Express Console Freezing/Losing DMX

There have been a few times lately that the ETC Express 24/48 would randomly (and i really mean randomly) just freeze itself up and not be able to go into any menus, run cues or do anything. When this happens it loses DMX completely and I have to shut it off and turn it back on. Has this happened to anyone else? Or does anyone know what the problem might be?

Thanks

Nick D.

Holztech over 14 years ago

It's possible that your external power supply is starting to go south. When the power drops below a certain point, the console could conceivably freeze up and require a reboot. If you have access to another power supply to test this theory, I'd suggest trying that.

Otherwise, the usual suggestions of contacting ETC Tech Support (1-800-775-4382) or your local dealer who services ETC products would be the next step.

Good luck.
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dmaroot over 14 years ago

We have an Express 48/96 that just started doing the same thing this weekend. (13 years of flawless service until now) So far it seems that it is only happening when a disk is inserted. It isn't the disk poping in place causing it. It is the starting of the disk drive to spin that causes the board to freeze and drop DMX. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Dave M
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jpgagnon over 14 years ago in reply to dmaroot

It's your power supply going bad for sure. The disk drive takes more power to run, so it taxes the PSU and thus causes the board to freeze up or reboot. Contact your local dealer for a replacment PSU. You will need to tell them if the one you have is an 8 Pin MiniDin plug or a 5 Pin Din plug. They should be around $80-90.
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dmaroot over 14 years ago in reply to jpgagnon

Hey, Good news.

You were right. Replacing the power supply worked.

Thanks

Dave M.
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jpgagnon over 14 years ago in reply to dmaroot

Dave, Glad it worked out for you.
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Garrett G Barker over 5 years ago

Have just had this happen to our console. 3 times in a week, and never before.
The level of the gooseneck lights doesn't seem to make a difference, and it hasn't happened when the diskette drive is in use. Is it possible there's a cause other than power supply failure?

The thing that is different on this show is the amount of cheap LED fixtures on universe 2. Troubleshooting currently to see if they are somehow causing issues, but hard to tell with intermittent failures.

Thank you for any available thoughts,

-Garrett G. Barker
Chester Playhouse
Chester NS
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