Can a bad dbv acceptor cause a "Call Attendant" on an Alpha?

[cobra617]

Hey folks.
I have an Alpha touchscreen (no reels) that has had a "flaky" dbv since I bought it last year. Last night, I decide to add some credits. So I put in a $20. It takes it and spits it back out. I tried a few other bills and nothing. Eventually, the machine seems to "freeze". I can turn the reset key and get to the menu, but the game won't play. I reboot it and it comes up with a Call Attendant on the Bally splashscreen. I performed a clear and the same message comes up. Turning the reset key does nothing.


I noticed that the dbv (MEI Cashflow) has a slow flashing red light. I look that up on MEI's site and that error denotes a failed acceptor and the solution is to replace the acceptor. I saw some on eBay for $34 shipped and I bought one (they seem to be working pulls). While I impatiently wait for it to arrive, I am wondering if this failed dbv would cause this or if I should look at something else? Also, once I get the acceptor should it just work once I install it?

[rickhunter]

When you turn the key, what is the error message displayed on the top right of the screen, it should tell you the cause of the error.  Rebooting does not clear the error condition.  Are you getting a DBV com failure?  The new head has to be flashed with the right software, you will also need to perform a clear, otherwise you will get a dbv firmware mismatch error.

[cobra617]

When you turn the key, what is the error message displayed on the top right of the screen, it should tell you the cause of the error.  Rebooting does not clear the error condition.  Are you getting a DBV com failure?  The new head has to be flashed with the right software, you will also need to perform a clear, otherwise you will get a dbv firmware mismatch error.

Thanks Rick. I will check the error when I get home later.


When you say that the dbv head has to be programmed with the right software, I am not sure I completely follow. What other fw does it need to match?


Thanks.

[CVslots]

There are different "languages", basically, for Bally machines, IGT machines, etc. Ask the seller what software is installed, or maybe just what machine type/model they came out of. It is usually indicated by a little sticker somewhere on the head, but not always.

If it is not flashed for Bally, I believe there are members here who can help you with that, so it's not a total loss.

[cobra617]

There are different "languages", basically, for Bally machines, IGT machines, etc. Ask the seller what software is installed, or maybe just what machine type/model they came out of. It is usually indicated by a little sticker somewhere on the head, but not always.

If it is not flashed for Bally, I believe there are members here who can help you with that, so it's not a total loss.

Got it. Thank you.

[rickhunter]

You also need to make sure that it is RS-232 model and not netplex, they cannot be flashed from one to the other as they are different hardware.  If you got a 6607 you have rs-232 of you got 6602 you have netplex.  You also need 6607 with IDO03 software as there are many types, although these can be flashed to IDO03 as long as they are 6607's.

[cobra617]

You also need to make sure that it is RS-232 model and not netplex, they cannot be flashed from one to the other as they are different hardware.  If you got a 6607 you have rs-232 of you got 6602 you have netplex.  You also need 6607 with IDO03 software as there are many types, although these can be flashed to IDO03 as long as they are 6607's.

Thanks Rick. Mine as well as the one I bought are indeed both SC6607. I bought it because the fault that my unit shows seems to be a fatal error. (Meaning that they don't list any corrective steps...only replace unit) So I figured that I need it. I didn't know about the need for specific code that had to be applied. I guess I could get lucky with it. Otherwise, I will try to track down someone that can program it. (Hopefully at a reasonable price)


In the meantime, I guess that I can try to clean my current unit.


I'll also check the error code with the reset key.


One last question.....Can the machine be brought up without a DBV? I only have the DBV to add credits and I am trying to get a Bettor TiTo so I can add credits with that. (I am thinking that the machine will not come up without a DBV)


Thanks.

[rickhunter]

Yes, you can disable dbv.  If you ordered your bettor tito, did you tell jim to have it flashed for the bonus credit feature?  I had him flash mine with 10,000 credits for the push of the service button.  You have to specify that, otherwise it does not come like that.   If you don't have that option, then there are no way to add credits to the machine without a validator.  The game will play fine without a validator or ticket printer, but you need a way to get credits into the machine. 

[cobra617]

Yes, you can disable dbv.  If you ordered your bettor tito, did you tell jim to have it flashed for the bonus credit feature?  I had him flash mine with 10,000 credits for the push of the service button.  You have to specify that, otherwise it does not come like that.   If you don't have that option, then there are no way to add credits to the machine without a validator.  The game will play fine without a validator or ticket printer, but you need a way to get credits into the machine.

