IGT AVP - Display Issue

[alfa75]

Hey everyone,

My IGT AVP (Back to the Future theme) has an intermittent issue where the background graphic on the dual-layer monitor randomly disappears, then comes back on its own after a while (see attached photo for reference). Rebooting doesn't fix it or make a difference.

Anyone else run into this? Curious if it's a loose video cable, failing layer board, or something else that would cause it to drop out and self-recover like that.

Thanks!

[Stayouttadabunker]

Did you try swapping your DVI-I integrated video cable?
If that doesn't work, it could be a dying ballast on one of the two driver boards that aren't lighting up the small fluorescent tubes in the MLD'd sandwich.
There's one driver for each of the two LCD panels in there.
They BOTH need to function to get a dual-layered effect.

[sccarlso]

Also make SURE the VGA to VGA "Y" cable on the MLD display itself that links the two layered displays on it are securely connected and SCREWED in.  Sometimes people just plug them in and don't bother to secure the cables with the screws tightly.   Remove each one, and carefully reattach each end to the MLD display and ensure it's screwed in tightly. 
If either end is loose.  It can cause intermittent display on one or both of the two layered LCD screens.

The same goes for the DVI to VGA cable going from the brainbox to the MLD screen.  Ensure each end is screwed in tightly.

I've had numerous std and MLD screens randomly lose color, or the screen glitches just from and of those video connections being even slightly loose.

Easy check, and if it fixes it.  It didn't cost anything! 

[coolwavepic]

I had this exact problem. Your back layer is failing. I replaced it (its actually kinda easy). There is another topic in this forum how to replace it. Mine would go out and come back before it never came back again.

My only complaint of replacing the back layers, is that it WAS NOT an IPS panel. So at an angle, it looks weird.

[alfa75]

I had this exact problem. Your back layer is failing. I replaced it (its actually kinda easy). There is another topic in this forum how to replace it. Mine would go out and come back before it never came back again.

My only complaint of replacing the back layers, is that it WAS NOT an IPS panel. So at an angle, it looks weird.

Hey, thanks for the info! Do you happen to have a link to the topic showing how to replace the back layer? And could you tell me what exactly I need to order for the replacement? Thanks!

[alfa75]

Does anyone know which cable I need for this? Ideally, I’m looking for the exact part number. I know that on one end it looks like a DVI connector, while on the monitor side it looks like a VGA connector. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[sccarlso]

AVP's with STD or MLD screens always need a DVI to VGA cable going from the brainbox to the screen itself.  You can't connect DVI on the brainbox to DVI on the screen even if it has one.  If you have the add on PCIe video card that only has dual DVI ports, you need a DVI to VGA adapter so you can connect VGA on the brainbox to VGA on the main display.  And a DVI to DVI cable is specifically for the top display on any AVP machine. 

The only difference is an MLD screen has that short Y video cable on it to supply video to both LCD screens.   If you remove that Y cable.  It will behave as a STD screen machine, and you can install/run any STD screen games as no video goes to the rear LCD screen if that's the dying one.

If you aren't keen on repairing an MLD machines screen.  And the front LCD is still good, simple to just remove that Y cable.  Now you have a STD screen, and there are a lot more games for STD screen machines than MLD machines.

[alfa75]

AVP's with STD or MLD screens always need a DVI to VGA cable going from the brainbox to the screen itself.  You can't connect DVI on the brainbox to DVI on the screen even if it has one.  If you have the add on PCIe video card that only has dual DVI ports, you need a DVI to VGA adapter so you can connect VGA on the brainbox to VGA on the main display.  And a DVI to DVI cable is specifically for the top display on any AVP machine. 

The only difference is an MLD screen has that short Y video cable on it to supply video to both LCD screens.   If you remove that Y cable.  It will behave as a STD screen machine, and you can install/run any STD screen games as no video goes to the rear LCD screen if that's the dying one.

If you aren't keen on repairing an MLD machines screen.  And the front LCD is still good, simple to just remove that Y cable.  Now you have a STD screen, and there are a lot more games for STD screen machines than MLD machines.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, that's really helpful context.
I checked inside the cabinet and I don't have/see any Y cable on the monitor — so it looks like this might just be a straight STD setup, not MLD. I've attached photos of the connectors (monitor side and brainbox/video card side) for reference, in case that helps identify what cable I actually need.

[sixcardmark]

Pic is MLD monitor

[474lsa]

There is no "y" cable.  It is simply a small vga jumper cable from the front to rear ad boards.  It is pictured in your photo.

[alfa75]

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying — so it is an MLD monitor after all, and that VGA jumper cable between the front and rear AD boards is what I was seeing in the photo.

