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1024 Views 15 Replies Latest reply: Dec 8, 2012 4:43 AM by TEPrewitt23 RSS
Blues_man001 Just Startin'
Blues_man001
17 posts since
Jun 18, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jul 15, 2012 2:02 PM

Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

I previously had an X3 Live and the Variax 500 was able to update firmware and all was well.  I just got an HD500 and got it updated through Monkey and went to hook up the Variax to it and the firmware update failed. 

I received error "Flash Memory, Variax update failed.  error code 8000900C MIDI device timed out waiting for a response.  Try the update again, making sure all the cables are connected."

 

I am using a Windows 7 Pro PC with driver 4.2.5.4

Monkey V - 1.58

HD500 - 1.43 and 2.02 (have had installed and tried variax update)  On 1.43 now.

HD500 Edit - 2.00

Workbench 1.73 (which redirects to run monkey to update Variax).

 

I only had 2 USB devices plugged into the board (mouse and keyboard).  I removed all USB devices and followed the directions to reset the Variax as well as the HD500, instructions here:

http://line6.com/supportarchive/thread/55633

 

The HD500 reset correctly, but the Variax doesn't make the tones that "pierrehurtubise" mentioned in his post about resetting the variax.  On mine I get a High-Low-High sequence tone as I first plug the Cat cable in and pull up the tone selector knob (with pickup selector in position 2 (from bridge).

 

Please advise on how I can get the Variax to update in order to use it.  I removed the battery from the back and even checked the connections to the electronics on the back of the Variax.  I can't think of any reason why it won't update.  Thanks

Tags: firmware_update, hd500, varaix_500
  • Blues_man001 Just Startin'
    Blues_man001
    17 posts since
    Jun 18, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 12, 2012 12:16 PM (in response to Blues_man001)
    Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

    Update, I have support tickets open with L6 - but they say my variax is toast and I should just buy another used Variax off Ebay.  Since they don't have parts to replace for my V500, it's useless to take my guitar to a local authorized shop at $65/hr for nothing.  Monkey sees the V500 connected to my HD500, but never completes the flash giving the midi error 8000900c timeout.  I am bitterly disappointed and since my variax is essentially bricked, I may have to install regular magnetic pickups and rewire to make useable.  I can play it unplugged, otherwise it makes a good doorstop/paperweight.

    • Blues_man001 Just Startin'
      Blues_man001
      17 posts since
      Jun 18, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Aug 31, 2012 2:33 PM (in response to Blues_man001)
      Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

      I just want to put in here (not that anyone is reading this nor my other 2 entries) that once your Line 6 device becomes out of warranty or a legacy product - don't expect too much support from Line 6.  I had hoped that since Craig Anderton of Harmony Central responded to my post on those forums (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2930185-HD500-Variax-500.....Please-help.), that I might just have a shred of hope of getting my Variax 500 working again.  I should learn not to get my hopes up.

       

      I truly hope that my HD500 never ***** the bed like my Variax 500 has.  I will have no chance of getting it fixed beyond paying mafia repair prices locally.  Thanks a ton Line 6 - for nothing.

      • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
        silverhead
        9,592 posts since
        Apr 1, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Aug 31, 2012 3:30 PM (in response to Blues_man001)
        Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

        Blues_man001 wrote:

         

        I just want to put in here (not that anyone is reading this nor my other 2 entries) that once your Line 6 device becomes out of warranty or a legacy product - don't expect too much support from.......

        Actually, I think that is pretty much standard from electronic equipment manufacturers - not only Line 6. Of course the Variax 500 is essentially a computer; and like any computer it becomes outdated and (eventually) fails. When manufacturers move products to legacy status they stop receiving updates and eventually are no longer supported (think Power PC in the Mac world). Your Variax 500 is still supported - but not under warranty. You could get it fixed at an authorized service centre, but as Line 6 suggested you would be better off (i.e. it would be cheaper) to simply buy a working one.

