dead access virus A

[sorgenkind]

hi guys
does some of you know if the access virus A has a fuse or some kind of protection "behind" the power input?
I won an auction for a virus A for 200 € which is not a bad price i think, but the guy who is selling it did a quick test before he was going to send it to me, plugged the wrong adapter and the virus made a pop, smelled like burned plastic and it's obvioulsy dead. the guy is gonna give it to me for free, and I'll have to look if a repair is possible. I'm hoping it's just a fuse so I can speculate on a very cheap repair, but I know squat about electronics, i know how a fuse looks like and I could obviously replace it by myself but it there are some other kind of circuit-protection pieces I'd be lost.

[sameal]

more then likely you burned something.


i don't own the thing so i don't know, but I'm betting it's further then the fuse. and I'm also betting the access is all surface mount.

and to that i say, good luck to you sir. may you have a steady hand, good solder, and hold your breath.

[sorgenkind]

it's a bummer, I wanted a virus for a longtime, got overbid on all the other auctions and the day i win one, the guy fries the synth before sending it to me. i want a virus badly, the only VA i like between the few i tried.

[DSK]

Maybe you just need a Nord. Imo the rack 2 is an amazing synth.. it isn't a Virus... but that filter... oh man oh maaan

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by sorgenkind

the guy is gonna give it to me for free, and I'll have to look if a repair is possible.

For free? Wow...that's very good of him.

Ask these guys if they can give you a rough estimate or some help over email, they are the official Service Centre for Access:

SSD - Synthesizer Service Department


If the total repair costs are under €200, then you'll still have made a great deal.

[sorgenkind]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

For free? Wow...that's very good of him.

Ask these guys if they can give you a rough estimate or some help over email, they are the official Service Centre for Access:

SSD - Synthesizer Service Department


If the total repair costs are under €200, then you'll still have made a great deal.

danke schön, i'll have a look at this tomorrow.

still hoping!

[Resonance5]

Originally Posted by DSK

Maybe you just need a Nord. Imo the rack 2 is an amazing synth.. it isn't a Virus... but that filter... oh man oh maaan

got both, totally different synths, nothing of the virus sound is in the nord and opposite way around.

but i agree the filter of the nord is a m a z i n g

[seen-da-sizer]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

For free? Wow...that's very good of him.

I agree, that is a great seller.

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

If the total repair costs are under €200, then you'll still have made a great deal.

IMO, you do not need an immediate quote on a repair. Just take the free Virus. If it too expensive to repair, you still can part it out and sell the A/C adapter, knobs, manual etc.

[kazper]

It's most likely fixable.

It would be helpful if you knew what power he plugged into it.

[backindauk]

I think the earlier Virus units use a 9V DC plug pack adapter...

If you connect a 9V AC adapter (like the Boss/Roland gear uses) it could cause some troubles with the regulator.

Open it up and see if anything looks damaged, take a picture and upload. It might be a simple regulator replacement ($2) or something more serious.

[PureArtist]

will it still sound like a virus A after that ?

[backindauk]

Originally Posted by PureArtist

will it still sound like a virus A after that ?

I'm not sure if this is a wind up,

[sorgenkind]

Originally Posted by backindauk

I think the earlier Virus units use a 9V DC plug pack adapter...

If you connect a 9V AC adapter (like the Boss/Roland gear uses) it could cause some troubles with the regulator.

Open it up and see if anything looks damaged, take a picture and upload. It might be a simple regulator replacement ($2) or something more serious.

i'll take a pic tonight and upload

so far I could tell nothing looked damaged, but i'm really no expert.
thanks for the help!

[sorgenkind]

Originally Posted by backindauk

I think the earlier Virus units use a 9V DC plug pack adapter...

If you connect a 9V AC adapter (like the Boss/Roland gear uses) it could cause some troubles with the regulator.

Open it up and see if anything looks damaged, take a picture and upload. It might be a simple regulator replacement ($2) or something more serious.

it has 12 volts DC input, and the guy plugged 12 volts AC.

[sorgenkind]

Originally Posted by backindauk

I think the earlier Virus units use a 9V DC plug pack adapter...

If you connect a 9V AC adapter (like the Boss/Roland gear uses) it could cause some troubles with the regulator.

Open it up and see if anything looks damaged, take a picture and upload. It might be a simple regulator replacement ($2) or something more serious.

hi,

here the pic


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[sameal]

^ i'd replace that resister for starts. looks like it took a blow. find the value out on the schematic, or use a resister code system. there everywhere and free.

also, i see surface mount items. again i say good luck my friend. may you have a steady hand!

[backindauk]

Originally Posted by sameal

^ i'd replace that resister for starts. looks like it took a blow. find the value out on the schematic, or use a resister code system. there everywhere and free.

also, i see surface mount items. again i say good luck my friend. may you have a steady hand!

That picture doesn't really show anything. I've seen resistors like that brand new. They are half watt 5%.

Honestly, it's more likely to be the regulator attached to the aluminium heatsink (not pictured)

[kazper]

That resistor is probably a fuse resistor. 10_ ohm.

