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2647 Views 19 Replies Latest reply: Nov 25, 2011 1:05 PM by bluebluetones RSS
Timmy2x4 Just Startin'
Timmy2x4
7 posts since
Jan 15, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Aug 24, 2010 12:07 PM

PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

To the point:

 

  • Purchased PODxt early in 2007.
  • Used it sparingly for until late 2008, maybe two dozen times, recording to computer in home office, dust cover when not in use.
  • Did not use for many months leading up to and after birth of son mid-2009.
  • Powered up unit in September 2009 to be greeted by blank orange screen, a few buttons lit up.
  • Spend a few hours in Line 6 forum, determine problem is almost definitely SRAM failure reported by others.
  • Over next few months occasionally troll Line 6 forums to see if company has addressed growing number of reported SRAM failures. No resolution to speak of.

 

Finally, just under a year after discovering the issue, I'm submitting an official "question" ticket so I can get an official answer and move on.

 

Basically, I find it unacceptable that my POD stopped working after less than 2 years given that I used it sparingly, never took it off the shelf in a temperature controlled room and kept it covered when not in use.

 

So my question is not how do I fix it - I've seen the canned response to that question too many times. The question: what is the process for sending my faulty unit back to Line 6 to be fixed, free of charge under some sort of extended "we screwed up" warranty? I'll even pay for shipping to the repair center.

 

Please don't respond with the canned "take it to your local service center" company line unless that service center will fix it free of charge.

 

A simple yes, with instructions, or no will suffice.

 

The underlying technology and user interface of the POD are really, truly astonishing, but none of that matters if it won't even turn on.

 

Thanks.

Tags: problem, podxt, blank_screen, sram
  • PhantomEngineer Just Startin'
    PhantomEngineer
    12 posts since
    Aug 23, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 24, 2010 1:20 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
    Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

    Hi I had the same problem with a blank screen and apparent total system failure after trying to upgrade via USB with Monkey.  Like you, surfing the forums gave no workable answers.  Luckily, I stumbled on a simple solution that worked for me- try a different USB port (on a different computer if necessary) and make sure the computer doesn't think it's a "USB Hub", load the driver successfully, and reinstall firmware and flash the memory.  Check my post #172301 at http://line6.com/community/message/172301#172301

     

    Hope that helps you....

  • Timmy2x4 Just Startin'
    Timmy2x4
    7 posts since
    Jan 15, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 27, 2010 12:54 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
    Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

    Why was my question assumed answered when no answer was given?

     

    Sure, another forum member has tried to be helpful, but not only was no answer given, I didn't even get any acknowledgement from Line 6 at all.

    • l1nscott Just Startin'
      l1nscott
      6 posts since
      Nov 4, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 5, 2010 4:34 AM (in response to Timmy2x4)
      Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

      Hello Timmy2x4,

      I just read your post about your pod with the SRAM failure.

      My story is almost identical to yours.

      Did you ever get it fixed and did it cost you anything?

       

      I rang Line6 yesterday and they wanted me to sent my unit to them (£30 courier arranged by me) plus about £85 + vat for repair.

      They said because my serial number date code was not within the recall dates it is not covered.

      My serial number is 5542 so slightly predates the 5640 start code.

       

      I am totally gutted and cannot afford to have this done. I may end up selling it on ebay as faulty!!

       

      Many thanks.

      • Timmy2x4 Just Startin'
        Timmy2x4
        7 posts since
        Jan 15, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Nov 5, 2010 1:14 PM (in response to l1nscott)
        Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

        l1nscott,

         

        I wish I had better news for you, but  unfortunately our situations are even more alike then you know - my  serial number has 5626 in it, so like yours it just BARELY misses the
        "technical bulletin" window beginning at 5640. I have effectively given up trying to get the thing fixed, I just haven't had a chance to write up a snarky closing post for this thread.

         

        I appreciate your post, since it will save me more wasted time on a phone call. It seems fishy to me that units that are clearly suffering from indentical flaws to units worthy of a free fix aren't being covered because they barely miss some serial number date range. Sounds like the date range could stand to be expanded. Or maybe the "technical bulletin" was designed to be PR damage control more than anything else, purposely squeezing the date range to save on repairs while still offering a minimal recall of sorts. Who knows.

         

        Anyway, sorry to be the bearer of bad news... best of luck.

        • jkoryciak Just Startin'
          jkoryciak
          42 posts since
          Dec 17, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          Nov 6, 2010 6:24 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
          Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

          Hi, It sounds like you almost went through the same wasted time {hours and hours---,midi uno,usb,monkey,buttons-knobs everything--} that i did..After trying everything and i mean everything on the support threads--Which i really appriecieated by the way--Until it got so old that it was just another waste to my time and i knew it--- I finally fixed it and it has been working for over a year now...My fix...Hold down every button and turn it on several times--That will fail but i was at my wits end and was hoping for smoke to pour out--That would have made me happy...Heres the real fix--- Find a solid floor--Nouthing soft--Hold it about 5' up and drop it--hold down the buttons again and turn it on--If that don't do it--Repete the real fix several times--By the way--it makes you feel great {like your actually accomplishing something after all those wasted hours} After approx 4 -5' dropps on a hard surface mine started working again--It has a cracked screen but it works great every time....B-T-W  my local service center quoted between 100-200 depending what was wrong with it.........I already spent too much on it for what little i used it....This fixed mine but ---- aggrivation set in and i didn't care anymore--If that wasn't going to fix it i was prepared to shoot it with my 12 guage and post it on u-tube...GOOD LUCK...

