Yello, New Recruit and some questions perhaps you can help?

[ScottyTech]

Hi all at the SP forums, new user (own a 202 and a 404 and mv 8800) long time lurker i and finally took the plunge and joined the fray it's always a good read and plenty of usefull information so i had to join really.

This was sparked by my recent acquisition of the holy SP-303 but it doesnt work sad times, however i knew this before buying so its cool if i cant fix it i'll bung it on ebay, but i'd like to salvage it as its in really nice condition.

The problem is it has "Err" displayed every time its switched on and there is no response from any buttons the cancel, remain,delete combo on startup doesnt work either, the only thing i have got to work(sort of) is the update through MIDI with smf files but after the first midi file it went to flashing "Err" then "10" alternately and thats it i'm stuck at this point if any sp aficionado has any ideas then i'm all ears the SP-303 has long been on my list but is currently a nice looking paperweight

Thanks in advance, and catch you around.

Scotty.

[EssentialMaintenance]

Just sell it, take the cash and buy a tape deck and download some free vsts. Sell the 202 as well and buy an sx

[Crane]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

Did you just buy this off of UK Ebay? If so you might want to read these.

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=25526

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25477

[ScottyTech]

Yea i've read all there is to read on 303 problems so far, looking like i'll probably have to re flog it, aint no biggie i took a punt and on this occasion it didnt pay off.

onwards n upwards.

I've opened it up and nothing looks out of place solder all looks good as i can see the chips look fine but then who knows maybe it needs a new memory chip but i wouldnt know what type or let alone the skills to replace it.

i may keep it for aesthetics its a nice looking machine probably the best style wise of the bunch.

[ScottyTech]

in the 2nd thread there user Bamboombaps is having the same issue i'm having with the smf files, my end guess is the memory chip is done and cant be reflashed but i dunno i aint about to get into all that.

[EssentialMaintenance]

Nah g, 404A looks way better

[Crane]

in the 2nd thread there user Bamboombaps is having the same issue i'm having with the smf files, my end guess is the memory chip is done and cant be reflashed but i dunno i aint about to get into all that.

I'm implying that it is the same unit.

I would try that protection pin from the smartmedia card to the chip mentioned in the post, as he never responded if that was looked at. Besides for that, I think that thing is fucked.

Good Luck.

[ScottyTech]

yea i dunno i would have thought the midi update would have worked perhaps a few people have already had a bash at this very machine i now hold, i'll still put some brain on it i think i know what you mean with the protect pin, i have the service manual here and the unit open so i'll see but either way thanks for the feedback Crane.

[EssentialMaintenance]

Ouch, right in the feels dawg

[ScottyTech]

Back again, only thing i can think is the memory card i have is just a blank unformatted memory card, if i had a 303 formatted smart media card withthe os on it perhaps this would work, i only need someone in the uk willing to format the card for me in their working 303 and send it back.

Anyone?

[ScottyTech]

just now i put memory card in and held filter, pitch and delay and it came up with Ver 1.0.2 and rec lit up just like its supposed to, result i thought then i hit rec and.....

numbers appeared and then Err 4 flashing ho hum.

[Ill Green]

Probably the problem can be fixed by installing new firmware on a smartmedia card and holding a combination of buttons at power up. Not sure how is support for the 303 these days but 9 out of 10 issues I had with any sampler, was fixed by reinstalling the firmware.

They still make 64MB cards for the 303 but only in Japan.

[webywogudy]

thanks