Help? S4000Pro unit stopped working again...

[stonepatterson]

Last time I started a thread here, my S4000Pro would not start. A lot of good ideas were tossed my way. Unfortunately, the power board was BAD. Needed to be replaced, (this was on a unit I had for only 8 months -- my first S4000Pro had so many problems -- was considered a lemon so they swapped it for the one used by a head honcho from MacroSystems U.S.).

I have NOT been doing a lot of editing over the past four years (don't do commercial video work any more)... so imagine my shock, when after doing a partial upgrading to Bogart 4.1g (from the previous Bogart 4) -- the machine starts up. Then nothing.

I unplugged everything, waited overnight. Re plugged it all. Machine starts up. Macro System words light up (white on blue) and the little white squares... the machine 'sounds' right. Then nothing. The only thing that works is the forced shutdown. Tried unplugging everything, then re plugging everything several times. Still won't work. My Samsung monitor acknowledges the boot up. But the machine doesn't do anything. The DVD drawer will not open (thought I might do a complete clean of all drives by putting in DVD Data Bogart 4.1g -- which I did not do when the 4.1g arrived).

Open to suggestions. I cannot keep paying for the unit to be serviced and shipped. I only use this machine for home use these days... no video income. Help?

[stonepatterson]

Oh well, those helpful techs that offer support at Macro Systems US in Colorado... called and tried to solve the horrors of my 2nd S4000Pro by doing a full Bogart 1.4g install (while over the phone). I appreciate their quick response.

Looks like the hard drive is dead or the video card isn't responding or there is a problem with the RAM. Anyway, S4000Pro is going back to Colorado for repairs... again.

I have 2 Classics (still have them too), traded in my Kron and 2 S4000Pro's over the past 13 years... loved all the units, but I have had so much bad luck, especially with the S4000Pro(s)... no longer doing commercial video production, so I have no income... being retired, had hoped I might get by without spending any more cash on this last S4000Pro.

So. No need to respond with suggestions. Thanks for reading my woes...

[TimKennelly]

Well, I'm going to respond anyway as it sounds like a simple monitor resetting issue.

When you do an OS install it resets the monitor setting to the default so the unit is actually coming up fine and you just are not seeing it.

Power up the unit and wait until it stops making noises and has the word MacroSystem on the small LED screen on the front of the unit.

Then hold the right key down on your trackball or mouse for a slow count of 5 watching the small LED window.

If/when it changes to SCART click the left trackball/mouse button to switch it to DVI mode and you should have your screen back.

PS - If you are using a VGA monitor you will need to click the left trackball/mouse button a second time to switch it to VGA mode which should give you your screen back.

If this shortcut doesn't work, I'd still try hooking up several types of monitors besides what you currently are using such as an S-Video tv/monitor and/or a VGA monitor just to make sure it isn't a simple monitor reset issue before packing it up and sending it to Boulder.

[stonepatterson]

TimKennelly,

Thanks for responding. I thought that might be the problem too. First thing that crossed my mind. I tried the monitor resetting with no luck. Tried some other stuff as well. No luck. So I called MacroSystems. Dennis was a great help... did a full Bogart 4.1g install -- 'emergency' hard drive clean (and there was stuff on the hard drive I needed to save -- duh, this dummy -- can't afford a back-up system).

Dennis and Tech Support said to "ship it in". I love the ease and speed I can edit on my S4000Pro... but she sure is temperamental.

[Franklinbencosme]

They are 2 good memories from my S-4000 PRO, the day a received and the day
he leave my studio ,this happen to me 3 TIMES and I send it to Boulder 3 times
and then It was time to send it (4), again, I give up and made the trade for a
new S-6000. I think many of this (s-4000-pro), came from Germany with problems
this is not MS US fault,the help me every time I call, but for me, yes for me this
machine was a NIGHTMARE.

Good luck..

[TimKennelly]

Well, bummer to hear.

I have confidence in Dennis' competency, sounds like you have a dead drive, but unless your unit is under warranty changing a drive is a pretty easy do it yourself operation with the S4000Pro.

Less than a dozen screws and unplug a couple of cables and reverse.