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**Video Poker, Keno, Slots, 21** Gaming machines => BALLY Game Maker => Topic started by: vbtalent on July 09, 2022, 02:40:05 PM

Title: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 09, 2022, 02:40:05 PM
I was helping a friend today try to erase and reset his Gamemaker 8000.

I replaced the P10 chip with the erase chip and set the dip switches to on.

I then powered on the machine, see video of screen output.  https://youtu.be/yVqDZ3Xt9dM (https://youtu.be/yVqDZ3Xt9dM)

It then went to the defaults screen.

I then set the defaults and saved it, powered off the machine and rebooted again.

The machine booted and gave me the same original error message… it seems like the settings didn’t get written to ram?? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get around this problem??

Any help would be appreciated...

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 11, 2022, 07:44:44 AM
Its never good when a forum post doesn't get any reply's... ugh!

Since I'm new to repairing a video poker machine.. can anyone tell me what this message is actually telling me?? "Mains saferam signature corrupted"

I've not heard of the term saferam before... is that similar to pc ram?

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: shortrackskater on July 11, 2022, 03:21:14 PM
This is a great forum, but some of those who would have replied here, died.
Sometimes it takes a few days for the others to log back on. This is an entirely volunteer (no one is paid) forum.
Hang on...
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: shortrackskater on July 11, 2022, 03:25:33 PM
For starters, right here in this forum was the same question. I simply searched your terms in this forum - "Mains saferam signature corrupted."

Here's what I found so far.
https://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=100.msg465#msg465
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 11, 2022, 04:10:19 PM
Thanks for the reply shorttrackskater. I certainly appreciate the link you gave and the amount of time it might take for other reply’s… a bit impatient on my behalf, I will adjust accordingly.

Just curious if you can shed some light on what the error message is saying in human speak?? And if you might be familiar with the process of running a clear chip?

I’m guessing that the clear chip is designed to totally clear the ram chip that stores the settings?? If that is the case, based on my screen shots does it appear to have completed that successfully, I don’t know what success  looks like??

If it is clearing, then it seems like the problem is in the writing of the ram chip, guessing that it might be a dip switch problem or could the battery cause that???

Thanks for the discussion.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: shortrackskater on July 11, 2022, 06:34:56 PM
To start, a few questions.
What happened that required his machine to be cleared? Did he do a game change?
And, after you put in the clear chip, did you set the dip switches back? I believe it's 6,7,8. And did you check the battery voltage?
I'm going to PM some members that have better brains than mine, right now.
Go ahead and reply to the first two questions and that will help them.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Badbaud on July 11, 2022, 06:50:53 PM
To clear the Safe Ram also turn on dip switches 6,7, and 8 after putting the clear chip into P10.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 12, 2022, 11:47:20 AM
To start, a few questions.
What happened that required his machine to be cleared? Did he do a game change?
And, after you put in the clear chip, did you set the dip switches back? I believe it's 6,7,8. And did you check the battery voltage?
I'm going to PM some members that have better brains than mine, right now.
Go ahead and reply to the first two questions and that will help them.

I believe the problem arose from the game sitting.. no new chips/games have been added.
I think he replaced the battery also, I'll be taking a look at that. Should I see some stored voltage there? This battery is soldered in.
So, I set the dip switches (1-8) according the directions all 8 were set to "On".

Here is the process we used:
- Powered off the machine
- Set the dip switches to "ON"
- Insert the clear chip
- Powered the machine on (see video)
- Once completed we powered off the machine
- Set the dip switches to "OFF"
- Removed and replaced the Clear chip and the P10 chip
- Powered on the machine

Then the "Mains saferam signature corrupted" came right back..

Quote
And did you check the battery voltage?

I did not check the voltage. Should there be voltage when the machine is off or do I need to check it while the machine is on?

Thanks,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on July 12, 2022, 02:52:16 PM
 vbtalent,

 You should check the battery with the power off. Remove the board for easier access.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 12, 2022, 04:39:15 PM
I should expect to find voltage??
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on July 12, 2022, 04:44:56 PM
I should expect to find voltage??

 Yes, it should be 3.6v.  You can double check that by the labeling on the battery.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 12, 2022, 09:44:41 PM
I don’t want to make this conversation complicated, you have two of the best people supporting you. I will just add that my Gamemaker went through a temperamental period where it would lose settings and boot to blue screen on a regular basis or get stuck in boot cycle.  My game ended up having a driver chip problem and once replaced has behaved since.

