I bought a second-hand Graphite 49 keyboard. Was aware there was a problem with the LCD display which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. Tested it before buying and it seemed to play notes ok when connected to a computer. But it just shows eight square blocks at the top line of the display whenever it's on. No way at the moment to access any of the functions through the LCD although it has displayed normally a few times when I first brought it back and plugged it in (last week) but now it's just always displaying the 8 blocks. Tried updating firmware - it only shows 1.42 upgrade but doesn't let me do the 2.5 upgrade. Was hoping to improve the performance and maybe magically fix the display but, since doing the firmware update, things got worse. Now, the keyboard isn't even maintaining a MIDI connection. Below is a summary of the current problems:
* Displays 8 square blocks at the top of the LCD display. No other information is shown. Cannot access any menus. (Is there any way to do a factory reset from pc software?)
** Midi connection. The keyboard plays a few notes when first connected but very quickly the midi connection just drops out and no midi info gets sent to the computer (the midi signal light doesn't flash in the DAW software), although the keyboard is still displayed in the Midi IN devices, in the preferences menu, even after I "Recan devices" to check if it's still connected.
*** When pressing the OFF switch at the back of the keyboard, it doesn't turn off immediately. Instead it takes about 2 minutes to finally turn off the display.
The main thing for me is to fix is the MIDI signal stability. Ideally I just want to be able to play the keyboard through a DAW. But if I could also fix the LCD display that would be a major plus. The off switch thing is a minor problem compared to the other two (although presumably they might all be related?)
Graphite 49 - major problems (bugged LCD display & no midi signal)
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- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 13 posts since 19 Feb, 2013 from Usa
Bibz1st: Yes I installed the 1.92 editor on the PC, then tried updating to 1.42 firmware which worked. But now when I try to update to 2.50 firmware, I load the file and it says current ver 1.42, update to ver 1.42 (even when the 2.5 file is loaded). I try clicking the update button anyway and it fails.
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- KVRAF
- 1925 posts since 29 Mar, 2013
When I first got mine I had the issue of it freezing after doing an edit and then not being able to turn it off, I got in touch with Samson and they told me that the 2.5 update was mainly aimed at Mac users but to give it a try, it worked for me but your LCD doesnt look healthy. I would be tempted to open it up and see if there is any loose connections or something obviously wrong inside. Failing that I would send an email to them, sorry cant be more helpful 
Beauty is only skin deep,
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
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- KVRAF
- 1925 posts since 29 Mar, 2013
If you dont have the manual here is a link
http://www.samsontech.com/site_media/su ... L_v3_1.pdf
On page 19 there is a reset option, even though you wont be able to see anything the buttons might still be working.
As for the MIDI the options for that are on page 26
Give that a try
http://www.samsontech.com/site_media/su ... L_v3_1.pdf
On page 19 there is a reset option, even though you wont be able to see anything the buttons might still be working.
As for the MIDI the options for that are on page 26
Give that a try
Beauty is only skin deep,
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
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- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 13 posts since 19 Feb, 2013 from Usa
Wow! I don't know if this is directly related because as I mentioned before the display did work a few times when I first brought the keyboard and tried it last week but I just tried the Preset Reset option on page 19, it seemed to instantly improve the midi connection. I then turned the keyboard off and back on and now the display is back! lol.. thanks for the tip, it looks like for the time being it's working like it should now.bibz1st wrote:If you dont have the manual here is a link
http://www.samsontech.com/site_media/su ... L_v3_1.pdf
On page 19 there is a reset option, even though you wont be able to see anything the buttons might still be working.
As for the MIDI the options for that are on page 26
Give that a try
What's a bit confusing though is that it says in the manual that when you press PRESET than "Reset All" will appear on the display but it doesn't show that, instead it just shows 08 Traktion. Doesn't say Reset All anywhere, so I'm not sure if I actually reset anything when I tried this a few minutes ago (with just the 8 blocks showing so I couldn't see what I was actually doing).
