1. Forum
  2. fsxNet
  3. FSX GEN

  • Re: Premature Electronic Death

    From Nigel Reed@21:2/101 to bbspat on Thu Sep 29 11:45:31 2022
    On Wed, 21 Sep 2022 15:58:05 -0700
    "bbspat" <bbspat@21:4/163> wrote:

    Today I wanted to pull my Roland SC-20 sound module out of the garage
    and play some MIDIs with it. I plugged it into the wall and USB today
    and it was completely dead, using either USB or DC power.

    I'm pretty frustrated because this is one of the very few items I
    have that keeps me connected to my 20s, and it's dead. I normally
    don't get very attached to electronics at all, but I think music is a
    bit different.

    So I'm now wondering if I spend more money to buy a new sound module,
    that I don't have a connection to my past, or if I attempt to hack on
    it and look for some DC fuse, or just call it a loss.

    If it's been stored for a long time and it's somewhat old, I'd suspect
    you have a bad cap or two. Open it up and look for any caps that are
    bulging, have a rounded top or are leaking and replace them.

    Common problem in old electronics.
    --
    End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
    telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (21:2/101)
  • From bbspat@21:4/163 to Nigel Reed on Sun Oct 2 19:57:25 2022
    So I'm now wondering if I spend more money to buy a new sound module,
    that I don't have a connection to my past, or if I attempt to hack on
    it and look for some DC fuse, or just call it a loss.

    If it's been stored for a long time and it's somewhat old, I'd suspect
    you have a bad cap or two. Open it up and look for any caps that are bulging, have a rounded top or are leaking and replace them.

    Common problem in old electronics.

    Well, the story took a better turn then I thought it would. I did end up taking it apart, not finding any blown caps or fuses. On a late night eBay hunt, I found and purchased a standalone Roland MIDI player that I had wanted, an MT-90, that could use a USB flash drive or USB floppy. It can also be used as a regular sound module as well.

    When the unit arrived, for giggles, I tested it's power supply with my previously deceased SD-20 and it came right back to life. Unfortunately for my wife, it hasn't stopped me from chasing after some other new sound module units.

    I suspect the old power supply just succumbed to the elements in my garage. My house is now back to being serenaded with game soundtracks and childhood holiday tunes.

    Appreciate the ideas.
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-FreeBSD
    * Origin: Jensencloud BBS, Fresno, CA - bbs.jensencloud.net (21:4/163)