Weird Stage EX Crashes on Patch Change

[awattsy]

Hi all,

I'm experiencing a very weird issue with my Nord Stage EX. It appears that the OS (v6.06) crashes and restarts the keyboard whenever I change program (whether that be with the buttons or the knob) - if I can get it into "Live 1" or "Live 2" then it will function 'as normal' until I try and load any program (e.g. 1:1, or 3:5).

I'm pretty sure it's not hardware related as it happens when changing the program with the knob as well as buttons. Also, when it crashes and restarts it's only a minor click sound that's heard, not a massive 'thud' you'd hear if it was switching on and off as a result of a power supply issue.

The issue seems to have happened ever since I loaded a single program onto the device - but I can't see why as it was my device that the program originated from (I wanted to do a backup to get some old sounds back onto it and then overwrote one sound I planned to use for a gig!). In light of this, I've tried a factory reset both on the device and by restoring the default sounds using the Sound Manager software (latest version).

Anyone got any ideas? This seems to be a pretty unique issue!

Thanks,

Andrew.

[RedLeo]

Anyone got any ideas? This seems to be a pretty unique issue!

Indeed. My preliminary diagnosis is "It's probably buggered and you'll need to get it fixed", but I strongly suggest you wait for Pablomastodon's far more measured advice. He's The Man, and he'll surely be along shortly.

[awattsy]

Hi!!
try first to do the factory restore with the backup file on this page ( if you didn't before)
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/downloads/ ... d-stage-ex
then update OS system (don't know if backup put "back" your newer OS system or not....)
in addition you can do a video , put on youtube and send the link to the guys at nord at this page
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/support
and put the link here as well , so people can see better this kind of problem.

they usually take a look on this kind of problems.

hope it helps
Fab

p.s.
and put the link here as well , so people can see better you problem.
p.p.s.
yes....Pablo is the man...

[awattsy]

I've already done the factory restore with their backup file on that page - but I did it again because why not and I've still got the issue.

I've just messaged them but unfortunately I sent it just before you suggested a video demo!

Here's a video of the issue 'in action': - please excuse the poor quality and my dull commentary. Weirdly, after uploading this it went back to being fine for about 12 program changes and then started crashing again whereas in this video it was crashing on every single program change. I don't like inconsistencies!

Thanks all so far!

[awattsy]

Sorry to see the trouble you're having.

From your video, it seems appears to me that the patch/page change causes a hardware reset. Were it a software problem causing this reset, I would expect to see a longer (watchdog timer) interval before the reset/reboot initiates. So I agree with RedLeo that it requires fixing.

The usual advice is: Contact the UK distributor (http://www.nordkeyboards.com/distributors) who can tell you how to get it to an authorized service centre.

regards,
-pterm

[awattsy]

...I'm pretty sure it's not hardware related...

I disagree. Generally speaking, "software issues" will result in total catastrophic failure. It is virtually unheard of to have 99% of all functions operating normally but to have one thing wigging out as a result of software failure.

Common advice is to reload OS and then restore factory backup file. This is easy advice and trying this costs no money -- if your time is worth nothing, that is. On rare occasions for some symptoms this can be helpful, but no amount of software operations will cure a hardware issue, which yours almost certainly is.

Diagnosing the source of the issue is a job best left to the tech who has it on the bench, but I will note here that sometimes ribbon cable pin oxidation over time can sometimes create some abnormal behaviors. Your EX must be at least 5 years old by now and could be as old as 9. Perhaps it has been in unfriendly environments over the years? Smoky clubs? Transported between hot and cold extremes with possibility of condensation formation, etc.? Cleaning those ribbon cable connections will occasionally produce happy results. Not a cure-all by any means, but not a bad place to start...

Good luck -- please let us know how this turns out for you.

Bless,

Pablo

[awattsy]

Thanks for all your advice so far.

After re-formating all the sections and doing another factory restore I managed to make things work. Then I re-downloaded a single program of mine that I had made to the device and it started to play up again. I assumed it was an issue with the program, so did tried to do another re-format and restore - and now it reboots during formats or restores so I can't complete either successfully now.

I'm in touch with the UK Distributor and I'm now waiting to hear if they will take it in for a service. I'm not massively impressed with the Distributor so far though!

[pablomastodon]

...Pablo is the man...

correction: Pablo is A man, not THE man.

Sometimes I may have some useful info, and I don't mind to share when I do. Some days are good, some not so good, and some things slip in and out of memory from time to time. Sometimes I even stick my foot in mouth (and I have big feet!).

p

[stanshands]

I am having the same problem!

I change programs and my EX restarts. This only started happening when I downloaded the latest OS.

I guess I am going to have to go thru the steps that were written down above.

[stanshands]

I would like to add that I had not played my Stage EX for a few months, and it had worked flawlessly for years.

I'll set it back to factory, and see how I fare. All of my programs are backed up, so we will see