I'm having a problem with the 1/4" line in jack on my PS-02. Some cables work and some don't. I'm 99% sure that this is due to a poor connection inside the internal jack.
Question: Anybody dared to open one of these things up? If so, was it tough to get back together?
Thanks
I have opened my PS-02 twice to look into things and to satisfy my own interests. No problems encountered. You will want to remove the batteries, and using a small screwdriver, remove the two screws on the back near the top edge, the one on the side edge, and the one at the bottom (under the battery cover.) Four screws in all. Then there is nothing holding the cover together exept two plastic edge hooks (which are attached to the top cover) which have the hook facing forward, latching into slots in the bottom cover. With the unit facing right side up, press your thumb nail into the front edge angling downwards toward the back case cover, and slide your thunb nail along the front edge to release the tabs. The display header has a gripping connector holding it in the socket. Explore releasing the catch with a small probe, rather than yanking the flat connector ribbon out against the resistance. Using good care, you should be able to re-assemble without any problems.
As a side note, one of the things I did while mine open was to grind down the power on/off switch and slot it for a finger nail so it would never turn on or off by accident when it gets shoved in a bag.
I'm going in!
April 3 2002, 8:33 PM
Thanks a million for the quick and detailed reply. I'm going to open it tonight. Hopefully, I'll just have to bend the tip contact (inside the 1/4" line jack) back into place.
Great post
April 4 2002, 11:53 AM
Thanks for the detailed post JMS
Great stuff!
did not get very far
April 4 2002, 7:06 PM
Got the top opened, but was unable to release the bottom catch. Closed it back up before things got too hairy.
JMS - If you're still following this, do I have to unhook the display cable, then open it up like a book?
Appreciate the help!
BTW - I was kinda surprised to see the chip with ZOOM's logo on it. Cool!
JMS
First Time Opening
April 4 2002, 7:32 PM
The first time you open the PS-02 the catches will still be crisp and well latched, resisting your efforts to separate them. But unless there have been changes in the case design, they should surrender to your efforts. If all the screws are out, it will sort of hinge on the front edge. Dis-connecting the header for the display will help you in releasing the catches. The first time I opened the case I used a dull blade taken out of my box knife to pry a little behind the lip of the lower case half. Be careful to work over a towel so as not to scratch anything or have things bounce too far. They put it together, so it can be taken appart.
JMS
Of Need.
April 4 2002, 7:47 PM
You of course have checked your cables to be absolutely certain that there is not a problem with them.
Also, all the jacks in the PS-02 are of an enclosed design and opening the PS-02 will not offer you much more servicing options than a dental probe would through the opening of the jack from the back. I suppose you could un-solder them for service or replacement. There was a picture someone took of the circuit board posted elsewhere on this forum. I could email a copy to an address should someone want a copy.
try again
April 5 2002, 9:34 AM
Sorry, I misunderstood your instructions to "disconnect the header".
I agree, after opening it up, I could see there was little to no access to the jack. Actually considering buying some type of hooked dental probe to go down into the jack as you suggested.
Before I got started, I tested all my cables and they checked out OK.
However, my problem is with the "higher quality" Fender-Electrovolt cables I own. The tip on these is about 1mm-2mm longer than my cheap cables (which work OK). Anyway, I've been using the fender cables for 4-6 months with no problems until recently, when they all quit working in the PS-02.
I'm hoping that bending one of the contacts back into place inside the jack will fix my problems.
