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Progressive Controllers, Displays and Slot Toppers => Mikohn Progressive Systems. => Topic started by: stayouttadabunker on November 22, 2009, 03:47:44 AM



Title: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 22, 2009, 03:47:44 AM
A totally new ballpark for me...
I've never played with the animation boards before and I am making headway!... :89-
However, tonight I ran straight into a brick wall :7-
There's quite a bit to this...
First you gotta hook it all up to a huge 2x3 Mikohn display and use 3 power supplies!
A 9Vdc for the Mk2 logic board, and two Mikohn PS's power up the display panels.
A DB9 9-pin serial cord from the desktop computer to the Mk2's serial port.
Then you draw 3 simple Text .pic files with a program called  the IBM Story board and
save them to your hard drive into a batch file.
From there,  you use the WindowsV2.0 DOWNLOAD.exe program and
run it to send the animations to the MK2 Logic board which in turn
drives the animations onto the big display panels!
You configure both the MK2 and the Mikohn Downloader so that they are
on the same page and can talk to each other.
That's where I ran into a wall...

I downloaded and couple of short video clips from youtube to first show
how you're supposed to download the .pic files to the MK2 driver board?
I know it's not communicating because an error pops up right away saying that the
there's an "Error Getting Directory"- meaning there's something wrong with
com 1port from my computer to the J6 serial port header on the Mk2.

The second short video take is just the display going through the boot up sequence after I applied power.
Has anyone played with these before?
If not, how can I obtain some type of DB9 serial communication?
From the very thin and vague Mikohn Animation Display "Fast Entry"document,
I understand that the ports need to be configured to have the same addresses
(Group address=255/  ID address=64) on both ends and they shoot
information into the lines using the 9600 baud.
I've done all this...what piece of the puzzle is missing?

http://www.youtube.com/v/xmCJwq-gJK0&hl=en_US&fs=1 (http://www.youtube.com/v/xmCJwq-gJK0&hl=en_US&fs=1)

http://www.youtube.com/v/xXFLAMGm4KU&hl=en_US&fs=1 (http://www.youtube.com/v/xXFLAMGm4KU&hl=en_US&fs=1)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 22, 2009, 04:04:53 AM
Picture of MK2 Logic Board hooked up w/display and
a pic of the Mark2 Logic Board>>>


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 22, 2009, 04:07:01 AM
Here's the MK2's DB9 serial port which is
the "default port" according to the "Fast Entry" manual
and a pic of the secondary 6-pin header which I believe
can connect to a CON2 Supercontroller.
The LEDs for the TX (transmit data) and the RX (receive data)
do not light up even though I tested them and are not burned out.
That's a dead giveaway that there's no communication>>>


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 22, 2009, 04:15:36 AM
The first pic is the Mikohn labeling on the board while
the 2nd pic is of the other end of the DB9 plugged into the com1 serial port
of my computer.
The number in black on the top side 5 pins in in this order:

#1 pin out from computer=NC. (not connected)
#2 pin out from computer=TX  (red)
#3 pin out from computer=RX  (green)
#4 pin out from computer=NC  (Not Connected)
#5 pin out from computer=GRD (Black)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: CaptainHappy on November 22, 2009, 06:27:33 AM
Just a quick shot in the dark that someone who remembers better than I can confirm....

Is this the instance where the serial cable needs to have a couple pins jumpered or crossed?? I seem to remember something about pin 1 and 5 maybe???

You may be way beyond this question, but I figured bringing up the thought could not hurt! :103-

CH :95-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: Tomba on November 22, 2009, 08:38:38 AM
Hey Guys,

I am 100% sure I have the manual for this board in a box somewhere but never worked on it. Storyboard I used ages ago for the supreme display so this I can not help you with. Tomorrow morning I will look for the manual and will try to scan it. I am leaving Tuesday for a 10 day trip so if I don't manage in time just wait a little bit. In the meantime good luck with the board.

Tom


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: knagl on November 22, 2009, 09:19:12 AM
I'm not familiar with the Mark 2 board you're using, Mark, but a few things I can tell you from connecting to the Supreme that I have:

Yes, you must use a serial cable with pins 1 and 5 jumpered on the Mikohn side.  This is the same cable that would be used for a ChamII+ and PSP.

