JesterML LCDs blank [still backlit] and MFK lcd top row malformed

[Archie D]

Hi all, I have an issue with my JesterML that seems intermittent. It appears to only have started having this issue since a few days ago.

The issue is when I turn on and boot up the desk, the main LCD is blank (but still backlit), same with the wheel LCD. The top MFK lcd is showing content, but slightly malformed on the top row (see pics below). Bottom MFK lcd seems fine so far.
This issue sometimes happens when I turn the desk on, and sometimes doesn't happen. DMX output still works fine, same with monitor VGA output from the back ports. Buttons all still work, so do the wheels, as the red LEDs in the buttons do change when I press them to the desired option I want to select. It's the LCDs that are the issue.

Another thing to add is that on the top MFK lcd, when I select either Colour, Beamshape or Position, the four horizontal bars you see disappear and it just goes to how picture E shows.

• Picture A: Whole desk view
• Picture B: The MFK LCDs
• Picture C : Main LCD
• Picture D : Wheel LCD
• Picture E: four horizontal bars have now disappeared after selecting C, B or P

Pictures are attached below. If anyone knows the problem here, I would be incredibly grateful if you could help me. Thank you. Perhaps it is a loose connection inside, but maybe something damaged? I'm not sure. I wanted to be careful and not open the desk just yet in case something goes wrong.

Picture A

Picture B

Picture C

Picture D

Picture E

[Archie D]

Just an update - I've turned on the desk again to see if the issue had gone (due to intermittence) and I am now presented with this on the bottom LCD:

However, when tapping C, B or P buttons, the top LCD goes back to normal instead of the offset lines as shown below:

[kgallen]

Just guessing but there is probably a ribbon cable dedicated to the displays (separate to wheels, buttons etc). I’m sure that was the case when I opened my Fat Frog a few weeks back.

If you’re up for opening it I’d check that as a common cause - ie highly unlikely all LCDs themselves went bad at the same time!

[Archie D]

Thanks for your reply @kgallen, that's something great to go off if I take a look inside.

Do you use an earthing wristband thingy when you open up your Fat Frog?

[kgallen]

4 hours ago, Archie D said:

Do you use an earthing wristband thingy when you open up your Fat Frog?

Only if I’m doing work on a board out of the system - in circuit, CMOS chips aren’t quite as vulnerable. I’m assuming you’re not running your feet on a nylon carpet first!

But if you have a wrist band then might as well use it. 

[Archie D]

On 7/24/2025 at 8:49 PM, kgallen said:

But if you have a wrist band then might as well use it.

Ordered yesterday, arrived today. I'll see if I can do anything tomorrow with the desk.

Thank you again for the advice.

[Archie D]

Hi, an update. Not too successful, but partially. 

We lay the console down, unscrewed the six access screws holding the front panel on, (i also put the earthing wriststrap on before doing this), and upon opening the console there was no obvious disconnection of the ribbon cable but we pushed down the clips to make sure it was secure. One was solid, the other flexed a bit on pushing. 

We then closed the console up, securing one screw top and bottom in the middle of the set of screwholes and turned it on.

All worked perfectly. So we turned it back over, put the four remaining corner screws in, turned it over, plugged it back in, the fault was back.

Do you think I need to replace the clip that had some flex in it? Do you think that is the issue with the intermittent fault on the LCD displays?

[kgallen]

For each connector I would:

- Remove the clip

- Pull the IDC connector out of the receptical

- Replug

- Replace the clip

Go systematically around the console doing this.