STAR*ThcH JOURNAL
November 1994
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VIDEOGAME PREPARATION:
MAKE IT LOCATION READY
Kerry Messana
Games Technician
Syracuse, New York
Our
Focus on keeping a video game
earning as much as possible
through proper preparation and
maintenance before it is placed
on location. This article is geared
toward the newer operator but
some of you more "seasoned"
operators may pick up a few hints
from this discussion.
BEFORE IT GoEs
problems can be prevented at this
time. Grab a clipboard and a
piece of paper and write down the
game name and serial number.
This piece of paper is going to
become your pseudo "work or-
der".
Keep in mind that these sugges-
tions are not gospel and many
variables could come into play.
Each persons business is a differ-
ent situation and the hints/tips
given here should be used only as
a reference point.
y OUR MACHINE
LOCATION READY
This is where it all begins, it is
perhaps the most important step
to keep your machine earning to
its full potential. The machine is
now sitting in your shop or ware-
house, what do you do before set-
ting it in a location?
SEEIT
A good start is to open up all ac-
cess doors and give it a good vi-
sual inspection. Many "would be"
Look over the rest of the coin
door area including any test/ser-
vice switches, coin returns, coin
paths, coin meters and locks. Jot
down any problems you notice.
POWER
INSPECT
GETTING
If the coin switches and/or coin
mechs are dirty or covered with
soda etc. then make a note of it
on your work order so you can
refer back to it later.
Begin your inspection paying
close attention to both electrical
and mechanical connections. A
good place to begin your obser-
vations is the coin door area.
When the coin door inspection is
finished you are ready to proceed
with the rest of the checkout.
Begin by inspecting power con-
nectors at the power supply, cir-
cuit board(s) and anything else
that is connected. Look for burnt
connectors and if you find any
you will have to plan on fixing
them before the game goes out.
COIN COLLECTOR
SWITCHES/WIRING
Make sure the coin switches are
both clean and unobstructed.
Wiring to the switches should also
be checked. If there are any ob-
structions, clear them. A package
of cable ties will usually assist
here.
Pay special attention to anything
that is mounted horizontally in
the cabinet. Here you will want
to carefully check to make sure
no quarters have fallen into any-
thing critical like the logic board,
power supply or monitor. A quar-
ter laying across the right place
Note: See page 2 l for STAR*TECH Journal's updated list of ,I'""'\
music and game manufacturers customer service phone and fox numbers
Also, the Area Code Decoder hos been updated with new codes.