Given that, could that jumper or the rear monitor/panel itself be a likely cause for my original issue (background layer intermittently dropping out and then coming back on its own, reboot doesn't help)? Is it worth reseating/checking the jumper first, or would replacing parts make sense at this point — and if so, what would you recommend replacing (the jumper cable, the rear AD board, the rear panel itself)? Is the jumper a standard VGA cable I could source myself, or something specific to these machines?

Also — if I did want to simplify to STD by removing it, is it as simple as just unplugging that jumper, or are there other steps involved (e.g. settings/software side)?

[sccarlso]

474lsa is right.   It is just a standard VGA cable with male ends on each side. 

Common slang for it is a Y cable even though it technically is just a short VGA cable. 

I would first just remove each end of that "looping" VGA cable (better term).  And just check for corrosion, bent pins or anything that doesn't look right.  Then reattach it, and ensure each connector is pressed in straight and tightened down well into the VGA ports on the MLD display.  Any loose video cables can easily cause occasional color loss, and often comes back to normal when the cable is wiggled a bit on either end, and pressed in and screwed down tight.  If doing that makes any change at all, with any video cable on an AVP I replace it unless the problem no longer occurs after being removed/cleaned and screwed in tightly on both ends.

If no joy.   It's a really inexpensive cable.  Mine would flicker on the rear LCD screen, and I removed it, even cleaned the cable ends and VGA ports with electronics cleaner.  And reattached it, ensuring the connections had no bent pins and each end was tight and it resolved the problem.   But I replaced mine anyway with a new VGA cable just because if it's the original cable it's possibly 10-12 years old.   Was worth peace of mind for $8.   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003L18ZDY   It's just a little longer, but I just looped it once and ziptied it so it didn't get in the way of closing the door.

And ya, if you simply remove that looping cable entirely.   You can remove all 002 type games, and just load 001 and 005 type games, and only the front LCD will light up.  So it's basically a std screen machine, since the rear LCD is usually what goes bad if it does.  Still have a working machine even if you don't fix the rear LCD.   

No way to be certain.  But to simply check/clean/resecure tha cable is a must just to be certain it isn't just a loose cable.  Or even replace it.  $8 is nothing, and if the existing cable looks 10-12 years old.  Never hurts to replace it if anything at all looks "iffy" with the existing cable.   These things may not help, but is worth it as it's easy to do and inexpensive.  If it doesn't fix it.  Not much is lost.  But huge if it does fix the problem!

I think this was mentioned, but also, the fans are critical on MLD's!  You want to ensure all are spinning, and blow them out with air duster if it's never been done or you can see dust in there!  Dead fans or ones that are clogged with dust are the main reason MLD screens fail.  Because casino's never do that kind of maint and eventually they stop running or clog with dust, the MLD screen overheats and results in various failures.  Replacing any dead fans isn't overly expensive, just takes some time and to replace.  So if you want a good working MLD to stay good and working, that's what you do.

[alfa75]

474lsa is right.   It is just a standard VGA cable with male ends on each side. 

Common slang for it is a Y cable even though it technically is just a short VGA cable. 

I would first just remove each end of that "looping" VGA cable (better term).  And just check for corrosion, bent pins or anything that doesn't look right.  Then reattach it, and ensure each connector is pressed in straight and tightened down well into the VGA ports on the MLD display.  Any loose video cables can easily cause occasional color loss, and often comes back to normal when the cable is wiggled a bit on either end, and pressed in and screwed down tight.  If doing that makes any change at all, with any video cable on an AVP I replace it unless the problem no longer occurs after being removed/cleaned and screwed in tightly on both ends.

If no joy.   It's a really inexpensive cable.  Mine would flicker on the rear LCD screen, and I removed it, even cleaned the cable ends and VGA ports with electronics cleaner.  And reattached it, ensuring the connections had no bent pins and each end was tight and it resolved the problem.   But I replaced mine anyway with a new VGA cable just because if it's the original cable it's possibly 10-12 years old.   Was worth peace of mind for $8.   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003L18ZDY   It's just a little longer, but I just looped it once and ziptied it so it didn't get in the way of closing the door.

And ya, if you simply remove that looping cable entirely.   You can remove all 002 type games, and just load 001 and 005 type games, and only the front LCD will light up.  So it's basically a std screen machine, since the rear LCD is usually what goes bad if it does.  Still have a working machine even if you don't fix the rear LCD.   

