quick question on megatouch models and software installs

[game_nerd]

I've got force, and ion machines, all the ones I have are the flatscreen models. Some of the force machines have the older 3m controller that say force on them, so pretty obvious
why are some called force evos? what gives them the force evo distinction?
I have force software that runs all the way up to 2011, and ion software labeled from 2006 to 2014.

how do you differentiate the different models? just by the motherboards? or by the security keys/software versions? I only ask because some of my older ones have no keys or hdd's. but do have force controllers.
most of my newer megatouch machines that run or can run ion software are upgraded to the newer intel atom motherboards, and refitted on the hardware side, so just one more question about OS installation.

what is the best way to install the OS software for older force and newer ion models?  I have all the iso's from force 2003 to ion 2014, but am unsure on how to install the OS on the rebuilt systems I have.
can they all be imaged via usb drives? do the older force machines NEED an ide CD rom to install? do I have to burn those iso's to cd roms? what about 2011 force? the overlap between ion and force software years is confusing to me.

[lilshawn]

it's all in the security key #'s if you have a force machine 2010 key it's key# is SA3579 if you have ion, it's key # is SA3590

tech doc tells you what security key #'s are for what version. the unofficialofficial meritgames website lists the key numbers and versions here:

https://www.meritgames.com/megatouch-security-key-reference/


ion was basically just a faster motherboard CPU (32 bit 566mhz celeron to 64 bit 1.8ghz AMD cpu's), faster harddrive (PATA to SATA) with more (from 64mb to 256mb(later ion versions needed 512mb)) and faster ram (SDRAM 133mhz to DDR 400mhz) basically so the games would load faster and play smoother.

reason for the year overlap was to give operators time to transition to ion hardware before it was discontinued (in 2011)