machine. I downloaded the Clonezilla image of your drive and also the DD image of your USB dongle.
I'm hoping you can perhaps help with a few questions please.

1. Any idea how to restore the DD image in Windows? Or would I only be able to do that in Linux

2. If I use your HDD image to restore to my HDD - the software version will be US. If all works and I can finally get past the "Critical Memory Error" (fingers crossed), then I will pretty much have an exact clone of your pokerkard machine from and OS/Software and Dongle perspective. My machine is configured for a different country with the coin acceptor configured to accept coins in my currency. Any idea how I could get past this? Is there a free mode on these machines that can be enabled?

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 01, 2015, 10:30:49 AM
BossGP -

I'll spend a little time today trying to determine which files need to be synchronized on the USB key and original hard drive.  It's accurate to say we have a "workaround" using images, but an elegant solution that avoids lengthy imaging processes would definitely be preferable.

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 01, 2015, 12:36:27 PM
Spent several hours on this today, but looks like whatever is synchronizing the PC to the USB key is in sysmax.exe.  Dead end.  Not going to spend more time in this rabbit hole...
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 01, 2015, 06:48:19 PM
Ok, successfully restored both the USB key and hard drive using only CloneZilla.  That will make documenting how to restore these much easier.  I'll try and get to that this week. 

You will need (2) USB keys. 
Key 1:  Stores the CloneZilla images (USB dongle, hard drive)
Key 2:  CloneZilla - this key boots to CloneZilla so you can write the images to your hardware.
Anyway ... more to come.  I'll do everything using the PC in BTPK to minimize confusion.

The new matching Clonezilla images are uploading now, but should be on-line by 9pm CST 11/1/2015:
http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219)

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on November 04, 2015, 02:04:12 AM
Hi RevisionX

Checked your site (which rocks by the way) - I noticed the HDD Clonzilla image hasn't uploaded - it still shows the old one dated 2015-10-24. Any idea when the upload will be completed?

Thanks
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 04, 2015, 11:26:29 AM
BossGP,

Thanks (website)!

Doh!   I'll fix the link when I get home tonight...and make this a reminder to set up my VPN so I can remote in from work.   :)

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 04, 2015, 10:20:29 PM
BossGP -

I made new images from my working set - data files and CloneZilla drive/dongle images should be up by midnight CST, 10/4/15..

http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219)
RevisionX

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on November 05, 2015, 12:27:03 AM
Thanks RevisionX

Downloading it now.

Going to reimage my HDD and USB Dongle this weekend and see if this fixes the issue. I'm still a little worried about how I deal with the fact that if it works I will have a US machine that I think will only accept/expect US currency - but will cross that bridge if I get to it.

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 05, 2015, 09:17:41 AM
Hi -

I think the goal here would be to get a "working" US version, then copy over the files from your machine to the working set.  The "sysmax.exe" file has several variants in the c:\pokerkard folder.  I believe they are ".bak" and ".new", but you'll find if you re-name those to sysmax.exe the game will start looking for modems and other hardware that may be "non-US?"  It could be as easy as renaming this file - I was unable to find anything that seemed to set a "locale" in the pokerkard folder, so they may have sysmax binaries for each region.  Obviously, finding a working unit in your locale would be ideal for creating new images.  Back up your data and try copying the files from the non-image sets and overwrite your USB dongle and hard drive - it may work without imaging, I haven't had a chance to try that out yet.

Best regards,
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on November 06, 2015, 09:39:11 PM
Thanks for the images, downloading them over the weekend.
Fingers crossed this will get it back working, I'll let you know how my adventure goes.
Cheers
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 07, 2015, 09:25:27 PM
Status:

1.  CloneZilla to USB secutiry dongle does NOT work
2.  dd image works 100% of the time

New matching drive and USB dongle images (sorry for the churn) will be up later this evening.  I did a full walk through using the PokerKard hardware and (2) USB keys tonight - and took screen shots as I went. 

The walk through will cover imaging your game's hard drive and USB dongle using CloneZilla and "dd" in around 35 steps.  Basically, a step-by-step guide for recovering the T4 USA models.

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on November 07, 2015, 09:28:12 PM
I downloaded both the image of the hard drive and the USB dongle and transferred them to different USB sticks, I also downloaded Clonezilla and burnt it to a CD,connected an optical drive to sata and connected a newly formatted 80 GB HDD.
Loaded Clonezilla, followed the prompts and restored the hard drive image.
Did the same for the USB dongle.
removed the other USB sticks and optical drive used to store the images and the clonezilla cd.
Turned on and system boots to bios, shows starting system, Windows XP screen, then Big Tony's Texas Holdem, then another screen "Game boot sequence started "
this message is quite big stating "if you wish to upgrade game then insert your upgrade stick into a free USB port now otherwise wait. about 30 seconds and it tells me boot v2.0 in the left hand corner.
Game screen then turns black, and stays black, if I hook up my keyboard and use control, alt and delete I can see an error screen behind the black screen"Sysmax base runtime error 91 object variable or with block variable not set"
tried 3 different hard drives with different brands and sizes, and same for the USB dongle
same problem, tried to download both images again and same problem.
At this point I am looking for any suggestions, or willing to buy an imaged working hard drive and dongle set, please someone help.
This is starting to interfere with my day job.

Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 08, 2015, 10:09:43 AM
BossGP -

That error you're getting sounds like a variant of the critical memory error (synchronization problems between USB dongle and hard drive), which the new walk through on my page solves - it's a full CloneZilla and DD imaging process using the PokerKard hardware.  This is the original method I recommended, but then I got lazy and tried a bunch of variants to avoid having to write up this tutorial.  Live and learn.

First draft is complete:
http://www.scottcking.com/?p=279 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=279)

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 08, 2015, 11:52:21 AM
Completed the first edition of the CloneZilla and dd imaging tutorial.  This process documents exactly what you need and is step-by-step with images.  This process works 100% of the time on my T4 USA hardware.

http://www.scottcking.com/?p=279 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=279)

Enjoy,
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on November 08, 2015, 04:10:59 PM
Hi
I just noticed that your motherboard is different to mine.
You have Asus P5N73-CM
I have Asus P5N-EM HDMI.
Do you think that has anything to do with the problem, looks to be same chipset ?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 08, 2015, 05:00:12 PM
If the error is happening in sysmax.exe you're good - the PC has already booted into XP.  Give the instructions I posted up today a try and let me know how it goes.  Start fresh and re-download the files using the links on the tutorial page (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=279).

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on November 14, 2015, 12:12:52 PM
Thanks for all your effort RevisionX.

Still not working for me. I've downloaded both latest images and followed your instructions to the letter. I too have a different motherboard than you do. When the game boots now after using your HDD image and USB image, it simply hangs at "Searching for security adapter/dongle". Does not go past there. Before imaging the drive and USB it found the dongle successfully and then crashed with the "Critical Memory Error"

I'm at a complete loss too in resolving this.

PS: I have the same motherboard as BossGP. Also, i noticed my T4 USB module is 2GB and not 1GB
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 16, 2015, 09:27:36 AM
All -

It seems obvious that there must be some difference between the US and non-US hardware, but I'm not sure how I can help.  I think at this stage someone needs to locate a working Big Tony's machine, take the images, test them out, and then post them online (I can host the files if you like).

Another alternative is to look through your device manager and see if you see any exclamation points next to hardware that should be working - installing the correct driver(s) may fix your issue.  For example, if your board uses a different USB controller, the one in my image probably won't work (so your boot stops in a different location).  Perhaps connect a network cable to your Big Tony's PC and let Windows Update run (if that even still works on XP).  That's where I would start next in troubleshooting.  My reasoning for this is the change in behaviour in your game when using your vs. my software images.

RevisionX





Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: jay on November 16, 2015, 04:34:58 PM
Windows update won't fix most driver issues, but the ASUS website should have all the downloads for the hardware.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 16, 2015, 05:37:35 PM
You can certainly jump right to the ASUS website, but when I did this, the first driver I attempted to install required Service Pack 3 and my machine was still running SP2.   :duh:

Windows update will cover core chipset drivers and the like, so better put, if Windows update doesn't solve your problems, go to either Intel for the chipset drivers, or directly to ASUS.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 19, 2015, 01:59:45 PM
Hi -

Anyone out there do any digging to find a generic replacement for the physical Big Tony's PokerKards?  I'm about to start looking into it, but thought I would ask before I re-invent the wheel. 

Thanks!
Scott...
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on November 20, 2015, 07:52:30 AM
What do you mean by  generic replacement?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on November 20, 2015, 12:01:55 PM
Generic = some other type of card that works on Big Tony, but isn't branded with any artwork.  Finding a stockpile of these branded cards will be difficult and most people would probably charge a fortune for them.  I think it's unlikely that these PokerKards are proprietary technology, so would like to find some "blanks" for use with the machine if I run out of the branded cards.  It should be pretty easy to scan my existing cards and create a sheet of stickers to apply to the face of "plain" cards.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: thenoble1 on November 21, 2015, 09:25:49 PM
Hi guys,

I too have the "critical memory error" on my machine. I will be watching this post with great interest to see if anyone can solve the problem  :Scratch-Head:

Cheers,
Steve
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: thenoble1 on November 22, 2015, 01:32:42 AM
Quote from: bossgp on August 04, 2015, 05:55:24 PM
Actually I am in Australia. (PoKerKard79)