No way to be certain.  But to simply check/clean/resecure tha cable is a must just to be certain it isn't just a loose cable.  Or even replace it.  $8 is nothing, and if the existing cable looks 10-12 years old.  Never hurts to replace it if anything at all looks "iffy" with the existing cable.   These things may not help, but is worth it as it's easy to do and inexpensive.  If it doesn't fix it.  Not much is lost.  But huge if it does fix the problem!

I think this was mentioned, but also, the fans are critical on MLD's!  You want to ensure all are spinning, and blow them out with air duster if it's never been done or you can see dust in there!  Dead fans or ones that are clogged with dust are the main reason MLD screens fail.  Because casino's never do that kind of maint and eventually they stop running or clog with dust, the MLD screen overheats and results in various failures.  Replacing any dead fans isn't overly expensive, just takes some time and to replace.  So if you want a good working MLD to stay good and working, that's what you do.

Thanks so much for the link and the detailed explanation, really appreciate it! I'll check/clean/reseat the looping VGA cable first and report back.

One more question while I'm in there — would it make sense to also replace the other cable, the one running from the brainbox/video card to the monitor? And if so, what type would I need for that one?

[alfa75]

One more detail I noticed — when the background image disappears, the reels animation also seems to slow down at the same time, then both go back to normal together. Does that change your read on this? Feels less like a loose cable issue and more like a performance/overheating hiccup on the brainbox or video card side. Already planning to check/clean the fans as you mentioned — anything else worth checking on that front (temps, event logs, etc.)?

Also, what fans would you recommend for this — same OEM spec/size, or is there a common upgrade people use? Trying to figure out what to order in case any need replacing.

[sccarlso]

Can't be "sure" when it comes to display cables really.  Clean the connectors with electronics cleaner, ensure there are no bent pins, and plug them in straight and tighten the screws well.  It's more often one of the connectors or a pin than the cable itself unless the cable was being pinched in the door or something without being corrected.

But the brainbox and video card don't really "glitch".  If there's something wrong with either of those you get nothing on the display.

I did replace the video cable adapter for the main display on all my machines just because on two of them, if I barely jiggled the DVI connector on the brainbox DVI-I to VGA cable adapter that goes to the main display, it would distort the color on the screen. 

Since you have the add on PCIe video card, which is dual DVI, and the main display must be connected using VGA (the upper display is fine with a DVI-DVI cable).  It has a DVI-I to VGA adapter to connect to the brainbox, which you should have now and not just a one piece DVI to VGA cable.  Then there is a regular VGA to VGA cable from that adapter to VGA plug on the display.   I swear by the StarTech ones at the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JXH8TU

And just a good quality, thick VGA male to VGA Male cable.   But on the two of mine where the video would distort if the DVI connector  on the brainbox was jiggled.  So I only replaced the DVI-I to VGA adapter with the one at the amazon link above.  And kept the original VGA to VGA cable that goes through the door to the display.  And that took care of it as that VGA cable to the display itself is rarely removed.  But the DVI-I to VGA adapter is much more frequently removed whenever a brainbox is removed and reinstalled so the DVI-I connector is more likely to get a pin bent or such.   

Also it's a pain to re-route a new VGA cable from the display properly inside the machine and through main door to the display so it doesn't get caught when you close the main door.  lol    Since just replacing the DVI-I to VGA cable adapter took care of the problem I didn't replace the VGA to VGA cable all the way to the display.  But as with the other cable, just as important to remove the connector at the display and the brainbox and check that they're clean and no pins are bent.  And when you reconnect the cable, ensure it plugs in straight and you tighten the screws down well to the DVI port on the video card and the VGA port on the display. 

Seems trivial, but since it happened twice to me, now I always ensure video cables are plugged in straight and the screws are tight.  And if I see a display distore the colors or "glitch" as you describe.  The first thing I do is jiggle each ends of the video cable to see if I can cause it to happen.  If it does, I replace the cable that has the connector that causes the color distortion if I jiggle it.  Which was just the DVI-I to VGA adapter in both cases for me.

If a fan goes bad, it takes a little effort to replace them.  You have to actually take the MLD display out of the door.   But there are posts from a few months ago with the part numbers for replacement fans, about $20 each, but they're good fans.  Easy to find the post, just search for MLD fans in this section.  There are also posts that are fairly detailed with the steps for how to replace those fans on an MLD screen.  Pretty sure there is also a really good youtube video walking through it.  Or at least for removing the screen and opening it so the fans are accessible to replace.

I bought 4 of them and just tucked them away in my spare parts box.  Because if one stops spinning.  With the work involved to remove and open the up the MLD display to replace a single fan.  Might as well replace all four of them when they're all right there and easily accessible since they're so important for keeping that display cool.  Then it's highly unlikely that any of them will fail again.