• Registered: 2009-10-04
  • Posts: 7

Topic: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

My unit exhibited the following problems.
1. After power-off, on powering on again the unit would take maybe 30 minutes to come up again.
2. Once it was up, attempts to download the firmware update would fail.

On investigation, the voltage inputs on the board for the 3.3V and +15V,-15V rails were noisy.

The problems were fixed by replacing 2 electrolytic capacitors on the power-supply board (like-for-like components).

(Do not even consider doing any such modification on your unit unless your unit is out of warranty and you are entirely competent with soldering electronic repairs around power-supplies - there are dangerous voltages even when unit is unplugged.)

  • Registered: 2009-10-14
  • Posts: 2

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

In my case I have the same problem. Startup problems after the power connector has been disconnected for a short while. In case it stays connected,  powering on the system does not give problems. Downloading of update 1.27 does not work however.
I measured the voltages after plugging in the power connector and after the system starts working (5 to 10 minutes later). I do not see a difference in voltage level.
Did you check the voltage inputs using an oscilloscope? What excactly did you see. What capacitors did you change? There are quite some elco's on the power supply board.

  • Registered: 2009-10-04
  • Posts: 7

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

The voltages measured ok with a meter, but on looking at the rails with an oscilloscope, both the 3.3V and 15V had a superimposed noise wave of about 0.5V (the +5V was clean). I saw no visible difference whether the unit had just powered up or not. 

So I decided to start replacing the ecaps, starting at the point where the 3.3V rail exits the PSU board, replacing the caps with the same value (maybe a slightly higher voltage rating) - I bought a bag of capacitors from Maplins (UK). Changing the one closest to the edge made no difference. The next one I changed was the next inboard of that, on removal I noticed it was very 'squashed' at the bottom. On replacing that one, the 3.3V and 15V rails were totally clean. The unit has worked fine ever since, and the firmware upgrade succeed first time.

Sorry I did not record the component ids I changed. I noticed there was another post on the web that changed some capacitors, but the components referred to were not present on my board, so there are probably more than one version of the power supply PCB around.

  • Registered: 2009-10-14
  • Posts: 2

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

Using the info you gave I also changed the electrolytic capacitors you have changed. Believe it or not it works. I my case the the superimposed voltage was around 100mV. Starting up and downloading works fine now. Like it is a new unit again. I think the bad voltage is the root cause for many problems which are given on this forum.
Everybody having a soldering iron can fix this problem.  Be sure to unplug the unit before starting to fix it. Also be sure that you prevent for ESD. This will damage your unit.

  • Registered: 2009-12-15
  • Posts: 1

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

I am having very similar symptoms with my G-Major. Recently it has been taking longer and longer to boot up, and will hang with some garbage on the screen for several minutes with all the buttons flashing dimly. If I hard boot the device a few times it will eventually boot up. I also found that if I press "Routing" and "Recall" while it's hung it will immediately bring up the utility screen. I tried to sort it out by re-setting the software and clearing the patches, then upgrading the software again (which took 8 or 9 tries with various errors before it finally succeeded) and restoring my patches and settings, but the issue still exists. I also found that once the unit has booted successfully it will come up fine until it has been left off for several hours, leading me to believe that once the capacitors hold a charge the issue does not exist. I am good with a soldering iron and can find one end of a capacitor from another. Can you please verify the specifics of the capacitors? As I can work around the issue for now I would like to avoid opening the unit again until I have the parts. For reference I am in the US, so mine is a 120V PSU. I would also assume it's a good idea to leave the unit off and unplugged for a day or two to allow the capacitors to discharge, or is there another better way to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance for any info

Last edited by LeftyF (2009-12-16 15:56:48)

  • Registered: 2009-10-04
  • Posts: 7

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

It does look very likely you have the same problem. I didn't record the specific values of the ones I replaced, but all were covered by a generic bag of ecaps I bought fairly cheaply from a local UK electronics supplier (maplins), so you could perhaps do the same. Also, there seems to be different versions of the PSU around, so the values could differ on your board.

  • Registered: 2008-01-10
  • Posts: 20

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

This makes sense.. I had a similar problem with a DVD players power section, not coming on properly, staying on standby, coming on only on cold days, weird stuff like that. The fix was replacing a capacitor in the power section.

A photo of what to replace would be much appreciated here

Last edited by xcpointx (2010-02-09 08:16:25)

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  • Registered: 2008-12-17
  • Posts: 4

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

Mine will take forever to boot if I let it get cold. Seems like keeping it warm solves it, so I carry the rack bag in the cab of my truck instead of packing it with my gear in the trailer.

I wonder if this is a related issue? I think with a couple of photos, I could replace the caps too! Sure would appreciate it! I had problems after buying it used and having it packed very poorly, but the good people here turned me on to the loose chips issue, which I snapped back in. Works much better these days...but still have to keep it warm!

  • Registered: 2008-01-10
  • Posts: 20

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

I'd say the opposite was true in my case. The G-major seemed to get more difficult after I had been using it for a bit.. I would try turning it off and then on again, and boot up would take 5minutes sometimes.

  • Registered: 2011-09-10
  • Posts: 1

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

hey,
I think the bad voltage is the root cause for many problems which are given on this forum.
Thanks.

iron chef
iron chef america
  • Registered: 2011-11-20
  • Posts: 2

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

hey,
In my case I have the same problem...
Thanks.

  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2007-12-25
  • Posts: 84

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

Replacing one of the caps in the power supply solved the problem of the long booting time for me. Will post a pic of the power supply with the replaced cap in a few days.

Fender telecaster plus USA, Gibson ES335 2010 Custom Reissue, 1966 Fender Bassman, Lehle Sunday driver, TC G-System, TC Nova Drive, Boss BD2, Boss OS2, TC Octa Screamer, Ernie Ball Volume pedals for Exp & Vol. Marshall 2x12". 2 Redbox HK.

Rob@Tele's Website

  • Registered: 2010-08-02
  • Posts: 2

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

I also agree with annamartha and may be high voltage is the main reason.

Breakfast Delivery London

Last edited by rickyjon (2012-02-14 15:09:49)

  • Registered: 2012-02-27
  • Posts: 1

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

Hi all,

I am having this problem, having made sure all the chips are correctly seated the problem is still there. It seems that something is still holding charge (3 of the front lights stay lit after the unit is switched off for about 30 seconds as well). Once the unit has been power cycled a few times it works ok. I am just wondering which of these capacitors you guys changed?

Thanks

Neil

  • Registered: 2012-04-19
  • Posts: 2

Re: Long power-up time/ can't download firmware update.

xcpointx wrote:

This makes sense.. I had a similar problem with a DVD players power section, not coming on properly, staying on standby, coming on only on cold days, weird stuff like that. The fix was replacing a capacitor in the power section.

A photo of what to replace would be much appreciated here


So I decided to start replacing the ecaps, starting at the point where the 3.3V rail exits the PSU board, replacing the caps with the same value (maybe a slightly higher voltage rating) - I bought a bag of capacitors from Maplins (UK). Changing the one closest to the edge made no difference. The next one I changed was the next inboard of that, on removal I noticed it was very 'squashed' at the bottom. On replacing that one, the 3.3V and 15V rails were totally clean. The unit has worked fine ever since, and the firmware upgrade succeed first time.


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