If you are not sure the battery is good….replace it! If it is getting low and you get the game working you will have to do all this again. Battery is most likely your core issue. These machines were never intended to be in houses, used occasionally. The battery was intended to retain critical information should the machine fail on the casino floor or while being serviced.

Chris
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 13, 2022, 03:44:19 AM
Many thanks for the reply's.

I'll be taking another look today and from your suggestions I'll be honing in on the battery.

I'm assuming that the clear process appears to be working working correctly based on the screens and feedback I'm seeing. It seems like, even though the writing process also appears to be happening it isn't able to "Store" the data since the battery isn't functioning and on a reboot there are no settings to boot from, that seems logical to me.

I'll post back as soon as I can test it again.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on July 13, 2022, 08:03:12 AM
vbtalent,

 Also, if your third photo is after you set your parameters you may need to look at those as I think they may be incorrect. Does your machine not have either a coin acceptor or bill validator?
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 14, 2022, 05:07:36 AM
Last night we made some good progress... after pulling the board and re-inspecting it, I found that the battery was installed backwards, once fixed we were off to the races.

I re-inserted the clear chip after setting the dip switches to ON and it went through its clear process. We were then faced with setting the parameters. This seems to create the most uncertainty for us as we just don't know what some of the setting should be and their meanings. The following are the ones that seem to not be a logical choice and what we have chosen...

Jurisdiction -  5 "Default"
Primary Host - NONE
Secondary Host - NONE
SAS Version - NONE (The machine does appear to have a communication board in the top section with 2 LPT ports, wires are also cut. I assume this is what is being referred to??)
Coin Acceptor - NONE (There does not appear to be a coin mechanism. This was setup for Freeplay)
Bill Acceptor - NONE (There does not appear to be a bill acceptor mechanism,)
Printer Type - NONE (There is a printer but we were not asked to make a selection, based upon the Primary Host selection being NONE, I think)
Door Type - Mechanical (I assume this to be correct?)

We're also seeing a message after it boots on the screen about the Bill Acceptor and No Printer, is this normal?? (screen shot)

We're also having an issue with the machine thinking the door is open even though the door is locked and the switch is closed. If we close the door on the machine and lock it the machine is still registering the door open. If I open the door and manually hold in the door close switch the door open message goes off and it thinks it's closed. Maybe this is tied to the type of door type we selected???

The last thing were having an issue with is coining up credits? How is this normally done? Does the DIP switch need to be ON for "Autoplay"?

Hopefully these issues are all tied to the SafeRam settings...

We really appreciate your input and help with this.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 14, 2022, 10:04:27 AM
Great to hear, as we said battery was surely the core issue. Lol
A few things
Are you sure your door type is Mechanical and not optic?
I was told to use Jurisdiction 1. Maybe thats regional.
After you get the game set up you need to get it out of Demo mode.

Turn the key switch once
Go to Terminal ID
Type 11111111111111
Enter (cr)

Thats an excerpt from a setup document a friend gave me. I learned the hard way too, after clear chip the game goes to Demo mode. After that it should take credits. Not sure about the door closure issue. Let us know.

Chris
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 20, 2022, 05:15:52 AM
I’m not finding a way to get the machine out of demo mode I’m not seeing a place to enter the “Terminal ID”, ideas?
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 20, 2022, 05:38:50 AM
I see the door open text on your screen. I think you have to close the door before to do system settings, should be under Configuration.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 20, 2022, 09:44:45 AM
With the door closed or at least the button held in.. turning the key gives me the following menu… still nowhere to enter TerminalID?

Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 20, 2022, 12:57:05 PM
So sorry. I had that backwards.
It’s not in Config/host? The one on the far right?
I will look at mine when I get home from work tonight. I was going to do that but ran out of time this morning.

There are several posts on this, maybe I need to do a post where I list the steps and include the Demo mode issue. This almost always gets resolved in a post that is 3 miles long so it’s hard to find.

