As many of you already know, there is a known (and acknowledged by Steve Deming, Head of Yamaha USA Customer Support) USB connectivity problem occuring on a number of Tyros keyboards produced by Yamaha.

I brought up this issue on numerous occasions, both here, on SVPWorld, and directly to Yamaha USA, back on June 1st, 2004 (Case # 657077). When I spoke with Steve in June, he assured me that he should have an answer (and perhaps a solution) to the problem within a month. He also advised me that 'his own' personally owned Tyros is also suffering from the exact same USB connectivity problem, so that he was as anxious to get his Tyros fixed as I was. Steve also assured me that my Tyros USB problem would be eventually fixed by Yamaha & 'fully covered' under Yamaha warranty as well, because the problem first began (on my Tyros) within my first year of ownership.

A couple of weeks ago, I called Steve on the phone, and he told me that he still hadn't heard back from the dept at Yamaha who is supposedly working on a solution, but promised to call me back as soon as he heard something.

As I'd mentioned to both Steve Deming and in an earlier posting here on Synthzone , Yamaha Germany found a solution (many months ago) to the Tyros USB problem, as outlined by Tyros owner, Elcanol (SVPWorld Forum member). The problem was solved (on his Tyros) by a simple USB Port board replacement by Yamaha Germany. This is outlined on the following SVPWorld Thread:
http://www.svpworld.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3098&PN=1

As Steve Deming advised me (back in June) that he was already in contact with both Elcanal, as well Yamaha Germany, to seek a resolution to the problem, I'm mystified why Yamaha still hasn't gotten back to me in resolving this Tyros USB issue. Without USB connectivity, I'm unable to backup my Tyros hard drive contents (500+ MB) to my computer. The only thing I can do now is transfer 1.4 megabytes at a time via the floppy disk drive. The USB connectivity feature on the Tyros is not just a peripheral feature of the Tyros, but a PRIMARY feature required to backup, manage, and transfer data to/from the Tyros hard drive, as well as required to use the Windows PC Tyros 'Voice Editor' software.

It's now nearly 3 months since I first reported the problem to Yamaha, so I hope Steve Deming might respond here with any latest development or news on a resolution of the Tyros USB connectivity problem for US customers, as I really needed my Tyros USB fixed yesterday. Thanks in advance for any information.

Scott Yee


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http://scottyee.com

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 08-26-2004).]

Ok gang, I received a call back from Steve Deming this afternoon.

After a short discussion, he concluded that he had mistakenly got the impression that the flaky Tyros USB connectivity problem I've been experiencing, only occurs when I attempt connecting my Tyros to my PC via the Windows PC software: Yamaha 'File Utility' program, but that I was not experiencing any USB problems when connecting via Tyros 'USB-Storage (HDD) mode': initiated by holding down the blue MusicFinder button when initially booting up the Tyros. This is not the case. On my Tyros, the USB 'erratic connectivity' occurs no matter what method of connection I attempt to use (via 'File Utility' or 'USB-Storage Mode'), and I had thought I made it clear in my postings (both here and on SVPWorld, as well as in the email I sent to Yamaha USA.

To make a long story short, Steve Deming 'now' tells me that there's been a Tyros 'hardware fix' for my specific Tyros/PC USB connection problem for several months. Though the hardware fix doesn't correct the problem when connecting via the 'File Utility' program, it DOES correct it when connecting via 'USB-Storage (HDD) Mode'. This hardware fix consists of replacing the USB Port board on the Tyros, as is the the exact fix 'Elcanal' (SVPWorld forum member) outlined several months back on the SVPWorld Tyros forum:
http://www.svpworld.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3098&PN=1

I'm elated to discover that there's finally an official Yamaha Tyros USB hardware fix available, at least via 'USB-Storage Mode', but it's annoying to discover that this fix has been available for quite some time now (several months), and that the long delay in discovering this, is primarily due (?) to Mr Deming's misunderstanding that I was only experiencing the problem via 'File Utility' mode.

I plan to call my local Yamaha repair facility tomorrow and schedule a USB Port hardware replacement, of which incidently is covered under Yamaha warranty. Unfortunately it looks like I may be without my Tyros for quite some time (up to 2 weeks?) and will have to borrow my friends PSR2000 until my Tyros is repaired. I promise to keep you all abreast of developments.

Scott

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http://scottyee.com

Wow! So Yamaha is finally admitting they can fix this problem by replacing the USB port! Geez, it sure took them long enough. If they were responsible, they would have notified all the Tyros owners that the problem is common and they can correct it. I guess they don't want to let too many of us know about it!

Could you let me know what repair facility you're going to use? I live near you and would like to know. Also, is Yamaha extending the warranty on this widely-known problem? I thought your Tyros was out of warranty by now.

Tom G.

In my specific case, yes on both counts. Because the Tyros USB problem is not just an isolated issue with my Tyros only, but happening on a number of other earlier produced Tyros' as well, and because I was experiencing the problem back when my keyboard was still under warranty, Steve said Yamaha would cover the repair under warranty.

Tom, are you too, not able to reliably connect your Tyros (via USB) to your PC via BOTH 'File Utility' AND 'USB-Storage HDD' modes? Realizing that your Tyros is a more recently produced model, I expected that yours wasns't suffering from this problem.

It's important to note that the hardware fix ONLY corrects the problem when connecting in 'USB-Storage' mode, but not when in 'File Utility' mode.


Scott

Well, Scott, that brings up the obvious question of "does it fix the midi capability" of the USB also or is it just the blue button "USB Storage Mode" that is fixed?

Tom

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Bigger is not always better

I think Yamaha owes you a Tyros (at least a PSR3K) as a replacement. You're a pro and depend on your instrument, right?


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drdalet

[This message has been edited by drdalet (edited 08-27-2004).]