Check for continuity across the resistor open = bad. Id request the part value from access and see if they can give you at least the PSU portion of the schematics.

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[sorgenkind]

the guys @ SSD - Synthesizer Service Department
told me that plugging AC in the virus is the worst thing that can be made.
it basically told me to forget about a repair (plus in my case shimpment switzerland -germany-switzerland) and look for a used one, repair could be up to 300 €.
so I guess I'll have to look for other auctions for a virus. or get over it and start saving for a new bike with disc brakes. I have a 10 years old cannondale now which is serving me well but I want disk brakes.
anyway thanks to all for the hints and help- really appreciated!

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by sorgenkind

the guys @ SSD - Synthesizer Service Department
told me that plugging AC in the virus is the worst thing that can be made.
it basically told me to forget about a repair.

This is an easy mistake to make but can be so destructive. We should all be ultra-aware of correct AC/DC and voltage ratings when using unoriginal power adaptors.

Annoyingly, sometimes the adaptor might not even say if it's AC/AC or AC/DC...we have to be so careful. That's why all electronics manufacturers explicitly always state in their manuals only to use the supplied adaptor.


I guess you didn't pay any money for the faulty Virus, Sorgenkind? Do you still have it or does the original seller have it?

[sorgenkind]

well, the seller gave it to me for free, so it's lying around in my studio now.
i think i'm gonna throw it away since it's very frustrating for me, I wanted a virus for ages and now that i could have one it's useless. i guess the 240 swiss francs (200 euros) were too good to be true. at least the seller is a nice chap and we had a nice nerdy talk when i went at his place to get the virus.

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by sorgenkind

well, the seller gave it to me for free, so it's lying around in my studio now.
i think i'm gonna throw it away since it's very frustrating for me, I wanted a virus for ages and now that i could have one it's useless. i guess the 240 swiss francs (200 euros) were too good to be true. at least the seller is a nice chap and we had a nice nerdy talk when i went at his place to get the virus.

I'll take it )

I like to attempt repairs and stuff and could use the parts.

I'll write you a PM

[Teknobeam]

Have you tried the correct voltage power supply with the Virus? If it still doesn't urn on then you have damaged something in the voltage regulator section. It won't cost much to fix, but make sure you take it to a qualified tech that specializes in electronic musical instruments.

[kazper]

Your giving up way too easy...

I have a TR-606 I got from the same issue for $60. As others have said it should be a fairly easy fix as it should have just taken out the fusable link and possible a few PSU components.

I'd offer t look at it for you if you were closer, but most competent techs should be able to help you.

You could check continuity across the resistor/fuse. If it's open then replace and try again. Any regulators, after power up look for designated voltages on output pins. It probably has internal regulation from the supplied external PSU.

Can you provide another shot of the PSU are and one of the full open PCB area.

KaZ

[dhollmusik]

I gave sorgenkind this link per PM, but I'll share it here too:

Synthesizer Repair - Synthesizer Wiki


possible options for synth repair in Germanland.

[Teknobeam]

Originally Posted by kazper

Your giving up way too easy...

I have a TR-606 I got from the same issue for $60. As others have said it should be a fairly easy fix as it should have just taken out the fusable link and possible a few PSU components.

I'd offer t look at it for you if you were closer, but most competent techs should be able to help you.

You could check continuity across the resistor/fuse. If it's open then replace and try again. Any regulators, after power up look for designated voltages on output pins. It probably has internal regulation from the supplied external PSU.

Can you provide another shot of the PSU are and one of the full open PCB area.

KaZ

Kazper. no offence intended. But i wouldn't offer that advice to someone that isn't familiar with rudimentary electronics. The component or components that failed when he applied either too high or too low a voltage probably saved the rest of the synth. that's what their purpose is. To attempt to circumvent that you will run the risk of taking out stuff upstream of the power supply section such as the microprocessor etc. then you can expect some hefty repair bills.

[sorgenkind]

I'll have to get the original PSU from the owner, he didn't find it when he gave the synth to me.

[kazper]

No offense taken, there is allot to know to work on electrical devices. One aspect is he is into the A.V. for nothing now, it's a cheap learning tool, hopefully anyone don't just jump knee deep without looking into what there doing a little more. I think I mentioned also taking it to a "more technical" person to look at it.
Your correct on the aspect of other items that may be taken out by the AC. Last we all can speculate how bad off this poor virus is, which doesn't get it closer to fixed.

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[networkacid]

Originally Posted by sorgenkind

. I have a 10 years old cannondale now which is serving me well but I want disk brakes.
anyway thanks to all for the hints and help- really appreciated!

Totally OT: I bought a bike with disc brakes and they are ****ing annoying, noisy if wet or dirty and hard to clean. I hate them. Basically to me they are a gimmick. Can't recommend against it enough!

[Ldizzy]

i was once offered a really good price for a faulty virus...

turned down the offer and i wish i didnt.

it was about a third of the price for a glitchy behaviour that occured once every week or so...

anyone came across something similar?

OP if you still don't know what to do with the unit im ought to take it and pay u little compensation for the shipping! where are you located!?