From bw@ashbysolutions.com Tue Sep 08 04:58:46 2015
Subject:Re: Digital Korg CX3 (no sound) using HX3 as controller

My experiences, as someone who was both involved in the rollout of the
CX-3 v2 software update, and used to offer this service to customers:

* The CX-3 wasn't designed for DIY upgrade. The process is clunky,
and there is no 'boot loader' code that remains during updates. If
the upgrade isn't successful, the result is a dead mainboard.
* The Main (M) and Sub (S) processors aren't in sockets; this is part
of what makes recovery difficult. Years ago (2003?), Korg USA had a
fixture in their repair shop to upgrade the code on units that
failed the upgrade. That fixture doesn't exist today.
* The software upgrade requires good performance from the PC's MIDI
interface. It includes a test that sends/receives data to verify
that everything is OK. On a new computer setup, my personal rule is
to run the test 10-15x; if ANY of the tests fail, or seem to
hesitate in the middle, I would NOT go any further.
* I've run the upgrade with Windows NT and Windows 2K; I've never even
tried with XP or newer. That's how old the upgrade is.
* Because it uses MIDI (vs. USB), the upgrade takes a long time:
20-30 minutes. It seems like an eternity! The Sub processor is
upgraded first, then the Main. If there are concerns about power
outages in your area, connect a computer UPS to the CX-3 and
computer during the upgrade. Restarting the upgrade MAY be possible
if it hangs, IF THE POWER STAYS ON.
* If the Sub upgrades successfully, that's great news. At this point,
a failure during the Main (M) step could be stopped, and the whole
process started again, because the CX-3 has enough smarts to connect
via MIDI. Unfortunately, there's no way to bypass the Sub processor
on later upgrades; the whole series has to repeat.

* Don't expect a lot of help from Korg in 2015. The upgrade project
happened a L-O-N-G time ago, involving people who may not even work
for Korg any more, or have totally different responsibilities now.
IIRC, Korg stopped stocking new mainboards 4-5 years ago.

Regards,

-BW

Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions.com™
bw@ashbysolutions.com
http://music.ashbysolutions.com
877.55.ASHBY (877.552.7429)

On 9/7/2015 9:20 PM, Daniel Forró danforcz@yahoo.com [CloneWheel] wrote: