G20 Red screen, corrupted nvram at startup

[Travis]

Hello,

I have a G20 that gives me the red screen after startup. "Corrupted NVRAM at startup" It will let me enable games and play but the next time the power goes out I have to enable them all again. What would be the permanent fix? I have the Diagnostic key 10026 and Ekey 007 but no booting software or game software. If I have to wipe it all I would like to turn it into a multi-hand poker machine, just not sure which ones my machine can handle. I have attached pictures. AVP3.0, AVP014-00320.

Thank you,
Travis

[sccarlso]

You just need to get two CR2450 batteries (like $5 from Amazon) and replace the ones inside the brainbox which are easily located in the top of the PCI card inside that has the ribbon cable attached to it outside the brainbox.  Make sure to note orientation so you put the new batteries in with the same polarity.  Easy to put them in the wrong direction.  You can also take a quick photo before removing the old batteries.

When the voltage on those batteries gets too low, when you power off the machine it's losing its NVRAM and SafeStorage data as that data is backed by those two coin cell batteries.

Once they've been replaced, you'll likely want to do a clear of NVRAM and SafeStorage (but not the drive!) with the diag key.   You'll have to set the machine up again and re-enable the games as you've been having to do.  But then it won't occur again, when you power off it won't lose those settings as the batteries are fresh so they're are keeping that data from being cleared.  Which is what is happening to your machine now.

[Travis]

That is great news! I always assume the worst-case scenario for some reason. I will get the batteries ordered. Much appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

[sccarlso]

Of things that can go wrong with AVP's, this one is generally easy to fix. 

[Travis]

Both batteries were below 2v. I ordered replacements. there is a cr2032 I saw on the bottom. I will replace that one as well while I have it open.

Thank you so much!

[sccarlso]

Sure.  The bios battery generally lasts a lot longer.   But it's always a good idea to replace it when replacing the ones in the PCI card.  Cheap insurance from having to yank the brainbox out again anytime soon.

Removing the bios battery will cause the bios defaults to be loaded.  It will reset the machine time usually to 1970, the start of epoch time.  The time/date setting can affect games and other things if the bios battery is dead because it will reset to that old date (I believe only if the machine is unplugged) if the bios battery is dead won't retain the current date/time. 

But when you set a machine up, you set the time/date when you initially configure the machine.  Then the bios time/date is updated and will remain unless the bios battery is pulled again or dies.

Also, I've not experienced any issues either way.  But an IGT tech document says that when you replace the bios battery.  You should plug a USB keyboard into the brainbox (you can use the non-secure USB port by the video connectors).  Power on, and just start pressing the delete key every second until you get a bios setup screen.

It prompts for a password.   Which is simply the word   sevens

Then it lets you in.  Lots of options, but making your own selections in various areas isn't recommended.

Simply use the arrow on the keyboard to highlight "Load Optimized Defaults".  And press enter.   This sets the bios settings to IGT recommended settings.   You "Could" set the proper time/date as well if you want.  But you do that on machine setup and the CMOS time in bios will get updated when you do.

Then save the changes and exit.   As soon as the screen goes black just pull the USB keyboard out and let it boot normally.   

I had never done that until I read the tech doc and never had any problems from not doing this.   But eh, after seeing that as recommended.  Now I just do it anyway if I change a bios battery as it's simple and easy.

[Travis]

Good to know. I left the cr2032 in just in case it got complicated. That doesn't sound too bad (knowing ahead of time). It would've hurt not knowing.
I have a wireless USB keyboard, is there any reason that wouldn't work?

Thanks,
Travis

[sccarlso]

I've only used plain old cheap wired usb keyboards.

It might work/might not.   Just thinking that the USB receiver would have a really short time from getting power and connecting to a wireless keyboard before the brainbox would be past when it has to see a delete key press to enter bios before it continues booting. 

I always keep an old wired keyboard around, as well as an old Win7 laptop just for slot stuff as there are some things that only work on Win7 or earlier.

But it won't break anything to not do the bios thing.  So if it doesn't work, really no big deal.

[Travis]

I found the USB wired keyboard my computer originally came with so I should be good to go.
I really appreciate you taking the time to help me on this.

Thanks,
Travis

[sccarlso]

Sure, replacing all the batteries is pretty easy.  Just take your time if you haven't done it before.

You can remove the PCI card as it makes it easier to get the CR2450 batteries out.  You might need to in order to replace the CR2032 bios battery.  There's not a lot of space in there.  If you take your time its just like working on a 12+ year old PC.  And of course after you've done it once, it's much easier to do it again if you ever needed to.

If do you remove the PCI card, just be sure to unplug the wire that's connected to the card, it's easy to remove and there's only one connector on the PCI card it fits into.  And of course don't forget to plug the wire back into the PCI card when you put it back in.

If you can replace the bios battery without removing the PCI card, if you have something plastic, like the size of a toothpick or so.  Or a small plastic "spudger".  It can be used to push the CR2450 batteries up from the battery holders enough to pull them out of the PCI card with your fingers.  Putting the new ones in is simple.  While you "can" use something metal, like a paper clip.  Usually a bad idea to poke metal things around circuit boards.  lol 

But I'd remove the PCI card to do it.  Just is a lot easier and it's not that much effort.  Then there's more room to replace the bios battery, and you can easily push the batteries out of the PCI card to replace them with the PCI card removed.  And a lot less chance of damaging something by trying to use a small screwdriver to pop out the bios battery or something.

[Stayouttadabunker]

... from having to yank the brainbox out again anytime soon...

I just HAD to say something completely light-hearted about that... lol
I'm one of those guys that like to fiddle with things. 