Change the address on the board -- 255 and 64 are bad news as they can potentially represent more than one sign and cause communication issues.  Change the GRADR (Group Address) to 1 instead of 255, and the IDADR (ID Address) to, I don't know, 5.  Then, in the Download software, make the changes in the drop-down menu to match the sign.  If the sign has a setting, make sure that it's set to 9600 baud.  You should be able to change the sign settings by moving the configuration switch on the sign and then using the menus to change the address and verify that it's set to 9600 baud.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 22, 2009, 05:07:18 PM
Thanks guys for helping me out!  :3- :131-
It's a snap changing configurations but I thought this unit used a straight serial cable...
I have a jumpered DB9 serial cable that I use for the other Mikohns.
I believe the jumped pins was for the handshake?
Serial connections was never my cup of tea...
there's so many different ways to configure them. ArgHH!!.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 22, 2009, 10:22:53 PM
Update:
I soldered in a jumper wire between pins #1 & #5 in the Mikohn side of the serial cable harness.
I set both the Mikohn Downloader V2.0 program and the MK2 animation board to use:
Port 1 at 9600 Baud,
Group Address=5
ID Address=5
Jackpot Group=0
Ran the Downloader and still no communication between my computer and the logic board.
I know this because I get the same error readout of "Error Getting Directory" and
absolutely no Tx and Rx LEDs lit up.
How can I verify if there's anything coming out of my serial Port on my desktop motherboard?
I have a 3-18V Logic meter.
Using the extra power harness splitter in my computer that plugs into the hard drive and CD/DVD roms -
I have 12Vdc and 5Vdc. If I hook up the Logic meter to the 5Vdc and
touching the pins on the serial header while "sending" should tell me the logic is on
high or low when the meter is set on TTL right?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: Foster on November 23, 2009, 12:12:33 AM
Serial Ports (RS-232) are Negative Voltage for Logic 1 and Positive Voltage for Logic 0

Computer Transmit to MK2 Receive
Computer Receive to MK2 Transmit
DTR and DSR etc I cant remember off the top of my head.

Post the manual page with the DB9 pins for the MK2.
or compare it to the Cham II+ if it is the same a standard serial cable with jumpered 1 and 5 will work.
 


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 23, 2009, 12:48:15 AM
Thanks Foster!
Attached below is a short video clip of a logic tester
on the MK2's third (#3) serial port pin.

Before I start the Mikohn Download program, that pin is on green ("Low").
As I start the program, I get a single red flash ("High") on the logic tester.
After a few seconds, I get a couple of more red ("High") flashes.
The final 4th red ("High") flash is at the point in time when the Error code
message of "Error Getting Directory" pops up on the screen.

The amazing thing is that the signal is definitely going through the serial cable at the #3 pin
position from my computer to the MK2 board, and the video proves that.
But the Rx and Tx LEDs on the Mk2 board are not lighting up.
I tested the LEDs and they are known good.

My vague Mikohn Animation Display "Fast Entry"manual does NOT have
any pin-out descriptions whatsoever.
I uploaded my copy of the "Fast Entry" manual into the "Submit A New File" section.
What I really need is a more full-version manual that will show my the serial port DB9-pin configuration.
I will look at the Supreme manual which might help?

http://www.youtube.com/v/fAQQPqVnPpQ&hl=en_US&fs=1 (http://www.youtube.com/v/fAQQPqVnPpQ&hl=en_US&fs=1)&


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: Foster on November 23, 2009, 01:34:22 AM
Stout,

Try to find a regular Serial Cable, or make one.
It is a straight through cable pin 1 to 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3 etc. just jumper pin 1 and 5.

You may have one laying around someplace, especially if you had an external modem at one time or another.
Try it with a jumper on 1 and 5,

The 3 wire setup you are using has no provisions for hardware handshaking (DTR/DSR, etc are used for that).
I can tell you if the MK2 acts like the Cham II+ when we use PSP with the Cham II+, hardware handshaking is used by the MK2.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 23, 2009, 01:46:25 AM
You're right about my cable only having 3 wires with 1 & 5 jumped.
Are you saying I should populate all 9 pins with wires and still jump the 1 & 5 ?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: Foster on November 23, 2009, 01:53:40 AM
 :89-  :89-



Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 23, 2009, 01:59:03 AM
Okay Foster...I'm on it! "Straight Pinned"...give me a few minutes to make one up...


