36 replies to this topic

[nails]

snap, mine from stu at star leisure. though i have to say he went the extra extra mile to get it working.

 

i put it down to the fact that big bulky machines like that just dont travel well - bit like guiness!

[Bencrest]

snap, mine from stu at star leisure. though i have to say he went the extra extra mile to get it working.

 

i put it down to the fact that big bulky machines like that just dont travel well - bit like guiness!

 

Normal solid state machine hardware isn't too bad, but having seen inside this MPU5 Rio Enhanced cab, I can see so many parts that could fall loose while in transit.

 

In good news the machine has a notey (yay!) and the complete top-box locked in the bottom door (yay!!) so that's good. Seriously though, unlike normal machines which just have a single mainboard and solid connectors, there are too many things in these to fall out / dislodge.

 

Glad I'm not the only one. Sure I'll get it sorted though. Called JNC earlier and they seemed genuine, which they ought to. Good job as I've paid on CC and have a good record for getting chargebacks where necessary - doubt it'll come to that. Now I've gotten over the original disappointment, I just want a working machine like I paid for. If it's a case of them sending me parts and me fitting, it's just more experience for the next time this (or another one) goes wrong

 

Will be modding the PC down the line too, once warranty is out. Bit of a PC modder, and I'd gladly swap out several components to get it running cooler. I'd be amazed if the mainboard refused to work with another CPU so would be tempted to bung in a lower power / more efficient model, use better spec fans, and probably swap out the heatsinks on the CPU and GPU too

 

(still got some spare 20cm fans from a Coolermaste HAF-X I broke a while back, one of them on the case would make a world of difference!).

Edited by Bencrest, 15 July 2014 - 08:17 PM.

[FruitBash]

Bit of advice, dont swap ANY hardware on these once its working! The windows installed has extremely limited drivers, probably only drivers for the exact GPU CPU etc etc that the machine came with.

[Bencrest]

Bit of advice, dont swap ANY hardware on these once its working! The windows installed has extremely limited drivers, probably only drivers for the exact GPU CPU etc etc that the machine came with.

 

Ahh, I forgot it runs Windows Embedded. Well, I can still change fans and heatsinks I guess

[chasnbons]

Once you have the machine working as it should, I really wouldn't swap or mess with anything (untill you have to) they are a law unto themselves, with no end of things going wrong, I know I've been there and done it.

 

Even something simple like adding the other bpaks, can turn into a nightmare, some machines cause no problems, yet others using the same bpak files, magage to corrupt everything and die.

 

It's up to you what you do, as it's your machine, but be aware, they can be very unpredictable at times mate, and although they can normally be sorted, it imho isn't worth trying to 'fix' something that isn't broke

[stanmarsh14]

Will say one thing to do BEFORE adding anything to it like extra games etc..... image the drives as a backup, then worse case is if you screw up, you have yourself covered..... would suggest using Snapshot, as that can be booted via Hirens Boot CD if needs be (You can also make a USB Bootable version of this too).

For restoring, it's actualy easier to use Hirens and boot the prog via that, rather than faff about with DOS commands.

I've used this prog to back up windows and Linux type boot environments, and bit like Ronseal, does what it says on the tin, and with the min of fuss..... can back up a partition, or the whole drive with this.

Also got a "Cough Cure" for this if needed, and it can be manually used on the Hirens version

http://www.drivesnapshot.de/en/

[Bencrest]

Once you have the machine working as it should, I really wouldn't swap or mess with anything (untill you have to) they are a law unto themselves, with no end of things going wrong, I know I've been there and done it.
 
Even something simple like adding the other bpaks, can turn into a nightmare, some machines cause no problems, yet others using the same bpak files, magage to corrupt everything and die.
 
It's up to you what you do, as it's your machine, but be aware, they can be very unpredictable at times mate, and although they can normally be sorted, it imho isn't worth trying to 'fix' something that isn't broke

JNC are going to have UPS collect the PC unit and repair / replace as necessary.

I'm still tempted to add a 20 cm fan to the PC case - my main concern is heat with such a daft enclosure. I'd hope later machines would come with a more efficient design!!!

