IGT Players Edge Poker needs help

[Hiram]

Hi Gents !! I'm new to the Forum and I'm not a Tech , but I joined for some help/advice and to learn about my old IGT. I always wanted one of the old 1980's Players Edge machines and recently ended up winning a machine on an Auction for only $100 !! I'm not sure when this one was made but , the description said the Video monitor didn't work but ..it looked really clean and nothing seemed to be missing so I hoped it would be an easy fix. But after just plugging it in , I'm worried there might be more problems than just the video Tube . I never want to sell it and hope someday I'll find one of the Blackjack versions of the game as well . Anyway ..when I plugged it in , it lit up and the screen blinked then only showed bars at the top of the screen. There is no sound at all. I don't know if there's an overall reboot or reset button I could try (could it be that simple ? lol)  I've attached some pictures so you can see the Game I have and , hopefully some of you familiar with these Players Edge can give me some advice

[Hiram]

Few more pics --

[rokgpsman]

Welcome to NLG! 

That's a good price you got the machine for, congratulations. We have several folks that are familiar with the PE+ machines, so you should be getting all the advice and help you need. Some of them don't log in until overnight, so might take a day for everyone to see your post and photos.

In the meantime, check the fuses, make sure they are ok and the correct size. I think they are located in the lower part of the machine near the power switch.

When the machine was moved to get it to your place if it was laid on its side or back you will want to unplug the machine, remove the hopper (it just slides straight out) and then get in there with a flashlight and make sure there are no loose coins, screws, washers and other metal objects near or under the large power transformer or anywhere else that could cause a short circuit.

Also, the main logic circuit board, called the mpu board, has a battery. It is probably dead. It will need replaced. Post a photo of the mpu board and we can see what game software it has. Plus you will want to inspect the board to make sure the old battery is not leaking, that can destroy the circuit board.

Technically, I think your machine may be a PE and not a PE+. When looking for manuals that might make a difference, probably not. If it has an idplate on the right side near the pull handle you can post a photo of it.

[Hiram]

Thanks for that , I'll check out the fuses now !!

[knagl]

Welcome to the site.  You have either a Player's Edge, or an early Player's Edge Plus.  Either way, based on your pictures I believe the seller was correct when they said that there's an issue with the monitor.  I'm not a CRT monitor repair expert -- I'd wait a day or two to see if any of the folks who are more knowledgeable about monitor repair chime in, or you could alternately re-post your pictures in a new thread in the monitor repair tech support section of the site, since your issue isn't likely specific to being an IGT PE/PE+ machine.  The most important picture to post would be the one you posted with the door open where you can see the line you described on the monitor.

[Hiram]

HI Gents  , I'm new to the Forum and bought my first IGT Video Poker..but the screen is dead except  for a bunch of lines that show up at the top and then go away and the screen stays dead. I tried turning it on & off and the screen will flash ..but that's it. Also ..it's not making any sounds at all but does light up when turned on. I'm not a tech so , I don't know if this is an easy fix or , if I should just figure out how to remove the whole Tube Chassis and find a TV repair guy to service it. Maybe I should just buy that LED flat screen deal to replace it ?  ...this is why I'm here , to ask your advice.  I looked but can not find an ID or nomenclature plate on it so , I have no idea which model I have. The 1st time I ever played one of these was back in 1979 at the old Showboat Casino (next to the Imperial Palace)  and I've wanted to own one ever since  ...I'd appreciate any help or advice and hope this can be brought back to life and we can have some fun with it. If you need any detailed shots , just ask and I'll post them  --  Thanks  -- Mike

[rokgpsman]

...I looked but can not find an ID or nomenclature plate on it so , I have no idea which model I have....

As was said in your other thread:

Original thread merged with new thread, circular-reference link removed -- referenced post is Reply #4 above.
 -knagl

your machine model is an IGT PE (Player's Edge). (possibly a PE+ but that doesn't matter as far as the display monitor goes). That's all it is called. It looks like the monitor is bad, it has horizontal scan but the vertical scan is messed up. Someone familiar with monitor repairs can hopefully give some suggestions. There is a company that makes an LCD display that is compatible with PE machines but it is pricey. You can check the Ceronix website for details:

https://www.ceronix.com/102-players-edge-pe.html

[Amechanic]

Can you pop off the black plastic bezel on the monitor. Should just be held on with Velcro. I’m trying to see the adjusting knobs. I can tell if it’s a Ceronix chassis or not. I’m sure the monitor is ok unless it has a bad yoke coil.

[Hiram]

In the other Thread one person guessed that it could be an early PE+ ..but was not sure. So if it's an early one , I hope the main board and software doesn't have any issues and an upgrade is still possible. I still can't see a name plate . I also took a few new pictures without the Bezel and added a better pic of the door as well

[Amechanic]

I’m thinking it’s a PE and not the PE+, simply because there is no bill acceptor. You have a Ceronix power chassis for the monitor. I don’t see any burn in on the screen. I do repair these chassis if it’s the 1492 model. You can still try to see if your games softwares working. You might not know what cards are up, but you would know if it operates.

