Help w/ programming Bill Acceptors

[gonzojoey]

I recently came into a batch of older video poker style arcade machines that I've been able to get them all working properly. However, these machines haven't been used in several years, so the bill acceptors havent been updated to accept the newer $5 or $20 bills. I have the FP-001 Programmer (ICT Group) and the acceptors are all ICT A6. I have the software installed on my laptop to program the Programmer, but I'm missing the .BIN file. Where do I find this? Does anyone else happen to have a copy of the .BIN file so that I can program this Programmer (aka download box) to update these Acceptors?
I already have a buyer interested in these machines, but I might lose the deal if I cant get them working w/ the newer bills, so any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
(and yes, i did try to call ICT, but they aren't open on Sundays, so I'll have to try again at some point tomorrow)

[lilshawn]

If you have - or can borrow a working A6, you can pull the bin from it with the 001 and upload it to yours.

i could do it for you tomorrow but we might have nothing but P70s in the shop right now... i'd have to check around for an A6.

[gonzojoey]

I've never used this programmer before, so I wasn't aware you could grab the .bin from a working unit. Would I do that with the "download" button on the FW16 software?
If you have or can find the bin file for an A6, that would be awesome! Thanks for your help.
I'll start Google searching a howto on grabbing the bin from a working unit just in case I'm able to track one down.

[lilshawn]

Yes that's all you do.

I had a look around our shop and we have no A6 BA's in right now.

Let us know if you've found something or solved your issue.

[gonzojoey]

Well, I wasn't able to find another A6 with the updated firmware, but I did contact ICT and they sent me the updated files, no questions asked. The guy there (Josh) was very helpful and told me to call him back if I needed his help with programming the A6's. I wont be able to get to them until next week, but I've asked a friend of mine to take a look and see if he can get them working with the files ICT provided.
If anyone needs a copy of these files, let me know and I'll PM them over to you. It's an .exe file (bin file and the flash memory writer all in one) so I don't think I can attach it to this post.

[jimmy_d]

Gonzojoey, can you please be kind enough to send my the file for updating the firmware on the A6?  I've been going nuts trying to figure this out.
Cheers,
Jimmy.

[ed12]

are u in usa or canada ?
as i have every canadian bin..
to use the fpoo1 to copy with is easy
set to read
read unit
save .bin
to program is just as easy
set fp001 to program
open fbr programming s/w
in the center u might see it calling for an s file just sroll it down to show all file's
load the .bin into the program
now press and hold the reset button for about 10 sec's
once realsed u will hear the dba reset it's self
once it has fire ,the bin in >hit program key for s/w<
wala u are up-dated

ed

[jimmy_d]

Wow. Hi Ed, you lost me at "are u in usa or Canada". haha.

I am in Australia.

I am not following when you say "set to read unit".  I have normal option, or program option. 
I connected the cable to the programmer and a good (working) V6 BA, which is the unit I want to pull the bin file from.  When I clicked on the download button an error came up saying "fatal error" and then FW16 shuts down.  What switches should I have selected on the programmer? L1, L2, or L3? I'm assuming I need to have the other switch set to Normal?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Jimmy.

[lilshawn]

this is a piece of software that you use to connect the computer to the programmer to load the software to the programmer. you can use this program to also read the BIN out of an acceptor as well. you have to have an acceptor connected either way to power the FP001.

set your switches to PC -> programmer -> target and then hit the copy button.

connect your out of date acceptor and do the same and set the other switch to program. click auto and it will load the new firmware directly to the acceptor. if you want to load it to the FP001 for use on several acceptors set the switch to PC -> programmer

this is all explained in detail in the manual that came with the FP001.

[ed12]

thk-u shawn..
the reason i asked where u are
is simple,if in usa the u would need a usa .bin
if canada then u would need a canadian .bin
same with uk/aussie/tiwian/china
country is most important,as 1 .bin dose not fit all..
where it will work ie usa .bin in canada,the dba will not take canadian money...
now u will also want ba-test-tool
this is used along with your white card to recal.the dba after u load the new .bin

ed

[lilshawn]

but it sounds like he has a working BA he can pull the BIN from. just a matter of getting it.

set the switches to L2 (PC -> Programmer -> target) and normal (i belive)

then hit the copy button. it should read the bin from the working BA and save it.

[ed12]

yes i caught that part
but the op will still need to align the opto's and save them to the nvram
which u and i both know is where ba-test tool and the white card come into play

ed

[lilshawn]

right right. sorry, i just thought you missed the part where he had said he had a BA that he could pull the BIN out of.

[ed12]

if u want the truth shawn
very very few are as in dowed with the ict as u and i..
that is perty much a given..
even the dran .ins manual can be confussing to say the least..
lord know's i answer them q's all day..
but yes if 1 is programed the op can read/save it's .bin
but this will not get around the pesky opto thing..

ed

[jimmy_d]

Ed ans lilshawn,

You guys are super awesome.
I am very greatful for those instructions.
I will post back after I give it another go.
Cheers guys.

[lilshawn]

cool jims, once you have the BIN you will be almost ready to go.

with your programmer you should have received a white bill sized "Calibration card" you will need this  after you load the new BIN file into the outdated acceptor.

If you don't have one, or you've lost it, you'll have to contact a representative from ICT to obtain one....or find a vendor in your area that has one you can borrow Sometimes you can go without calibration, but the likelihood of it working properly is very very low.

the sensors often need to be calibrated when you change the binary in them to help pick up changes in the makeup of the new bills that were added. not calibrating can make the acception of old bills be lower, and the acception of the new bills be next to zero.

[jimmy_d]

Yep, I have the card and everything to do the job, but I am stuck.
I have connected the BA to the fp001 and the fp001 to the pc.  I have opened the FW16 s/w, but the copy button is not highlighted for me to select.
Only "download", "search" and "Auto" are the only options highlighted for selection.
Am I missing something?

This whole process is driving me mental. 

Thanks,
Jimmy.

[ed12]

u will need ba-test-tool
it is a total different program then fb
i will need your e-mail,as the size is to big for our up-load's
pm me it
i will fire it off to u

ed

[jimmy_d]

u will need ba-test-tool
it is a total different program then fb
i will need your e-mail,as the size is to big for our up-load's
pm me it
i will fire it off to u

ed

Done.  I await your email.  Cheers mate 

[ed12]

e-mail sent
u will have q's
ask away in the channel

ed