Heads Up Challenge-close to booting!

Just to follow up on this thread, my Heads-Up Challange is 100% working, and upgraded to the newest software that includes Bocce Ball. I've also bullet-proofed it a bit and improved the poor ventilation system.

I've learned a lot about it along the way:

1. These units run very hot and have poor ventilation, which contribute to a variety of issues. Make sure you clean the vents regularly, put in a 120mm fan on the left side that pushes (the original one pulls), and put a real fan on the video card (ESPECIALLY if you get the newer 210GT that doesn't have a fan). Mine now runs very cool, in my non climate controlled garage.

2. They are very proprietary. Sure they are PCs, but they have a unique boot system, a 24V rail on an ATX power supply (try finding one of those), and you need to get a very certain video card if you can find it. You need a specific bill changer as well.

3. Luckily Playdium bought up all the parts and you can still get them: http://www.theplaydiumstore.com/ Don't fret about the prices - they are in CAN$ and will convert at checkout.

4. It's super fun! Bocce ball is absolutely worth the upgrade by itself. My 10 y/o daughter kicks my ass!

If anyone needs documentation I've compiled a suitcase that should help.
 
Congratulations!

I went the same route but due to my frigid temps in my home, (A/C always blasting) do not need the extra fan on the video card.......:)
 
Hi Zoner,

Just got one of these machines, I'm enjoying it but I'm fearful of downtime. I understand PLAY has purchased all of the parts but is there anything else I could do to maintain the unit. I also think I have the version without Bocce - is there any way I could load this on?
 
Hi Zoner,

Just got one of these machines, I'm enjoying it but I'm fearful of downtime. I understand PLAY has purchased all of the parts but is there anything else I could do to maintain the unit. I also think I have the version without Bocce - is there any way I could load this on?

You'd have to get the image from Play on DOM (Disk On Module). The bonus is that it eliminates the need for the security chip. I have the image, and also configured it to boot on a simple USB 2.0 but I'm sure they wouldn't like me distributing it.

The quick takeaway from these threads (that I recommend reading in full), is that you need to add a fan to expel the heat. If you upgrade the video card then you'll need to install a fan on that as well. You can also replace the noisy industrial fan on the right and have near silent ambient noise.

After getting the DOM and installing the fans, I'd get a spare set of RAM (2x2GB) and a spare video card. That should keep it going for a long time.

I don't have the game any longer, but my lucky buyer got a ton of redundant hardware and disk images that I had accumulated.
 
Are there multiple versions of this software. I just picked up one of these machines and I would like to operate it but I cannot get it to go into the config menu to set it to coin play. Any help would be appreciated. The previous owner said he updated with the bocce ball software and I'm wondering if I just need the coin op version of the software.
 
Are there multiple versions of this software. I just picked up one of these machines and I would like to operate it but I cannot get it to go into the config menu to set it to coin play. Any help would be appreciated. The previous owner said he updated with the bocce ball software and I'm wondering if I just need the coin op version of the software.
What happens when you try? Button doesn't work? Error message? Don't know the password when prompted?

There are only two versions of the software. One with bocce ball and one without.
 
It's the version with bocce. Nothing happens at all when I press either config button. Coin door or I'm the interface board.
 
It's the version with bocce. Nothing happens at all when I press either config button. Coin door or I'm the interface board.
The left is the reset button, the right is config mode. If neither buttons work, you've got a problem with the connection to the motherboard, or the motherboard itself. Hopefully it's just a loose connection.
 
Just to follow up on this thread, my Heads-Up Challange is 100% working, and upgraded to the newest software that includes Bocce Ball. I've also bullet-proofed it a bit and improved the poor ventilation system.

I've learned a lot about it along the way:

1. These units run very hot and have poor ventilation, which contribute to a variety of issues. Make sure you clean the vents regularly, put in a 120mm fan on the left side that pushes (the original one pulls), and put a real fan on the video card (ESPECIALLY if you get the newer 210GT that doesn't have a fan). Mine now runs very cool, in my non climate controlled garage.

2. They are very proprietary. Sure they are PCs, but they have a unique boot system, a 24V rail on an ATX power supply (try finding one of those), and you need to get a very certain video card if you can find it. You need a specific bill changer as well.

3. Luckily Playdium bought up all the parts and you can still get them: http://www.theplaydiumstore.com/ Don't fret about the prices - they are in CAN$ and will convert at checkout.

4. It's super fun! Bocce ball is absolutely worth the upgrade by itself. My 10 y/o daughter kicks my ass!

If anyone needs documentation I've compiled a suitcase that should help.
I would welcome any documentation as I just got one of these and want to bullet proof it - upgrade to SSD and or get the image for USB drive

Thank in advance
 
What do the caps look like on your video card? I replaced mine and received video. But the motherboard was bad and it would hang.

You could probably just replace the caps and be fine. Use a DMM to test your p/s.
IF it tests ok. Try the voltages when its under load.

Lmk,

Milton
pokertek tech here i can fix all if u message me
 
Could anyone send me the manual?

...is this not the manual?


up for grabs under $50! very rare, don't see this sold too often!!!

(added the ebay photos for posterity)
 

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Especially for the Service Guide. I've got PDF of the Installation and Operations Guide along with other goodies, but I wish this ebay auction was around when I had mine.
 
Some one got it......

I'd be willing to put up a few $$$$ for a quality scan.

If anyone would like to get compensated for their time of scanning, please PM me with financial requirements ;)

Thanks

Jeff
 
Some one got it......

I'd be willing to put up a few $$$$ for a quality scan.

If anyone would like to get compensated for their time of scanning, please PM me with financial requirements ;)

Thanks

Jeff

I'll send you a pm once I have the time to scan all 80 pages ;-)
 
Hello, anyone figure out where to get software to reinstall/rebuild for this? I have one that would like to get going again - prefer with Bocce Ball and Poker. I checked the website and it doesn't look like it's for sale there anymore. So.. Anyone have recovery disks?
 
It's the version with bocce. Nothing happens at all when I press either config button. Coin door or I'm the interface board.
I have the identical issue. Both config buttons do nothing, the reset and power buttons that are adjacent work fine. Were you able to get into the config?

I have both versions of the software as I purchased the update years ago from Playdium. When I first installed the version with Bocce I was ale to go into the config and change to free play and reset high scores, now it seems I can't. The interesting thing is that I re-installed the previous version and I can't get in to config with that one either which leads me to believe it possibly isn't software related.
 
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