I'm about to do something stupid...

[captmatt]

Hope someone can talk me out of it...


Stuck in the 61, 61-1 loop with my s-plus.  I'ver scoured this site (thanks for all the great info) looking for ways around using the CLEAR and SET chip method since many of you discourage it.  It's on order and will be here in a week or so but I'm thinking about trying one last ditch effort - temporarily removing the EEPROM chip on the motherboard, waiting a few minutes, then putting it right back on to maybe trick the thing into re-setting the CMOS RAM.


The door optics are good, the jackpot reset key/switch is good.  I know from going through the steps that have been provided on this forum.  Not asking for help troubleshooting or I why provide details and pictures.


Just looking for input as to why this is such a bad idea.  Is it a bad idea?

[Ken]

Can't hurt to pull the CMOS.

[slots4home]

Their is nothing wrong removing the CMOS chip on the processor board for 10 seconds and replace.
If that does not work then you have no choice clear is the only option.

[captmatt]

Tried that already.  I was going to do the same with the one on the motherboard.  Any issues with that?

[Ken]

You can do that too but the machine needs ram cleared.

[captmatt]

Gotcha, thanks.


I've searched and searched and found a ton of people having the same issue with the 61 loop.  I see so many replies saying not to use the CLEAR and SET chip method yet the only one's that have been fixed have done exactly that.  Can't find anyone saying they solved the issue without clearing.


Thanks for taking the time

[sixcardmark]

The 61 loop is usually the only time you ever need to clear.  I got past the 61 loop once by swapping out to a newer SP chip.

[Stayouttadabunker]

Sixcardmark above is right...there ARE some chips that allow one to get past using the clear chip...but it's only in certain chip numbers that allow this....unfortunately, MOST homeowners do NOT have this stuff.

Another awesome member named CowboyGames did some extensive research and testing on this subject alone and he found out a bunch of things too.

So basically and in MOST circumstances, you MUST use the Clear chip when you have the [61] loop...there's no other way to reset the logic data bridges inside of the CMOS chip.

The reason why people say not to use it is because they don't know how to set-up the machine.
If you have a working bill validator, then you need the proper SET chip to enable it back again.

It's not that easy to do all of this because the only thing you see is numbers on the display and you have to have the correct specific sheet to decipher the numbers that are being displayed for YOUR game.

People get frustrated because by using a Clear chip, they've erased all programming that was on there before it broke down.

Folks don't realize that these are regulated slot machines that were made for people TRAINED to know how to set them up correctly according to the casino and state regulation guidelines.


For home use, it took many years for the people here to get copies of these programming sheets so that we can all enjoy these machines at home for fun.


Be sure to read all of the FAQ's section for your machine up on the home page of NLG.
There's TONS of info there to help you set up your machine the way YOU want it to work! 

[captmatt]

Got it. Good info, thanks.

[Stayouttadabunker]

Can I ask you something?

What did you do to get your machine stuck in the logic loop?

It takes an "non-recoverable event" to cause that....the "event" usually is one unplugging or plugging something in while the power was on.

Did you pull the MPU out while the switch was on?

Just for fun, I'll let you know that if this "event" was performed at a casino by a technician, he would be fired on the spot back in the day...haha

Why fired you say? Because all the internal accounting data is lost when a total Clear has to be performed..

[captmatt]

Can I ask you something?
What did you do to get your machine stuck in the logic loop?

Changed the battery on the MPU after a code 12.  The machine has been sitting for about 10 years!


Cool project though

[captmatt]

Did you pull the MPU out while the switch was on?

Possible, I guess, but I don't think so.

[Stayouttadabunker]

Hmm...I've had S+'s sitting in a storage room for 5 years and when turned they worked! lol
However, other problems popped up....it was expected.


You have a real slot machine that was live on a Las Vegas casino floor at one time or another.
Take good care of it...it will last longer than you will...haha

[knagl]

I was going to do the same with the one on the motherboard.  Any issues with that?

If memory serves, the EEPROM on the fixed motherboard in the bottom of the machine (or the back, if a slant top) is typically soldered to the board -- it's not socketed, and removing it and reseating it wouldn't really do much to it anyway.

The main reason we advise against using a RAM clear chip is that people think that the chip is the cure-all for any issue they run into.  Empty hopper? Run the clear chip!  Coin optics not working? Run the clear chip!  (Note, the clear chip won't fix broken optics.)

While the RAM clear chip doesn't harm anything, it does reset the machine back to its factory default settings.  Often times this means that a machine that was previously set up to hold credits will now pay coins out on every hit.  ...and other setting changes, too.  Now we've got a user who just needed to add more coins to their empty hopper, but instead now needs to go through programming a bunch of settings on their machine that they probably don't know how to program.  That's why we advise the RAM clear chip to be used as a last resort, as it can sometimes further complicate an issue that would have otherwise been a pretty simple fix.

In the case of the 61 loop, a RAM clear chip is the solution.