manuals/manuals_Support_Center_Bulletins_PDF_TN107

TN107

Tech Notes

Page 1 of 2

QUICK-CLICK

ADAPTER

“B” MARKED ON ADAPTER

FOR BLACK WIRE

Tech Notes

Date: 2-26-08

merit entertainment

Re:

Ion Hard Drive Connector Issues

The majority of hard drives returned to Merit are completely operable and in good, working condition; yet

they were returned because boot error messages led operators to believe the hard drive was corrupt.

Most of these error messages are a result of a poor connection and not faulty hardware. Operators who

are getting a “

DISC BOOT FAILURE

” error (on an ECS motherboard) or a “

Reboot and Select proper

Boot device”

error (on an ASUS motherboard) should go over the following troubleshooting steps before

returning the hard drive to Merit.

Check Connections

The hard drive connection is the most likely cause of problems when the above error messages are

found. Turn off and unplug your unit, then check these connections to assure that all connectors are

seated properly:

For Hard Drives with Quick-Click Adapters:

Check to be sure that the adapter going into the hard drive is properly aligned and seated (see

Figure 1). To re-seat the adapter, line up the left side of the hard drive adapter with the pins on

the hard drive and then carefully insert it all the way into the quick-click adapter. When the hard

drive is in place with the adapter connected correctly, both the label on the hard drive and the

writing on the plastic part of the adapter itself should be facing out.

Check to be sure that the 2-pin power connector running into the adapter is seated properly on

the side of the adapter marked with a “B” (see Figure 1). When this connector is properly in place,

the black wire will be on the outside and the red wire will be on the inside of the unit.

http://www.meritgames.com

2-PIN POWER

CONNECTOR

RED STRIPE ON

RIBBON CABLE

FIGURE 1 – PROPER SEATING OF RIBBON CABLE

INTO QUICK-CLICK HARD DRIVE (FRONT VIEW)

TN107

Tech Notes

Page 2 of 2

2-PIN POWER

CONNECTOR

For Hard Drives without Quick-Click Adapters:

Be sure that the hard drive ribbon cable is connected to the hard drive as is shown in Figure 2.

Note that 4 pins on the hard drive are set off and will remain unconnected. Make certain that the

red stripe on the ribbon cable is inserted facing these unconnected pins.

Make sure that the 2-pin power connector (the red and black wire running to the hard drive) is

connected properly to the hard drive. This 2-pin connector should be on the opposite end of the

hard drive as the empty pins mentioned above, with the black wire facing the outside of the unit

and the red wire facing the inside (see Figure 2).

Check the Other Hardware

After ensuring that the hard drive is connected properly, plug in and turn on the game. If you’re still getting

an error message, follow the ribbon from the hard drive back to the motherboard to check that it’s

properly connected to the motherboard and fully seated.

If your problem still persists, check the ribbon cable itself. Swap out the ribbon cable that runs from the

motherboard to the hard drive with a ribbon cable from another unit that you’re sure is working. If this

doesn’t work, move on to trying a different adapter. Swap out hard drive adapters and see if that resolves

the problem.

If you’re still getting an error message, take a functioning hard drive from another unit, properly attach this

new hard drive, and turn on the unit. If you do not get a disc boot error with the new hard drive, the old

hard drive may indeed be the problem.

If you have any questions, or if the above steps do not stop the error from occurring, please contact Merit

Customer Service and Technical Support by phone at 215-826-1400 or 800-523-2760, or by e-mail at

TechCenter@meritgames.com

FIGURE 2 – HARD DRIVE CONNECTION

WITHOUT QUICK-CLICK ADAPTER (REAR VIEW)

4 UNCONNECTED PINS

(2 ROWS OF 2)

RED STRIPE ON

RIBBON CABLE