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 23, 2009, 03:14:52 AM
Update:
All 9 pins are straight through from computer to MK2 and
pins 1 & 5 are jumped on the Mikohn end of the cable.
There's something going on but I don't know what.
Still no LEDS for the Tx & Rx on the MK2 but whenever I pull the serial cable out or plug it back in -
the display goes through it's boot up test.
We're getting somewhere because now the MK2 is reacting to something I'm doing at least!
I suspected that it didn't need the jumpered 1 & 5 pins so
I cut the jumper...no change, nada, no communo... :37-

I'm still getting the "Error Getting Directory" error code and I noticed that whenever
I try to send a file ( .pic / .sh~ / or .bat ) to the MK2 by hitting the "Send" button -
I get an error message "No Target Address!"...
I've configured both the MK2 and the Mikohn Downloader with identical addresses,
so I'm suspecting that the Downloader is still not able to
send signals down the cable to the correct MK2 pins...


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 23, 2009, 03:41:14 PM
The more I do research and browsing around looking for information and documentation -
the more I get back to a serial DB9 with this configuration I've posted below.>>>
This one's from an Mikohn ChamIII manual.
The Mikohn Supreme manual also has similar serial configured cabling.
The thing that's NOT in ANY of these documents is the jumpered #1 & #5 pins. Difficult...
This is the first time I've seen that there should be a 1K ohm resistor in pin #1.
IGT's documentation is so vague...I wonder if the resistor should be 1/4 or 1/2 watt?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: Foster on November 23, 2009, 04:47:16 PM
Computer Com Port DB9

1 Data Set Ready
2 Receive Data
3 Transmit Data
4 Data Terminal Ready
5 Ground
6 Data Set Ready.
7 Request To Send
8 Clear To Send
9 Ring Indicator

The Mark 2 is configured as Data Communication Equipment (modem)
Check your com port settings and disable all handshaking including X-on X-off,



Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: knagl on November 23, 2009, 09:13:18 PM
The thing that's NOT in ANY of these documents is the jumpered #1 & #5 pins. Difficult...

This image is from Mikohn and indicates in places that it is for a CON1, CON2, PSP, CHAM II, and CYCLE STEALER SUPREME (a "Supreme").  It indicates that a jumper must be soldered between pins 1 and 5 on the Mikohn end.

It does not mention the Mark 2, so it may not be the right cable for it, or this drawing could pre-date the Mark 2, also.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: tacman on November 23, 2009, 11:36:46 PM
Well, my Elite Series displays I thought were the newest PGI/Mikohn around. They utilize a completely different conversion and transfer program than any of the other Mikohn displays, BUT the transfer cable is the same that has been shown in this thread. I have not opened up my Elites, since they have metal cases, so I don't know if there is a mark2 board in them or not. I do know that it took me 2 years to get the programs and a remote to operate/contol the displays and that was before IGT took complete control of PGI.

 Dan (tacman)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 23, 2009, 11:57:50 PM
It would be fantastic if you could take a look inside and post a couple of pictures for me?
We might have the same beasts but I'm suspecting you still have a newer version of
a progressive board than mine. Why?
Because my MK2 sockets' occupation consists of 3 chips dated around 1993.

I want to thank you very much for the cable drawings knagl...
I can see the left side of the drawings showing the jumped #1 to #5 pins.
I have a cable like that I made for the Mikohn CON1s...

However, I'm leaning now towards to what Foster is saying about the Mk2
being configured as a modem, and a possibility that my computer might
be doing some "Handshaking" that I'm not aware of... :96-

In the Windows Download 5.5 program, there's stuff in there about modems
and I couldn't understand what that was all about until Foster confirmed it.
Jay is right about me being "in un-charted waters" on this beast...  :104-
I've wracked my brains the entire weekend trying to hammer this serial puzzle out.

The closest I came to communication with the Mk2 was that
whenever I pulled the serial cable off the board, the display would
go into the start-up sequence of displaying the configurations I put into it earlier.
(Via the value/function buttons on the board itself.)
The battery is still good because it retains my settings no matter
how long I leave the board un-powered.