Getting it running Monty Python at £500 is definitely my priority. Heck if they get cheaper down the line I might get a second one with some different glass

[Bencrest]

So I was going to remove the PC so it was out of the unit ready for the courier. Still haven't sorted that out yet, going to do it tomorrow - was waiting for my new super-length (500mm!!) screwdrivers to arrive, making PC removal a whole bunch easier.

 

Aaanyway, before removing the PC, I thought I'd turn the machine on for a laugh. Lo and behold it turned on, booted into Holy Grail, and worked fine, although the touch screen wasn't responding.

 

However, I wanted to turn the volume down as I like my garage machines quiet so as not to wind up the neighbours, or advertise the fact I have that kind of machine in there. I put the refill key in, turned it, and since the touchscreen wasn't responding (despite the fact it's USB cable is in the same socket as it was in before the PC was first removed), I couldn't do anything.

 

So I decide to open the front door... and both screens go back to 'no input'. I close the door... 'no input'. I turn it off and on - 'no input'.

 

So I'm pretty much back to square one, only now I'm wondering if the touchscreen is also broken. 

 

Seems strange it finally booted once without any issue though. Notey was working, was taking coins, and was playing fine, albeit having to use the 'start' button to collect the 'pick me' bonuses.

Edited by Bencrest, 20 July 2014 - 08:12 PM.

[nails]

power supply...

[Bencrest]

power supply...

 

PC supply? Does seem weird it booted up and played fine then just conked out again. PSU definitely possible in that instance.

[chasnbons]

Touchscreen probs need recalibrating Ben, as machine didn't work before and might have lost settings.

 

IF! you get it to boot again, with top door open, hold start button down till you get 2 light blue screens, and follow the instructions on screen.

[Bencrest]

Touchscreen probs need recalibrating Ben, as machine didn't work before and might have lost settings.

 

IF! you get it to boot again, with top door open, hold start button down till you get 2 light blue screens, and follow the instructions on screen.

 

Took the PC out on Sunday night and it's now sat waiting for me to box it up, before UPS come on Friday and collect it.

 

Dad has been of the opinion of 'why not get it the whole machine collected' - but as I explained to him, I REALLY want one of these, and if I had it collected, I'd only end up buying another one from elsewhere, for similar or more money, and probably have the same issue as it seems these all arrive faulty in some way, shape or form.

 

JNC have been very polite and helpful with their communication so far, and I'm hoping it'll be up and running in the near future so I can upload some proper pics, vids, and obviously punt the crap out of it!

 

Until then, here's a blurry photo of it in the dark with the PC out. The top-box is still in the bottom door but I'll be fitting that (if possible) before the new PC comes, so it won't need to be opened up again after. Then again I'm worried about the top-box affecting ease of moving it - doubt it'll fit out the garage door without practically lying down once it's on

Attached Files

•  faultypython2.jpg   141.34KB   3 downloads

[Bencrest]

Latest news - JNC are sending out an advance replacement on the PC, which is awesome as it means I could possibly get this up and running tomorrow night. Can't fault them for comms and whatnot, but will wait until it's fully sorted before leaving a proper review on their service. Glad I bought from a proper supplier and sure it'll work out

Edited by Bencrest, 23 July 2014 - 12:20 PM.

[chasnbons]

I can feel the anticipation and excitement from here 

[Bencrest]

WOOO!!

 

All working 100%, and the PC that JNC couriered out was a still sealed unit with a repair date / warranty sticker from the beginning of June and from a proper spares supplier, so pretty sure it's straight off the shelf and not one pulled from a manky old machine

 

Can't recommend JNC enough, any delays have been my fault (have been calling them briefly on tea breaks each day, due to me working Mon > Fri 9>5 last week), but they've been a pleasure to deal with and I'll no doubt be using them again

Attached Files

•  monty.jpg   286.35KB   1 downloads

Edited by Bencrest, 24 July 2014 - 06:48 PM.

[chasnbons]

YAY a happy ending!

[Bencrest]

A minute of nothing, before 3 monsters roll in...

 

 

... now I just need to get on with clearing the garage out!!! Mountains of crap

Edited by Bencrest, 25 July 2014 - 11:47 AM.