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COPYRIGHT © 2006 MERIT ENTERTAINMENT 

 

TN65 Rev F – PM0439-05

 

Tech Notes

 

Page 1 of 2 

   Tech Notes 

 

Date: 9-7-06 

merit entertainment

 

 

Re: 

DIP Switch Settings in Ion, Force and Maxx Games 

The following tables provide information on the functionality of the hard DIP switches in Ion, Force and Maxx 
games.  Make sure to read the information in the “Notes” column to determine what is affected when performing 
these functions.  The first table is Force 2002 and Maxx Emerald software; the second table is Force 2003 or 
later and Maxx Ruby or later software. 

After performing any DIP switch function, make sure to follow the instructions on the screen.  In most cases, 
you will be instructed to reset the DIP switch in order to reboot the game.  If you fail to reset the DIP switch 
before rebooting, it could result in corruption of the hard drive. 

NOTE:

  In Ion 2006 or later, Force 2005 or later and Maxx Jade software or later, the DIP switch functionality is 

built into the software.  To access the DIP switches through the software: 

1.  Turn off the game. 
2.  Set DIP switch 1 to the closed position. 
3.  Turn power on. 
4.  When the message, “Please reset DIP 1 to proceed” appears, reset DIP 1 to the open position. 
5.  The Merit diagnostic page will appear.  Touch “?” for information on DIP switch functionality.  Touch 

the specific DIP switch to activate it.  Touch “X” to exit. 

Force 2002 & Maxx Emerald 

DIP Switch 

Function 

Use/Notes 

8 Motherboard 

configuration & 
checksum test 

• 

Configures the motherboard to Merit specifications.  Performs checksum test 
to test the files on the hard drive.  If the test fails, the program should be 
reloaded onto the hard drive.  After reloading, perform another checksum 
test.  If it fails again, the hard drive should be replaced. 

5 Three-button 

clear 

• 

Clears the login name, password, and access phone number for 
TournaMAXX™ users.  Resets options, game menu and coin-in menu to 
their factory defaults. 

After performing a complete memory clear, the player database should be 
reloaded, TournaMAXX™ setup information must be re-entered, and an initial 
connection and “Update From Server” should be performed. 

NOTE:

 TournaMAXX™ games must perform an “Update From Server” before 

performing a complete memory clear. 

To perform a three-button clear:  Turn the power off, turn on DIP switch 5 and 
press and hold the calibrate and set-up buttons.  Turn on power and continue 
pressing the buttons until the screen displays ”

TWO BUTTON CLEAR 

DETECTED RELEASE BUTTONS.”

  Release the buttons.  The game will 

continue to boot up and verify that the clear should be completed.  It will then 
prompt you to turn off the DIP switch. 

http://www.meritgames.com 

manuals/manuals_Support_Center_Bulletins_PDF_TN65_20Rev_20F_pdf-html.html
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COPYRIGHT © 2006 MERIT ENTERTAINMENT 

 

TN65 Rev F – PM0439-05

 

Tech Notes

 

Page 2 of 2

 

 

Ion 2006 / Force 2003 / Maxx Ruby and greater 

DIP Switch 

Function 

Usage/Notes 

8 Motherboard 

configuration & 
checksum test 

• 

Configures the CMOS settings on the motherboard to Merit specifications 

 

Checks the files on the hard drive. 

A checksum test should be performed when the game is locking up or rebooting 
while being played or while in the attract mode.  If the test fails, the program 
should be reloaded onto the hard drive.  After reloading, perform another 
checksum test.  If it fails again, the hard drive should be replaced. 

6 Hardware 

configuration 

• 

Identifies system hardware and configures the motherboard. 

 

A hardware configuration occasionally needs to be performed after a kit is 
installed and the touchscreen is not responding to touch or the calibration is 
off. 

5 & 7 

Memory clear for 
TournaMAXX™ 
and TouchTunes® 

• 

Clears the login name, password, access phone number, and all call-in 
settings for TournaMAXX™ users. 

• 

Clears all the loaded albums for TouchTunes® users. 

• 

Clears current books, coin-in, high scores and resets the software options. 

A memory clear should be performed when a game is not able to connect to 
TournaMAXX™ and there is some question about the information in the Dial-Up 
Network Screen being correct.  After performing a memory clear, TournaMAXX™ 
setup information must be re-entered, and an “Update From Server” should be 
performed. 

NOTE:

 TournaMAXX™ games must perform an “Update From Server” BEFORE 

performing a memory clear.

 

4 & 7 

Complete memory 
clear 

• 

Clears ALL memory on hard drive including the TournaMAXX™ player 
database, TournaMAXX™ settings, advertising screens, bookkeeping, high 
scores, coin-in, options, etc.  It resets the game to the factory defaults. 

 

It also marks bad sectors on hard drive. 

A complete memory clear should only be performed when the game is locking up 
or resetting and it has passed the checksum test.  After performing a complete 
memory clear, the player database should be reloaded, TournaMAXX™ setup 
information must be re-entered, and an initial connection and “Update From 
Server” should be performed. 

NOTE:

 TournaMAXX™ games must perform an “Update From Server” BEFORE 

performing a complete memory clear. 

3 Watchdog 

Timer 

(all Ion games and 
Force EVO and 
Force Fusion 
games) 

• 

When the watchdog timer is enabled, it will reboot the machine within 2 
minutes after a failure, allowing the game to automatically reset itself if a 
problem arises without needing a technician present.