I searched the internet and found the person who programmed and designed this game in UK (Simon Jones), but they haven't answered my email,
I even found the new business that NOVA Productions previous owner operates and still no contact.
Everywhere I turn there are dead ends, it's like here is this product but if you want service help your not going to find it.
There must of been, USB sticks floating around that upgraded the system, or service sticks or DVD to help if the hard drives went faulty in operation.
How did people or companies fix these things, where are the service manuals and technical schematics ?
We don't want to mass manufacture them just fix what we bought.
In all my years as a tech I have never been in this situation, HELP


There is company in Australia that may be able to help, they used to supply and service these machines to Melbourne pubs. Surely they would have service data. The company is www.fullhousegroup.com.au (http://www.fullhousegroup.com.au) and the contact is peter@fullhousegroup.com.au. Here is a link where they were selling the machines for $495 each: https://www.facebook.com/PubPokerVIC/posts/344074879020969. (https://www.facebook.com/PubPokerVIC/posts/344074879020969.)
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on November 22, 2015, 05:23:57 PM
About the motherboard difference, both should work fine if all the drivers are installed as they both use
 NVIDIA GeForce 7100 / nForce 630i
that refers to the ASUS P5N73-CN and ASUS P5N-EM HDMI same same
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: PokerKard79 on November 23, 2015, 05:35:04 AM
Hi BossGP - did you get yours working using the images on RevisionsX's site?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on November 23, 2015, 06:29:53 PM
To answer your question when I first downloaded the image for the hdd and reset I had to download drivers from the Asus web site for my
Motherboard,  it looked promising ,however my system still doesn't work, something happened and I think it's to do with the security dongle image, like I said
I am willing to pay for a working image on a hard drive and the security dongle sent to me, that's been tried and working on a machine.
Also the information about Australian contact or help is not valid, sent the guy an email and he politely said can't help you mate sorry !
So back to square one, personally I hate this machine it has stolen hours upon hours of my time that I will never get back, please RevisonX just sell
me a working copy of both items....that work on your hardware
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on December 13, 2015, 08:20:41 PM
Hi,

If anyone in the US needs a replacement for their T4 edition PokerKard PC, I put my spare up for sale on eBay.

  eBay item number:272076079368 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/272076079368? (http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/272076079368?)

Best regards,
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Gav on December 13, 2015, 11:13:36 PM
I must post a massive THANKYOU to RevisionX for a fantastic blog on repair tips for this machine.

After 12mths of tinkering on and off & searching for spare parts / service manuals to no avail.   :Scratch-Head:

BIG TONY is finally FIXED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a stupid bios setting after all that.

You are a legend  !!   :I_agree_1:

Thanks again

Gav.

 :thank_you:   :cool_thumb_up:
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on December 15, 2015, 12:57:10 PM
Hi -

I tracked down an English manual for the USA version of Big Tony's PokerKard - it's posted on my site and attached.

http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219 (http://www.scottcking.com/?p=219)

Enjoy,
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Gav on December 17, 2015, 09:55:53 PM
Hi,
     Can anyone help out as to where I can buy the Pokerkard players cards for this machine ? 

Thanks

Gav.     :Scratch-Head:
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on December 17, 2015, 11:08:28 PM
Hi -

A friend and I are working on a solution for replacement PokerKards.  They look to be typical 13.25Mhz RFID proximity cards (which are cheap) and we think we can copy an original to a generic.  I'll optically scan the original cards front and back and see about making a template to print sheets of decals.  Not perfect, but it would still look like a PokerKard and you could "vend" them commercially.  Anyway - if it works I'll post up details about hardware used, etc.

It may take a while because the machine is now "on location" at the Highball in Austin, Texas (attached to the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar).  I'll post an update when I have one.

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on January 08, 2016, 04:54:33 PM
Thank you RevisionX for the computer which I purchased from you and to the effort involved sending it to Australia.
Big Tony is up and running except the touch screen doesn't work,
Can anyone give me any technical info for the touch, as I cant start a game without it
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on January 08, 2016, 06:15:47 PM
ok another question does anyone know what com port it uses ? Have take off the top cover from the monitor and see a big piece of thick glass and some
boards 2 each side and one each player for player cards, the lights are all red on those boards so they have power, this is the only thing stopping me from
getting it working finally.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on January 09, 2016, 06:48:04 PM
So here is another interesting fact, the POKERCARDS from Australia don't operate on the USA software, it shows a message "incorrect region"
also still no luck on getting the touch working, I am not really fussed about the Pokerkards but just wanted to get it almost working,
any idea on the touch buttons please... anyone
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on January 14, 2016, 10:48:55 PM
BossGP -

Given that we know it works with the USA touch screen connected, seems logical that this would be isolated to the USA serial card and your display.