I've just tried turning the keyboard off and on a few times again and the display seems to still be working, midi connection seems good..
.
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- KVRAF
- 1925 posts since 29 Mar, 2013
I think ( dont know) if you select the first preset and then reset you might get the reset all option but if its working then leave as is, glad it helped
Beauty is only skin deep,
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
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- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 13 posts since 19 Feb, 2013 from Usa
Got to head out but couldn't resist turning it off and on a few times again, just to check before I go, and it does seem fine now. LCD, midi, all working normal for the time being. Thanks again for the tip!bibz1st wrote:I think ( dont know) if you select the first preset and then reset you might get the reset all option but if its working then leave as is, glad it helped
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- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 13 posts since 19 Feb, 2013 from Usa
That's a shame. The display has messed up again and the 8 blocks are back 
The midi goes out of wack again too but trying the Preset reset button sequence seems to improve the midi connection but the LCD display is sticking to the 8 blocks at the moment. No display.
Main thing is the midi connection though and it seems to be quite a bit better, not exactly perfect because it still stops and drops out sometimes but it returns a few seconds later instead of having to disconnect the keyboard and restart software like before.
The midi goes out of wack again too but trying the Preset reset button sequence seems to improve the midi connection but the LCD display is sticking to the 8 blocks at the moment. No display.
Main thing is the midi connection though and it seems to be quite a bit better, not exactly perfect because it still stops and drops out sometimes but it returns a few seconds later instead of having to disconnect the keyboard and restart software like before.
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- KVRAF
- 1925 posts since 29 Mar, 2013
Yep that is a shame, other than opening it up and / or emailing Samson I dont know what else to suggest.
Beauty is only skin deep,
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
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- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 13 posts since 19 Feb, 2013 from Usa
Funny thing - the display is back to normal again now. Looks like it's going to probably be a sporadic thing. So I tried the Preset Reset again - realized I was pressing the wrong Preset button. It's the one above the actual note on the keyboard - not the one at the top next to the Menu button. So now I've done the Reset All option. So far the display is still showing up ok. It's probably going to drop again but this time it wasn't showing the blocks for days on end, only a few hours since I first tested it today.bibz1st wrote:Yep that is a shame, other than opening it up and / or emailing Samson I dont know what else to suggest.
I'm not great with electronics although I have got a soldering iron and done some tinkering, as well as putting building together back in the day (but that's basically plug and play). Not sure I'll open it up but what do you think I would look for or just generally checking if any wire isn't soldered on?
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- KVRAF
- 1925 posts since 29 Mar, 2013
Im no expert so it would just be for something obvious like you say, a loose wire or maybe a little push on any chips that look like they should be seated in a socket, if its been dropped or banged in the past something could have come loose.
Beauty is only skin deep,
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
Ugliness, however, goes right the way through
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- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 13 posts since 19 Feb, 2013 from Usa
Ah I see what you mean, just a general check to see if anything obvious is wrong. If the problem gets worse like if it gets stuck on the 8 blocks display again for days and the midi connection is constantly dropping then I'll probably give it a try and open it up because it's impossible to use when the midi connection is like that.bibz1st wrote:Im no expert so it would just be for something obvious like you say, a loose wire or maybe a little push on any chips that look like they should be seated in a socket, if its been dropped or banged in the past something could have come loose.
Good news is that I've just tried reconnecting it after a few hours away and the display is still normal now.
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- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 13 posts since 19 Feb, 2013 from Usa
As expected unfortunately the blocks are back again. Looks like the Preset Reset thing isn't working this time around. I was trying to determine some sort of pattern of behaviour with the fault but it seems totally random.
Is there any keyboard technician out there who might have an idea of what could be causing this and how exactly to fix it? I'm a bit hesitant to open it up at the moment in case I make things even worse and ruin it completely
Is there any keyboard technician out there who might have an idea of what could be causing this and how exactly to fix it? I'm a bit hesitant to open it up at the moment in case I make things even worse and ruin it completely