I'm still having problems with the ROM FAIL 0 ERROR
I'm sure it's because the reels aren't in "sync". I know it has been explained to me how to get the reels in sync, but I still don't understand how to do it.
Do you start with the machine turned off and then move all 3 reels to the major jackpot position and then turn the machine on and see where the reels stop? When do I move the little lever on the side of lever one?
Please help me and don't give up on me.
Don
1) I didn't look back far here, but when did the ROM FAIL message start appearing, and is it constant?
2) The machine has no idea if the reel are aligned properly or not, so that is not the basis for the error message.
3) As I mentioned before, in the Diag section (pressing the Red button on the card cage, or the hack around it that you have), you need to step through until you get to the alignment section. (My machine isn't readily available, so I can't tell you the exact number of presses) This will A) start at the top prize, B) rotate the reels to the top prize, and C) alternate the right side display prize amount from 1 coin played to max coins played (e.g. 400 -> 2500 -> 400, or whatever yours is). The top prize is the one you want to stay on, as there is only 1 combination of symbols that would trigger that amount. This is from where you want to align the reels. The plastic reels are now setup with that combination showing. As I said before, if the correct symbols are close to where they should be (~1 spacing off), you can carefully adjust the (usually black) tab on the plastic reel forward or back to change the alignment. This takes trial and error, and some time.
3a) If the winning symbols are not even close to appearing, you'll need to remove the reel strips from each reel and place it back on with the top prize centered in front of you. This is tricky because you don't want to move the plastic reel at all, it's in the place you want it. It's delicate work, but can be done. I've done it (almost literally) hundreds of times.
3b) If the initial alignment test shows the reels are completely off, it's easiest to then remove all the reel strips (keeping track which one goes where, it's important!), and re-run the alignment test. You'll have the reel strips ready to be put on without accidentally moving the plastic reel.
3b2) If it's easier, and you don't mind making a mark on the plastic reel, you could dab a magic marker on the plastic reel on where the top symbols should be between. This would make it totally easy for you as you can take the reel mechanisms out and still know where the top symbols belong. It makes reattaching the reel strip easier too since you have full access to the plastic reel.
Let start here again.
I used a couple alternative descriptions of the things involved to hopefully make it easier to understand. Let me explain them here in case, and I'm not attempting to be mean about it or anything if I dumb it down, I just to make sure we're on the same page:
-- Plastic Reel (aka the Basket), this is the semi-clear wheel that holds the reel strip. It's attached to the motor and has a (usually) black tab on it at some location.
-- Reel Strip - this is the strip of plastic that has the symbols. It attaches to the Plastic Reel, originally via a glue substance which has long dried up. If you reattach the reel strips, it's easiest (but not exactly prettiest) to use scotch tape. I use tape, I don't care. Some casinos do too.
-- Black Tab - this is a little piece of plastic attached to the Plastic Reel. It's what tells the machine what position the Plastic Reel is upon each rotation. This is what determines the alignment. It can (carefully!) be slid forward and back to make small adjustments to where the symbols land. It's extremely fragile, and the game will not work without it, so be super careful if you adjust this thing! If it breaks off, usually taking a piece of the plastic reel with it, there is still ways to fix it though. But let's try to keep it in one piece, you have enough to deal with here.
Let me know if this helps get you started.