FORUM RULES - READ BEFORE POSTING
We don't have a great many rules on this forum. The ones we do have are mostly common sense but there are a couple which you do need to pay close attention to. You can read the latest version of the rules here: viewtopic.php?t=5958

OS disk for GEM Equinox

Any keyboard/synth not covered by a dedicated section.

Moderators: Derek, parametric, Saul

User avatar
jrosand
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:12 am
9

OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by jrosand »

I am looking for a source for finding an OS update disk for a GEM Equinox synth I just got from the Guitar Center. I have found the owner's manual and Service manual for this synth. I however cannot find a source when I can update the OS for this synth. I am assuming that General Music has long since gone out of business. Any assistance would be very much appreciated.
User avatar
Saul Ukraine
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 16556
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:00 am
20
Where Are You Located?: Nr Brighton, UK

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Saul »

Hi jrosand, welcome to the forums :)

The company themselves are still in business although not sure if they would be able to help with an OS update for the Equinox...fantastic keyboard by the way!

Try their contact details here https://www.generalmusic.com or drop them a message on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/generalmusicco ... 6695671872
Saul
Site Admin

If I have been able to help you in some way you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.

Image
Brand Ambassador For Dowina Guitars
Acoustic Guitar Reviews On Facebook
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!
Follow us on Twitter @YamahaMusicians
Follow Us On Facebook
Dowina Acoustic Guitars: Dowina Cabernet DC
Dowina Chardonnay GAC DS - Dowina Rustica GAC - Dowina Marus - Dowina Puella

LAG T88A, Breedlove Signature Concert Copper E, Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert CE Koa, Walden D640T, Tanglewood TRSJ-VS, Vintage VE2000GG.
User avatar
Mercurion Belgium
Member
Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:04 am
11
Where Are You Located?: Belgium

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Mercurion »

I still have the OS disk images for the GEM Equinox. (all 3 models (61/76/88)

Each GEM Equinox has its own disk image:
  • Equinox 61 | 111000eq61.zip
  • Equinox 76 | 111000eq76.zip
  • Equinox 88 | 111000eq88.zip
If allowed here, I can upload these images or send them via e-mail.
The files aren't that big (a little over 1MB each)
User avatar
Saul Ukraine
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 16556
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:00 am
20
Where Are You Located?: Nr Brighton, UK

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Saul »

Hi Mercurion, you should be able to upload those images as attachments. If you can it would be very much appreciated (Y)
Saul
Site Admin

If I have been able to help you in some way you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.

Image
Brand Ambassador For Dowina Guitars
Acoustic Guitar Reviews On Facebook
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!
Follow us on Twitter @YamahaMusicians
Follow Us On Facebook
Dowina Acoustic Guitars: Dowina Cabernet DC
Dowina Chardonnay GAC DS - Dowina Rustica GAC - Dowina Marus - Dowina Puella

LAG T88A, Breedlove Signature Concert Copper E, Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert CE Koa, Walden D640T, Tanglewood TRSJ-VS, Vintage VE2000GG.
User avatar
Mercurion Belgium
Member
Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:04 am
11
Where Are You Located?: Belgium

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Mercurion »

I've attached the latest OS images for the GEM Equinox. (all 3 models), including the instructions.
All files were downloaded from the General Music website (when it was still online)

In short:
- you need to download the appropriate image for your specific model (number of keys)
- unzip the contents and copy it to a floppy disk
- follow the steps described in the installation document
Attachments
Equinox_OS_installation.doc
Instructions to update the GEM Equinox OS
(23.5 KiB) Downloaded 396 times
Equinox 88 OS - 111000eq88.zip
Latest OS for the GEM Equinox 88
(1.06 MiB) Downloaded 318 times
Equinox 76 OS - 111000eq76.zip
Latest OS for the GEM Equinox 76
(1.06 MiB) Downloaded 371 times
Equinox 61 OS - 111000eq61.zip
Latest OS for the GEM Equinox 61
(1.06 MiB) Downloaded 438 times
User avatar
Saul Ukraine
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 16556
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:00 am
20
Where Are You Located?: Nr Brighton, UK

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Saul »

Excellent! Thanks so much for uploading those ((i)) ((i)) ((i))
Saul
Site Admin

If I have been able to help you in some way you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.

Image
Brand Ambassador For Dowina Guitars
Acoustic Guitar Reviews On Facebook
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!
Follow us on Twitter @YamahaMusicians
Follow Us On Facebook
Dowina Acoustic Guitars: Dowina Cabernet DC
Dowina Chardonnay GAC DS - Dowina Rustica GAC - Dowina Marus - Dowina Puella

LAG T88A, Breedlove Signature Concert Copper E, Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert CE Koa, Walden D640T, Tanglewood TRSJ-VS, Vintage VE2000GG.
User avatar
SynthWars
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2021 4:50 am
2
Where Are You Located?: Costa Rica

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by SynthWars »

Hello all.

I have a 61 Equinox, it's up 4 semitones. The solution people give around is reloading the OS.

When I use the 61 new OS file, the system starts and says "wrong OS" :(

I tried the 76 version and it actually completed the upgrade.

Any idea? Thanks a lot!!!

W
User avatar
Saul Ukraine
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 16556
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:00 am
20
Where Are You Located?: Nr Brighton, UK

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Saul »

SynthWars wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 6:41 am Hello all.

I have a 61 Equinox, it's up 4 semitones. The solution people give around is reloading the OS.

When I use the 61 new OS file, the system starts and says "wrong OS" :(

I tried the 76 version and it actually completed the upgrade.

Any idea? Thanks a lot!!!

