Help with LCD4041-VPT

[JDN]

Been running fine for 9 months (in my home MP3 project seen in the cool uses section) but has now developed some strange problems.

All of a sudden, it would power up, with backlight, and a barely visible startup logo, but would display garbage when used. Alpha demo could not send text or alter contrast.

If I placed a jumper across the reset pins, it would still show a very feint startup logo, but would work and show Winamp details. Howevere, if powered down and back up again it was back to square one and needed resetting. Have tried changing Baud rate to no avail. Serial port works fine.

Has anyone encountered similar? Are there any other things to try. If not, can any more be done or does it go in the bin? Hope not!!

Thanks for any help.

Jim

[Miles]

Hello...

Matrix Orbital does offer a one year warranty on all its products. Can you power the unit without attaching the serial cable and tell me if the start up screen has acceptable contrast. Once you attach the serial cable does the contrast change?

[JDN]

Thanks Miles,

When I power it up with no serial input the display is very feint, but perhaps more significantly the contrast seems to vary across the display. Nothing changes if i then plug in the serial lead.
If I short the jumper on power up, it remains feint, but accurate data is seen. Then, if I close then re-open Winamp it works pefectly. It tolerates turning Winamp on and off, but if I remove power, I am back to square one, and need to reset the jumper. If I leave the jumper shorted, the same occurs i.e. I need to remove it, then replace it and power up.

Where should I go from here?
All help appreciated.
Is returning to base a feasible option, or do you think it is beyond repair.

[Miles]

Can you email me at myero@matrixorbital.com and we will go through the RMA procedure? We'll see what we can do!!!

[JDN]

Thanks for your help,

will e-mail you now.