Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

I had the same problem. It is due to a flux build up on the circuit board 
due to materials used in manufacturing. I had to send it to the company to 
be replaced and the paid for it. If you call Ensoniq they will know what you 
are talking about.

>From: Steve Wahl <steve@...>
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Ensoniq VFX
>Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 10:00:55 -0600
>
> > I'm wondering does anyone know about the VFX-SD,
> > does it has the same 'recalibration' problems it
> > had with the VFX?
>
>My experience was opposite of yours.  I never had the OS hang, and
>never had the keyboard calibration fail.  I did once have the internal
>RAM sounds get zapped, possibly due to a static zap as it was after
>transporting it.
>
>However, I got mine late in the life cycle of the VFX, so probably had
>a newer version of the ROMS, which would explain the OS hang thing.  I
>never had the keyboard calibration problem, but I didn't move it
>around much at first, and when I started moving it, I got it fixed
>proactively, before I actually saw the problem.
>
>The keyboard calibration thing was solved by Ensoniq, but it was WAY
>late in the game, after the SD-1 was released.  There are two printed
>circuit boards under the keybed, joined by a connector in the middle
>of the keyboard.  The pins of this connector would oxidize, resulting
>in bad connections that caused the calibration failure problem.  I
>think the act of shipping the synth back to Ensoniq or opening it up
>to examine it tended to jostle this connection and make the problem go
>away, so the problem was hard for Ensoniq to figure out.
>
>The solution, was to get rid of the connector entirely and replace it
>with wires soldered between the boards.  I believe it's referred to as
>the hard-wired keyboard mod.  Instructions on how to do this are now
>available on the web.  Even though aimed at the EPS sampler line, this
>page seems to apply quite well:
>http://www.chickensys.com/kb/eps-asr/014.html
>
>For the used market, you have to find out if the keyboard has had this
>fix performed or not.  And if not, find a tech who will fix it for
>you, or, if you know which end of a soldering iron to grab (hint: not
>the hot end), be prepared to fix it yourself.
>
>I believe at one point, Ensoniq was performing the service for free,
>but only those who complained to their dealer or heard about it
>through other sources got it done -- maybe it was a high enough
>priority that if they brought their keyboard in for some other
>service, this repair was also done, but I'm not sure.  Knowing that,
>it's up to you to guess the odds if the seller doesn't know if it's
>been done or not.
>
>Years ago, I bought a used VFX-SD to compliment my VFX.  I was fully
>aware of the hardwired keyboard mod, and this VFX-SD was exhibiting
>the exact symptoms of the problem and available cheap because of it --
>I figured it was a 90% chance or better that I could fix it myself,
>and get a fully functioning VFX-SD on the cheap.  So, you can imagine
>my dismay when I opened it up and found that the connectors had
>already been replaced by wires!  However, I re-soldered the
>connections, and cleaned all the other connectors between the keyboard
>and the main board.  And I haven't had a problem since, knock on wood.
>
>In short (yeah, right), I don't know what OS problems you were having,
>but the keyboard calibration error is either already gone from your
>prospective purchase, or it can be fixed.
>
>--> Steve