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4273 Views 15 Replies Latest reply: Nov 21, 2009 3:45 AM by carlo_leone RSS
carlo_leone Just Startin'
carlo_leone
37 posts since
Apr 11, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Nov 1, 2009 10:04 PM

Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

I tried to install Workbench with my PODXT Live and Variax 500 connected. The installation failed and I then noticed that my XTLive had frozen. Unplugging the variax un-freezes the POD. Line Monkey also no longer sees the variax.

 

I posted a thread (11-04-2009) and tried all the advice with no success. As the axe was only a  few weeks old and thus under guarentee I returned it to the Dealer for repair.

 

After three months at a 'Jack of all trades' repair facility ( No disrespect intended) that does Line6 repairs for the agent and dealer, I asked to have my ghit returned so that I can have a look at it myself (Retired Electronic Engineer). He told me that there were 4 more Variaxes that had been in for repairs for like forever.

 

He had them all recalled and I managed to repair them all in one day. 3 were as a result of simple bad connections, 1 had a short circuiting track on the rj-45 output assembly but sadly I could not repair my 500. Through a process of illimination with parts from another 500 I determined that the fault is definitely on the mainboard.

 

I have now found another thread from another person who encountered a similar problem after a failed upgrade using a PODXT Live and it turned out that the Variax fimware had been corrupted during said failed upgrade.

 

"This sounds a lot like what happened to me...ie I used the POD XT Live to update my Variax 500...it failed. My Variax couldn't be 'seen' after that. Line 6 UK now want at least £60 to reflash the little AM29LV200B IC on the mainboard"

 

As you must have gathered, No we don't have a bona fida, dedicated Line6 Service Centre in South Africa. Any Suggestions?

 

Thanx

Carlo

 

Message was edited by: carlo_leone

Tags: variax, workbench, firmware, electric, 500
  • amx05462 Power User
    amx05462
    3,579 posts since
    Sep 1, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 2, 2009 8:31 AM (in response to carlo_leone)
    Re: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

    since  you think  its  a main board  problem  reflashing  the  chip  may  or may not  get you back  to factory  specs.  whats to say the  next  time  you  hook  up to the pod  it  wont  happen  again.  if your  sure  its  the   main board  i  think  id  want  to have  it  replaced.  the  question  is   how  much  will that cost. vs  buying  a  replacement. id  contact  line 6  explane  your  situation  and  ask if   in this  case they  would  sell you  the  board  directly.  they  normally  dont  do thin  but   could   possibly  make  an exception  in your  case  since  there  are  no  in country  service  centers.  its  worth  a  try.

    • trouthead54 Just Startin'
      trouthead54
      57 posts since
      May 10, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 2, 2009 12:55 PM (in response to amx05462)
      Re: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

      Carlo,

       

      that 'other person' was me...my Variax 500 board still sits in a draw - wasted.

       

      I could easily remedy this situation if Line6 would simply email me the raw HEX firmware (they only release firmware which is 'wrapped' for their own flakey firmware upgrade method!) .... since I actually went & bought a fash programmer from China....but all such avenues have led nowhere.

       

      One day, I'll get around to buying another Variax 500....and copy the firmware off that & back into my dead one.

       

      There really ought to be an outcry re so many 500s dying as a result of their poor firmware upgrade interfaces/method,

      • carlo_leone Just Startin'
        carlo_leone
        37 posts since
        Apr 11, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Nov 3, 2009 9:31 AM (in response to trouthead54)
        Re: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

        It really Sucks!!! Howeer, this story had a happy ending for me in that the dealer was so grateful that I repaired the other four ghitaars that he can now sell, that he replaced my 500 with a 600 for free. At the time he had to replace the previous faulty ghitaars with new ghitaars from his stock to satisfy the customers because he couldn't get them repaired. However I don't like loose ends and I would like to repair the 500 for the dealer as well. Because of the bad support from Line6 this dealer has also now discontinued the sale of Variax Ghitaars. Sad isn't it?

         

        As the 500 is still under guarentee I will try to contact Line6, they should replace the board free of charge. As I am retired I will also put it to them that I could do their repairs on Variax ghitaars in South Africa, it will be a great hobby and keep me of the streets (Ha-Ha). I honestly do think these ghitaars are a marvel of technology.

