I just received a used Octatrack Mk II. There is no way to eject the compact flash card. The little button thing that pushes it out is missing.
Should I be concerned? Should I return it?
If the actual button is missing I’d return it.
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Hey,
How good was the price? I’ve seen people talk about pulling the card out with your fingertips on units where the ejector mechanism breaks. People also say that you shouldn’t be pulling out the memory card very frequently even with a working unit because the mechanism is prone to bent pins and breaking (I guess similar to what you’re dealing with).
If it arrived in a broken state and you were not informed of that ahead of time, you’re probably entitled to at least a partial refund. If the final price is not going to be a good enough for you to consider living with the inconvenience, even after any additional refunds, or if you just don’t even want to deal with it, then I’d push for a full return and have the seller reimburse you for shipping.
I don’t see any scenario in which a reputable marketplace won’t back you on this one. Still, I’m sure that it’s very frustrating and I hope that it all works out for you.
One final note is that if the unit was manufactured or purchased new within the last 3 years (confirmed via either the point of sale receipt or the sticker on the bottom of the OT) then the ejector mechanism would probably be covered and could be replaced under the elektron factory warranty, even for the new owner (you), so I guess that gives you an additional option if it meets the qualifications for still under warranty / significant additional refund from the seller.
I’d think that if there is no warranty and you will eventually want to get it fixed, that the cost of shipping to elektron and the repair service will negate any benefit to keeping a damaged unit for a small discount, and again in that case, I’d probably push for full return.
Just some things to consider. Good luck.
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There is zero need to remove the CF card.
Connect to computer with USB. Transfer files.
Done.
Or open it up, trigger the release from the inside, remove card. Done.
While youre at it, replace the CF card reader. (Soldering iron, some time easy)
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Important parameter, and I’d ask a partial refund it this problem wasn’t specified.
Good point but if the CF card get faulty…
Technically I also think it is still possible to remove the card by pushing the mechanism with adequate object.
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It was $1050. I think I’ll ask for a small refund to deal with the repair.
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Just a heads up, the CF card mechanism might still be part of the OT main board. Not sure how it is on the MKII versions, but it cost me $800 to replace the main board to fix a busted CF card slot on the MKI version.
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A broken CF eject button could be all that’s wrong with it, or beers could have been poured into it before it was knocked off the DJ both and onto the dance floor 15’ below.
Several strategies:
- Open the OT, look at it visually. This allows you to see if there is a bunch of obvious damage (if beer or soda was poured into the OT, there will be obvious residue. If it was banged around, outer damage should be obvious). Then estimate the cost for repairs or just return it for a full refund.
- Open the OT, fix it yourself. This will be a tedious project if you know what you are doing and not at all recommended if you haven’t desoldered dense through-hole components. (I’m assuming the CF mechanism is through-hole. If it’s a BGA part I’m going to assume you are screwed because if you were a BGA tech, you would have fixed it by now)
- Nope out
Personally, I’d lean towards option (2) or (3). Return the whole thing or fix it myself. Calling in a 3rd party tech is likely to be expensive in terms of hours, unless you live someplace where the electronics industry is developing and labor is cheap, like Thailand.
Before doing any of that, I’d inspect the slot and see if I can use a toothpick to push the stub and eject. (the mechanism is double action, you need to press in once to get the button to extend then press again to get the card out. It may be easier to press with an eyeglasses screwdriver or something that had a thicker handle than a toothpick but tapers).
IIRC, there was a minty OT Mk2 here recently that was asking around $1k, so I’d be reluctant to pay more than that for an abused OT.
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Elektron has had a better solution for this problem since at least 2018:
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The thing I don’t get, all the people saying it’s something that could be repaired, and you don’t need to take the CF card out at all, yes that’s true. But, it’s in the return window and it’s obviously had some issues. How do you know what has happened to it to cause that to break? Why was that not disclosed? $1050 is an average price. I would much rather return it and get one without any issues for that price.
I just find it interesting that people will complain about a working, but slightly wobbly encoder on a piece of gear, but also say “ah, you don’t need to take out the CF card so just get a partial refund.”
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Update: I was able to get the card out and reinserted. This card is 16 GB, so I might swap it for one with more storage.
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Good to know! Not that I ever plan to remove a CF card from any Elektron devices again as long as I live 
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Replaced the 16 with 64 GB. No issues with that so far. I doubt I’ll ever take the card out again.
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