Today, without counting, I think I "Yanked Out" my G23 brainbox...no less than 20 times.
The thing about doing that is, I could probably win contests across the country, in seeing who could fully rip out a brainbox and have another one completely installed back in, and ready to be booted back up, in the quickest time... 

[sccarlso]

I haven't done it for a few months as my machines run pretty smooth now.  But after getting my first G23 a few years ago and being an "experimenter" as well.

I'm with ya!  I think I can pull/reinstall a brainbox in no time.  From changing boot chips, memory, video cards, etc.  Or I'd get it back in, something doesn't work right or I was trying something "unusual" that didn't work.  So I had to restore it (and pull the brainbox again...).

Then getting two more G23's that didn't have show bios, pulling/flashing bios chips.  Getting a bad set of cheap PLCC chips that would flash & verify but not boot was a nightmare.

It got to a point where I didn't even put the lid on anymore, minimal connections and just setting the box inside, not even locked in.  I thought I was going to wear out the ribbon cable connectors! lol

Once the internal hardware was all good, then it got tedious loading machines and testing fam20 games to see which would run and were decent and which would crash the machine.  So I put SATA cable extenders on them so the SSD was on the outside, then I could easily replace the SSD without opening the brainbox or even opening the lower door. 

Then I put in dual USB extension cables, and toggle switches soldered to the cage switch wires with 3ft of wire made it a lot easier.  So I don't have to open the lower doors to load games or to plug the ekey into any of them.  Just open the main door and both the cage switch and remote USB ports are mounted by the main power switch.  As the lower door doesn't need to be open to make changes, only the cage switch and main door need to be open.  Big time saver as removing the lower door and getting it locked back in is a pain.

Now if someone local wants me to fix up a machine for them they look at me funny when I start pulling cables and such to get the brainbox out.  It goes pretty quick now.

Ah good times with all that!  Like a county fair AVP brainbox shucking contest!

[Travis]

I had to laugh a little. You guys are in tournament mode pulling the brainbox. I'm moving carefully, slow, taking pictures each step and still managed to mess something up. Batteries (all 3) have been replaced. Booted to bios screen easily with keyboard and "load Optimized defaults" easily.

Machine is coming up with "No IGT signature found"

From what I read in other threads it could be pci card, boot2 chip, ribbon cable. I checked to make sure everything was seated correctly but I have no replacement parts.

Should I just buy a known good brainbox at this time and hopefully have some spare parts when it gets fixed? Just trying to save cash on multiple shipping charges.

What is show bios? and do I need it?

Last question- The toggle switch, write jumper in the door of the brainbox. Should it be in the up position normally?

Thanks again,
Travis

[sccarlso]

If I recall.  That means the motherboard isn’t seeing the PCI card.  Or, the ribbon cable that plugs into it isn’t securely plugged in.  (Can’t recall exactly but it’s one of those).

They’re pretty hard to damage the PCI card though.  The switch you mention wouldn’t cause this error at all.

I’d reseat the ribbon cable connecting to the card first as it’s the easiest check.

If you get the same.  I’d pull the PCI card again and clean the card edge connector with a qtip & alcohol if you don’t have electronics cleaner.  And use a blower or air duster to blow out the PCI connector on the board and then plug it back in securely.  Make sure that single wire to the PCI card is connected securely as well and ensure the other end is also plugged in.  lol

Might double check the batteries aren’t in the PCI card backwards too.  It’s just too easy to put them in the wrong way.  😁  Then power up and see if the error is gone. 

If you don’t have show bios.  That’s an essential for home use AVPs and easy to get and replace the bios chip and the chip in the PCI card itself.  Then you can load any game and don’t need any license dongles anymore.  You can likely get a set of show boot chips if you post in the classifieds section that you need a set of fam14 show boots.

But good to get your machine booting normally again first.  👍

[sccarlso]

Also, your test should be just booting with the ekey and diag key plugged in.

A good boot with the diag means all is ok with the hardware.  If it does.  Clear NVRAM & SafeStorage then shutdown and boot with nothing plugged into the USB ports.

[Travis]

Great news!

I picked up some contact cleaner, air duster and did what you suggested. I also reseated the ribbon cable. Success!

I found out my diagnostic key did not work, I will order another one.

I was able to enable the games and play without any issues.

Thank you!

[Stayouttadabunker]

I'm wondering if the reason your diagnostic key isn't working, is because you may have the toggle switch down?
A lot of people stick a piece of cardboard in that other switch above it too.
The cardboard has to be pulled out of the top so the brainbox can read your USB sticks.

Personally, I don't have a piece of cardboard stuck in there...I installed a simple 34mm x 14mm rocker switch instead...no more cardboard and they fit perfectly into the rectangular hole.
I bought a few of these...put the zero on the toggle up - to simulate the circuit is closed.
I removed the cardboard switch, cut and soldered the 2-wire harness coming from the PCI board to the 2 silver contact tabs on the rocker switch...>>>

[Travis]

I like the 34mm x 14mm rocker switch Idea, I'll have to do that!

The machine just tries to load, then beeps once, then resets. over and over again with the diagnostic key in.

I just tried again with the toggle switch up and paper out of the other switch. What position should the write jumper toggle switch be in for normal operating mode?

It is a DIAGUNV00126. Is this the right one? It came as a set from ebay, with the ekey007 that works fine. I have never put them in my computer as one of the first posts I read on this forum said not to

Will both of these keys work on a SAVP? that is my next project.

Thank you,
Travis

[sixcardmark]

Family 14 needs 14-21 diag

[Travis]

Thank you!