what exactly do clear and key chips do?

[puckhead]

i'm pretty sure the clear chip clears the 2 ram chips. are there also chips on the motherboard( backplane) that it affects? also, what does the key chip do? can you just clear, and go to key config by pressing the test button on the mpu? why the key chip step?

thanks

[RB]

The key chip menu is read only if you do not use a key chip first. The key chip allows you to make changes. If you do a full clear, you will have to key chip it to get it setup again.

[puckhead]

if there is no full clear, then the key chip isnt needed to make key config changed?

[RB]

First I am assuming that you are talking about an S2000. If you clear ram only with an IVC00096 or IVC00223, then no key chip necessary. If you use IVC00097 or IVC00224 it will clear the ram & the E2 chip on the mother board. All previous settings will be lost & the key chip is a necessity. I highly recommend having both clear & key chips on hand. The 224 & KEY00045 will cover anything S2000 except R boards. A RBK00001 is needed for those. It is a combo clear/key but only works with R boards to my knowledge.