Thanks Rick.
I haven't order the TiTo yet. I was looking at the deluxe which can add credits through an app. But when I do order, I will ask for the bonus credit feature.


So if I run a clear and then unplug the power to the dbv before booting back up, in theory should the game boot up?


Thanks again for all of your help.

[rickhunter]

If you do a clear and during setup you tell it that it has no dbv installed, it should come up, you don't even have to unplug power or anything.  But keep in mind without a DBV and TITO, there is no way to add credits to the machine unless you have coin-in.

[777sizzler]

Here is what I know,  If you have a 6607-rs-232 head-You can install it,power up and it will work without clearing anything.  Now what bills it takes etc. is another thing.  I have literlaly had hundreds of these and they ranged in problems from heads to the center interface board with the toggle switch -which is the more common failure with these-at that point it can cause flash/program issues. And yes I am talking Alpha.  Stick the head in and mess with it. Mis-match will only occur if the head has diff program than interface card. 

[cobra617]

If you do a clear and during setup you tell it that it has no dbv installed, it should come up, you don't even have to unplug power or anything.  But keep in mind without a DBV and TITO, there is no way to add credits to the machine unless you have coin-in.

I actually really like coin in/out. I have an S2000 that still has this. My previous Bally 6000s were as well. Strangely enough, I had far fewer problems with coins than I do with dbvs.


 

[cobra617]

Here is what I know,  If you have a 6607-rs-232 head-You can install it,power up and it will work without clearing anything.  Now what bills it takes etc. is another thing.  I have literlaly had hundreds of these and they ranged in problems from heads to the center interface board with the toggle switch -which is the more common failure with these-at that point it can cause flash/program issues. And yes I am talking Alpha.  Stick the head in and mess with it. Mis-match will only occur if the head has diff program than interface card.

Thank you.


Here is where I am now.


I was playing with the dbv head. Taking it out and putting it back. Then at one point it booted up fine (single green slow flash light). Yay. The machine came up.
I put in a few bills just fine. After a few bills, I guess I got too greedy and it spit one out. I heard the head intializing and then I got a dbv comm error. I opened the door, saw that the head had a single red flashing light. I popped the head and put it back in and it came up ok. Same thing....took a few bills, then it croaked. I popped the head again and it initialized ok. Lather, rinse, repeat. I was able to get about $2000 in credits before I gave up. (When I cleared it I set it only to 1cent to make sure the credits last longer)

So it looks like I have a barely functioning head and popping it seems to "fix" it temporarily (for how long, who knows?). When the one I bought comes in, I will swap it in and see what happens.


If I can get a hold of Jim, hopefully the TiTo will save me this trouble.
Thank you all!!!

[rickhunter]

One word of advice, NEVER and I MEAN NEVER hot plug a dbv head into a machine while it's powered up.  These things are super sensitive to surges  and having that kind of stress on a system that was not meant to be hot-plug can cause other issues.  You should ALWAYS power down anytime you add/remove electronic components.  About the only thing I will ever replace with power on are button bulbs.  Everything else gets worked on while power out.

[cobra617]

One word of advice, NEVER and I MEAN NEVER hot plug a dbv head into a machine while it's powered up.  These things are super sensitive to surges  and having that kind of stress on a system that was not meant to be hot-plug can cause other issues.  You should ALWAYS power down anytime you add/remove electronic components.  About the only thing I will ever replace with power on are button bulbs.  Everything else gets worked on while power out.

Got it. Thanks Rick.


I typically only remove the cash can with the machine on.

[Bspun04]

Just started working with MEIs recently at the new casino im at, thought id give you the tilt LED indicators for green and red light. For Green, 1 Flash, Disabled by machine interface. (im sure its solid green after BV reset if its accepting bills.) For Red, 1 Flash, Acceptor Hardware Fault. 2 Flashes, Interface board hardware fault. 8 Flashes, Note Timeout. I see that its accepting and then freezing so not sure if these tilts help but seems like an issue with the head itself if its blinking red once when you reseat it.

[FireballJackpot]

Simple fix! ......   Install a JCM UBA....


MEI you need the "yellow box" to Flash them.JCM's you can FLASH yourself (with a little computer knowledge). UBA's are pretty much Bulletproof for home use. Make sure you buy one with a Bally harness, as the Netplex and WMS harnesses are different than Bally.