Game King Cleopatra II boot problem

[off-track]

I just picked up a GK Cleopatra II for cheap as is it was posted as "non working"  The ad showed the screen showing a "GK SHA Failure" nessage.

After getting it home, it will power up, the screen briefly shows a slight yellow tint (with diagonal lines) and then goes to black.  To me that appears that the processor is talking to it?

The MPU board shows two green lights, five yellow and one dark.  Please forgive me as this is the first GK I've dealt with and it's obviously very different from the S series.  I've just started to research the problem but some pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[shortrackskater]

I'd start by pulling out the MPU board and just look at it - make sure all the chips are properly seated and there's no obvious damage on the board. Plug it back in and see what happens. Be careful of STATIC.

[rickhunter]

GK SHA Failure is a bad flash board.  Your current issue is something else, sounds like something is lose.   If the flash board can't be reflashed, you can buy any number of 044 flash boards, and if the rest of the machine is "healthy" you probably got yourself a good deal.

Is your screen LCD or CRT?

[off-track]

Your current issue is something else, sounds like something is lose.

Pulled MPU and pressed on any socket-ed chips.  Re-seated all cards and pulled the monitor out to check connections.  Can't find anything loose. 

Bill validator runs it's self check on power up, florescent lights come on and screen does the yellow diagonal lines and then black.  No buttons are lit.  Should the red light on the power distribution board be on?  Both 15A fuses test good.  Able to read 13V & 25V on the unused cable shown.     

f the flash board can't be reflashed, you can buy any number of 044 flash boards, and if the rest of the machine is "healthy" you probably got yourself a good deal.

Is your screen LCD or CRT?

CRT

Will connecting a computer to the serial DB-9 on the the MPU show any boot progress messages that might help?

[rickhunter]

You could have a bad CRT.  Usually the way to test the monitor is to put it on a known working cabinet to see if you get a picture, but since you don't have that luxury, I would try and see if someone close to you can test your mpu board for you.  GK SHA failure is a bad flash, but the fact that it had that at one point probably means the mpu itself is good.  Most CRT's can be fixed by recapping the power supply on them, but at this point, you are probably better off getting a drop-in LCD replacement.  Better picture and less headaches.

[off-track]

I agree that it would be best to get rid of the CRT if that is part of the problem.  I would be nice if there was some way to confirm that it's bad first as the conversion isn't cheap?  I live in south central Wisconsin if there are any NLG members nearby?  Otherwise, can anyone recommend a vendor for MPU test or a LCD replacement?

I did see another post that mentioned the main power supply could be the root of all the problems.  Does the PS have test points?  Other than the 13V and 25V are there other output voltages to check?  I'd expect at least 5V and 120/240 as well just based on my other older machines?

I really need to pull this thing apart but we just moved and I'm kind of pushing my son to see what he can diagnose while I've been tied up with details

[rickhunter]

Part of the "fun" of the hobby is what you are going through.  Unfortunately, like most hobbies involving older equipment, it often becomes a money pit if you are unlucky.  My take on this hobby is to get at least 2 or 3 spares of the parts that frequently have issues like fans, power supplies, I/O cards, validators.  As of right now, the parts for the 044 platform (which is what you have) are easy to find and rather affordable at the moment.  When the parts begin to dry up, you start paying through the roof to keep the machine going.  The power supply for your machine goes on e-bay all the time between $30-$40.  You could probably get one from one our sponsors here for that much but tested and known to be working.  The LCD can run you around $200 used and around $400 to $500 new.  Often, you will have a vendor that is parting machines out and you can get the LCD for a bit less than that, but it's something you just have to keep looking out for.  Quite a few of the vendors here are from the Ohio area, which is not too far.  If you would really like to "step" into this hobby, might be worth a weekend drive to one of their places to have a look.  If you do, rent a uhaul!.  If you are like most of us, you will notice that your one machine will suddenly multiply and fill a game room.  Strange how that happens.

[off-track]

I understand that the hobby can be money a pit but I also have that irresistible urge.  This is my fourth slot machine (along with six pins).

Well, we made some progress today!  Checking the CRT boards and connectors we managed to get it to go red (vs yellow) on power up.   Hmm, that seemed to be a power connection issue?  Re-seated the cathode board several times and it now comes on correctly!

Now we're back to the original GK SHA failure.  See attached..  Also, the person that I picked the machine up from stated that this error occurred just after moving the machine from AL to WI although the were "careful".  I guess it could be another connection issue but I don't even know what board/where the flash is located?

Also, I was wondering if there are any GK manuals in the NLG library?  I'd really like to get a service manual (or even 044 operator manual) as poking around in the dark isn't exactly conducive to proper trouble shooting.

[Tilt]

Your flash memory board is corrupt or bad.  The games performs SHA checksum calculation of the game software as part of the boot up process.  It knows what it should be and if it doesn't match you'll get the SHA failure error message.  You can try to reseat the flash card and see if that helps, it probably will not, but it's worth a try.  Here's a post that shows the various 044 system components:
http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=880.msg3989#msg3989
Here's a 044 manual that may be helpful to you.

[off-track]

Just wanted to report that this thread has been solved!

I found an old post where Blueridgeslots advertised a Cleo II flashboard for sale.  Jim said that he still had one but suggested that I send my board in to see if it could be re-flashed first.  Long story short.. it was toast.  He supplied a replacement as well as a 28 keychip installed on my old bad board for initial setup.  He was even so kind to include a replacement battery cell for good measure!  Thanks SO much Jim!

Everything worked like a charm and it now starts and works perfectly!

Next step.. TITO?

[Tilt]

That's great news, congratulations!     Thanks for posting a follow-up message to let us know the resolution.  It will no doubt help others down the line.

As you found out, Jim (Blueridgeslots) is a great guy and can be very helpful getting you the right part you need at the right price. 

TITO is pretty easy to do.  I find it convenient way for putting a whole bunch of credits on a machine at one time.  Others like to use it like you would at a casino.  Cash out on one machine, take the ticket and put it in another to continue play.

Enjoy your game!