I ran into a bit of luck by contacting the Rocket and I am waiting for a more
descriptive MK2 board Manual which I hope will shed more light and instructions on the
different jumpers, serial/modem communication, proper software/hardware, etc.
The "Fast Entry" manual I have is far too vague... :37- 



Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: StatFreak on November 24, 2009, 02:12:22 AM
...
The "Fast Entry" manual I have is far too vague... :37- 
Maybe you're just reading it too S-L-O-W-L-Y.  :208- :208- :208-



 :172- (about something else that's related)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: knagl on November 24, 2009, 02:24:23 AM
I did see that the Download 2.0 program does specify it can be used with the Mark 2.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on November 24, 2009, 02:50:58 AM
Yes,
The older 5.5 version..though a real pain to use because it doesn't like to respond to my mouse, is the version
depicted in the "Fast Entry" manual. It specifically states to set the board and
DOWNLOAD.exe program to group address (GRADR) of 255, and the ID address (IDADR) to a "1".
The Select to a "6" then hit "T" for transmitting to the board.
There's more in the "Fast Entry" manual but it's not too specific on the error codes and
how to resolve them other than stating that I should
"assess the serial connection between your computer and the logic board".
This part I spent my entire weekend on...LOL
Apperaently the program tries to make 3 attempts to send data before the error code pops up.
Whenever I try "send" I get an instant error of "to what address?" meaning
it doesn't recognize the ID's of the boards' addresses.
I will continue to explore this board further as I search for more documentation about it.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: Foster on November 24, 2009, 05:14:31 AM
Stout

Try opening hyperterminal if you use XP and point it to the com port that you use for the MK2 board.
Setup a direct connection in hyperterminal.
Connect, press enter a few times.
See if you get a response from the MK2 like "COMMAND -->"

I get the following text from my Cham II+ "COMMAND -->"


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: brichter on November 24, 2009, 07:06:09 AM
IGT's documentation is so vague...I wonder if the resistor should be 1/4 or 1/2 watt?

1/4 watt is overkill, that ground is carrying very little current.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: knagl on November 24, 2009, 08:52:50 AM
Try opening hyperterminal if you use XP

That's a good idea, Foster.  You get the same prompt with a Supreme, too.  (Type ? at the "Command" prompt for a partial list of available commands.)

Mark- Here are the step-by-step directions for the HyperTerminal settings:
http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=146.msg996#msg996 (http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=146.msg996#msg996)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 24, 2009, 06:55:37 PM
Thanks knagl!
I want to ask,
well anyone that's played with DOS really,
I wanted to view my directory while in DOS mode...
but when I type in DIR and press "enter" it shoots downwards
about 100 MPH to the bottom of the directory in dos.
I tried the pause and break key but it's like two handed motion
of instantly running through the list to the bottom.
How can I view the dos directory of my computer line by line
by using the up/down or page up/page down arrow?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: cadillacpro on December 24, 2009, 07:31:10 PM
dir /w

will give you a wide multi column view

arrow,page up down don't work

Or type "help dir " at the commant prompt for more options


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 24, 2009, 07:35:10 PM
Thanks cadillac! :89- Have a good merry christmas!


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: cadillacpro on December 24, 2009, 07:52:53 PM
This thread soon to get bigger, my 13 display boards and Mark2 controller due Wednesday.  OH Boy.

You all have a Great Christmas!!!! :3-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: brichter on December 24, 2009, 08:51:38 PM
Thanks knagl!
I want to ask,
well anyone that's played with DOS really,
I wanted to view my directory while in DOS mode...
but when I type in DIR and press "enter" it shoots downwards
about 100 MPH to the bottom of the directory in dos.
I tried the pause and break key but it's like two handed motion
of instantly running through the list to the bottom.
How can I view the dos directory of my computer line by line
by using the up/down or page up/page down arrow?

As Caddy stated, no arrow keys to scroll in DOS (or any CLI that I'm aware of...).

dir /p gives the output one screen at a time, with a "Press any key to continue" prompt.

But, good luck finding the "any" key... :200- :72- :97-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: cadillacpro on December 24, 2009, 09:02:58 PM
and take your hand off the mouse....they were not invented yet :208-

Or hit the scroll lock key, it's right next to the ANY key  :72-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: StatFreak on December 24, 2009, 10:21:20 PM
Thanks knagl!
I want to ask,
well anyone that's played with DOS really,
I wanted to view my directory while in DOS mode...
but when I type in DIR and press "enter" it shoots downwards
about 100 MPH to the bottom of the directory in dos.
I tried the pause and break key but it's like two handed motion
of instantly running through the list to the bottom.
How can I view the dos directory of my computer line by line
by using the up/down or page up/page down arrow?