         

        The newer series of Variax guitars (JTV) include mag pickups so it won't become a paperweight when (eventually) its electronics fail. If that happens before it becomes a legacy product then I expect Line 6 will still be supporting it very well.

         

        Have you considered buying a new computer - I mean Variax JTV?

        • Blues_man001 Just Startin'
          Blues_man001
          17 posts since
          Jun 18, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Sep 3, 2012 12:29 PM (in response to silverhead)
          Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

          I'm not going to buy or trade for a JTV.  I won't be investing that much money in something that will ultimately fail and get the old "Tough luck , dude!" from support.  I have had several Line 6 products and none besides the V500 have outright failed.  I don't believe I'll be buying/trading for any more Line 6 stuff in the future.  I basically set fire to money and that's not a habit I intend to continue.  Thanks.

          • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
            TheRealZap
            11,829 posts since
            Dec 22, 2006
            Currently Being Moderated
            Sep 3, 2012 12:36 PM (in response to Blues_man001)
            Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

            well the 500 originally came out in 2002, so i think that 10 years is not exactly setting fire to money...

            of course none of that matters and you're clearly free to move on...

            i just wanted to add that bit of info to the discussion.

            feel free to send it to me, i'll get it fixed and continue to enjoy it.

            • Blues_man001 Just Startin'
              Blues_man001
              17 posts since
              Jun 18, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Sep 4, 2012 7:37 AM (in response to TheRealZap)
              Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

              Wow, nothing like being a little callous to others in need, huh?  Be nice if someone who had spare parts (Line 6 claims they do not) to repair it (taking to local repair shop won't be able to get parts if L6 has none - so that is moot), would offer to do so.

              • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
                TheRealZap
                11,829 posts since
                Dec 22, 2006
                Currently Being Moderated
                Sep 4, 2012 9:08 AM (in response to Blues_man001)
                Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

                sorry dude... you made your feelings known... noone can get you parts, so i'm not sure how else you expect to be responded to....

                if it matters remotely... i wish they had parts for the older variaxes as well as the older vetta amps... both were expensive in their day and both do not have aftermarket equivilents... i know many users who would be happy to have parts... but then they would complain that the parts are expensive... as they would be since you'd have to pay for the warehousing in the cost... at a certain point the cost of parts is more than the cost of replacement. the same is even true for the common television.

  • Blues_man001 Just Startin'
    Blues_man001
    17 posts since
    Jun 18, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Sep 12, 2012 9:04 AM (in response to Blues_man001)
    Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

    Can anyone tell me what this port is (top of photo)?

     

    Main Board - Top.jpg

     

    Is it possible to somehow connect directly into the main-board to flash a firmware?  What kind of connection is that?

  • Blues_man001 Just Startin'
    Blues_man001
    17 posts since
    Jun 18, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Sep 24, 2012 2:17 PM (in response to Blues_man001)
    Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

    If anyone has a Variax mainboard and or input jack assembly, please let me know.

  • Blues_man001 Just Startin'
    Blues_man001
    17 posts since
    Jun 18, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 6, 2012 1:15 PM (in response to Blues_man001)
    Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

    I found someone who was an acoustic 700 board, but wanted to see if I could use that and simply flash the electric 500 firmware on it (hey, I can dream...)

    • amx05462 Power User
      amx05462
      3,495 posts since
      Sep 1, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 6, 2012 3:02 PM (in response to Blues_man001)
      Re: Hd500/Variax 500.....Please help.

      i cant  help you on that one. ive never seen the acoustic board  .  i would  guess it would be  a version of the same board  but  without  seeing it   i couldnt tell you  if it  would even fit in place.

      funny thing though i saw one  from either  an amp or pedal board that looked  similar in configuratoin to the   300 i had . but  not exactly..  keep an eye  on ebay .. ive seen   them  there  from time  to time   why someone  would part it  out though vs selling  the guitar would  make  me  suspicious.

       

        honestly  i think your  best bet is  if you really  feel you have to have a variax.   then  getone  off ebay  and save  the parts  from the one you have  now.

       

      that really  is the easiest   way to go about this..

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