bought a lemon?

I bought a MPC3000 on eBay.
It arrived two days ago but it seems something is wrong.
When i turn it on all the lights keep burning, is this normal?

Most functions seem to be working f.i.
- I can load sounds and programs from a floppy
- I can play individual sound from the sound menu
- I can mount and read ZIP disks
- I can sample sounds

But i can't play sounds from the pads
also in MAIN SCREEN i can's select a PAD BANK which should be possible according to the manual. All pad bank lights burn, sometimes light A or A + B go out.

also the screen is very dark despite a of a replacement display recently installed... is this normal?

did i buy a lemon?
or am i overlooking something

Bounce wrote:I bought a MPC3000 on eBay.

................ despite a of a replacement display recently installed

Did you inquire to theseller prior to bidding about who installed the display?

no, but there is a sticker on the bottom of the machine from this company:

http://www.panicmusic.co.uk/

Bounce wrote:.....also the screen is very dark despite a of a replacement display recently installed... is this normal?

Did you push down on the contrast button. This turns the backlight on/off.

I sent a detailed trouble-shooting response to your identical post on the other MPC3000 group at yahoogroups.

Here it is again.

Work through this:

Top five common reasons for an MPC3000 locking up or misbehaving in
another erratic way:

5: The incoming mains voltage is excessive, insufficient or noisy.

4: The WAVE RAM SIMMS and/or EXM board have dirty connection pins
and/or are not seated correctly in their sockets.

3: The WAVE RAM SIMMS and/or EXM board is faulty.

2: The ribbon connectors between main and front panel circuit boards
are not correctly seated.

1: The MPC3000 power supply board needs repair.

Solutions to above:

5: Ensure that you have connected your MPC3000 to the correct mains
supply.

Confirm the intended mains supply designation of your MPC3000 by
looking for a small sticker near the mains inlet socket.

[A] = AAL ( USA ) – 110 volts.
[B] = BEAB ( ENGLAND ) – 220-230 volts.
[C] = CSA ( CANADA ) – 110 volts.
[E] = CEE ( EUROPE ) – 220-230 volts.
[J] = JPN ( JAPAN ) – 100 volts.
[S] = SAA ( AUSTRALIA ) – 240-250 volts.
[U] = U/T ( UNIVERSAL WORLD AREA ) 100/110/220-230/240-250 volts.
[V] = VDE ( GERMANY ) – 220-230 volts.
[Y] = CUSTOM – per custom supply documentation.

Then confirm that the mains supply from your distribution outlet
matches what your MPC3000 is expecting.

Consider using a noise filter on your power line if you're suspect about the mains quality.

4: Remove the SIMMS and/or EXM board, clean the pins and re-insert
same into your MPC3000.

Note. If your machine is maxed out to 32 megabytes of RAM using SIMMS
then remove the EXM from your MPC3000.

3: Remove and replace the SIMMS and/or EXM board.

2: Remove and re-seat the ribbon connector.

1: Have a service technician repair the power supply board.

I think point 2 could be a good place to check. The ribbons can often do with re-seating.

As for the dark screen scenario.

As said by others. Try depressing the contrast control until it clicks. Maybe the backlight is turned off.

Rohan.

Bounce wrote:no, but there is a sticker on the bottom of the machine from this company:

http://www.panicmusic.co.uk/

there based near me (cambridge uk). there known for shitty repairs and over the top prices for 2nd hand equip

Did you push down on the contrast button. This turns the backlight on/off.

this i didn't know!!! thanks, looks much better!

Manilla wrote:

Bounce wrote:no, but there is a sticker on the bottom of the machine from this company:

http://www.panicmusic.co.uk/

there based near me (cambridge uk). there known for **** repairs and over the top prices for 2nd hand equip

i don't know how long ago this machine was serviced by them and if it has been repaired by someone else since.

i found a way to play sounds from the pads now but all the padlights keep burning simultaniously.
according to the manual they should burn one at a time.
something could have gone wrong during shipping...

still waiting for a reply from the seller.

open it up. like rohan said sounds like a cable is not pushed in properly

i just got a reply from the seller (who reads this forum aswell )
he assured me it is going to be solved so that is a relief for me.

He also advised me to follow Rohan's steps.

how do I open up the machine?
what screws do I take out?

solved it!!!

one cable was completely loose from the main board

works fine now

Bounce wrote:solved it!!!

one cable was completely loose from the main board

works fine now

Glad to hear/read you're up and running.

Rohan.

thanks for helping me out Rohan,

I was worried when I noticed something was wrong but luckilly the solution was simple.

It seems one cable is a bit too short. If you pull the top of the MPC all the way open it automaticly comes a bit out of it's socket. Another cable was completley loose (the one leading to the footswitch board). I don't know if it was left out on purpose but I figure someone just forgot to plug it back in.

I am now learning how to handle this wonderful machine.
Must say it is a tough one to tame.
But everything about the 3k feels top quality.

... and thank god it is NOT A LEMON