Golden Tee Live with Silver Strike Pedestal Build

[deano7]

Hi Guys,

I've been away for awhile now, but getting back into it and looking to do a new project. 

Has anyone here built or bought a pedestal to install 2 IGT games like Golden Tee Live (Home edition) and Silver Strike Bowling?

I am not sure where to start, the guys selling the ready made units want like $3-7k for one that is ready to go, but just curious what this entails if I wanted to do one myself.

The questions I have are:

1. Does anyone have plans to build a pedestal?  Can I buy them somewhere or does someone sell a kit to build one? Or if those all fail, where is the best deal on buying a pedestal?
2. Can 1 computer house both games or do I need 2 computers inside the cabinet?
3. Not even sure, can I build my own computer like I do for MAME or do I need special computers for GT Live? minimum specs?
4. Where is the best place to buy the games?  I've seen them on eBay, but not sure what I'm looking for.
5. Who sells the switcher to put 2 games inside a cainet?  I've got some old JAMMA switchers and a Clay Cowgill unit, can I use these or do I need a special one?
6. Lastly, is there a limit on the size of the monitor I'd hook this up to?  Was hoping to have it connect via HDMI to a 65" TV.  Would make for an awesome game.

Lots of questions, I know.  Hoping someone that has been there before can share with me what they know.  It's crazy how hard it is to find this info in a google search IGT seems to like to keep people in the dark on this stuff.  Thanks in advance!

Dean

[acvieluf]

Im posting here to follow your topic.  Interested in something similar in the future.  Good luck with your build!

[ed12]

gt live and silver strike use a computer and cid board each
so that is 2 different computers
they are called black hawks

ed

[deano7]

Thanks Ed, what makes a nighthawk system?  A specific motherboard or the software/operating system that is on it?

[ed12]

mfg of the system is black hawk  the computer
nothing special in a way "pre-say"
they do differ between system used and mfg date
ie: 2012 will have dif hardware then 2016 (video card/ram/speed) etc etc
the black hawk is a black box computer , then u need the I/o board which carries the system "cid" module


ed

[deano7]

Thanks Ed, The question is, are there just standard minimum qualifications for these black hawk computers or are they completely proprietary?  I mean, if i need a 2ghz quad core with 8mhz of Ram and an Nvidia graphics card, then I'm in business.  If i need some proprietary Black Hawk system, then I would guess I just need to find out where to get one...  Thanks again for the response.

Hopefully someone has some thoughts on how to build a pedestal also.  I think that is likely the hardest part of the deal.

Dean

[ed12]

ok just to add to the confusion
the video cards used in these system is of limited type I do believe gt2016 had 2 different types where 2012 had a whole new set different types
and u cannot go willy nilly swapping them (there types are hard code in Linux ) and the os will seek and demand the 2 or 3 types "shawn chime in here please",
the mother board is also limited as is the ram , to even confuse u more this happened across all of the different build years.

ed

[deano7]

Ok, so the OS is Linux, right?

Is it a special motherboard that makes it a night hawk?  Just trying to understand.  Follow on questions:

1. Is there a parts spec list by year of GT Live?  If so then I assume I can build it myself then.  Not too many on the secondary market...
2. I assume GT live is also Jamma and there is a USB connection to the game board?
3. Does GT live and Silver strike use the same Night Hawk systems?
4. If so, can you partition the one nighthawk compy to connect two different games? 

Thanks
Dean

[ed12]

yes they use a jamma harness after the I/o board
Shawn has a gt list or u could go to its-gamming > pdf's< are there
hard coded to Linux correct
yes same system
no to the separate partition on same drive
yes to 2 computers would be needed
yes to 2 I/o boards would be needed
yes to 2 different "system cid" piggy back board used

ed

[deano7]

Awesome info, Thanks Ed!  Who is Shawn?

Appreciate it immensely!

Dean

[ed12]

attached pdf explains the different video cards used by its-games

Shawn is a @ here

ed

[deano7]

awesome thanks ed. I think i found the card for $100, has same specs although the Part Number is different.  I'll give it a go, same manufacturer and as far as I can tell, the part number doesn't exist on the Zotac site. 

Is there a document for the motherboard and RAM as well or are those less of an issue? 

Do i need to find an image for the harddrive or does that usually come along with the gameboard?

You are the man - thanks again for the info.  I think I'll build the machine first before I try and locate a pedestal.  Seems like a logical first step...

Dean

[lilshawn]

hey, das me!

yes... the motherboards are specific to golden tee and silver strike. it's not a proprietary board and is available commercially as a standard desktop board anybody could have bought.

BUT the OS is linux and has the specific drivers needed for those boards built in. so you can't just use ANY board, it has to be the one that IT put the drivers for it in the actual OS. or something VERY VERY similar to it.

Linux isn't like windows, where if you change the hardware, the OS will just try and load the drivers it needs. The OS for the games is stripped down to reduce load times (and for a somewhat proprietary-envess.) so if you change the hardware it just fails to load.

there is also an issue with security....

there are 3 things the games need to boot...

a cabinet ID - AKA (CID) (usb device) tied to the game itself (either bags, golf, bowling and not compatible with each other)

An IO board (usb device)

A security key on that IO board (IC chip on IO board.) again, tied to the game itself (either bags, golf, bowling and not compatible with each other)

While not impossible to build a system yourself out of parts, I will tell you right now, a CID (if you can get IT to sell you one) is $2200.00 USD... it's also $600.00 USD for the IO board.

also the "KIT" to use the 2 games in 1 machine is just switching hardware to flip the JAMMA. you still need the computers, IO boards CID's etc. etc. etc.


you are quite really best off buying just 2 machines.