Chris
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 20, 2022, 04:15:15 PM
That would be great Chris.. in the meantime I need to figure out why the door when closed thinks it’s open.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 20, 2022, 09:34:38 PM
I am somewhat stumped. With my door open this is the menu I have. I will see if I can find someone who knows more about Gamemakers. Attached are pics of my machine with door open in setup. Maybe your machine is newer.
Are you positive your machine has a mechanical door switch?

Chris
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 21, 2022, 04:20:45 AM
The menu items certainly are different, it does seem that they are from a different version. Could it because of the choices made when entering the setting for the EPROM, maybe the PRIMARY HOST, etc.?

Could you show me what your EPROM settings look like?

I'm headed over there this morning to re-clear the RAM and to try the other option for the door which I think is "Optical" any idea on how I can make that determination???

Thanks for the screenshots.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 21, 2022, 06:39:52 AM
On the upper right of the door opening there would be a miniature circuit board that detects the fitting on the door. It does this with infrared as opposed to a mechanical button. I was looking at the pic you posted with your door open but that section was cropped out of the pic. Mine is optical.
I was also instructed to use Jurisdiction 1, but I don’t know what that impacts honestly.
I cant show you without re-programming it.
I did send a note to someone much more knowledgeable, hoping for some input by this afternoon.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 21, 2022, 06:56:00 AM
In this instructional video he walk’s through the entire process. Near the end it appears his menu options are more like yours. The Terminal ID is called SN and it is under the configuration menu. I would try that before doing a complete reset. His region is 8 so stick with what you were putting there.
Did you ever activate a jopper or bill validator?

https://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=35405.0

Thank you shorttrackskater for finding this.
Title: Re: Game Maker configuration
Post by: vbtalent on July 22, 2022, 03:45:10 AM
Some progress was made last night... Wahoo!

We ran a RAM clear again last night and I changed the door from Mechanical to Optical and that solved the door issue.

I also was able to enter the Terminal ID, so I entered all 1's. I assumed this was going to fix the credit issue but we are still unable to add any credits and the game is not setup for free play?? Maybe I missed it in the video, I'll try watching it again and see if it jumps out at me, thoughts??

VB, 
Title: Re: Re: Game Maker configuration
Post by: Chris-socal on July 22, 2022, 05:34:47 AM
Hoping admin can pull this back to your original thread.
One question came up when I asked about this, is this game a US model?
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 22, 2022, 05:38:17 AM
Hoping Admin can pull your post from tne training video back into this thread.
One question came up when I asked around, is this game a US model?
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 22, 2022, 06:52:28 AM
Sorry if I posted incorrectly.. I thought I was responding to the last post.

Just a summary then, we got the door fixed after changing to “Optical”, so good there.

We did get the Terminal ID and Serial # set but we are still having a problem setting it up for free play, not sure where we’ve gone wrong???

This is a US game to my knowledge.

Jobber or bill activator? I’m uncertain of where this setting is… I did set the Bill Acceptor to NONE when entering the RAM settings.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 22, 2022, 01:20:12 PM
No worries, I think you pressed on the link I provided and replied there. I’m sure someone administrative can move it.
I thought the problem was that you couldn’t get the game out of Demo mode, then I thought it wasn’t taking bills. I do not know if you can set up free play, I never tried. I keep a $20 a $5 and a few $1’s on the machine and load it up when needed. I know some people keep a $100 around. You could set the machine up for 1 cent denomination so $100 would be ten thousand credits.  I’m probably the wrong person to ask, I don’t set any of my arcade or slots for free play I use quarters or bills in everything.

Chris
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: sixcardmark on July 22, 2022, 01:26:49 PM
$100 at $.01 denom = 10,000 credits
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on July 22, 2022, 01:32:38 PM
$100 at $.01 denom = 10,000 credits
Thanks, I corrected my response. Didn’t use my abacus correctly!
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 31, 2022, 10:18:52 AM
Sorry for not getting back sooner but things came up and I was just now able to get over and take another stab at getting this going...

I believe the only problem at this time is getting credits on the machine. Since there is no bill or coin mechanism on this machine using coin/tokens is not an option. He did say that it was originally setup for free play and that he had to hit one of the buttons on the front panel to add credits. I see nothing in the menu for doing so but there is a small electronic device wired into one of the switches (far left) that might be something related to that process???

It appears also that the coining mechanism was taped together.

I've attached some pics in hopes that someone has seen this before and can help.

