My DENVER DUCK doesn't start properly

[Breton56]

Hello everybody. I'm a new member from France, and I apologize for my bad english...
I have a problem with my new machine Denver Duck. It doen't start properly.
I have the message on the screen "IGT Reel Touch. Please wait a moment", the message "WELCOME" followed by a blue screen, and nothing more...
On the display under the reels, I have the message "WAITING FOR THE VIDEO DISPLAY".
I think it comes from hard drive programs. This disk has been tested after disassembly and connection to a computer and has no problem.
Reinstalling the software could solve the problem, but I have not a copy of this software...
If you can help me, I can answer additional questions.
Thank you 
Remy (Breton 56)

[qbert]

If your unit is a bios 1 (red white and blue finger on the top box when it starts) you ruined the harddrive when you hooked it to a computer.
What does the top box show when you turn the machine on?
 
If you have bios 2 green and yellow energy star you should still not try to view the harddrive with a computer.
Was the machine functioning before you hooked the harddrive to a computer ?

[qbert]

Remy,
The problem is in the top box either the harddrive or some other problem. Remember when doing any kind of component removal make sure the power is off.
We should be able to get you running again, just need answers to questions above.
Rich

[Breton56]

Thank your for your answer.
When the machine starts, I have on the video display :

Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG, An Energy Star Ally
Copyright (C) 1984-99, Award Software, Inc.
Main Processor : PENTIUM III 1000MHz(133x7.5)
Memory Testing : 523264 OK + 1024K Shared Memory

At the bottom of the next screen, I have the message :

Updating ESCD ... Success
Building DMI Pool ... Success

Remy

[qbert]

OK based on your information you have a bios 2 Denver Duck.
Has it ever  worked? When did it stop working.
It should continue with some light blue screens welcome etc. It should finally get to a blue screen with a black center that should say initializing.
This could take almost 10 minutes to get to initializing.
 

[Breton56]

This machine came from a casino and it worked, but I’ve never seen it work at home.
The blue screen is empty, no message, even after 1 hour...

[qbert]

So it just gets to a light blue screen and goes no further?
That is a strange problem usually if the harddrive goes bad it won't go to the light blue screens.
If you open the top box and turn the machine on does the fan on the cpu heat sink run? Not the box fan on top,  the smaller cpu fan on the heat sink.

[Breton56]

Yes, the 2 fans run.
There are 2 red lights on the electronic board of the top box.

[qbert]

Two red lights are good.
What do the capacitors on that board look like?
Are any of them swollen on top? if possible post a picture.

[Breton56]

Capacitors appear to be in good condition.
I attach a photo of the board.
Do you think reinstalling the software may solve the problem ?

[qbert]

The caps do look pretty good.
I don't know of any way to install the software other than by cloning a drive from a working unit and this must be done via a DOS based cloning program.
Any windows computer will corrupt the harddrive by leaving files that the game will balk at.
Years ago if you had the CDs you could put a blank HD in and then load the software from the CD to the harddrive but this was a slow problematic process.
You don't have the CDs do you?

[Breton56]

No I don’t have the CDs with the original software 
I hope to find a solution to restart this machine.
I think this machine has the best and fun bonus game between Reeltouch.

[qbert]

In my opinion Denver Duck is the best reel touch theme.
OK long shot it still seems to me that the top box is locking up. I noticed that the fan on the cpu heat sink is not original. Maybe the heat sink was not properly installed on the CPU chip or without thermal grease where the chip contacts the heat sink. Carefully remove the fan and unclip the heat sink and confirm it has thermal grease and proper contact on the chip. The heat sink can only be properly mounted in one direction if I recall one side is milled off to clear the chip mount. This is a long shot but I have had this happen before.
Rich

[Breton56]

I’ll check on that tomorrow (it's 10:00 PM in France) and get back to you.
Thank you.
Remy

[qbert]

OK don't worry we will get you going. Have a good night.

[Breton56]

Thank you very much.
See you soon.
Remy

[Breton56]

Hello. I disassembled the heat sink, cleaned it and replaced it with thermal grease, but still no change in the operation of the machine.
It always stops on the blank blue screen.
Do you think it is possible to find the original CDs to reinstall the software?
Thank you.
Remy

[qbert]

It is unusual for the top box to stop on the light blue screen like that.
One more thing to try. With the machine off look on the back of the top box and unplug the molex plug that has the gray wires(three or four wires). Then turn the machine on and see if the top box goes any further past the light blue screen.
I doubt we will be able to find a CD.
I can make a drive but I need to know what chips are in the bottom cpu.
With the power off remove the lower tray.
I need to know the following chip numbers : SB, SG and VS.
I assume the machine is set up to take euros.
With that information I can reconstruct and test a drive here.
Also snap a picture of the harddrive so I  can see if there is any information on it.

[Breton56]

I tried this (molex with 3 gray wires), but still the same situation : I have the following 3 screens:
- REEL TOUCH. One moment please
- WELCOME
- blank blue light screen

[qbert]

OK send me the chip info (or picture) and HD picture.
I'm out of ideas at this point.
Also possibly look for any stickers on the top box indicating the RFA, ATA, or BGM numbers.