Just thought I'd post something for those that own P2K machines.
I own an RFM and a SWep1 kit, and was a VERY early adopter of the NuCore system created by Chuck and Don of Big Guys Pinball. One of the many issues that P2K games have (beyond the original computer system and it's proprietary hardware itself) is swapping between RFM and SWep1. When using the original hardware, this is an absolute bitch to do. Reason being if you do not own two PRISM cards and a PUB card, you must split your existing PRISM to pull all of the RFM ROM's and replace with the SWep1 ROMS and then connect a PC up to your game and flash the correct boot code for the game installed. Now swapping ROM's can be bad enough, but splitting PRISM cards is also a chore in itself because WMS for some reason used a connector system that has tin plated headers and gold plated socket pins. For those that don't know, connecting dissimilar metals is a big no-no as they oxidize over time!!! I have seen more people ruin their PRISM card trying to split it because of the force required to separate these connectors. :FP: If you manage to successfully split the PRISM and swap all of the ROM's without breaking anything, then come the fun of connecting up a PC to your game and flashing it with the correct boot code. JOY!
For those that run the NuCore system, it's simple;
Obtain your kit
Un-crate
Remove P2K Glass
Pull playfield from game
Swap launch button for shooter
Swap 6 connectors on back of playfield
Install swapped PF back into cabinet
Power game up and enjoy!
It's seriously that simple. You don't even need to tell NuCore what PF is in the game, it automatically senses which PF is installed and loads correctly. Couple this with the built in jukebox feature, and the network tournament, oh and the fact you can run ANY PC hardware (as long as the mobo has a parallel port) and you begin to understand just how bad-ass this software is.
Big thanks to Chuck and Don @ Big Guys Pinball. (http://www.bigguyspinball.com) It truly is amazing how they managed to create such a product with ZERO help from the original designers and by strictly reverse engineering everything. I can only hope the licensing issues get worked out and this product is made available to the collector market again.
D
I own an RFM and a SWep1 kit, and was a VERY early adopter of the NuCore system created by Chuck and Don of Big Guys Pinball. One of the many issues that P2K games have (beyond the original computer system and it's proprietary hardware itself) is swapping between RFM and SWep1. When using the original hardware, this is an absolute bitch to do. Reason being if you do not own two PRISM cards and a PUB card, you must split your existing PRISM to pull all of the RFM ROM's and replace with the SWep1 ROMS and then connect a PC up to your game and flash the correct boot code for the game installed. Now swapping ROM's can be bad enough, but splitting PRISM cards is also a chore in itself because WMS for some reason used a connector system that has tin plated headers and gold plated socket pins. For those that don't know, connecting dissimilar metals is a big no-no as they oxidize over time!!! I have seen more people ruin their PRISM card trying to split it because of the force required to separate these connectors. :FP: If you manage to successfully split the PRISM and swap all of the ROM's without breaking anything, then come the fun of connecting up a PC to your game and flashing it with the correct boot code. JOY!
For those that run the NuCore system, it's simple;
Obtain your kit
Un-crate
Remove P2K Glass
Pull playfield from game
Swap launch button for shooter
Swap 6 connectors on back of playfield
Install swapped PF back into cabinet
Power game up and enjoy!
It's seriously that simple. You don't even need to tell NuCore what PF is in the game, it automatically senses which PF is installed and loads correctly. Couple this with the built in jukebox feature, and the network tournament, oh and the fact you can run ANY PC hardware (as long as the mobo has a parallel port) and you begin to understand just how bad-ass this software is.
Big thanks to Chuck and Don @ Big Guys Pinball. (http://www.bigguyspinball.com) It truly is amazing how they managed to create such a product with ZERO help from the original designers and by strictly reverse engineering everything. I can only hope the licensing issues get worked out and this product is made available to the collector market again.
D
