Card has died - what can I do?

[Kymeia]

I have 2 Scope cards - 6 + 3 DSPs. Unfortunately it looks like one of the DSPs on the 6 DSP card has failed - I get an error on startup saying the PC can't communicate with my board and it mentions that 1 DSP can't be engaged. Also unfortunately all my authorisations are linked to the bigger card so I can't even use them on my smaller card without some means of transferring between them but I can't access the bigger card to do even that (even if I knew how). What can I do? I have so many plugins - nearly all the Zargs and Scope plugins, several Celmo and Wolf plugins too.

I have done the usual troubleshooting things already - taking out each card in turn etc

[garyb]

contact support.
it can probably be fixed.
if it can't, the licenses can be transferred.

[Kymeia]

You mean send them the card to fix? Is that costly?

[garyb]

i don't know what the charge is, or what the best solution is. you should contact support then you'll have a better idea of what the options are.

[7XL]

I have the same problem and cannot get anyone from support to respond.

Let me know if you ever get a or have received a response.

[7XL]

Received an email from SC. They will not fix my card.

Now I may just give up on the Scope platform all together.

[Sounddesigner]

Received an email from SC. They will not fix my card.

Now I may just give up on the Scope platform all together.

Did they give a reason why? I was under the impression old pci cards were still being repaired by S|C.

[dante]

Well if its one of the actual DSP chips thats gone, can they canabalise one from another card (that maybe also had a bad DSP ) and solder it in ? I dont know if that's possible.

[tomylee]

I am sure someone with a little soldering and electronics skill could fix this by taking a working chip from another card.

[garyb]

that'd be a serious job. surface mount, small connections, but it could be done with the right equipment. a regular iron would be a mess....

[7XL]

Received an email from SC. They will not fix my card.

Now I may just give up on the Scope platform all together.

Did they give a reason why? I was under the impression old pci cards were still being repaired by S|C.

Here's the last message that I received:

sounds bad, we can not repair the cards anymore, also
it does not make much sense as it would cost more than 300,- EUR.

Regards,
Ralf

[dante]

At a guess I would say its at S|C discression. For example, a chip being replaced could he hours of labour, whereas replacing a faulty capacitor would be a no brainer.

[tomylee]

cant you give it to check somebody else who checks all caps etc first? just because the software tells it cant communicate to one chip does not have to mean the chip is dead

[7XL]

[quote="tomylee"]cant you give it to check somebody else who checks all caps etc first? just because the software tells it cant communicate to one chip does not have to mean the chip is dead[/quot

I checked all the caps and solder joints, I build and repair electronics. I replaced my 15DSP with the 6 DSP to see if it was something with the other computer. I installed it on a different computer. The card has some issue with DSP 0. I wonder if I were to change the chip would I then need to get a new serial or something? Will S/C send me a schematic so I know which chip is DSP 0?

[dante]

Maybe if you sent it to S|C with a request they inspect / quote, and with a reply paid package, they might help. Would that be an idea GaryB ?

I mean, what you got to loose other than postage ? The card already doesnt work.

[jksuperstar]

If you build an repair electronics, do you have any Surface Mount experience? Doing a TQFP package like those DSPs isn't that difficult, just takes some time.

Popping it off is easy, all you need is a heat gun and a shield, and really easy if you can get one of those spring-loaded suction cup things that pulls up on the chip as you heat it. If you already have a SMT soldering gun, then your not far away from having everything to replace it yourself. You can find a replacement DSP at digikey for about $40.

[garyb]

Maybe if you sent it to S|C with a request they inspect / quote, and with a reply paid package, they might help. Would that be an idea GaryB ?

I mean, what you got to loose other than postage ? The card already doesnt work.

no, an RMA first is a must. a loose package is trouble.

[garyb]

If you build an repair electronics, do you have any Surface Mount experience? Doing a TQFP package like those DSPs isn't that difficult, just takes some time.

Popping it off is easy, all you need is a heat gun and a shield, and really easy if you can get one of those spring-loaded suction cup things that pulls up on the chip as you heat it. If you already have a SMT soldering gun, then your not far away from having everything to replace it yourself. You can find a replacement DSP at digikey for about $40.

there you go...something to try...