Front USB port

Has anyone experienced difficulty with the front USB port? Whenever I plug in a flash drive I need to make sure my device is perfectly set in line with the port, otherwise my flash drive is not recognized.

I believe it could be one of three (maybe all?) things:

1) the connection between the jump drive and the port. I have tried cleaning the port with alcohol and cue tips but this does not seem to help. The springy prongs within the port seemed to be slightly flatted, i used a toothpick to bring them up and increase tension but this hasn't seemed to help either.

2) the connection between the usb port and the PCB board for the USB and headphone. Haven't cracked the MPC open to take a look but I have noticed that the USB port itself may have a loose connection to the board. Perhaps the solder points from the port and the board could also be suspect?

3) USB & Headphone PCB board connection to the motherboard. Again haven't cracked this open yet.

I do not think this is an issue with the jump drive as I have tried other drives and experienced similar issues.

Has anyone encountered this problem? I see that MPC Stuff has a used USB & Headphone PCB Board (http://www.mpcstuff.com/mpc-4000-usb-an ... board.html), do you think I should just bite the bullet and buy this or try other solutions first (i.e. solder a new usb port to the PCB board, if this is even possible).

Sorry to be the new guy who keeps posting new threads, the MPC has become my new obsession…

I can't do any harm to open up your MPC4000 and check the board and connecting cable are seated properly. (Although the disaessembly was conceived by an idiot and requires about 15 screws and takes about 20 minutes......)
Follow the instructions in the Reference or Service manual to get the right sequence of screws to undo. And remember to disconnect the power first

Thanks Feline,

I didn't know about the service manual, so hopefully that should help with the disassembly. I have to repair the Q5 slider as well so I'll try to do it all together (the bum on eBay told me this unit was in perfect working order ) I'll keep you guys posted in case any one else hits this issue.

By the way I had some difficulty finding the service manual. I first tried this link but all further links appears dead: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=123553

In case others are looking I found it here: http://www.synfo.nl/servicemanuals/Akai ... MANUAL.pdf

As far as I recall, the disassembly instructions are also in the back of either the User Guide or Reference Guide too, because they show users how to open the unit to install extra RAM or a CD drive. Haven't read that page for about 8 years though. But it shouldn't take you long to check :p

AleksKlax wrote:Thanks Feline,

I didn't know about the service manual, so hopefully that should help with the disassembly. I have to repair the Q5 slider as well so I'll try to do it all together (the bum on eBay told me this unit was in perfect working order ) I'll keep you guys posted in case any one else hits this issue.

By the way I had some difficulty finding the service manual. I first tried this link but all further links appears dead: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=123553

In case others are looking I found it here: http://www.synfo.nl/servicemanuals/Akai ... MANUAL.pdf

I had to replace both slider on one. Be very careful. i hope your soldering desoldering skills are up to par. Good luck

Thanks for the heads up kevtech,

Did everything work out for you? Is there anything in particular I should watch out for, any tips?

I'm taking the MPC over to my buddy's place this weekend, he has a pretty dope workshop and knows his way around this stuff, I however am pretty clueless when it comes to this so I am a little worried.

The metal casing around the fader, I don't have to take that off before installation do I? I saw a youtube video where a guy pries this off, but I think he did this just for a deep cleaning of the original fader.

Finally cracked it open, it definitely was a bad connection between the USB port and PCB board. Tried soldering and now it won't work period.

Oh we'll guess I should just buy a replacent board from MPC stuff. Went ahead and placed the order and later that day get a refund saying its out of stock and not sure when it will be back in ... FML. The only way I can import/export files is now the CD burner. Does anyone have a busted up 4000 and willing to sell me the USB PCB board?

Side note, got the Q5 slider working but in the process the pad sensors are now intermittently triggering, yet another replacement. This shit is driving me up the wall, all I wanna do is make beats.

AleksKlax wrote:Finally cracked it open, it definitely was a bad connection between the USB port and PCB board. Tried soldering and now it won't work period.

Don't know where you're at on the soldering skills, but it's a MUST that you use a soldering wick to aid in small tedious work such as this.

Plus a stationary magnifying glass and good lighting helps too. Use to do this type of work as a bench tech for a major telecom provider, and these were must have tools to do a successful job in a fast pace environment.

send it FOrat, get it fixed

Thanks for the info. My buddy actually used a solder vacuum (he says it is better than a wick) and did an awesome job replacing my Q5 slider.

The USB issue is frustrating me the most because there doesn't seem like any solution. I think something is wrong with the board itself because the headphone out was also janked. Even if I find the replacement part I can't seem to disconnect the cable attaching to the motherboard (i have no problem detaching the other cable though). Is there a latch or some other technique I need to be aware of? Needless to say, I'm being delicate and perhaps just need to pull harder.

Any advice regarding the USB/Headphone board would be helpful. I really appreciate everyone's help!