[Hiram]

Thanks for your advice , I just sent you a PM

[rokgpsman]

It looks like the quarter "sample coin" is missing from the coin comparitor. The machine won't accept any coins unless the sample coin is installed. Since the machine is coin only the coin comparitor will have to be working so that you can play the game. To install the sample coin you slide the round cover to the right, it is spring loaded. While holding the cover over to the right out of the way insert a quarter into the opening for it, place the left edge of the quarter into the groove on the left side of the coin holder. Then let the sliding cover move back to the left as far as it will go, will cover about half the quarter.

If you haven't removed the mpu (the main logic circuit board) then you will want to do that to check the battery, see if it is dead and to make sure it isn't leaking on the board, that can destroy it. While you have the mpu board out of the machine post a good overhead photo of it, we can tell you what version mpu board it is and maybe something about the video poker game software that is installed. The game software will be in larger chips that are in sockets, they usually have labels on top. The mpu circuit board is mounted out of sight on the other side of a flat metal tray, the tray has a round black knob to help remove it from the machine. It is best to remove the hopper before removing the mpu.

Inside the machine is a white TEST pushbutton, once you get the display working you can use the TEST button to get into the builtin menu system. That way you can select certain options and run some diagnostic tests. The TEST button is located in the lower part of the machine, over on the left side near the wiring harness connections.

[rokgpsman]

.....In the other Thread one person guessed that it could be an early PE+ ..but was not sure. So if it's an early one , I hope the main board and software doesn't have any issues and an upgrade is still possible. I still can't see a name plate ....

The difference between a PE and a PE+ isn't that much, the main difference is a bill acceptor and the mpu board. The older mpu boards just have one video poker software game, like it will have Bonus Poker for example as the only game. To change games you have to replace the software chips on the mpu board, or replace the entire mpu board with another one having a different game on it.

The newer mpu boards have multi-game software that contains 5 games, when you power up the machine a menu appears and you can select which of the 5 you want to play. You can replace the mpu board if it is an older one and you want to get the multi-game feature.

If there is an idplate it is riveted to the outside of the machine, on the right side. If it isn't there and you see 4 rivet holes not far from each other in a rectangular pattern then it was removed.

[Hiram]

I removed the Chassis and it is a 1492 ..so I removed the Board , packed it up and will be sending it to AMechanic for repair. I also found the ID Plate . I could not figure out how to remove the Motherboard "Can" but took a picture of a sticker on top that lists revisions (hope that helps and hope it's up to date) Here are the pictures --

[rokgpsman]

.....I could not figure out how to remove the Motherboard "Can" but took a picture of a sticker on top that lists revisions (hope that helps and hope it's up to date)

I think you mean the mpu board, not the motherboard. The mpu board is the circuit board that stands up vertically, it has the round black knob attached to its mounting tray. Just remove the hopper and then pull upward firmly on the black knob to remove it. May have to wiggle it some, it is plugged into a smaller circuit board below it that is called the "motherboard". The motherboard is mounted horizontally on the bottom floor of the machine.

You don't have to remove the entire metal "can" housing, just the front part of it that the black knob is attached to.

Your photo of the idplate shows that the machine originally had the video poker game "Joker Poker" installed. Since these machines are many years old and have passed from one owner to another there might be different game software installed. It's just a matter of changing out a few chips that are in sockets. But it's also possible that Joker Poker is still installed.

[Hiram]

Thanks rokgpsman  ..I removed the hopper and tried to remove the can with the main board in it shown below --I lifted up that black knob but , it would not move . Is the whole "can" assembly only anchored down by being plugged into the board under it ? Is there a trick to getting at it or , do I just have to keep pulling up hard ? After speaking with AMechanic , I'd like to get in that "can" and change the Battery now while I have a chance ..and also look around for lost coins lol

[rokgpsman]

The metal part that has all those white connectors plugged into the front does not come out. Only the right side metal piece that has the black knob on it. The mpu has probably been plugged into the motherboard for a while and is stubborn. You may need to tilt the mpu metal tray with the black knob to the right a little (toward the hopper location) so that its tangs clear from the housing. See the tangs on the front edge?

Hold off on really getting tough with it, let's see what someone else has to say, I don't think there is a trick but I don't want you to damage something. Standby for someone else to give advice.

Also, in case you didn't already know, the top of the mpu board has a small blue wheel, that is the sound volume adjust.

[Hiram]

Ok ..now I know what to expect so thanks . I'll keep tugging at it but won't overdo it .    also ..So I don't have to unplug all those connectors after all ..thats ok with me

[rokgpsman]

If you do need to tilt it a little you don't want to go too far and break something.

Here is sorta how the mpu will look when you get it out. Notice there is a metal "tray" that the mpu circuit board is mounted to. The tray has sides to it. Your's probably won't look exactly like this but will be similar. Along one side of the mpu board are 2 large connectors, they are what connect to the motherboard below it. On the top edge of the mpu there is a small blue wheel, that is the sound volume adjustment.

[Amechanic]

Lift up on the black knob that the blue arrows are pointing at. Lift straight up or if you have a small hammer or rubber mallet hit up on the knob. The whole tray will lift up, then forward. When we talked you said you didn’t hear sound. The blue volume wheel is on the top of the MPU tray your trying to remove.