Korg Forums

[NobHill]

I have a Kronos 2-73 which I bought in November 2016 that has just begun behaving strangely. When I am in Set List and try calling up a different patch it snaps back to the first patch combination, 0. In Program or Combination mode it does the same thing - I turn the dial, but it snaps back to 000.

What do I need to do to fix this problem? Would installing a newer version of the operating system clean this up?

If I need to re-initialize the Kronos can I reload a .PCG file I’ve saved internally with the custom patches I’ve created? Or do I need to save a .PCG file on an external disk?

I appreciate any help you can give me.

[KK]

Hi there,

My first guess would be a problem with one of the panel buttons. Turn off the unit and push on every button one after the other on the right side (digits, enter, exit, mode switches, etc.). Do you hear a nice click on each ? Any button which seems to stay partially stuck or lower than another after pushing on it ? Possible little liquid splash on the surface recently ? It could also be oxidation creating a little short on a button panel PCB causing this behaviour. If everything seems fine, we can look further after your feedback.

[NobHill]

Dear KK,
With power off, I pushed and got a healthy click from every button on the keyboard. When I powered back on the Kronos worked like normal, no problems. Is this a known or typical problem with the Kronos? In any case, I'm happy that the fix is so easy.

Thanks for your help!
JJ

[KK]

Hi NobHill,

Glad this little trick worked. Maybe a button was still slightly down or partly stuck. Not a typical Kronos problem, but it can happen.

If it happens again, a bit of oxidation on a PCB near button contacts/traces could be the cause. Another recommended thing is to use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) with your Kronos, so it always receives clean electric power. A basic UPS is not expensive and it will protect your Kronos against AC line noise and spikes, which can sometimes cause erratic behaviour.

Hopefully the problem is gone for good now and you can concentrate on playing your Kronos.

[NobHill]

As suggested, I am planning on cleaning the inside of the buttons soon, but in the meantime would like to update the sub-system firmware and the operating system. Which one should I install first? Or does it not matter?

I am a Mac user - I installed the Kronos_Update_3.1.3 package labeled Win/Mac. I was able to open the package but there were no instructions for a Mac user. There is a .csum file and a .tar.gz zip file and I can’t open either one of them. Can you get me some detailed instructions how to install this update from a Mac computer?

I may also need some instructions about how to install the sub-system firmware from a Mac computer.

Do I just load these files onto a little USB dongle without opening them, then hope the Kronos can work with them?

[danatkorg]

[NobHill]

OK, I've printed out the instructions Update...E4. It says copy the update files and subfolders and copy them onto a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive. Can you be specific and tell me what files and subfolders they are talking about? There are many files, and most of them I can't open on my Mac. Do I just copy the zip package 3_1_3.tag.gz to the flash drive without opening it?

Also, you didn't answer my first question about whether I should update my firmware or Kronos operating system first. Which first?