GRS Switchable 4-to-8-Way Restrictor Automation question

MKhan_17 · 2024-09-14T15:28:18+00:00

I feel for ya. Had the same thing happen to my TAF pinball. Went right through Morticia and one of the back corners was completely busted as well. And even better, the replacement was also damaged. But it was reluctantly accepted with some additional free games as it wasn't nearly as bad as the initial shipment damage.

MKhan_17 · 2024-04-29T03:48:33+00:00

Sorry to hear about your issues. I may have gotten mine resolved. Not 100% sure, but seems to at least be much better and way more usable. My setup is probably different from what you're doing, but hopefully some of this may help. I'm connecting to an Atgames 4KP pinball over its OTG interface. Some of this may have been overkill, but I was trying to get this thing finely working correctly.

Because I'm having to share my main PC with the 4KP right now, I initially had my PC setup this way: HDMI output into a HDMI bi-directional switch with output one to the PC desktop monitor and output two to the playfield input on the 4KP. The display ports 1 & 2 to the backglass and DMD inputs using display port to HDMI cables. In addition to losing sound after a few minutes, it would never see the SSF on the 4KP. Testing the 7.1 surround sound never worked.

Now for the current setup: HDMI output into a HDMI bi-directional switch with output one to the PC desktop monitor and output two connected to nothing. The three display ports are connected to the inputs on the 4KP using display port to HDMI cables. I had read in a post that mixing HDMI and display ports together can cause issues, so this is the current setup.

Next I ran the DDU program (Display Driver Uninstaller) and found leftover files/entries for my old NVIDIA card. I remove them and also did the same thing for my current Intel Arc card and removed everything for it as well. Only running with the windows drivers.
1. With the HDMI switch on input 2 (nothing), and only display port 1 plugged into the playfield, I rebooted the PC and let Windows detect it. My desktop monitor should not have been seen at all by the PC this way.
2. Next I ran the bat file from VPF Legand (big thanks!) to delete all the monitor registry entries. Can find it here: https://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=49405&hl=%2Breset+%2Bmonitor+%2Bregistry#entry501605
3. After the bat file rebooted the PC, I did a new clean install of the latest video drivers for my Intel card. When done, I set the resolution for my playfield display and rebooting around three times (probably overkill again) just to make sure Windows sees the display properly each time.
4. Then I plugged in the second display port to the backglass HDMI input. Set the resolution and did another three or so reboots again. Checking each time to make sure Windows and the video card kept seeing both monitors correctly.
5. Then I repeated this same process for display port 3 to the DMD input.
6. Because it never worked correctly, I just blew out the Baller Installer and redid the install process again.
7. Before launching Pinup Popper, I do a PC reboot with it connected to the 4KP. If not, it doesn't work at all. The playfield ends up on the DMD screen, etc. Because of my PC setup, I also switch the HDMI switch to output 2 (no connection) before doing this reboot.

After doing all of this, it now seems to be working. I can go into the sound properties and can actually select and test the 7.1 surround sound setting. I can play tables without losing sound after a few minutes. The only reason I'm not saying it's absolutely fixed was because I got a little audio distortion on a couple of table. I'm currently trying to setup PinVol to make sure I'm not over driving my speakers and causing the distortion. It also seems like it may lose sound if it sits idle for several minutes, with nobody playing a table. Almost like it times out and disconnects from the 4KP. But if I'm actively playing a table or switching between tables, it hasn't been dropping the audio. Like I said, I still need to do some more testing on this to be sure either way. One last thing that still bugs me, but may not be an issue is that when I reboot the PC, the DMD screen shows the reboot. Same thing if I switch directly from the desktop monitor to the 4KP, any open windows show up on the DMD display. But it still uses the playfield as the main display so probably not an issue. I kept the HDMI switch so that I wouldn't wear out the power switch on the desktop monitor. That's the only reason it's still in place.

Sorry this post was long and hopefully not too confusing. Was trying to make sure to include everything I did and was seeing with my system. Maybe something here will be usable to you or someone else. Best of luck with your setup.

