help with troubleshooting my Alesis HR 16?

[egasimus]

Just bought an old, unmodded Alesis HR16 off eBay. However, when I power the drum machine up, the LCD lights up, says "Alesis HR-16/Version 1.06", then changes to "Select pattern 03", and freezes there. Buttons or sliders don't do anything, neither do the hidden "reset" key combinations in the service manual. I had some intermittent PSU problems at first, which I've since fixed - could that have fried something? I've looked at the service manual, and I'm in the process of reading it thoroughly, no luck for now, though. Any ideas?

[bean]

It's been many years, but I think you can dump all the existing patterns programmed into it. That might help the reset.

You may be able to find the factory patterns online. You have to load them from an audio cassette though.

[egasimus]

I don't care much for the factory patterns, and I can't really do a dump since all the keys are unresponsive, but I'll try removing the SRAM chip tonight, then putting it back in. Let's see if this helps, since removing power is supposed to clear its contents.

[bean]

Yeah, hopefully that will do the trick. I used mine for years on 4-track demos. Kinda a PITA to program (esp. if you want to do odd times) but it was always reliable. I think I ended up tossing it before I got into DIY. Too bad...I would love to take it apart now.

[egasimus]

A SRAM clear and a good cleaning of the contacts with some isopropyl alcohol did the trick. I love this machine, especially when I run it through my Zoom G1 multi-fx.

However, when I wanted to record a clip of it, I found out that my audio interface - my most important piece of gear! - had mysteriously died beforehand, and now won't even light up. Talk about a Pyrrhic victory...