Machine Immediately Goes to Displays Netplex Link is Down and "No Disp"

[121940kz]

Here is a video also demonstrating the issue: https://photos.app.goo.gl/rsomrHzyxf4LFfwb9

I need some more troubleshooting advice on an IGT S2000 5 reel machine I’m working on. It’s a beautiful machine, was working in the past and then stopped. When powered on it does not even do any self tests, it immediately goes to displays netplex link is down on the VFD and “no disp” on the winner paid / credits 7 segment display, which I read means MPU can’t contact the VFD. But yet the VFD is working and displaying text Here is what I’ve tried:

•   Checked the voltages of the power supply, it was registering correct on the red, orange, and black wires
•   Swapped the VFD with another one from my good machine – no changes. Is there a separate VFD controller somewhere?
•   Put this machines 1270 enhanced into my other machine and it boots up fine – so the board is good
•   Put my other machine’s 1270 into this machine and same result, immediately goes to netplex link down when turned on
•   I unplugged netplex devices – no changes.

So if there is a VFD controller maybe it’s that but I thought my VFD had the controller built into it. Otherwise would it be the backplane? Or one of the other netplex boards? Just trying to figure out what component could be bad causing this behavior. Thanks in advance.

[dailey]

The most common cause for Netplex Link Down is the power supply. Keep in mind that even with the correct voltages the power supply could still be bad. If the pin 7 reference voltage is wrong, it will pull everything down. Try another power supply.

[121940kz]

The most common cause for Netplex Link Down is the power supply. Keep in mind that even with the correct voltages the power supply could still be bad. If the pin 7 reference voltage is wrong, it will pull everything down. Try another power supply.

Thanks, I'll pull a power supply from a parts machine I have, and see if that can make a difference

[121940kz]

The most common cause for Netplex Link Down is the power supply. Keep in mind that even with the correct voltages the power supply could still be bad. If the pin 7 reference voltage is wrong, it will pull everything down. Try another power supply.

Just swapped the power supply with another, and same behavior. So not the power supply it would seem.

[dailey]

I agree you have ruled out the power supply. What happens when you power up and let the machine set for 5 minutes or more under power (reels installed). Will it try to come to life, reels spin, bill validator cycle ?

There is an excellent article in slot tech magazine about troubleshooting Netplex Link Down. It's a must read for anyone that owns an S2000. Follow the link to the archives and look for the June 2015 issue.  https://web.archive.org/web/20191028195210/https://slot-techs.com/magazine/backissues.htm

[121940kz]

I agree you have ruled out the power supply. What happens when you power up and let the machine set for 5 minutes or more under power (reels installed). Will it try to come to life, reels spin, bill validator cycle ?

There is an excellent article in slot tech magazine about troubleshooting Netplex Link Down. It's a must read for anyone that owns an S2000. Follow the link to the archives and look for the June 2015 issue.  https://web.archive.org/web/20191028195210/https://slot-techs.com/magazine/backissues.htm

So I did do that, the reels did all spin up after a few minutes which was something I'd never seen yet so that's good. I heard bv cycle again. The left 7 segment display turned on and I still get netplex down and the other 7 segment flashing no disp. i have the top box printer unplugged for now, I noticed when it was plugged in, sometimes it would come on and sometimes not. I wonder if that top netplex card could be causing this??

[lookes]

Does your VFD display have a wide flat cable on it? Some displays do have a separate controller mounted in the door.

[121940kz]

Does your VFD display have a wide flat cable on it? Some displays do have a separate controller mounted in the door.

no my VFD has the red and black power cable and the green netplex plug. That's why I was curious if this type had a separate controller or if it was built in. But I did swap the entire VFD with and working one with no changes in behavior.

[Stayouttadabunker]

Your particular display uses LED's (Light Emitting Diode), and located above the bill validator.
The VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) is the blue display behind the reel glass just above the button deck, towards the hinge side of the door.
That blue display WILL have a controller attached to the back of the door panel connected via a multi-colored flat ribbon cable and powered by a 2-pin black and red wired harness.

I wonder if that top Netplex card could be causing this??

If it looks like in the attached picture, it's called a "T/B Power Distribution board"...basically, it is just a "splitter", so you can plug up to three extra other Netplex peripheral devices....as well as extra power outlets for stuff like a topbox-mounted printer, progressive displays, and candles.
Only if somehow maybe during a move, especially if the machine was laying flat on it's back, could something possibly fall in behind it and short it out, however, because of it's fairly high, back wall mouned location, usually nothing happens to it.
It's fairy easy to remove the 4 screws that hold it to the wall, and inspect behind it for a short.
Just make sure the power switch is off first.

Click on photo below to enlarge if needed...>>>

[dailey]

So after some time the machine did try to come to life. This means the cause of the problem is a Netplex device or out in the line.

Isolate netplex devices one at a time and check the wiring. The printer ribbon cable often causes problems. Also the VFD ribbon cable. You have a Sentry bill validator display on the door. Remember this is part of a netplex circuit. These wires can sometimes get pinched when closing the door.

If you still can't locate the problem, there are 4 Netplex sockets on the mother board. By disconnecting one at a time to narrow down the search.

[121940kz]

So after some time the machine did try to come to life. This means the cause of the problem is a Netplex device or out in the line.

Isolate netplex devices one at a time and check the wiring. The printer ribbon cable often causes problems. Also the VFD ribbon cable. You have a Sentry bill validator display on the door. Remember this is part of a netplex circuit. These wires can sometimes get pinched when closing the door.

If you still can't locate the problem, there are 4 Netplex sockets on the mother board. By disconnecting one at a time to narrow down the search.

I think I'm going to try switching out the back plane motherboard. I totally disconnected the top netplex card in the top glass area and it didn't make a difference so I don't think it's that. It just seems like if the MPU is immediately not talking to netplex maybe that backplane is next to blame. I'll keep everyone updated. Let me know if any other ideas as well.

[Stayouttadabunker]

Let me know if any other ideas as well.

Watch and see if the "No Disp" changes at all if you wiggle door wires, and door harnesses?

[121940kz]

I know this machine is a different one with the 504 board but this thread sounds extremely similar to my situation https://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=30925.0

I won't have time tonight to inspect or replace the back plane motherboard tonight, but I'm hoping that's where my issue is. I'll report back soon!

[121940kz]

Well the anticipation was killing me...I switched out the back plane motherboard and wouldn't you know it, that was the issue! 5 reel triple red hot 7 is alive again. Now I just need to wait for my RK key chip to come in and mail because I've not needed one for an R board until now. I need to set the machine type and such before I can actually play it but I'm there guys. She was a tricky one