Roland E-20: Help Please.
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Posted on Apr 14, 2009 02:01 am
bad_dancer
Member Since: Apr 14, 2009
Hello.
I recently purchased an E-20 from ebay and have since been beset with problems.
Carrying it back in two black-bin-bags on the underground, I somehow managed to break the small piece of plastic holding down one of the keys (top G, in the unlikely event that you're interested). I managed to glue it - only to find that, in order for the key to fit back in, I would have to snap a piece of plastic off it. After much mulling, I did it. It worked. Yay. For a day, then the glue gave way and it sprang back up. I now have a top G that looks like it's on permanent [censored].
From the 1st day I had it, it said 'check internal battery' every time i switched it on, but this didn't seem to cause any operational problems.
Then, after I'd started using it as a midi controller - the main reason I bought it, it packed up. That is, now, whenever i switch it on, it'll work for a few seconds then seize up. If the 1st thing I do is start a rhythm, then, after a bar or so, it'll carry a hi-hat sound through in a constant noise-loop like a faulty cd.
I can still change the settings, it seems only to be a sound issue - but a weird one. Clearly sound is processing fine (ie - not the speakers) but it just seizes up. If I start the demo when I switch it on, then I get this abstract, occasional horn parp and bits of rhythm track after it's stopped working. It's actually better than the demo that comes with the thing, but that's beside the point.
I've now replaced the cr2032 internal battery (there wasn't one there in fact) but this only removes the check internal battery message. It still seizes up.
So, apologies for the stupidly long message/rant but . . .
CAN ANYONE HELP ME PLEASE?
Thanks.
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 15, 2009 07:59 pm Well, seeing as the CMOS battery was out of it when you purchased it I am wondering if the system has been corrupted in some way. It certainly sounds like it may have suffered some brain damage as it were.
I hope you didn't pay too awful much for it first off. But there is a chance it may be a simple fix, if you have the manual. There should be a section that will be for initializing back to factory settings. Not sure that would cure the problem though as it sound like it may have other issues.
If you don't have the manual you can go to Roland's US site and simply fill out a quick profile and download a .pdf file of it.
Apr 16, 2009 06:38 pm thanks for your reply.
i've tried the reset thing.
no dice.
i think you might be right about the brain damage. i was thinking demonic possession but now i'm leaning towards your theory.
it only cost me £40, woulda beena bargain if the thing worked.
live, learn, die.
or summink.
thanks though.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 16, 2009 08:57 pm Ya, I can't think of anything easy to fix that may be causing that to happen.
The one thing that points mainly to system failure is that it starts out fine and then goes down from there.
I'll be talking to a buddy that is a bit more into the electronic side of those type units this weekend and I'll ask him if he has ever seen or heard of that one.
I'll post back on Sunday late.
Apr 17, 2009 05:46 pm cheers pal.
look forward to last chance saloon.
bd.
