More likely it needs a new opto sensor or a cleaning of the switch.
Does the MCP light up when you rotate the volume wheel ?
- If not, the switch is probably bad.
- If it does, the switch is fine and the opto is bad (I can supply new optos)

Martin

Hi Martin:  the unit was sent to Atlantic Systems (b and o servicing center).  they are the one's who diagnosed it as completely useless without a new main board.  If it werent b and o, I wouldnt believe them but what am I to do.  The repair person is named Paul and no, the light does not illuminate.  What's the cost of the opto?  I can call the repair guy and ask if he'll give it a try.

thanks,

paul

I'm sure Atlantic Systems have diagnosed correctly.
I've only heard good things about their services.

Martin

If you bought it off of Craigslist from a guy in Brooklyn, he knew in advance that the volume control didn't work.  So hopefully he was upfront and told you in advance.

yeah.  I know who you are talking about.  Fortunately, he was much too difficult to deal with so I avoided that sale.  And no, he was not upfront about anything.  In fact, he wanted to meet me in the street to conduct business like it fell of a truck..

Paul I would definately look at the points Martin suggested, as to say the board is duff is not much of a diagnosis in my opinion! He should at least have said processor, or some other supporting device!

My recent MCP5500 showed similar symptoms and it turned out that some battery acid had found its way onto the main board and damaged a track. The damage was actually not visible only that the laquer had been removed over a large area!

Anyway check as Martin says try manually shorting the switch to see if it comes to life...

Hi Martin:  yes, I could use a new opto (the tech said it definetaly needs one of those), but he also said the main display is coming on randomly, even with new batteries, and he said it may be the 'micro' which he also doesnt have, or it could be something else - since he cant test it with a new micro.  maybe I should start with those two parts?  let me know what you think and i'll make arrangements. best

thanks I appreciate the input.  I did get that info to the tech and he did confirm what Martin said, but since he doesnt have an arsenal of part to play with, the other issues can't be diagnosed.  It's a bit like a jigsaw.  Sometimes you dont know if the piece will make the picture complete unless you can actually put it in and if you're missing pieces, you're at a handycap.  I think that's a good analogy, but not sure....lol.

I am not expert with this control, but I cannot see how he can come to this conclusion, especially considering the fact he could isolate the components he suspects are randomly switching the unit on quite easily. As far as I am aware the opto is not capable of triggering the micro from standby, only the micro switch associated with it.

Can you not send the board to someone like Martin who will be able to take a better look? or failing that find a good component-level tech who should not struggle to understand the remotes basic operations, especially if you explain what to expect when pressing 'x' etc...