Sonic Cell security lock

[weeo@talktalk.net]

Hi, Newbie here although i own many other Boss /Roland products.
I've just bought a used Sonic Cell. The display keeps flashing at start up. I've pressed every button with no luck. Could it be the security lock ? and if so is there a way round this ?
I can't return the unit so i'm kinda stuck.
I'd appreciate any help
Thanks
Eddie

[rcraven]

There is no "security lock" as far as I know.
What is the flashing display showing?

Are you able to get to the Factory Reset?
Press the MENU button (bottom row, second from the right) and use the wheel to go to the Utility menu
Possibly not if none of the buttons are working.

So Power off
Open up the front left case panel - undo the 4 small cap head bolts with a hex key (Allen key)
This is where the SRX cards go.
Just check to see there isn't a loose card in there (or loose anything for that matter).
Take it right out and power up again.

If that doesn't work you might be able to reflash the operating system (OS 1.2) .
You can get it from the Roland web site.
https://www.roland.com/global/products/ ... downloads/
Look for "SonicCell System Update Version 1.20 Update"
Follow the instructions and it is fairly straight forward.

Let me know how you get on.
Royce

[weeo]

Hi , Thanks for your help I’ll give that a try and let you know how I get on.
Regards
Eddie

[weeo@talktalk.net]

Hi Royce, I tried your suggestions and had no luck. It flashes " Roland " continually. I tied downloading updates and drivers . All downloaded OK to my PC, but i don't think my computer is "seeing " The Sonic Cell.
Any other suggestions are welcome
Thanks and Regards
Eddie

[rcraven]

I don't think your computer needs to see your SC.
Turn off the SC

Unzip the downloaded file on your computer and copy the file/s to a 'thumb' drive ("USB drive", "USB memory stick" whatever you want to call it) - into the root directory (no sub folders) on the drive.

Take the USB drive out of the computer and put it into the back of the SC.

Roland gives this warning
Do not power-off the SonicCell while the update is in progress. If the power should accidentally fail
during the update, the SonicCell system will be damaged, and the unit may become inoperable.

SO BE PATIENT

(It is possible this is want happened to the previous owner. If it is, you will need to manually reflash the ROM which means you will probably have to take it to a Roland service centre.)

When you turn on the SC it should look at the USB drive and start doing an upgrade.
From Roland...
Update procedure
1. Place sonic_cell_up.bin in the root directory of your USB memory on your computer.
2. Connect the USB memory to the SonicCell, and turn on the power.
3. When you turn on the power, loading will begin and the ACCESS LED will start blinking.
4. When the "Completed" message appears, the update is complete.
5. Turn off the power and remove the USB memory, then turn on the power for normal operation again.



All the best
Royce

[weeo@talktalk.net]

Hi , Tried all you suggested but it just keeps flashing "ROLAND"
Thanks very much for your time and knowledge, but i think i'll need to take it to a Roland repair shop.
I'll let you know if i'm successful
Thanks again
Eddie

[weeo@talktalk.net]

Hi Royce, Thought i'd bring you up to date on this. I tried phoning Roland---Impossible. I tried e-mailing Roland (through the website) 3 Times and got no response. Very disappointed, seems that Roland customer care is non-existent. Anyway I discovered that the power supply i was using was 9Volt 350ma and the Sonic Cell needs 9 Volt 1Amp. So it is now working fine.
Thanks for all your input it's much appreciated.
Kind Regards
Eddie

[rcraven]

Well done. That wasn't something I wouldn't have thought of.
Obviously it started the boot up and displayed "Roland" and that was too much for it so it shut down and the power supply recovered and started again and so the loop went on.
Good on you for spotting it.

Have fun. It is a great synth.
Royce