Is the Nova Serial Card still seated firmly in its PCI slot?  I noticed on both PCs I had that this card could shift easily, especially when connecting the 25 pin cable... 
Did your original PC have the same make/model Nova Serial Card?  If different, swap your original card in and see if that helps.  In fact, since that card uses a Xilinx FPGA, try it even if they appear to be the same physically (label them first).
I'm not following the COM port concern (should be a plug n play card) - Windows device manager should show it's installed fine.

RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: bossgp on January 15, 2016, 12:16:58 AM
Thank you for your reply,
Let it be said that they don't have a touchscreen as such, it's a big thick piece of glass with 4 pcb's one for each player, the
lights are all red and don't change when the glass is pushed, after the game has been started, single player or multi.
I swapped the serial card and the Nova card with the ones that were in my original system , I had the same idea perhaps a USA/AUSTRALIA thing.
But no difference, I went into Windows and checked the drivers also, all ok.
It just doesn't make sense the glass should be the same for every region, the touch boards are the exact numbers as another member wrote previously and they seem to go to the nova card not the serial card.
if anyone can check what serial port the card uses in Windows it might help me, other wise I am almost there, just need to get the inputs working.


Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: thepita007 on February 14, 2016, 03:42:36 PM
Thank to this thread I was able to get a Big Tony Working!

However 3 of the 4 touch boards are not working correctly.

Does anyone know how to repair them or find replacements?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: RevisionX on February 15, 2016, 12:14:17 PM
Hi -

I had one board that was "flaky" as well, but due to the time it would take to remove the part, I never did.  If you care to disassemble yours, I'd bet a replacement board could be located.  Please upload an image if you do disassemble yours and I'll do what I can to help.

Thanks!
RevisionX
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: acnut36 on June 19, 2016, 03:44:44 PM
Brought my Pokerkard machine a few months ago. My touch screen wasn't working and turned out to be a blown fuse on the Pokerkard card itself. It came without the SR3 coin acceptors so my question is, does anybody have any spares? or know how to wire in an aftermarket one?
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: BennyV07 on September 29, 2019, 05:31:06 AM
Hello, everyone. I recently picked up one of these Big Tony’s Pokerkard Arcade Table’s and it was basically gutted but i figured $200 was still a good price for a project. The only things included were the Touchscreen, Power Supply, and a single Pokerkard. My question is: Would i be able to just install a new pc and duplicate the hard drive image + usb security drive? Additionally, where can I find the two serial cards needed to connect the touchscreen as those were missing as well. I wish it were easier to acquire a pc from an old unit but they are hard to find nowadays. Thanks in advance :) 
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Dahlar on May 18, 2022, 09:53:22 PM
I am glad I found this thread; I bought a PokerKard last weekend. The unit was fully working with two USB keys and about 30 cards. The only issues are the card dispenser is there, but broken and player's 3 and 4 touch pads don't fully work. I was able to max out the PC to boot faster hopefully. Swapped the Pentium4 - 2.8ghz to a Pentium4 - 3.6ghz, 2gb of ram to 4gb and cloned the hard drive to an SSD drive. All said and done with new shocks for the lid was about $75, not too bad. The last main project is to work on the touch sensors, I have tried rotating the glass 180 and swapping sensor boards, but not all fixed yet. From experience with other electronics, those orange flat flexible cables are probably partially bad.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Dahlar on May 18, 2022, 09:57:59 PM
Quote from: BennyV07 on September 29, 2019, 05:31:06 AM
Hello, everyone. I recently picked up one of these Big Tony’s Pokerkard Arcade Table’s and it was basically gutted but i figured $200 was still a good price for a project. The only things included were the Touchscreen, Power Supply, and a single Pokerkard. My question is: Would i be able to just install a new pc and duplicate the hard drive image + usb security drive? Additionally, where can I find the two serial cards needed to connect the touchscreen as those were missing as well. I wish it were easier to acquire a pc from an old unit but they are hard to find nowadays. Thanks in advance :) 
Those boards are most likely next to impossible to find. They look to be custom to the game. I have never seen anything like them before, well at least the jamma card. Your best bet would probably be to convert it to a PC multicade cocktail cabinet. They do make USB touch screen overlays, but you could also add in buttons and joysticks or just buttons.
Title: Re: Big Tony's Pokerkard
Post by: Shibster on October 11, 2023, 05:06:55 AM
Hi Guys!

Can you believe that Tony is still alive and kicking and I just picked one up myself.

I have a quick question for anyone with a live Australian model (or others maybe)

In device manager could you tell me what the nova serial card is called and what drivers its using?

Mine was not loading and windows updated it but I feel it renamed it and now the coin slots aren't online when its trying to boot up ... it just sits saying all 4 are missing....

I should say they were working at the start..... and the 4 SR3 were marked as missing.... now they both seem to be....
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