[deano7]

Thanks Shawn.  It does sound like a lot of red tape. 

It's crazy to think that the hardware specs are so specific for the video cards.  What happens when the video cards are no longer produced?  Not a bad idea to hoard a bunch of em for later, right?

This is a good idea for the Silver Strike?  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Strike-X-Bowling-Full-Nighthawk-Kit-like-golden-tee-New-parts-HDMI-/162083162984?hash=item25bce8cb68:g:NNMAAOSwJb9WqMC7

Seems like it comes with everything I need and I could even put it in the golden tee 2005 cabinet I have right now?  Good way to get my foot in the Nighthawk door?

Thanks again!
Dean

[lilshawn]

as they continue through the years, they add a new video card or 2...mainly because they can't source them anymore.. so if you have a 2009 golden tee, you may only be able to use 2 different obsolete cards... but if you update to 2015, you have a choice of 10 different cards because they add the drivers needed.

[deano7]

Thanks Shawn,

I think I have a pretty good understanding of the hardware / software issues thanks to you and Ed. 

Dean

[csnow]

Hi Guys,

I've been away for awhile now, but getting back into it and looking to do a new project. 

Has anyone here built or bought a pedestal to install 2 IGT games like Golden Tee Live (Home edition) and Silver Strike Bowling?

I am not sure where to start, the guys selling the ready made units want like $3-7k for one that is ready to go, but just curious what this entails if I wanted to do one myself.

The questions I have are:

1. Does anyone have plans to build a pedestal?  Can I buy them somewhere or does someone sell a kit to build one? Or if those all fail, where is the best deal on buying a pedestal?
2. Can 1 computer house both games or do I need 2 computers inside the cabinet?
3. Not even sure, can I build my own computer like I do for MAME or do I need special computers for GT Live? minimum specs?
4. Where is the best place to buy the games?  I've seen them on eBay, but not sure what I'm looking for.
5. Who sells the switcher to put 2 games inside a cainet?  I've got some old JAMMA switchers and a Clay Cowgill unit, can I use these or do I need a special one?
6. Lastly, is there a limit on the size of the monitor I'd hook this up to?  Was hoping to have it connect via HDMI to a 65" TV.  Would make for an awesome game.

Lots of questions, I know.  Hoping someone that has been there before can share with me what they know.  It's crazy how hard it is to find this info in a google search IGT seems to like to keep people in the dark on this stuff.  Thanks in advance!

Dean

I built a dual boot Golden Tee/Silver Strike.  I found a Golden Tee 2011 cabinet and removed the computer from the cab and sold the monitor to recoup some funds.  I found a Silver Strike pedestal on eBay and used that as my final cabinet.  I upgraded the Golden Tee 2011 to 2015 home edition.  It requires software  on a USB stick and a security eprom that you need to install to the I/O board.  It won't work otherwise.  I then had a video driver problem and found the more recent HDMI replacement card on on eBay.  I bought the board that allows the dual boot of the two systems from a guy in Louisiana.  I will have to go back and look in my emails to get his contact info. If I find it, I can PM it to you.  That board is required.  The standard Jamma stuff will not work.  I installed buttons on the front so you can choose between GT or Silver Strike.  I am running a 50" LCD and simply change the input on the TV to choose between the two games.  Each system outputs HDMI to the TV.  The control board allows you to switch controls between the two I/O boards of the games.  If you are patient you can piece it together.  Building one from scratch is going to be next to impossible.  The security codes are required on those proprietary I/O boards.  Each machine has an I/O board and PC.  It is an expensive endeavor but I don't have nearly what they go for retail.  I was patient and bought all of it used except for the dual boot setup.  I was even fortunate to find the 2015 upgrade and eprom on eBay.  Take your time, it is a blast and is always a hit when people come over.

Here are some pics.  Hope this helped.

Chris

[deano7]

Holy schnikeys Snow, that is the coolest cab EVER.  Thanks so much for the info. So far, I've only found the switcher on SuzoHaps.com and it is $440!!!!  Please let me know if you find the guys info that sold you switcher.  I'm patient and I think I'll take the same approach you took.   Love the pictures, it is very helpful for me.  It's my goal to have it ready by next summer, but with some luck, I think it will happen. 

Thanks brother,
Dean

[csnow]

Glad it helped.  I found the email address.  PM'd you

[ed12]

I still do not know why u would not go right to itsgames ?
if u are usa ?
then this pdf is for u

ed

[Brian74]

Not to hijack a thread but does anyone have a 2011 gt hdd image?

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

[jimmyfloyd]

I would be interested more information on this as well. I have a Silver Strike 2007 system, and am waiting to get my GT 2005 cabinet home so I can swap them out. I was just going to switch the Jamma Connector between the GT2005 board and the SSB2007 nighthawk I/O board for the time being.