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My EX5 will not load files from the floppy drive. It starts to execute but then freezes the whole synth part way through. If I turn it off and on again, some of the performances will work but the higher numbered performances appear to be corrupted.
I have tried a known good replacement floppy drive and also a usb floppy emulator. They all fail in the same way. The diagnostics report that the floppy drive is OK. So I do not think it is the floppy drive itself.
I thought the other possibility was a memory problem but the diagnositcs report that the memory is OK. I have even replaced the internal battery (although that should not be an issue when the synth is powered up).
Does anyone have any ideas of what might be causing this problem or any ideas for diagnostic tests to try?
Posted : 11/03/2018 6:23 pm
If everything seems OK, have you tried to change the magnetic media itself. i.e. the floppy disk?
I would also do some attempts of dumping data back and fort with Midi-OX or Sys-Ex Librarian, to see if data is correctly received.
Again, I'd try to save data onto a floppy of different brand.
Last but not least, I'd also try to load the same floppy disk on a different EX-5, to see if the data is correctly loaded in full.
If nothing helps, you'd rather carry your unit to be serviced.
Posted : 11/03/2018 6:55 pm
Topic starter
I have tried different files and different floppy disks. I have swopped the floppy disk drive for one that I know works in a computer. I have also swopped the floppy disk drive for a usb floppy emulator that allows you to use a usb memory stick instead of a floppy disk. I have even tried a different ribbon cable from the drive to the main circuit board. None of these changes makes any difference. The file will start to load and the progress bar starts to move across the screen. Then the synthesizer freezes - some of the LEDs may go out, the progress bar stops and none of the buttons work. I have to turn it off and back on again. So I think I have eliminated the floppy drive or any particular floppy disk as the cause of the problem.
Unfortunately I think it must be something deeper in the synth causing the problem. I thought it could be a memory fault but the memory diagnostic test says that the memory is OK. I am not sure how else to test the memory. Or how to test any other parts of the internal workings of the synth. All the relevant tests in the diagnostics (holding Voice + H + 1 to get the menu of diagnostics) say everything is OK.
I have been using the synth just with the built in sounds for a long time. I thought it was about time I started to explore what else it can do.... but you can't get very far if you cannot save and load voices and performances. I have seen stories of the floppy drives on old synthesizers wearing out. So I thought that would be a simple fix to replace the floppy drive. But that does not seem to be the case! It is very frustrating. I was looking forward to creating lots of new and interesting sounds.
Posted : 11/03/2018 8:17 pm