As Caddy stated, no arrow keys to scroll in DOS (or any CLI that I'm aware of...).

dir /p gives the output one screen at a time, with a "Press any key to continue" prompt.

But, good luck finding the "any" key... :200- :72- :97-

 :212-  use the /p switch. If you need an "any" key, I have a few lying around somewhere. They were yet another of those cool giveaways that I got from Comdex vendors. They are solid rubber with sticky glue on the bottom so that you can put your "any" key "any"where on the keyboard.  :97- :97-


You can also change the buffer size in your DOS window. Mine is set to store 6000 lines.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 25, 2009, 12:08:46 AM
You can also change the buffer size in your DOS window. Mine is set to store 6000 lines.

Actually, that I had tried before I read these solutions and
it was what I needed to view all the lines of stuff I have in my computer.

The scroll actually "scrolls" all the way back to the top...lol
yes...I can actually use my mouse for that... :72-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: cadillacpro on December 25, 2009, 12:33:08 AM
Hey :81- :81- It's Christmas Eve...Get off the computer and go hug you wife :89- :89- :89-

Wish you all a great and happy holiday..Shit!   Merry Christmas !!!!! There I said it !!!!

That's the way it should be !!!!!! If you don't like it tough stuff !!


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: jay on December 25, 2009, 05:28:45 AM
Dir | more

Pronounced DIRectory Pipe More.

More will pause at the end or each page.

|More can be used with pretty much any command.

You can also do a DIR>X.TXT
The > sends the output to a file in thise case its called X.TXT
You can then edit X.TXT



Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: StatFreak on December 25, 2009, 08:28:22 AM
Dir | more

Pronounced DIRectory Pipe More.

More will pause at the end or each page.

|More can be used with pretty much any command.

You can also do a DIR>X.TXT
The > sends the output to a file in thise case its called X.TXT
You can then edit X.TXT


:212-  Good points Jay.  You can also use >> to append the output to an existing file without overwriting its contents.

DIR /p and DIR | MORE essentially yield the same result, but MORE is a separate program while /p is a command switch for the DIR command. However, as you say, | MORE can be used with other commands, such as TYPE. e.g., TYPE myfilename.ext | MORE

ADD:  You can also use the simplified command  MORE < myfilename.ext  to achieve the same result.
Another tip: When using the MORE command, pressing the spacebar scrolls one complete screen, but you can move down one line at a time by pressing the <ENTER> key instead.


Another fun trick to create a quick text or batch file is to use the command:  COPY CON myfilename.ext  <ENTER>
From that point on, everything that you type will be put to into the named file (it will overwrite the file if it already exists).
Press <ctrl>Z to finish writing the file and exit the COPY CON command.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 25, 2009, 01:45:40 PM
wow! Dir|more works great! Thanks guys!!!! :3-
It's unreal how much files I have on my computer...mind boggling really. :5-
I better back this stuff up to another drive somewhere.... :72-
Can I back up the XP OS as well with everything to another drive?
What's the best way to do this?....I never back-up anything...lol


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: jay on December 25, 2009, 05:33:23 PM
As a generalization I hate backup software.
It usually creates a proprietary format - under the guiese of compression and media spanning (ie writing to xx number of CDRs)

The situation is that your hard drive craps out and you can't retrive the file you need without first installaing an OS, then the backup software.
Lord help you if you can't find your backup software and now need to use an updated version that may or may not work with older software.

SO - my recommendation to any Win-doze users are:
1. Create a directory called Data, and store any files you want to keep in this directory - do not use the default directories that the programs use as things do not always endup where you think they are. By being specific you have only 1 data tree to backup. You will be surprized at how little data you actually have. My largest storage is digital photos.

2. I like USB keys. You can get 32GB memory keys for under $30 now. Unlike CDRs and DVDs they don't get bad spots and are not light/heat sensitive the way disks are.
USB keys either work or they don't.  Copy all your files to the USB key and put a label on it with the date that you created it. Drop it into a safety deposit box, fireproof safe or desk drawer.
CDRs don't fit into a "small" safety deposit box very well. You end up having to buy the third largest size and for the $40/mth this costs. I can easily buy more keys and get the cheap box at 29/year.

