Dim screen

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Cassidies
Posts: 1
Joined: 09:27, 20 October 2009

Dim screen

Post by Cassidies »

Hi,
I (safely) stored my X6 while in Australia last year. When I came back this summer and started to use it, I found that the screen had turned dim and pale on me. Adjusting the contrast don't help much either. Especially on stage it is almost impossible to read the screen. Anyone know what might cause this and how to fix it?
And, as a newbie on this forum I am sorry if this question have already been asked and answered. If so, please link me to the tread.

C
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Artemiy
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Joined: 13:00, 17 April 2003
Location: Ukraine
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Re: Dim screen

Post by Artemiy »

It could be that the backlights do not get any power supply. Perhaps there is a problem in the contact, it might have been corroded or loosened. You should try to open it and have a look.
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Andy Keys
Posts: 1843
Joined: 13:44, 7 August 2007
Location: UK

Re: Dim screen

Post by Andy Keys »

Hi Cassidies,

Try the Fantom X6 Screen Problem thread.

Let us know if that sorts it out.

regards
Andy
Arghblarg
Posts: 227
Joined: 20:59, 15 December 2003
Location: Calgary, AB
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Re: Dim screen

Post by Arghblarg »

My X6 is now having this problem too. The screen's backlight just seems to be half-brightness. I read that other thread and reseated all the connectors I could get at, including the small CN21 two-pin black/brown plug beside the USB port. No difference.

Has anyone else found out the cause and/or solution? I have read that LCD backlights eventually do fade, but this is pretty drastic and this board hasn't seen heavy use..
Arghblarg
Posts: 227
Joined: 20:59, 15 December 2003
Location: Calgary, AB
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Re: Dim screen

Post by Arghblarg »

Sorry I know it's bad etiquette, but it's been a few weeks since I posted, so ... *bump*?

Has anyone else seen this dim screen problem on their Fantom-X board? Is this a widespread issue?
I do still plan to do a full teardown of my X6 to see if there are more connectors leading to the screen itself that I can clean and reseat, but I'd like guidance if someone has done this before. If not, I guess I'll take pics along the way to document what I have tried, whether it helps or not.
X6Texas
Posts: 2
Joined: 20:06, 17 March 2010
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Dim screen

Post by X6Texas »

Hey Arghblarg ,

I was the guy from the other post (Austin Keys) and I can't remember my pw, email from an old job, yatta yatta name change...

I'm here again to tell you my problem resurfaced, same as before. I'm guessing your screen is mostly whited out, and if you duck down you can barely read it, contrast knob does nothing.

Since the fix happened so easily, I thought I could open up my keyboard before sound check last weekend and reseat the cable ... nothing happened. I'm going to have to get into it one of these weekends and see if I can get lucky again. I'm going to experiment with pulling the cables, turning it on with the cables unplugged, then crossing my fingers and hope for another miracle. The only good news is that the board is otherwise functional -- having NO screen would be a much bigger thing to deal with.

I've scoured the net looking for other instances of this, I guess it's just us. I will be able to work on it in a couple weeks, I'll let you know if I have any luck.

T
plasmis
Posts: 46
Joined: 22:22, 13 April 2005
Location: Finland

Re: Dim screen

Post by plasmis »

I had this exact same problem with my X6. The screen went darker and darker very slowly until it really was completely unreadable in daylight. In my case the problem was the voltage inverter for the screen backlight.

Roland Finland service worked as a charm as usual, just can't thank these guys enough.
lang1977
Posts: 106
Joined: 13:23, 24 November 2005
Location: Trinidad

Re: Dim screen

Post by lang1977 »

I had screen problems on my X7 too.
I realised if my keyboard is stored in a cool place over night (say my car trunk) the screen gets really dim when powered up in the morning.
I also discorvered if i leave the keyboard in direct sunlight for a bit, say 5mins, the screen shows very well and BRIGHT or if it is left in the trunk (again) ,the heat makes the screen show good!
I have my X7 since 2005.
X6Texas
Posts: 2
Joined: 20:06, 17 March 2010
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Dim screen

Post by X6Texas »

I got my screen to light up again, I wish I could say it was something obvious like a loose wire, but it was hit or miss. I have to file it under a Static Discharge.

I took all the screws off the back and removed the bottom panel. First thing I did was locate a 2' jumper wire (gold and black wires w/ white jumper ends). I tweezed them out and reseated them. Last time that was enough to get the screen running, this time there was no difference.

I then decided to remove the expansion board, just to see if I could get to the back of the monitor. I unscrewed the 4 gold screws, and since it's ribbon cabled, I just lifted it up to the right. Just for kicks I powered it up and the screen worked perfectly. (YES!)

I have to also note when my screen went "white" I was at a gig and my vocal mic had dipped such that the mic was touching the keys. Then I noticed the screen was barely readable. I think there must be a very small window of voltage that has to be maintained for the screen to work. I'm guessing when the mic was touching the keyboard it sent a static charge into some capacitor or resistor, and the simple act of me moving things around inside somehow released it.

If anyone has any explanation for this fix, I would like to hear it.

Hope this helps.
- X6TX
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