KORG M3 Memory problem! Help Please!!!

serfo · Post by **serfo** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:23 pm

I have Korg M3 61! Expanded 2.04.
But there is no sounds. if i try load EXPCM files its playing only Brass, Woodwinds or piano (depend of EXPCM file i loaded)

At the beginning there is massage (the internal memory has been corrupted.........)

Tried to reinstall 2.04 but "your software is already up to date"

read almost all topics regarding such problem but....(((

Please help if you have any idea!

Thank you!

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:37 pm

Try the Load Preload/Demo Data menu command from Global mode and select All.

serfo · Post by **serfo** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 3:23 pm

Bald Eagle wrote:Try the Load Preload/Demo Data menu command from Global mode and select All.

Done no results((( even load combo from M3 editor

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 3:35 pm

Maybe a full factory reset will help. If I remember you hold down the Enter + 0 keys while booting and hold them down until finished. Then you will have to reload pcg data and probably update the OS.

If none of that helps you could check that memory is seated properly.

Dan Stesco · Post by **Dan Stesco** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:40 am

Hello !

I think some important data from internal memory is lost. First is better to check the internal SD where the data are stored.

Try to Update system software using the usb stick again. The losing data can be recovery. Some data can be lost when due an interruption of power while the system was writing/saving data.

If nothing work please write me a mail and I will try to help you.

contact@danstesco.ro

Don Audio Labs · Post by **Don Audio Labs** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 1:30 pm

First of all, i assume that this unit is out of warranty and that you are willing to fix this yourself.

If you still have warranty on this unit or want to pay money to get this fixed please do so. However, if you send this to a music shop i guarantee you that you will pay quite some money for something that can easily be done by yourself.

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Before we get started, let me explain your problem, based on the symptoms you have provided.

Symptoms:
- Your system gives you a startup error message related to the internal memory
- You can load EX files and hear the related sounds
- You can not hear any of the internal sounds

Problem:
- You internal sound data is corrupted

Possible Reasons:
- The M3 corrupted the data, maybe due to a loss of power while performing a read / write operation to it's internal memory
- The internal memory is physically damaged

Technical Background:
- The internal sounds are actually just a bunch of files stored on a standard SD-Card, the very same cards that are used by Digital Cameras

/////

Ok, this should give you a picture about what has happened to your M3. Now, let's look into how to fix this.

The Easy Solution

This will only work if your M3 has corrupted the data but the SD-Card is still in good shape. I recommend to do this first because it's actually very easy to do.

Basically you just have to reinstall version 2.00 of the Operating System. While this means a temporary downgrade to a older version it is the only way to get the internal files back into the internal memory without opening up the Unit.

It will only work with version 2.00 as this is the only Version that comes bundled with the internal sounds. This is also the reason why you can't fix this with 2.04.

After performing this downgrade and confirming that you have your sounds back you can reinstall 2.04.

1. Download 2.00
http://korg.com/services/downloads/pcma ... 200_E1.zip

2. Unzip the file

3. Confirm that you can locate the following folders: "M3SYS" & "M3XPSYS"

4. From folder "M3SYS" copy or move the file "M3APP.CMP" to folder "M3XPSYS"

Notes:
- M3APP.CMP should be the only file in "M3SYS"
- "M3XPSYS" should contain 80 files after moving "M3APP.CMP" into it
- The reason for modifying the update like this is that from version 2.00 on the M3 is no longer accepting OS updates from "M3SYS" folders but is instead looking into the "M3XPSYS" folder.

5. Copy ONLY the "M3XPSYS" folder to a freshly formatted USB-Stick

6. Perform a regular software update as lined out in the M3 Update Manual using this USB-Stick

After performing the update the M3 should boot into Version 2.00 of the software and hopefully be able to play the internal sounds again.

If this does not fix your problem than your SD-Card is physically damaged and needs replacement.

This is also pretty easy and straightforward to do but i will save this up until you have reported back about how the Easy Solution worked for you.