Do this once a month. It may seem anal but I have a mark on my calendar and each month I backup the computer, test the smoke detectors. test the carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the furnace filter. By having a backup once a month I don't really worry if one of my keys goes dead.

3. For a OS backup - I image my machine. I use a program called acronis, Norton Ghost is another but it is finiky about hardware so assuming your PC got stolen, fried etc and you need a new computer Ghost may not bring back your OS. I am still somewhat jaded. Windows over time gets slower and slower. This is due to an ever growing registry, microsoft patches and the what not. One of the best ways to "renew" an old computer is to totally wipe it and lay down a fresh operating system. So it is best to get the machine exactly where you want it.Then image it. We do this at the office and then blast it on to any new box coming in the door. If we get a virus and it gets ugly. We do the same, wipe it and lay down our new image. It saves us so much time. I can do this in 45min vs letting a virus scanner run for an hour and a half.

4. I use a NAS drive. (Network Attached Storage). I have a family of 4 and about 9 computers of varying vintage along with other network attached devices like WII, PS3, printers etc. Something is going to fail some place. By having a Network attached storage (with my Data area) I am able to ensure all of my data is in one spot. This is a Mirrored drive. That way if one of my hard drive physically fails the other keeps everything intact.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 25, 2009, 08:51:48 PM
I have the Mark2 Animator Board up and running with a CON2i (eye)
via PSP V2.80 !!!!!!!
:136- :wa :92-
I gotta figure out how to take a little video with a slower shutter speed camera setting.... :8-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: cadillacpro on December 25, 2009, 09:07:10 PM
Please share....PSP V2.80???? And what did you need the con2I for? progressive only? I have all this stuff on the way except the con2. Give me a head start :88-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 25, 2009, 09:49:35 PM
The CON2i (eye) communicates from my computer
to the MK2 board then out to the displays via PSP V2.80...!
I couldn't not get my computer to "talk" to the MK2 -
just like a computer won't communicate to a CHAM without a CON1.
Not matter what I did with my serial cable configurations or
jumping wires or not - it would NOT talk to the MK2 - until today.

For some reason I decided to make a 6-pin harness from the J4 header to the Con21 (eye)
at the Super Controller's J5 6-pin header.
I plugged my straight (non-jumped) serial cable directly from
my computer's serial output to the Mikohn Super Controller's serial
interface on the back of the Super Controller.

The first thing I did was run the "display tests" and it worked!.
Then I programmed a couple of holiday messages into the Jackdo 1/2/3/and 4 files and
sent it to the Super Controller with the "F1" button!
I also programmed a "current jackpot" of $7,500.00 and THAT showed up also!

Now I gotta figure out a way to send machine outputs to the Super Controller via
a small solid state board-type relay... :79-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux5tjSaOUcs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux5tjSaOUcs)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: cadillacpro on December 25, 2009, 10:30:45 PM
Still looking in my stocking for some files.....Hint...Hint... :208-

Glad you are making progress :3- :3- :3- :3- :3-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: SAT (aka GANDHI) on December 26, 2009, 01:15:39 PM
 :208-   Hilarious and true!!!  :5-

"........... if you are reading this, it means things are going well in your life and you can somehow pay the internet cable bills !!!"

Excellent job there!!

Best regards


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: idesign on December 26, 2009, 03:04:19 PM

I also programmed a "current jackpot" of $7,500.00 and THAT showed up also!

Now I gotta figure out a way to send machine outputs to the Super Controller via
a small solid state board-type relay... :79-




If you are using a CON2I why not just use the input connector provided?  The wiring for a harness to multiple machines in indicated in the manual.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 26, 2009, 03:07:51 PM
Thanks idesign,
I just haven't gotten into the manual yet...I hate manuals...LOL


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: Ron (r273) on December 26, 2009, 03:13:11 PM
Thanks idesign,
I just haven't gotten into the manual yet...I hate manuals...LOL

Yep that's what they say....everything else fails read the directions manual. :24- :88-

Ron (r273)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: jay on December 27, 2009, 03:22:53 AM
Bunko - I believe you can use the Mikon Downloader program to put animation files onto your supreme directly from your computer.
In fact that I think is the only way to load the graphic files.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on December 27, 2009, 03:40:57 AM
Yes,
I agree with that...
However, prior to that step,
I have the option of drawing some up with the IBM Storyboard Plus program
which I acquired an ebay a couple of months ago.
It's a rather ancient program and
I think I'll have more fun with the "Illustrator" program instead.
 I may be able to change the display size fairly easily using the Supercontroller.
There's actually tons to learn before I do any Mikohn Downloads though.

