Considering a change...

[SilverFerret]

to an 044 platform as I see there seem to be better deals on the hardware recently but I'm curious if it is an easy conversion or even a good idea. I understand that I could still use the programs that I have on the 3902 platform... correct? Is it difficult to swap games once the 044 platform is installed? I understand that the 044 programs are flashboards so does the whole tray need to be swapped out to change a program? As you can see, I'm not very familiar with this platform so if someone could get me up to speed a bit I'd appreciate it. BTW, I have a 17" upright I Game that would be converted... hopefully it's a good candidate.
Thanks, Jim

[chuck300x11]

Hey Jim
I converted a 3902 game King to the 044 and put super star poker on it.
You need a new backplane (where the tray plugs into and all the wiring plugs into), the 044 board and the flash card of your choice. If you want to play the 3902 games you will need a legacy board. You will also need a different set chip for the 044. I think it's chip 028 but I'm sure someone can correct this if it's wrong.
I am far from being an expert on slot machines and I was able to make the switch. All it took was unplugging all the connections from the 3902 backplane, removing that board, installing the 044 backplane, and reconnecting the plugs where they belong.

[DanTheMan]

I have also been considering doing this, so I have been paying attention when hardware comes up for sale. I believe there are two types of 044 boards, one for Game King and a different one for S2000 slots. Maybe it's just the mother boards that are different, not the MPU? I am not sure. Need advice. I also like to swap out the Game King software for variety, and would want to keep using the 3902 EPROMs, but I understand that the SIMMs and Flash boards are not easy to backup, in case of accidental damage while swapping. The EPROMs are easily backed up with a cheap programmer.

[Tilt]

Chuck answered most of it.  Swap the motherboard (backplane) and MPU board.  You can use 3902 software on an 044 MPU with a legacy adapter board.  Exception being international software, I guess that that doesn't work in the adapter board.  Use Key 40 to setup the game if using 3902 software on the legacy adapter board, and Key 28 if using a native 044 flash board.  One word of caution with 044 flash cards, they are very sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD, static electricity), so ground yourself, and handle the card by the edges as much as possible.

It's not really anymore difficult to change software on an 044 board than it is a 3902.  It's easier if you have an extra MPU board and swap it along with the motherboard EEPROM in a pair.  Then you keep your game configuration/credits.  Other wise you clear/key it just like a 3902.

As far as backing up SIMMs/Flash boards go, you need specialized hardware to do it and it's not cheap like a hobbiest grade EPROM programmer.  One of the vendors here sells them:

http://www.casinogamingsystems.com/

There are also vendors here who can provide you with that service.