Again, thanks for the help with this.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on July 31, 2022, 10:19:33 AM
just a couple more pics...
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on July 31, 2022, 10:41:49 AM
 Which button is the "small electronic device" wired to?  That is probably wired to be your credit switch.

 The last photo of the switch taped closed is to bypass your BV cash can or door.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: channelmaniac on July 31, 2022, 12:56:04 PM
Hoping Admin can pull your post from tne training video back into this thread.
One question came up when I asked around, is this game a US model?

Yes sir. Happy to be of service.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on August 01, 2022, 04:46:16 AM
Which button is the "small electronic device" wired to?  That is probably wired to be your credit switch.

 The last photo of the switch taped closed is to bypass your BV cash can or door.

It is tied to the "Service" button.. I have no idea what the mini board is but it isn't factory. Could that be something like a TITO board???

I've also been under the impression this was a Gamemaker 8000, when in fact it is a Gamemaker V7217CT, not sure if that matters.

Also, would putting the machine into "Tournament" mode have anything to do with it? It seems like there would be no need for tokens in Tournament, just trying to come up with a solution.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on August 05, 2022, 04:26:44 PM
Everyone stumped?
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on August 05, 2022, 04:43:50 PM
 The board is not a TITO board.  What happens if you tap on your service button? Does it credit up?  Also, is there writing on that board?

 If that game was modified to allow the service switch to allow coin up.  You may need to change you "Coin Acceptor" setting.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on August 06, 2022, 03:17:18 PM
Here is a closeup of the board.. 

Currently, when pressing the button the service light goes on.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on August 06, 2022, 04:15:16 PM
 OK.  Does that board have pins on the backside that plug into the coin harness?
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on August 06, 2022, 04:58:02 PM
 If that board does plug into the coin harness.  Then you will need to change your coin acceptor setting as that board simulates the pulse from the coin acceptor when the service button is pressed.

 Also, you may have a similar board for the hopper output.
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on August 07, 2022, 01:31:36 PM
In fact it does plug into the harness... so where are the "coin acceptor setting" settings? Do we need to perform another RAM clear or can that be set by turning the key and making the choice through the menu and what are we choosing?

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: 63mini on August 07, 2022, 01:58:29 PM
 Yes, unfortunately it will mean another RAM clear.  You will need to go to the setting "Coin Acceptor" (as shown in photo) and change it from "None" to " Coin Acceptor".  I believe that is it.  I have not owned my Gamemakers for a few years.  So, I am going off memory (which is not a good thing  :Scratch-Head:).  I believe there was three options in that menu "None", "Coin Acceptor" and "Coin Acceptor COD".

 Maybe another member can confirm the options on that setting.

Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on August 07, 2022, 06:04:15 PM
Thanks for the post.. we’ll give it a shot and post back.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: vbtalent on August 19, 2022, 03:43:58 AM
Just wanted to close the loop on this thread in case anyone else has a similar problem.

Yesterday we finally got the game accepting credits and running smoothly, its quite the pain to have to do a clear each time in order to change some of the basic ROM settings, but we guessed our way through it.

Initially we set the ROM
- Coin Acceptor = COIN
 - Hopper Type = COIN

This didn't work, we assumed it would think it would be using a coin in both instances. But when we hit the payout button the machine locked up thinking it had a way to pay.

In the end the correct settings were

- Coin Acceptor = COIN ACCEPTOR AND COD BOARD
 - Hopper Type = NONE


1 follow up question, I put the 10th game chip in backwards when booting the system and now when inserted correctly the 10th game doesn't appear. I assumed I damaged the game chip somehow, does that make sense?

I just wanted to thank the community for their assistance in getting this going again.

VB,
Title: Re: Gamemaker 8000 - Mains saferam signature corrupted - need assistance
Post by: Chris-socal on August 19, 2022, 05:49:19 AM
If you are lucky the game sees this as a game change. Here are the instructions that are in the Gamemaker list of forum topics.
http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=69.0;attach=85 (http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=69.0;attach=85)

It is possible you damaged the chip but I wouldn’t assume that until you try the procedure for changing a game. I don’t know what pins were powered when in backwards. The game might see this as a change and since it is in P10 it requires more steps than changing 1-9. One option would be to move that game into another socket, not P10, and follow the steps in the attached document.
Please update on your findings.
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