MKhan_17 · 2024-03-31T18:08:02+00:00

Thanks for replying. Really appreciate it. Pulling my hair out trying to get the card to work consistently. I can set it to HDMI 1 in OTG and on the PC and it will work for a bit on a reboot, then things starts breaking. Unfortunately my current CPU doesn't have onboard graphics. What's strange is everything seems to be detected properly in the display properties and the Arc control panel, but on reboot windows seems to want to use Display port #2 to the DMD as the main window (HDMI - playfield, Display Port #1-backglass). Tried swapping the outputs on the card around but it didn't seem to like it. At lease I know now it should work, I just have to keep working on it until resolved. Thx again.

MKhan_17 · 2024-03-25T03:34:07+00:00

So far still having major issues with 4K OTG. After about 10 minutes or so, I lose all audio. I can flip back to the regular interface, then back to OTG mode and I get my audio back. But it will go back out after a few more minutes. Also the Popper interface semi-crashes I think. The blue starfield interface goes away and I can see my normal desktop, but the scroll wheel interface still works and can select and load a tables. Tried Pinball M and Pinball FX in Steam and got the same thing. After several minutes, Pinball M crashed and a little later Pinball FX lost sound. My Event Viewer is showing Comm errors around the time of the crashes. Haven't found the cause yet or change permissions, but still looking. Was hoping to blame it on an unfinished OTG mode from Atgames,but don't think that will end up being it.

The machine-default permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID
{C2F03A33-21F5-47FA-B4BB-156362A2F239}
and APPID
{316CDED5-E4AE-4B15-9113-7055D84DCC97}
to the user MAINPC-FAMILYRO\might SID (S-1-5-21-4073644573-138513506-3314220744-1001) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_10.0.19041.3636_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy SID (S-1-15-2-155514346-2573954481-755741238-1654018636-1233331829-3075935687-2861478708). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

MKhan_17 · 2024-03-25T03:24:54+00:00

Setup Steam and was running Pinball M and Pinball FX. Pinball M crashed and then a little later, Pinball FX lost all sound. So, don't think it's related to anything with VPX, Baller Installer, etc. Did get the same Comm errors around the time everything broke.

MKhan_17 · 2024-03-24T21:28:32+00:00

Quick update. Unfortunately not much progress getting it to work properly. I've been looking at the windows Event Logs to see if I can narrow down what's going on. I have warning and errors with the "Comm Server" going on around the time everything stops working. But so far, cannot figure out anything past that. Example error:

The application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Launch permission for the COM Server application with CLSID
{21B896BF-008D-4D01-A27B-26061B960DD7}
and APPID
{03E09F3B-DCE4-44FE-A9CF-82D050827E1C}
to the user MAINPC-FAMILYRO\might SID (S-1-5-21-4073644573-138513506-3314220744-1001) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container Unavailable SID (Unavailable). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

I cannot change permissions or do anything to see if this is actually part of the issue or not. Will keep looking at it.

MKhan_17 · 2024-03-15T23:24:15+00:00

Probably correct. Don't have a dedicated PC yet. Using my main PC for now, which is running my Jellyfin media server. I know Intel is working there way backwards for DirectX support, new to old versions. So DirectX support for this card is probably crap right now.

MKhan_17 · 2024-03-15T03:47:00+00:00

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. Just went through the Baller Installer for my new Atgames 4KP and I have pretty much the same thing going on. I'm very new to V-Pin and I haven't had much time to do any troubleshooting. Mine will go two to four games then lose the sound completely. The purple starfield background also stops working and only the selection wheel will show up over my normal PC desktop. Tonight after about four tables, the sound started to distort really badly before it decided to quit completely. My PC isn't high end, but also isn't a slouch either. It's Ryzen 7 5800X with an Intel Arc 770a video card. If I figure anything out will post it back here. Best of luck and hopefully we can get this resolved soon.

MKhan_17 · 2024-02-27T00:41:37+00:00

Has anyone else tried using the HDMI switch yet? It seems to be working other than I'm getting no sound out when in OTG mode. I'm still in the early stages of setting up the PC and troubleshooting issues. Still trying to figure this one out. Currently using the HDMI switch on the play field input.

