How to fix: Bally EVO Cham II C10 C14 0"00$ - FIXED!!!

[4 Deuces]

I feel so stupid (again).

I have a Bally EVO Blazing 7's with built-in progressive and attached display, which is a CHAM II 12-cell display attached to a Mikohn CSTLR Stand Alone (Bally).
I know the progressive is working because, ironically, I got all 5 blazing 7's and it paid a progressive amount (woo-hoo!).

But, on the display, I'm getting C10 followed by C14 followed by 0"00$

When I try to connect the Mikohn CSTRL (whatever this is) to the PSP Software on the PC, I get a communication error.
Am I supposed to be hooking this thing to the PC or does the internal Bally progressive program the CHAM?

NOTE: I have used the PSP software before on an IGT PE+, so I know the software and modified cable works.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  

[knagl]

What is the "CSTRL" that you're talking about?

Hook the cable from your computer to the serial port on the ChamII+. Launch PSP, and select "Old" in the software as the communications protocol.

[4 Deuces]

Thanks for the quick reply Kevin.

When I hook the CHAM II (no +) to PSP, I can't seem to get the software to talk to the CHAM.  I'll check my cable and try again.

In the meantime, here are pictures of the CSTLR.

First pic is the Mikohn thing that's labeled CSTLR (see label).
Second pic is the sticker on the outside of the box.

[4 Deuces]

Next picture is of the CHAM II display and close-up to show that it appears to not be a +

[4 Deuces]

Connected it to PC and PSP using "Older" option.  It appears that I can "send" settings to it, but I cannot "load" any settings from it (error - check controller).

I set it up for single jackpot and tried several variations of the Machine Type and Machine Serial Communication, but couldn't get the C10 and C14 messages to go away.  Here are the combos I tried:
M-00 with MS-00
M-00 with MS-01
M-05 with MS-00
M-05 with MS-01
M-08 with MS-00
M-08 with MS-01

 

[knagl]

I'll check my notes as soon as possible and get back to you. I've configured a ChamII+ for Bally stand-alone games and I know I have the settings written down.

The controller box is the brains of the thing, and that's a ChamII+. The actual display board is dumb and just listens to the controller.

Another thing to consider is that the ChamII+ is really finicky. You'll get best communication (back and forth) with it immediately after it has rebooted (wait for it to finish its startup routine, and then do your communications with it as soon as the current jackpot first appears on the display). Power cycle as needed to send new versions of your settings.

[stormrider]

Connected it to PC and PSP using "Older" option.  It appears that I can "send" settings to it, but I cannot "load" any settings from it (error - check controller).

I set it up for single jackpot and tried several variations of the Machine Type and Machine Serial Communication, but couldn't get the C10 and C14 messages to go away.  Here are the combos I tried:
M-00 with MS-00
M-00 with MS-01
M-05 with MS-00
M-05 with MS-01
M-08 with MS-00
M-08 with MS-01

 

Did you bother to check the battery voltage on the Mikohn CSTRL board ?
If that falls below 2.7 you will lose jackpot amount and it will give the C10+C14 error.

The correct settings should be in psp
F3 = SNGL
F4 = M08
F5 = 3sec
F6 = JP0
F7 = $$$$
F8 = MS00

Tim

[4 Deuces]

Hey Storm,

I tested the battery and it read 2.97 Volts.

I waited a few minutes and it was 2.95.

So, I'll wait a little longer and see if it keeps dropping.

Good catch!  Thanks!  And thanks for the correct settings.  I definitely needed those.  :-)

[4 Deuces]

IT'S WORKING!!!   

Well, almost.   
It's not progressing, but I think that's just config now on the machine.  I'm really close!

Turns out, you can't program your CHAM via Windows Virtual PC (at least I didn't have success).

The reason I used VPC is because I was getting an error with NTVDM.exe, the program that runs earlier DOS-based programs such as PSP.

So, I had to fix NTVDM.exe first.  The best way to fix is to uninstall KB2707511 that was released in mid-June of this year.
This particular update from Microsoft screws up NTVDM.  I'll make a post of this finding separately.

Thank you ALL for your help!!!   

[knagl]

Great news!

[4 Deuces]

Just to put the cherry on top ... 

I'll provide the details of all details for future reference.
Again, many thanks to all the other posts before me that has this info too.

1)  Check the battery in both the CHAM and MPU.

2)  Set the CHAM with the following settings:

   MENU = DISP
           JP Limit = NO
           # Displays = 1
           JP GRP1 = SA
           MFile1 = 0
      Leave all other settings as-is

   MENU = ADDR
           Proto = Con2
           Gradr = 255
           Idadr = 64
           RTR = OFF
           Mach Addr = 1
      Leave all other settings as-is

   MENU = SYST (keep all default settings)

3)  Program the CHAM with PSP using the settings defined by Tim above.

   Menu = 1 Jackpot Programming
      Set amount and increment values to your preference
      F3 = SNGL
      F4 = M08
      F5 = 3sec
      F6 = JP0
      F7 = $$$$
      F8 = MS00

4)  Clear SafeRAM with the following settings (dip switch # 1-8 = ON with SafeRAM EPROM in #9):

   Jurisdiction = 15
   Primary Host = None (choices are SAS, SDS or NONE)
   Chassis Type = Upright (for my machine, need to set for yours)
   Coin Acceptor = Coin Acceptor Only if you're using Coin Mech CC-16 (vs. COD or NRI)
   Bill Acceptor = WBA JCM or JCM DBV (depending on your unit)
   Printer Type = NONE for me
   Hopper Type = COIN if you have a hopper, else NONE
   Door Type = PULSED OPTIC, which is usually the case. 
   NOTE: These EVO's also have a Mechanical switch,
   but go with PULSED OPTIC unless you know for sure you don't have one.
   Double Down = ON (just in case you want it later)
   EFT = DISABLED (unless of course you have the printer and SAS option enabled)

   Remove SafeRAM EPROM chip and set dip switch 1-8 to OFF.

5) Setup progressive in Bally Configuration Menu with the following settings (dip switch # 2-7 ON):

   Menu = SETUP INT. PROGRESSIVE
      NOTE: This is actually going to be controlled by the CHAM.
      Type = Standard
      Display = $
      Limit Amount = Ceiling Amount (e.g., $10,000.00)
      Base Amount = Starting Amount (e.g., $1,000.00)
      Inc. 1 = .05 (or however you fast you want the amount to progress)
      Inc. 2 and Hid. = 0.00 (unless you programmed these on your CHAM)

   Menu = EXTERNAL PROGRESSIVE SETUP
      Type = SERIAL RETURN
      Machine ID = 1
      Credit Divisor = 1

   Menu = GAME PROGRESSIVE SETUP/ENABLE
      Enable your game
      Ext. Prog. Ctlr = 1
      NOTE: You want to set it to the external controller, not internal

   Turn off dip switch 2-7.

6)  Have fun!