         

        Carlo

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,641 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 10, 2009 11:49 AM (in response to carlo_leone)
    RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

    Hello,

       

      Is the dealer that you have been working with an official Line 6 dealer? If they are then they should have means to get replacement parts even if it's not from a distributor in South Africa.

       

       

      Line6Miller

    • carlo_leone Just Startin'
      carlo_leone
      37 posts since
      Apr 11, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 16, 2009 11:30 AM (in response to ricksox)
      Re: RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

      Hi Line6,

      Thanks for coming back. The dealer decided to no longer sell Variax because of his bad experience concerning support and repairs (See previous reply on this thread). He is now selling his existing stock which of course includes the guitar I bought. Although he is no longer a dealer, he still has contact and good relations with Active Music Distribution Pty Ltd who are the Line6 agents/importers. What I will do is get him to introduce me to them. Hopefully I can then have the board replaced and I will put it to them that I would like to take over the repairs on variax guitars. I do think it s a remarkable product and having a local specialist on their repair and support can only do wonders for it's reputation. Any tips you can give me concerning this proposed venture will be most welcome.

       

      Regards, Carlo

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,641 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 12, 2009 8:45 AM (in response to carlo_leone)
    RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

    Hello,

       

      Thanks for the reply. All of our authorized service centers and distributors are required to repair all Line 6 gear if they are under contract with us so I'm not sure how that would work in your case. I will let our service manager know and perhaps I can have him email you how the contract works.

       

      We are sometimes able to drop ship parts to our official distributors but it may be a little more difficult in your case. Let me look into this a bit more and get back to you.

       

       

      Line6Miller

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,641 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 16, 2009 9:56 AM (in response to carlo_leone)
    RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

    Hello,

       

      It's going to be pretty difficult getting you the parts you need.

       

      Can you tell me the name of your dealer so I can get that information to our parts department?

       

      Also, do you happen to have a relative in a country where there is an authorized distributor or repair center?

       

       

      Line6Miller

    • carlo_leone Just Startin'
      carlo_leone
      37 posts since
      Apr 11, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 16, 2009 12:09 PM (in response to ricksox)
      Re: RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

      Hi Line6,

      The Dealer is 'Andy McGibbons Guitar World' situated in Johannesburg, Tel:+27118869591, Fax:+27118869587. His Supplier was Active Music Distribution Pty Ltd also from Johannesbug. As I mentioned to my knowledge Andy no longer intends selling Variax Guitars because of the support and repair problems he has experienced. PS. I have a friend that lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Does this help?

      Regards

      Carlo

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,641 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 17, 2009 8:49 AM (in response to carlo_leone)
    RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

    Hello,

       

      Having a friend in Canada certainly does help as we have a distributor in Canada (actually in Montreal).

       

      Before we go any further let me just make sure I have everything covered here.

       

      Is this Variax under warranty? You said you've had it for only a few weeks correct?

       

      You've tried reinstalling the flash memory in the guitar to no avail as it will not connect to Monkey at all through your POD correct?

       

      Have you tried interfacing the guitar with something other than the POD IE: a Variax Workbench Interface?

       

      Please let me know and then we can move forward with trying to get you the part you need.

       

       

      Line6Miller

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,641 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 19, 2009 8:26 AM (in response to carlo_leone)
    RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

    Hello,

       

      Just following up on my previous post. Thanks.

       

      Line6Miller

  • ricksox UberGuru
    ricksox
    11,641 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 20, 2009 8:47 AM (in response to carlo_leone)
    RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

    Hello,

       

       

      It's been a couple of days since we've heard from you. We're going to assume your question has been answered and close this thread. If you still have questions please feel free to open a new question with us and we will answer your questions accordingly. Thanks!

       

      Line6Miller

    • carlo_leone Just Startin'
      carlo_leone
      37 posts since
      Apr 11, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 21, 2009 3:45 AM (in response to ricksox)
      Re: RE: Firmware Corrupted on Variax500?

      Hi Line 6!

       

      I'm back. Sorry for the long absence but I'm in the middle and running late on a Christmas Album that has to be out at the end of this month and also, my internet is down (Thanks to a Thunderstorm) so I'm having a fight with Telkom to get it up and running again. In desperation I am actually doing this from an Internet Cafe. My Internet should be up again in the next few days and then we can resume normal communication. PS. My problem is still alive and kicking!

      Regards, Carlo

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