  • line6lm Iknowathingortwo
    line6lm
    594 posts since
    Sep 17, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 27, 2010 2:46 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
    Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

    Hi,

     

    Actually Line 6 has issued a technical bulletin on this specific issue which covers the unit as long as it falls within a certain date code. The date code of affected products is 5640-5719. If this range matches within your serial #, all you need to do is bring the unit to a Line 6 service center and mention Technical Bulletin #39 - and they will repair the unit under warranty.

     

    Thank you,

    Line6lm

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,600 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 5, 2010 4:09 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
    RE: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

    Hello,

       

      I'm sorry to hear about your experience with this.

       

      Are you absolutely sure this is an SRAM failure?

       

      The main symptom is that the LCD screen will remain blank and the LED's on the effects switches will be frozen and lit up.

       

      You can also try powering the POD on while holding down the second from the left soft key button under the LCD screen to see if the SRAM passes or fails.

       

      If it fails let me know. Based on the fact that your serial number is so close to the date range provided, I'm sure we could work out a repair for you.

       

       

      Line6Miller

    • l1nscott Just Startin'
      l1nscott
      6 posts since
      Nov 4, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 7, 2010 12:49 PM (in response to ricksox)
      Re: RE: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

      I assume from your reply to Timmy2x4 that I am out of luck being 98 points outside of the start code.

      Whereas Timmy2x4 is only 14 points outside.

       

      i ran the SRAM test you described and the screen read: Safe mode B, SRAM test failed.

       

      Would you be able to work out a repair for my unit too? (how close is 'so close')

       

      Many thanks.

    • Timmy2x4 Just Startin'
      Timmy2x4
      7 posts since
      Jan 15, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 17, 2010 10:24 AM (in response to ricksox)
      Re: RE: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

      All right, so your post and especially l1nscott's last post got me second guessing myself, so I finally had a chance to get the POD back out to check it again.

       

      The LCD screen is completely blank, but the effects buttons are NOT lit up.

       

      There is NO response whatsoever to powering it on while holding down any of the soft keys, or any button for that matter - no pass, no fail, no nothing. Just blank orange screen.

       

      That having been said, I suppose there's really no way for me to absolutely sure if it is an SRAM failure and it's conceivable that it is not.

       

      The bottom line, as far as I'm concerned, is still contained in my original post - it doesn't work, this after being minimally used, well taken care of and plugged in to a surge protector for the entirety of it's functioning existence.

       

      Anyway, thanks for your continued attention to this issue.

      • bluebluetones Just Startin'
        bluebluetones
        226 posts since
        Sep 12, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Nov 25, 2011 1:05 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
        Re: RE: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

        Hi Timmy2x4,

         

        Not sure if you saw my post regarding a very similar problem (if not identical...)

         

         

        http://line6.com/support/thread/74156

         

        I was able to fix my blank screen problem by opening the unit up and simply tapping the "chip" (I'm not sure what to call it...looks like a square IC or the brain of the XT) a couple of times very carefully.  This was enough to re-seat it and have to POD work fine again.

         

        It might be worth a try.  I was relieved and surprised when it worked.  I think these chips or boards are simply clipped into place and, over time, might unseat themeselves from normal handling.

         

        Let us know if it helps.

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,600 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 17, 2010 12:40 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
    RE: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

    OK. Thanks for getting back to us. At this point I'd suggest calling our service department directly and speaking to a service representative. Explain your situation and I'm sure they'll do their best to help you out.

       

      (818)575-3600

       

       

      Lien6Miller

  • Kriff Just Startin'
    Kriff
    2 posts since
    Jun 27, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 28, 2010 2:14 PM (in response to Timmy2x4)
    Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

    I seem to be experiencing the same problem. My unit was bought mid-2007, but also seems to fall slightly out of the affected range (5634). I've used my Pod on no more than halv a dozen gigs since I bought it, and according to the laws in Norway, i should be able to get it fixed free of charge, as long as the unit is flawed to begin with. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

  • MaverickMike Just Startin'
    MaverickMike
    3 posts since
    Mar 11, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 13, 2011 6:45 AM (in response to Timmy2x4)
    Re: PodXT blank screen, apparent SRAM failure

    Well I have to say it, the POD XT live is a load of Junk to be frank, I have had problem....after Problem.....after problem and there is no excuse for it from Line 6.

    I have now got the same screen failure before that it freezes on the starting up screen, before that... Error 46.

    They are taking the **** and my simple solution is to save the time and hastle with them and they can shove their faulty equipment up their bottoms and i will head for a company which doesn't sell over made, over technical, faulty as hell software.

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