It took quite some time to figure out that the MK2 doesn't respond
to serial connections much in the way other logic boards don't - such as the CHAMs...
you had mentioned one time that you didn't understand why
the serial ports were installed on these boards -
as we cannot "talk" to them without CON1's or CON2's hooked up in between.

It was extremely difficult to get this MK2 up and running without a CON2i(eye) and
without being in contact anyone else having any real knowledge of the MK2 Animation Board.
That's why I played so much with the serial cable configurations.
It's a good thing I had other logic boards to confirm my fears that
there was nothing wrong with my computer outputs via serial COM 1.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: morspeed on January 22, 2010, 05:06:09 AM
Bunker,

Where did you hook up the six wires on the con that you made on the harness to hook to the MK2 Logic Board? (Pictured Below)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 22, 2010, 01:04:18 PM
I made a straight connection from that MK2 header
you see with the masking tape to the CON2i.
Then I used a regular straight non-jumped serial cable
to my computer from the CON2i's serial port output.
I never tried to hook up a CON1s yet...
I will try tonight when I get home though!
I really don't think it's going to work but it's worth a shot because
I saw somewhere in the MK2 manual that it's possible.
I have to go look for that passage I saw somewhere before.
I can be mistaken... :96-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: coorslight115 on January 22, 2010, 09:55:00 PM
It will not communicate with a con1 :60-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: morspeed on January 22, 2010, 10:27:50 PM
Ah, Well thanks for testing. Where on the mk2 board did you hook the con2 and how man wires did you connect? Also the con 1 manual seems to say you can hook up in machine and overhead displays via J3. AM I to understand that you would need a gateway board to hook progressive to a con1/2?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: morspeed on January 22, 2010, 10:31:24 PM
Also Bunker,
Were you using a Con1 or a Con1I (eye)? They are Two different setups.
Tommy


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 22, 2010, 10:35:47 PM
It will not communicate with a con1 :60-

Thanks, I forgot that I, myself had tried about nearly every configuration
in vain, brain-bashing attempts to get the two units to communicate!
I never got it to work until I was able to get a CON2i hooked up to it.
Also Bunker,
Were you using a Con1 or a Con1I (eye)? They are Two different setups.
Tommy

I cannot for the life of recall which CON1's I used...
Tonight I brought home all 3 CON's ( CON1S, a CON1i and a CON1E ) to try and see if any of them will work.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 22, 2010, 10:40:04 PM
I'd like to add that I've forgotten to bring the
one gateway I have,  home... :25-
so we may not know the answer to that unless perhaps
someone else has tried to hook up a gateway to a MK2...
Am I the only one that has ever hooked one of these up and
got it working? I find that mind-boggling...
I'm sure someone in this world
has done this before! :37- :8-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: coorslight115 on January 22, 2010, 11:56:05 PM
Mk2 board communicates in RS-422, con1's are rs-232.
Con1s = stand alone
con1i = gateway required
con1f = fiber optic connected
con1Is - stand alone / gateway required.

Con1's communicate over 2 wires...MK2's communicate over 6 wires.

Gateway is only needed to return jackpot info to the machine from the progressive and con1.





Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: morspeed on January 23, 2010, 12:44:00 AM
Coorslight115,

I am not sure what you are trying to say about the mk2. We know that PSP cannot communicate with the MK2 but it has to go through a con controller. What you are saying though is I would need a gateway to hook the machine to the con 1i Correct? And furthermore where can I find one of these gateways or is there a simpler solution? Perhaps a con controller that does not need a gate way?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 23, 2010, 01:10:34 AM
I'm not exactly clear with coorslight is saying as well but so far,
all I know is that my computer communicates to the MK2 only by the CON2i and it's serial port.
I cannot get the serial port on the MK2 to work at all.

The slot machines also, can only send coin data to the display via the CON2i, but
through a different connection on the CON2i. I haven't found any other way to do it.
The display shows all messages I typed in via PSP and it scrolls active progressive numbers.

