COPYRIGHT © 2008 MERIT ENTERTAINMENT
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.
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2-PIN POWER
CONNECTOR
RED STRIPE ON
RIBBON CABLE
FIGURE 1 – PROPER SEATING OF RIBBON CABLE
INTO QUICK-CLICK HARD DRIVE (FRONT VIEW)
COPYRIGHT © 2008 MERIT ENTERTAINMENT
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