IGT Game King after replacing main battery. Please help!

[Bobwilfong13]

Hello,
I recently replaced the main battery in my 2003 IGT Game King. It now does not accept vouchers as well as the free credits when hitting the service button. If I remember correctly, do I need to buy a key or chip and reprogram the machine? I am pretty unfamiliar with these machines, so any help is greatly appreciated. I will try to post a photo of the machine for reference

[Tilt]

You have a 044 MPU in your Game King.  It may have a a 039 bootchip installed.  If that's the case then you don't need a keychip as it's already built in.  Post a picture of your MPU board and we may be able to tell you if it was labeled correctly.  Yes, when the battery goes dead there are some settings to return to defaults. For some of them you need a keychip to make the necessary changes.

[Bobwilfong13]

You are absolutely correct. There is a 39 boot chip. Can I add Tito and free credits without a new chip?

[Bobwilfong13]

This is the board

[Tilt]

I can't make it out in the photo, but it looks like an OEM bootchip.  Maybe GKB00036?  You need GKDEV039 to have the built in keychip function.

[Bobwilfong13]

Yes. I believe I have the right one.

[Tilt]

Damn sure is.  Nice label someone made for it. 

Ok, to get into the keychip menu on it you have to push and hold the self test button on the MPU and then turn the power on.  When the menu appears on the screen you can release the button.  Then select Keychip operations and Non-WAP.  When he machine reboots the keychip menu will appear.

[Bobwilfong13]

Got it!!!  The free credits are also back on. I can’t thank you enough! One more question…should I start replacing the main battery every few years before it dies? I assume it would eliminate this issue

[Tilt]

Glad to hear it 

No, I wouldn't, CR2354's in the 044 only last ~18 months or so and they die. When you pull the battery to replace it, it it will lose it's settings anyhow. Just keep your instructions for setting things back up handy and run it till it quits.