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I have a "printer error" tilt on my 550 due to a burnt up power board and ribbon cable on an Ithaca 750.  When I did a RAM clear the only printer that the machine shows as available is the 750.  If I  understand the 550 correctly the game chips are programmed by Williams either for a machine with a printer or a machine without one so I have to enable a printer in order for this game to work and clear the tilt.

My questions: Can I install a different printer say an Ithaca 850 ? Which seems to be a newer version and readily available or do I have to use the 750 model?  or
                    Is there a "back ally" way to disable the printer or fool the machine into thinking a printer is installed?

Thanks

You would have to have the software for it. There is one that has 750/850 and Seiko printer available. But going from a 750 to a 850 I dont think it will work.

I wonder if you could just dis-connect the printer harness and
go into the settings of the machine an "disable" the printer option?
The machine may not have to require a printer to run.

It must see the printer at all times. Unless you have Nonprinter software. Then you would not need it

I tried that Bunk. I disconnected the printer from the backpane, unplugged it from the machine and then RAM cleared. I did everything I could think of to make the machine think there was no printer. There is no "disable" printer option unfortunately.  From what I understand the game chip is programmed to look for a printer. Specifically the Ithaca 750 in my case.   I say game chip but it may be programed someplace else, I dont know. If that is the case there may be a back way in to disable the printer. Im starting to think my only option is going to be a new "used" 750 printer. The plugs and all are different on an 850 so I dont think there is a way to just replace the printer.

Thanks for trying though

Savvy says the machine needs the printer...
That answers that question.
The only options now are to go put an ad in the "Classifieds" section of NLG
and hope a vendor has one for you.
At the same time, I'd ask for non-printer software for your game
and a blanking plate in case no one has a printer.

Thats what I figured, next question then... would you recomend trying to find the non-printer software, software that runs an 850, or should I try to find a 750 printer?  I would like to keep a printer in this machine if at all possible since I have another 550 machine without a printer. Also I know that if I ever intend to upgrade the machine to accept the Bluebird games the 750 printer will not work its going to need the 850

 :79- Get both! lol 

Why not? You will always some spare parts ( That's NEVER a bad thing!)
and when you don't want it - sell it easybay!  :89-
Plus, you'll learn the differences between the 2 units.

Update on my 550 printer problem and a quick question.  I ended up getting a new (used) Ithaca 750 printer and would like to know if I can/should just turn off the machine, hook up the printer and turn the machine back on, or is there  a reason I need to RAM clear first?

Thanks

I would think there's no reason to do a ram clear especially if the last printer was a 750 head.
Make sure everything's in there hooked up correctly.
Then turn on the power and watch and listen carefully to the printer.
Throw in a few credits and see if it prints.
If not, then go into the printer options and see if any settings needs to be "enabled"

Thanks Bunker,

 Since its a 550 Im thinking the software should find the printer when I turn the machine on but  Im at work till midnight and cant do anything with it till then so I figured I would ask and make sure