Calling Any Kurzweil Users, BLANK BLUE SCREEN Options

[Jaysee]

Normally when I switch the k2661 on there is a brief reassuring blink from all the various lights across the front panel, followed a few seconds later by the usual 'no sample RAM installed' message on the main blue screen, I press ' OK' and a few seconds later the list of voices appears, starting with the grand piano.

A few days ago I pressed the 'ok' button as usual, then instead of the list of the onboard sounds appearing I just got a plain blue featureless screen. I wondered if a 'hard reset' was possible (as described in the manual on the Mast2 page), but as there was nothing at all on the placid blue screen to let me know which buttons to press I decided against it! I then tried inserting the SM card in the blue slot, as I gather there would be some sort of backup of the factory preset sounds, but again no response....just the same featureless blue screen staring at me. It was as if it had total amnesia. Any idea what might have gone wrong? Is there any simple procedure I can carry out, like 'starting up while pressing secret combinations of buttons? Or is it a major fault.? :-(

The only recent change in my midi setup I can think of which might have caused problems is that I recently bought an MAudio Keystation 88pro controller, as I hoped its fully weighted keyboard would feel great with the unweighted K2661's piano. However, like the Kurzweil, the 88pro has rather overwhelming midi specs for a novice like me to understand... (eg the fact it sends midi via USB and the normal midi out socket) Perhaps in my trial and error exploratory knob twiddling I've sent the K2661 some obscure midi/sysex/nrpn message to clear its entire OS and voices?? The last thing I remember noticing just prior to the 'blue screen' problem was that the blue screen contrast and brightness has abruptly changed to full on, making it unreadable until I re adjusted it using the rear panel little knobs. Soon afterwards, feeling that I wasn't getting anywhere in my attempts at making the two machines talk to each other, I switched everything off and went to bed. I'm afraid I cant remember whether I first noticed the plain blank blue screen at the time I adjusted the sudden contrast change or during next startup the follwing day.

What do you think has gone wrong with my poor ol' K2661?

[lepetitmartien]

Mhmm looks like there's something really wrong during the boot up. If connections are ok (check, unplug and replug everything), The only think I see is to reset it (it's why reset exists in fact). As there's a lithium battery it may be bad and so have f…d up something of the OS…

Have you tried the soft reset ? (p 8-5)

I've looked into the manual and your problem is not listed so it may be more severe. If you're feeling uncomfortable about the reset, I'd mail to or call kurzweil and ask them. But i think either it'll go to repair or you'll end with a hard reset

[Jaysee]

Thanks for the advice.Apart from trying to locate and change the lithium battery I tried the soft reset as you suggested, and the hard one for good measure, although I was relying on memory to visualise which soft buttons are under each function. I think it's Master, then the farthest right button to go into the Mast2 page, then farthest left button press 'reset', then second from the farthest right 'are you sure?' warning, and finally press the same button to confirm. Then take the second turn off to join the M61 heh:-)(I did it once a long while ago to get rid of all my stupid settings.) Anyway, I'm afraid neither worked this time.

I recently relocated my keyboards onto a large three tier 'A' frame type keyboard stage stand. I wonder if the fact that since I aquired the much longer 88note keystation pro, I placed this flat on the bottom rungs. I and relocated the k2661 on the next level, but angled at maybe 30 deg so I could see the Kurzweil blue LCD screen, which is impossible to see from a seated position.My God they must be using old tech LCD's, I remember being put off the early generation laptops because one had to look from a certain position, a couple of feet left or right, up or down and the display disappeared!!
Anyway, maybe the k2661 can't work angled towards me like that?
Bummer! I was in touch with kurzweil Europe by email just a week or so ago, asking about adding sample RAM and enquiring if the optional long ribbon controller was still available. I even ordered the latter item which I'm expecting to arrive any day.
The good news is I checked my purchase date just now and that the synth's warranty doesnt expire until July.
regards, Jaysee