HELP!!!

[Phil.c]

Tried everything!

When I do a connector reseat (I've mentioned this before) I run my thumb nail between the ribbon and connector, this lifts it off the spikes, I then add a cleaner and then clamp it back with a pliers, I used to do a standard reseat, but it only lasted a short time, this method is much better!

[arjepsen]

so, you're saying the brain board works fine in your other desk??
Yeah, that would probably rule out the rail caps (luckily).
I guess switching out various parts between the desk then might be the best way to narrow down the culprit.
by the way, did you try reinstalling the os?

[Phil.c]

All boards work in the other D8b.

I haven't tried e re-install, can't see it being that, it sounds like something earthing out like holding a guitar lead jack shorting out it's terminals, it also wasn't the surface board connectors behind the Brain board...the other surface board by the jog wheel next?

[arjepsen]

so all boards like in "all" boards?
so technically you've guttet the d8b, and put everything inside the other d8b?
Maybe trying it the other way - replacing the parts of the "bad" d8b one part at a time?
Maybe the problem isn't the pcb's themselves, but the other parts - connectors, sockets, etc.

[Phil.c]

I've swapped the Brain, DSP, Codec, DCA and power boards, I taken out and checked the Analog in/out board at the back and the two big surface boards, the assign, pan area, the only board I haven't got out is the surface board under the EQ section and the jog wheel.
I haven't swapped the ribbons which I will do next as there's a lot involved (again) when taking that last surface board out!

[Phil.c]

Everything taken out now and checked, still the same but a strange smell, tried it again with my other CPU no change but a wiff of smoke from a fader, quickly turnded everything of, checked the fader boards and no sign of burning?

Phoned Cimple Solutions in London, they repaired a D8b for me about fifteen years ago, they no longer do them as the spares are not available, so, if anyone knows where to go in the UK it would be much appreciated!

[Phil.c]

Something strange going on, I plugged my good desk back into the good CPU and everything at first looks good but when I go into eq it works but is jittery, the plugins are fine, I might have been under the impression that the CPU was ok because it was playing music and the pots were not jittery, so it's possible that there's a problem with the good CPU, I've loaded in a new OS and the BIOS is ok, I need to reseat the ribbons in the CPU, fitting a new battery today but any other suggestions?

[guymusic]

Hi Phil, give Ian James a call at Light and Sound, Devizes, UK. Someone else here on the Forum recommended his engineer, also called Ian. A few years ago I took my ailing d8B for a complete service after rail caps and all sorts of other issues came up. Thoroughly decent chap and very reasonable cost and turnaround, about a week. Maybe a bit of a drive from South Wales, but worth it. His number is 01380 720071, email is <ijpromotions@aol.com>.

I also emailed Leo Gunther in California for spare parts, again from a Forum link here, website <proaudioblowouts.com>, he bought Mackie's remaining inventory of parts. He quoted £160 + UK shipping for a new Line Control Board, I'm still undecided whether to buy, find a donor desk, or go back for a service in Devizes. Good luck to you, our d8Bs are still clinging on after 20 years!

[Phil.c]

Trying to get the "good" D8b working perfectly, changed the CPU battery and checked the BIOS and re-seated the caples and memory cards, everything works fine except the eq is jittery when using knobs, it's fine with the mouse, also, all plugins work even though they show locked in the "Setup".

[arjepsen]

Isn't the "jitterness" a normal thing for these old v-pots?
Most of my pots have some jittering too when turned - particularly the 4 up by the lcd panel.

http://www.sonido-7.com/d8b/maintenance.html#Post2