Reading 7 segment display on CPU board

[PaulV]

I'm completely new to the Williams 40x slot machines and have a question that may have an obvious answer but I don't see it. I see reference to checking the 7 segment display on the CPU board to see what number is displayed. By removing the board, I can find the display. But when the CPU board is plugged back into the machine, the display is covered by the cage and the I/O board above it. How does one see this display when the machine is powered on and in operation. I see comments about people saying their board reads a "2" or a "5" etc, but how do you see it when it's covered?

[Slotmaster]

Not the best WMS engineering now was it...

It will flash an 8 on boot up and then go blank.

Most common thing seen is a steady 8 (no boot), anything else is usually eproms missing which will be heard by the bongs. 

[PaulV]

Thanks, yes, rather poor planning on Williams part. But how the heck do I even see if it's flashing 8 or some other number though? 

[Slotmaster]

I have not looked at a WMS REEL other than a Bluebird in a while but we usually just count the bongs.

One bong means boot.

[cruisepl]

I have not looked at a WMS REEL other than a Bluebird in a while but we usually just count the bongs.

One bong means boot.

From WMS 400 manual:

No start up bong speaker disconnected or sound circuit problem
1 bong normal system
2 bong Bad CPU board  EPROM XU30
3 bong Bad CPU board  EPROM XU31
4 bong Bad CPU board  EPROM XU17
5 bong Bad CPU board  EPROM XU18

6 to 9 not used

10 bongs  Bad CPU board sound RAM U38, U39 or XU40