W
So it completed the upgrade using the 76 note version but that didn't solve the issue of being 4 semitones out? :think:

Unfortunately, I don't own an Equinox so I cannot test that file for the 61. Perhaps it corrupted on download or the archive itself was corrupted. I can't think of any other reason why it would not work.
Saul
Site Admin

If I have been able to help you in some way you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.

Image
Brand Ambassador For Dowina Guitars
Acoustic Guitar Reviews On Facebook
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!
Follow us on Twitter @YamahaMusicians
Follow Us On Facebook
Dowina Acoustic Guitars: Dowina Cabernet DC
Dowina Chardonnay GAC DS - Dowina Rustica GAC - Dowina Marus - Dowina Puella

LAG T88A, Breedlove Signature Concert Copper E, Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert CE Koa, Walden D640T, Tanglewood TRSJ-VS, Vintage VE2000GG.
Jokeyman123 United States of America
Member
Member
Posts: 121
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:42 pm
10
Where Are You Located?: Milford, pa

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Jokeyman123 »

I just compared the 2 files-there is only a 10-byte difference between the 2-the 76 key is the larger file. I'm pretty sure the files are interchangeable-although I really don't know what the difference might be, except possibly additional code for the extra octave plus in the 76 key.

Just in case-I have saved most of my SK76 andn Equinox files ever since the GEMClub collapsed years back, including the dempo disks. I can't part with my 76-key Equinox, still a fascinating music machine. And Saul-a big surprise that the Danish developers have finally followed through on a least trying to re-start GEM, although it doesn't seem like they have gotten past recreating the ProMega. I'd watched this since they sent signals they would try. And it looks like the GEMClub has been revived-I've signed on-well, well! The magic triangle-my SY77, the Equinox and now the Fusion-I so love "obsolete" boards. Then again-maybe some said that Stradivarius was over the hill-and traded theirs in for a new model.
ffafchamps10
Member
Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:01 am
2
Where Are You Located?: Belgique Liège

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by ffafchamps10 »

Hello,
I just found a used Equinox 76 slightly damaged but functioning ok.
I did not have the factory files with this synth, would it be possible to send them to me if you still have them?

Thanks in advance.
Jokeyman123 United States of America
Member
Member
Posts: 121
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:42 pm
10
Where Are You Located?: Milford, pa

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Jokeyman123 »

ffchamps-I do have more intact Equinox disk files I can send if you are still interested-remember when loading these disk files-copy exactly as these are to the root of the floppy drive-you need to know how to access the full root folder to load into the Equinox-each disk file has separate folders for sounds, samples, songs, performances and loops. You can load each folder separately-but you need to load the entire disk contents to get the sounds to play, as many have samples stored in the sample folder as well as any song arrangements that may be on the disks. Each disk is different-some have only sounds, others only songs or performances only.
User avatar
virtuosit Brazil
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:57 am
2
Where Are You Located?: Canada

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by virtuosit »

Hi all,

Today I bought a GEM Equinox AS IS and it came with the manual, pedal, and the floppy disk.
When I turned it on, it says:

ERROR!!
The operating system is not correctly installed!
Rerun the install operation!

When I try to install the operating system I get this message:

ENTER/ESCAPE
Read file error!
OS-Installation failed!!
Retry or consult your dealer
The operating system is not correctly installed!

I presume that this is a disk error. I am trying to find someone with a floppy disk driver and an empty disk to load the last firmware that is available to download a few posts above.

Does anyone have any kind of experience fixing this?

Tks.
User avatar
Saul Ukraine
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 16556
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:00 am
20
Where Are You Located?: Nr Brighton, UK

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by Saul »

It sounds like either the OS was not installed correctly, perhaps the wrong version or it has become corrupted in some way. Power outages and spikes can do that, especially on older gear.

If you do not have a floppy drive, and lets face it, many of us do not these days, the best way to sort it would be as you said, find someone who does have a floppy drive or, purchase a USB floppy drive. They are not expensive and if you are dealing with older gear could prove to be a a worthwhile investment :)
USB-Floppy_Drive.png
USB-Floppy_Drive.png (89.29 KiB) Viewed 1909 times
https://amzn.to/3dJx2Rs
Saul
Site Admin

If I have been able to help you in some way you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.

Image
Brand Ambassador For Dowina Guitars
Acoustic Guitar Reviews On Facebook
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!
Follow us on Twitter @YamahaMusicians
Follow Us On Facebook
Dowina Acoustic Guitars: Dowina Cabernet DC
Dowina Chardonnay GAC DS - Dowina Rustica GAC - Dowina Marus - Dowina Puella

LAG T88A, Breedlove Signature Concert Copper E, Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert CE Koa, Walden D640T, Tanglewood TRSJ-VS, Vintage VE2000GG.
User avatar
virtuosit Brazil
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:57 am
2
Where Are You Located?: Canada

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by virtuosit »

Saul wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 11:35 am It sounds like either the OS was not installed correctly, perhaps the wrong version or it has become corrupted in some way. Power outages and spikes can do that, especially on older gear.

If you do not have a floppy drive, and lets face it, many of us do not these days, the best way to sort it would be as you said, find someone who does have a floppy drive or, purchase a USB floppy drive. They are not expensive and if you are dealing with older gear could prove to be a a worthwhile investment :)

USB-Floppy_Drive.png
https://amzn.to/3dJx2Rs
During last night I was able to load the OS. The release version is 05-05-1999 and the battery charge level is like 25%.
A friend of mine has a few floppy disks, and now am looking for a drive. In the last case, I will have to buy one.

About the battery, do you know where I can find some info about how to replace it when needed?
User avatar
virtuosit Brazil
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:57 am
2
Where Are You Located?: Canada

Re: OS disk for GEM Equinox

Unread post by virtuosit »

Found the info about the battery, now just need to know what kind of battery and if this holder will do the trick:
Post Reply