On page 3-1 of the Mikohn Animation Display manual, it states that a computer can
communicate via the serial port of the MK RS232 port at J6.
I have not been able to do that at all.
Plus the manual also states that you are to use a regular DB-9 serial port cable -
nothing special about it there really but it just doesn't work with my computer...
even when I tried all different kinds of serial port configurations with a program built into XP called hyperlink.

I gave up on it and bought a CON2i and haven't looked back on it since.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: coorslight115 on January 23, 2010, 01:11:45 AM
Coorslight115,

I am not sure what you are trying to say about the mk2. We know that PSP cannot communicate with the MK2 but it has to go through a con controller. What you are saying though is I would need a gateway to hook the machine to the con 1i Correct? And furthermore where can I find one of these gateways or is there a simpler solution? Perhaps a con controller that does not need a gate way?

The gateway only sends jackpot information BACK to the machine when a jackpot is hit. Is NOT used to communicate TO the progressive board from the machine in ANY way. Only FROM the progressive back to the machine



Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 23, 2010, 01:37:18 AM
okay, thanks for clearing that up coors!
I was just going through the CON2 Hardware manual and I found a paragraph in it that states this:

"The default channel on the Mark2 is J6 (RS-232). If you use J4 (RS-422),
there must be NO device (such as a plug, adaptor, or jack) installed on J6."


This means I have to disconnect the CON2i from the  MK2's J4 6-pin header in order to try
and use the MK2's J6 serial port to my computer.
I tried it, but no luck there.
I went back to the J4 6-pin header to communicate with the CON2i.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: coorslight115 on January 23, 2010, 01:54:41 AM
Trust me :96- It will not work with a con1(anytype). I have tried and so has Bunker! :25- If he can't get it to work...none of us will :60-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 23, 2010, 02:00:06 AM
I respectfully must totally agree with coorslight , morspeed...
I cannot find the phrase I thought I has seen some where that allowed
a con1 to communicate with the MK2...
I must of had a bad dream one night after fiddling around with a MK2 all night long... :96-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: coorslight115 on January 23, 2010, 02:07:25 AM
We shared that dream :88- Only I remembered it :208- You gettin old on me :103-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: morspeed on January 23, 2010, 03:31:41 AM
Ok, Ok ....... I believe you both LOL . So Unless I just want this thing to say empty, I need to get a con 2 right? Where do you think I could have the most luck finding one? I already tried Jim at Blueridge which I'm not sure if everything is going ok with him or not I talked to him on Mon about getting a game kit we had previously discussed and he seemed very distraught and said it would be a few weeks before he could do anything and wanted to get off the phone very quickly. Normally we talk for I while and he always gets the things I order out by the next day.  Will this con 1 work with my cham 2 for my smaller progressive displays? How can I tell what kink of con it is anyway?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: morspeed on January 23, 2010, 04:07:54 AM
Also Bunker,

Do you think I could get a copy of that MK2 Manual Pretty Please?  :131-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 23, 2010, 01:00:45 PM
PM me your email address (it's hidden) and I'll send you my copy of the "Animation Display" Fast Entry manual...
believe me, it's not fast entry... :96-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: jay on January 23, 2010, 02:23:23 PM
I gave Joey a Con2 (non i version) about a year or so ago.
When he sells it the proceeds were to go to the site.

Joey is the host of NLG his number can be found on the top of the home page.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 23, 2010, 08:01:11 PM
I ended up buying it I think...  :99- :72-


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: jay on January 23, 2010, 08:33:09 PM
You mentioned you had a CON2i ? Mine was a non-I (otherwise I would have kept it).
Do you have it connected to your IGT machines ?


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: morspeed on January 23, 2010, 08:44:50 PM
Hey Jay,
Really what is the difference between the con2 and con2i? You know features wise.


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: brichter on January 23, 2010, 08:50:26 PM
There's 2, the CON2A and the CON2I.

The Con2I works on IGT, the CON2A works on the rest (Bally, Uni, Wms, etc.)


Title: Re: The Mikohn Mark2 Animation Logic Board
Post by: stayouttadabunker on January 23, 2010, 09:10:00 PM
The one I got from NLG headquarters is a CON2i (standalone).
Works fine with my S+.