Do Viruses go to heaven? Near death experience..
 

My good old buddy, the Virus b, went into a coma 1-2 yrs ago. It's been on a respirator, and the outcome didn't look good. A flashing new TI replaced it, but I still missed the old "b" soundbanks. So on my way to the dumpster, I plugged it up once more. For old times sake. It's been a good companion on releases, MTV, awards and tours.

Like before; Nothing happens except 2 leds lighting up and a very dim light in the display. Poor thing. So I tried giving it a vitamine B shot by a new OS install. The display barely blinks with every chunc sent. Nothing happens for at least 30 minutes. Then the OS flashes very disturbingly in a new-age way across the LCD. The "b" looks sick, almost dying.

Then, after 45 minutes or so, the LCD shows banks and sounds, and it's actually got sound!! After rearranging my studio, unplugging power to strech some cables, "b" goes back to a coma.

The sequence is repeated, and after another 45 minutes the sound is back on. No way I'm turning it off again..

So, Virus lovers, what's up with "b"???

sounds like some problem with it's capacitors (they used to have a limited lifetime)
(hmm ... not sure it's the right term, the german word is "Kondensator")

they are quite cheap components, but you would need to find someone to measure and replace them.

you could also flash the B soundbanks into the TI.

Hi there,

As a last ditch attempt to rescue the B soundbanks, you could always wait until the synth suddenly works and then try to do a very quick patch dump over MIDI.

Synthesizer Service is Access' hardware branch, which Access use for inventory and repairs and the like. They may well be able to give you advice: http://www.synthesizerservice.de/index.php?lang=en

They're based in Germany, but they do speak English.

PS > Welcome to the forum! :)

Done deal. I wanna keep the b for my workflow, but a backup never hurt anyone..

Now THAT'S good info. Thanks!

About time, too. I've been a trusty Virus-user since the first release of Virus b. And right now the old soundbanks are even more contemporary than when first released. That's odd. Seems like the world's going i cycles. But wait.. It is! :)