Does anybody have the RADIAS SYNTH ROM binaries?

Master_E · Post by **Master_E** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 5:56 am

I've had my RADIAS-R for what's likely been over a decade, and as of these past few years it's been getting that dreaded "SYNTH ROM checksum" error 9 times out of 10 boots.

I've taken it to a registered KORG repair center, and their diagnosis is that the flash memory has temperature-based reliability issues, meaning eventually the chip itself will stop working one of these days.

After buying the service manual, I've sourced the flash memory used in the RADIAS, but that's it. The repair center says KORG doesn't have system files for devices as old as the RADIAS (despite what they say), and that the only way I would be able to fix my RADIAS is if I were to cannibalize a working system or to somehow acquire a binary of the SYNTH ROM.

Short of buying all the various equipment needed and learning how to de-solder SMT parts all so that I can go through the hours and hours trying to get a good dump from a dying chip, I'm at my wits end.

This is the only place I know of that talks exclusively about the RADIAS (and isn't completely abandoned), so as a result this is the only place I can place my plea.

Should any one of you have a good dump of the SYNTH ROM binaries, would you please send a copy my way? I'm aware of the legal implications, but for how much time and money I've put in to repairing my one and only synthesizer, you can be rest assured that I won't distribute them to a single soul.

I know I'm not the only one with this issue. I just hope I'm also not the only one desperate enough to consider the only true route to fixing it.

voip · Post by **voip** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 11:16 am

Presumably, if the Radias comes up once out of 10 times, the flash memory will still contain valid data, so it might be possible to read and copy the data into a new flash memory device. The device supports the Common Flash Memory Interface, though protection may get in the way. The operation is not likely to be as straightforward as writing to an EPROM, and there is a chance that it may need factory commissioning software and accompanying hardware, which might be a simple serial interface.

There is a discussion about Radias checksum errors here:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpbb2/ ... p?p=317508

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=84631

Also here, mostly in Polish:

https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic2643588.html

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Master_E · Post by **Master_E** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:08 pm

Factory commissioning and accompanying hardware? What might that entail? I've sourced available stock of both the original S29JL032H70TFI020D and the more recent S29JL032J, so binaries should be binaries right?

Ohh... I sure hope someone out there has done the work before me.

voip · Post by **voip** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:58 pm

The datasheet for the NOR flash part, details the so called Secured Silicon Region, which has numerous configuration options. This section is worth reading.

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Master_E · Post by **Master_E** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 11:35 pm

All of this assuming I'm all on my own here and I get to dismounting the flash in the first place...

You sound like you know what you're talking about! Could you provide a dump if you find yourself opening up your RADIAS one day?

voip · Post by **voip** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:50 pm

Well, you never know ;-) I've no intention of opening it up, for now, at least, but the USR checksum does show an error, so that day may not be too long coming.

.

Master_E · Post by **Master_E** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:02 pm

Oh dude oh man you gotta hook a brotha up I will love you forever man you have no idea

I've spent far too long worrying over when the flash will die. Well, that and if the caps are eating through the board by now...

iowagold · Post by **iowagold** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:31 pm

hummm how about just buying another unit?
right now they are still out there..
yea you will have to spend a few bucks...
but spare units are always a good thing!!

unless you are like me and spend a million bucks to save 5 bucks!!
LOL!!

yea spending 20k in time for a 1000.00 unit just does not add up.
save the old unit..
spare parts like knobs etc.

iowagold · Post by **iowagold** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:32 pm

hummm how about just buying another unit?
right now they are still out there..
yea you will have to spend a few bucks...
but spare units are always a good thing!!

unless you are like me and spend a million bucks to save 5 bucks!!
LOL!!

yea spending 20k in time for a 1000.00 unit just does not add up.
save the old unit..
spare parts like knobs etc.

Master_E · Post by **Master_E** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:44 pm

Well, not only would it cost more buying a whole module just for one part as opposed to buying a chip and a programmer, but my RADIAS has lots of sentimental value to me. It was a gift from a family member I rarely see, and it's the only physical synth I have. It also worked as a gateway to teach me all sorts of synthesis knowledge, and as a result I've created many instruments on it that would work only with it.

As silly as it sounds, I want to keep it in working order as long as I can, perhaps even passing down should the fates allow.

Silica · Post by **Silica** » Mon May 25, 2020 8:26 pm

I'm curious if you ever figured this out. Maybe you found this in your search:
https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/c ... _for_your/
http://dbwbp.com/index.php/9-misc/37-synth-eprom-dumps

I'm not clear on exactly how it works, but it seems this guy is willing to extract ROMs if you send them to him in order to help people just like you and others.
Maybe get a working Radias from a place with a good return policy, extract the rom by sending it to this guy, and return the synth, or keep or sell it or whatever I suppose. There are also guides on how to do it yourself on his website.

Sorry if all this is stuff you probably already looked into and thought about. Good luck!

Master_E · Post by **Master_E** » Wed May 27, 2020 6:38 pm

Silica wrote:I'm curious if you ever figured this out. Maybe you found this in your search. Sorry if all this is stuff you probably already looked into and thought about. Good luck!

Oh my! What intriguing resources! And if such a plan went off without a hitch, the whole "send it to this guy" idea doesn't sound half bad either.

Thanks for the tip!

Silica · Post by **Silica** » Thu May 28, 2020 12:38 am

No problem! Even if you did have the money to just get another, it seems like a waste to just get rid of your current unit, especially since it's just a software problem. Plus it might just happen again with another one. We throw too much stuff away these days. Instruments that you love shouldn't be just become parts, scraps, or garbage. Besides, if you can get the ROM off with this guys help and it gets added to the library, you'll be helping other people who eventually run into the same problem. Also who know! We may see custom firmware in the future! The library he has so far looks pretty good, and based off the amount of support people have given him, it looks trustworthy. Please post your progress!