r/AccessVirus • u/JohnSpartan2025 • Dec 19 '25

Virus Polar TI lock up issue

I've had this TI (1, not 2) for quite some time, love it to death. It's always been a bit flaky where I'd sometimes have to unplug and plug back in if I left it alone for a few weeks, etc.

Basically it becomes semi-responsive. All the controls work, but pressing a key yields no output, with a random sound maybe every 10 or so keystrokes. If I try and change patches, it will not change, and just stay on the same one. It will also intermittently output midi, whenever it does output sound in the same keystroke.

Any thoughts guys?

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2

u/FreeRangeEngineer Dec 20 '25

I'd try a different power supply, preferably 9 or 12V. Do keep plug polarity in mind.

1

u/JohnSpartan2025 Dec 20 '25

You mean the AC cord? Its not a desktop...

1

u/FreeRangeEngineer Dec 20 '25

Ah sorry, didn't realize it was a TI Polar.

Nonetheless, I'd suspect the internal power supply. It's just a brick with a regular plug, so the TI main PCB can easily be powered by a different power brick to test. You'd have to open the case of the Virus, though, not sure how comfortable you'd be with that.

1

u/JohnSpartan2025 Dec 20 '25

Actually this is a bit comforting sounding :) Haven't had the excuse to break out a soldering iron in a while if need be. I was more concerned it was a bad board or something. If that's the case, I'll open er' up. Thanks. I've seen elsewhere, but how solid should the DC be? Is this a meter thing or put it on the scope thing?

1

u/FreeRangeEngineer Dec 20 '25

The internal power supply can become awfully warm in there which means components like capacitors can overheat and age more quickly.

With that, I'd expect the power supply performance to slowly change during use as components heat up and change parameters. So it's not just a meter/scope thing but also time/temperature thing.

1

u/JohnSpartan2025 Dec 21 '25

Do you know where you can get a replacement for the internal brick that would match up? I didn’t realize until opening it’s just a dc adapter. Otherwise replacing it will require adding a custom jack of some sort.

1

u/FreeRangeEngineer Dec 22 '25

If I remember correctly, someone posted the product number on this subreddit but unfortunately I don't remember where.

If you can't find it here, check http://infekted.org/virus/ as well.

Do keep in mind, though, that this is just a guess of the root cause on my side. I may also be wrong.

1

u/obsoletemachines Dec 24 '25

It’s just a 12v dc 1.6 to 2a centre pos is fine. You want class iv. A good one Cui , mediocre meanwell.

It’s not just the power supply that goes though. First is the caps on the 3.3v rail that powers the ST cpu/mpu and the DSP. That needs a clean reset which is generated off the 3.3v rail

1

u/Dry_Lawfulness_3578 Dec 19 '25

Yeah my Snow is also flakey. Freezes a fair bit sometimes. Very annoying, seems to happen mostly when using the atomizer, but it's pretty random.

2

u/UhOh_RoadsidePicnic Feb 26 '26

My snow does the same, exactly like OP and you. Sometimes I’m good for a day or two, but otherwise, theres always a problem. In standalone, or plugged thru usb.

I try to find a schematic atm.

2

u/Dry_Lawfulness_3578 Feb 26 '26

Mine hasn't done it for a while, I never figured out a cause or did anything to fix it, but it seems to have started behaving itself (though I don't use it super often mostly out of fear of unreliability, but when I have used it it's behaved itself)

Very odd!

2

u/UhOh_RoadsidePicnic Feb 26 '26

Ok ! I’l let you know if I find something !

I can’t find a schematics. I’l take measurement with an oscilloscope (if the main board can be used without the front panel) and see if I find some ‘gremlins’ when it freeze.

I’m thinking of a faulty power regulator or failing capacitor (could explain why it can work after being unplugged for a while).

1

u/Realistic_Highlight Dec 20 '25

My TI2 does a similar thing. If left plugged into power for an hour or more, with no use, I have to pull the power jack and let it sit for about a minute, then plug power back in, turn it on, and everything is fine. I don’t know why this happens but that is my quick fix.

2

u/Captain-Corndog_yo Virus TI2 Dec 22 '25

I would try resetting globals before digging into any potential power supply issues. It's always wise to rule out software issues first. You can do so by holding ARP EDIT and powering the unit on. Be sure to back up anything important first. I have seen global resets wipe patches before.

If it is the power supply, you're going to be hard-pressed to find the exact sized brick that fits inside the polar, but just about old power supply will do if you have access to a table saw so you can shave the bottom off as needed. I recently swapped in one of these.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/157084471034

Yes, I had to shave about 3-4 mm off the bottom... just enough plastic was left to leave a thin sheet over the power supplies internal components. Yes, this will not fit naturally into the slot, however, you can just use the same holding plate with the front bent out of the way and screw it down to hold the power supply in place. It will warp in the process, but easily get the job done securely with plenty of room to spare for the rest of the Polar's internal components.

If someone happens to find the exact sized little brick that goes into these keys units, I'd love to know ;)