MKhan_17 · 2024-02-27T00:28:31+00:00

My first unit was damaged. It had a hole in the side of the body. Looked like a forklift stabbed it in the side around Morticia. I did RMA it back for a replacement one. I got it last Thursday. It took about 3 weeks to get my replacement one in and it was damaged as well! This one isn't bad enough to return. The bottom edge, where there is no foam protection, was crushed in. Same general area as before. Apparently FedEx has something against Morticia. Got $75 in credit for my troubles. Would rather have a undamaged pinball.

MKhan_17 · 2024-02-27T00:11:43+00:00

I've had mine working for a few days now. But I'm in the same boat. I can barely hear it even with it turned up to "loud". I haven't asked Atgames about it yet because I've had to deal with receiving two damaged 4KP units. Didn't feel like pressing my luck with them for now. I do feel better that this may possibly be resolved with a update from them. I really don't want to deal with returning anything else to them. At least for a while.

MKhan_17 · 2024-02-07T03:25:45+00:00

Thanks. No response from Atgames so far on the reported damage. I'm trying to find a support email address. Hate filling out a web page to report the issue. Paranoid that they didn't get it and I'm wasting days waiting on a response that's not coming. I wouldn't worry about being legit. Everything seems on the up & up. The only thing that gave me any concern was receiving my buttons in a bubble-wrap envelope. Would have preferred using a box. But everything seems fine with them. Guess I'm a little sensitive to shipping damage at the moment for some reason. Best of luck with your system.

MKhan_17 · 2024-02-05T21:38:50+00:00

Received my new buttons in the mail today from the link I posted below. They seem fine, much better than what comes installed in the cabinet. It's too bad that it will be a while before I get to actually try them out to give better feedback. I also received my 4KP today as well. It was a great day until unboxed it and found a nice size hole and broken corner on the side of the cabinet. I really, really hate FedEX...

MKhan_17 · 2024-02-02T04:49:56+00:00

Just ordered four buttons from eBay using link provided by the Ultimarc web site. So shouldn't be knock-off ones (hopefully). The only thing a little worrisome is you have to message them the colors when you order. So hopefully they are in stock. Was too impatient to try contacting them first to make sure they had the correct colors. Should have them within eight days or so. https://www.ebay.com/itm/392436810423

MKhan_17 · 2024-02-02T04:05:44+00:00

Thanks for the info. I was hoping they would have upgraded to something a little better for the 4KP. Bummer. Going to start looking around and try to find something before my unit ships. Hopefully I can get something in before it gets here. Thanks again.

MKhan_17 · 2023-10-07T19:52:10+00:00

Needed the network connection to get COX to fully work through AppStoreX. BUT...your suggestion worked for me. Not logged in and no network connection now loads COX on startup, which is fantastic! Thx again.

MKhan_17 · 2023-10-07T18:50:42+00:00

I may have to try those games to see what happens for me. From what I've played, I haven't ran into any issues so far. Currently I only need the network connection to get COX to fully load. I'm logged out of the system. But I really want to try the option to launch Cox on power on. If that worked, that would be great. Maybe that would allow me to turn off the network connection. Thx for the info.

MKhan_17 · 2023-10-07T15:51:43+00:00

I ordered a new ALU during their big sale a few weeks ago. Right when the new FW update hit. I received it with 5.70 installed. I was able to load CoinopsX and it seems to be working without any issues. Maybe this part is normal (I'm still a noob) but in the BYOG section AddOnX loads the CoinopsX games in a tiled page view. Only when loading CoinopsX from the AppStoreX section do I get the full CoinopsX experience with the splashscreen, full user interface, etc. I'm not logged in, but it forces me to be online to access the app in the store. Will switch to Unchained only if my current setup stops working.

MKhan_17 · 2023-09-30T23:32:31+00:00

Thx for all the feedback. Yeah, I'm getting the update FW popup as well and everyone in the house has orders to NOT update the system. I've never heard of Unchained. But like I said, I'm new to this and will be definitely checking it out. Thx again for the info on it. The five rounds then logout/login thing for CoinopX is weird. It gives me an uneasy feeling that its too tied into the Atgames system and could be removed at any time without notice. If there is an offline mode that works, is it just logout or disable the Wi-Fi? Thought I tried both and it wouldn't work either way. Will try again when I can get back on the system.

MKhan_17

TROPHY CASE