Boot strap server, what does this mean

[sfvbadboy]

Hello, i have a new 2008 cole slot machine after it boots up it displays this message trying to contact boot strap server. i know some of you guys are the master at this stuff. here are a few pics.

[TZtech]

Thats something new - a quick websearch shows that Cole supplies gaming cabintes and not complete machines so dont know whos electronics are driving it. Probably some kind of central determination machine that needs to be connected to a server to work. Can You tell us more about the machine ?

[a69mopar]

TZ is likely correct, In the days of "free" satellite, didn't they use a bootstrap hooked to a computer to load and avoit being "hit?


Inside the metal box will be the computer motherboard.   Can you take a picture of it.  I'm wondering if it runs from a flash card and uses a usb key for security.  On some systems, you remove the USB key and boot up to get into the setup menu.  Is there any other info on boot up?

Thanks,
Wayne

[sfvbadboy]

cole industries not only makes cabinets anymore, inside the box is computer with windows xp, i have a few others that i removed the hard drives from and was able to access the drive via sata interface, but i just don't know enough.

[poppo]

In the computer world, a CPU is 'dumb' until it's given instructions (i.e. a program). Most CPUs will go to a specific address to look for the program and run it.

Other times, a small bootstrap (boot loader)  program is hard coded into into the processor to perhaps do certain things first like initialize hardware etc. Very similar to how the BIOS works on a PC.

So basically the bootstap loader is a small program that loads another program. In this case, it looks like the computer is looking for the sever that has this. Just a guess, but I would say it's probably a security thing. The main program may indeed be installed on the hard drive, but without loading the boot loader first, it won't do anything. This may be to prevent the machine from being run as a 'stand alone' without a connection to the server.

[stayouttadabunker]

Interesting machine and man... that's a big door!
How do you load up a game to it?
Stick a CD in it or a USB thumb drive? 
I agree with the others though...the message looks like it's searching for a server.
It may NOT be a standalone machine?

[poppo]

How do you load up a game to it?
Stick a CD in it or a USB thumb drive? 

My guess is that either the game(s) are on the hard drive, but need 'authorization' from the server. Or the game it's self is loaded from the server. Either way, it looks like it want to connect to a server before doing anything.

[sfvbadboy]

Surprises is something that never happens anymore, but i must say i am surprised on how much assistance i am getting. First thing, i want to thank you guys in advance for your time, Yes you guys are correct it is a server based machine that i believe needs a connection to a server to get game info or any other info the server may want like money denomination, pay outs, etc. Unless i get a server and somehow get this computer to communicate with that server, its not gonna happen. i think this is called a generic floor terminal that uses windows xp, i was able to download the software for the bill acceptor, touch screen keyboard convertor for the buttons, tito thermal printer. i think i need the game program. i see some forums where they discuss actually building a machine from scratch. i am more than happy to show what my machines have. here is a few more pics

[ChizzleMonkey]

Is there a port to plug in a USB or standard keyboard? Look all around the brainbox(computer area). If there is, you might want to try to access the BIOS. You might need to hold down a certain key while the machine is powered on. Maybe Esc, or Delete, or one of the F buttons on the keyboard?

[sfvbadboy]

yes i know i can get into the bios but what can i do from there the windows xp boots up and then it displays loading personal settings and then it try s to find  the bootstrap server

[poppo]

Try booting onto safe mode so you can see what is loading on startup. Maybe you can bypass that part. Be sure to make backup copies of the registry entries (if it's not in the startup group). Also look to see what services are enabled to start automatically.

[stayouttadabunker]

... Also look to see what services are enabled to start automatically.

Good point Poppo. 
It possible he may be able to "disable" and bypass the server search in the start up. 

[poppo]

Also, have you tried pressing Alt+Tab on that screen to see if you can get to any background programs or the desktop? Or even Ctr+Alt+Del to get to the task manager and see what is running and maybe kill it. 

[a69mopar]

Were these purchased at a police auction?
http://www.caller.com/news/2008/may/24/3-arrested-after-authorities-raid-local-gaming/
http://www.bexar.org/da2/pressrelease/2008/05212008a.htm

[Neonkiss]

Lets see that arrest was in 2008....
Yup, that seems about right. 3 years of legal wrangling and finally a trial.
Then the machines are sold in a police auction.

Now for the bad news.
Most likely that machine will need the server to operate. We have some Adult Arcades here that have similar machines. They are all tied into a central computer system in a back room. That computer system has the programs for the machines.
If this turns out to be the case with those machines, I can think of one option. On Fleabay they sell slot programs to run on a windows based computer. Maybe you can install one of these programs on that machine and see if you can get it to play that way.
It will be just a glorified home computer inside a nice slot machine cabinet. It won't take coins or payout unless you can hack the program.

[ChizzleMonkey]

I'm curious what the boot sequence is in the BIOS. What loads first? Can it be changed? The BIOS might be set to load the from "server" first, then the harddrive?   Can you post some pictures while in the BIOS?

[poppo]

I'm curious what the boot sequence is in the BIOS. What loads first? Can it be changed? The BIOS might be set to load the from "server" first, then the harddrive?  Can you post some pictures while in the BIOS?

Since it's displaying 'loading personal settings' then Windows has already started booting. And any bios 'boot from LAN' setting would be displayed before Windows even starts to boot.

[Neonkiss]

Check out this link.
Looks like those machines.

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/crime_time/2008/05/your-blotter--1.html


And this one where the case was settled.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/08/17/daily8.html

If you read it was a gaming system, so without the computer on the backend your out of luck.
From reading this it was most likely a legal operation.

[stayouttadabunker]

Here's a picture...looks like it has the same 3 deck buttons and door fascia...>>>

[ChizzleMonkey]

The BIOS loads BEFORE any operating system like xp. The BIOS chip might be the problem.

[poppo]

The BIOS loads BEFORE any operating system like xp. The BIOS chip might be the problem.

But XP is booting BEFORE getting to the splash screen, as well as getting past the point of 'loading personal settings'. But as noted above it's simple enought to boot into safe mode.

[sfvbadboy]

Ok I was not able to bypass the search for the server in safe mode, although I was able to access the task manager and was able to start all of the system but now instead of looking for the server it just has a blank screen with a cursor that will move  by touch screen. Also there are no games on hard drive. So far I was able to remove a Sata hard drive from another machine hook it to pc and copy all of the drivers needed to operate the bill acceptor and buttons. So I went down and got a slot game for a pc and we shall seenif I am able to integrate. Has anyone tried or know anything about alljslots server software and games?

[sfvbadboy]

I almost forgot to answer the main question, yes these were purchased from a police auction. I have more than we need.

[Neonkiss]

I almost forgot to answer the main question, yes these were purchased from a police auction. I have more than we need.

If you bought them at a good price, you may be ahead of the game by parting them out.
The touchscreens alone should bring in good money.

MEI bill acceptor has to worth $150.00

The slot base should bring in another $50.00 - $75.00

[sfvbadboy]

I SHALL SEE, BUT I GOT THESE CAUSE I LOVE EM AND WAS HOPING TO HAVE MY OWN MINI CASINO.