My Gypsy Died! Updated..

I'm totally bummed. My Cricut Gypsy died. I've had it for a long time. Years! I use it quite a bit to weld, design, lots of vinyl or walls.
The blue light comes on, but nothing. From what I read, that's death. I did get it to come on once, by resetting, over and over, holding different buttons, and shaking it. I got to do the vinyl wall art a friend wanted. I shouldn't have ever turned it off again!

Oh my, do you think PC can help you out?
I would be so lost without my G.

oh my, i was thinking bout buying me one as a back up for just that reason... especially when they go on sale in November... good luck hope you dont have to go without her for a long time.

Oh my I would be so lost without my G. Have you contacted PC to see if there is anything that can be done?

Basically says u have to buy new one and then send both in so they can move your cartridges or do something so they can be linked again.

hi sheryl, sorry to hear about your gypsy...and hope you get it worked out soon.

just a question...i'm a new scrapper and don't have any machines or punches and stuff, what does a gypsy cricut do?? and what is welding??

I'll be calling PC for the exact same reason tomorrow. The Black Screen of Death

From what I've been reading, people have been buying a new G, sending it to PC, and then PC reserializes the new G to match the old one so that you can resync your carts.



Several problems.
A. You can't buy a new G anymore. No one is selling them. Not even the PC website.
B. Why would I invest more money in bad technology?

I reworked my space and made room for an old laptop and downloaded Cricut Craft Room. It is very nice but I discovered that I cannot link my G carts to CCR. I can use the carts individually with the machine. Kinda like Design Studio. Way to go protecting your intellectual property, PC!

I'll let y'all know what they say tomorrow. I will say that I won't be investing another dollar in pi$$ poor technology. So, "buy another" won't work for me. My next dollar will be for a Silhouette Cameo.

kajunkat said:

• Quote:

A backup Gypsy won't do you any good, unless it's a really good deal and you just want to hold onto it without actually using it until the first one dies.

Once a cartridge has been linked to one Gypsy, it cannot be linked to another. If something goes wrong, Provocraft will have to copy the cartridge images from the old Gypsy to a new one, but only one device is permitted to have that data on it.

I'm so afraid of this! I'm glad my daughter has all of my cartridges so I can get them back if my gypsy dies

I really feel for you! Good Luck!

dee.is.me said:

• Quote:

The cricut is a digital die-cutting machine that works with cartridges. You insert a cartridge into a slot on the machine and you select one of the images to cut.

The Gypsy is a separate device that connects to a cricut machine with a cable. You "link" your cartridges to the Gypsy with a different cable. That copies all the images from the cartridge to the Gypsy device, so you can put the cartridge away and just use the Gypsy to manipulate the images and cut them with the cricut.

Once you link your cartridge to the Gypsy, you may continue using the cartridge with any cricut machine, but it can no longer be used to link to another Gypsy. This was done to protect Provocraft's copyrights. There is no way to unlink the cartridge from the Gypsy, so if you later decide to sell your cartridge, it can still be used directly with another cricut, but no longer has the same value.

The Gypsy device is like a small computer. You can manipulate the images and combine them from different cartridges. Welding is connecting the images to make one larger image. For example, alphabet fonts use separate letters. If you want to combine the letters into a word or phrase, you can "weld" the letters together and cut it out as a single die.

Recently, Provocraft introduced the online Craft Studio, which connects your computer to the cricut via the USB port, and can be used to manipulate and cut images. This doesn't work for me because I don't have the space to put my computer and cricut machine in the same room, much less on the same table.

thank you so much solitaire...wow !!! there is some amazing stuff out there for this hobby which is fastly becoming an obsession lol. will definitely be looking into a cricut and a gypsy.

ps. anyone know the winning lotto numbers?? lol

sorry another question lol. so the benefits of the gypsy is basically convenience of having all the cartridge images in one easy to access place? but the downfall is, if the gypsy dies, you and you replace it, you can't re link your cartridges??

also, i'm assuming cartridges are sold separately, how many images on average would each cartridge hold and are they "themed" ??

sorry i know i should just read the product forum but i prefer to learn about these machines from those using them...hope you don't mind.

If your Gypsy dies, you can buy a new one. You send both to PC and they will reserialize the new one so that you can relink your old cartridges. HOWEVER, good luck finding a new Gypsy to purchase.

Also, PC has not updated their technology yet so that the Gypsy can communicate with Cricut Craft Room. They're "working on it."

I've been a faithful user for four and a half years but I'm a little tired of their slow upgrades in technology. There have been many reports where the upgrades themselves have ruined machines.

I've gotten the black screen of death as well. I have to now figure out how to use my cricut again without it. Very frustrating.

• dee.is.me Said:

(1) Right, you cannot link your carts to a new Gypsy.. you have to send old and new Gypsy to PC and they do it for you.

(2) I have found the amount of images on each cart differs. Some have a hundred and the 'lites' will have 30-40. Most are themed and maybe 60-70% have a font on them. Luckily you can go to stores/sites and check out the carts before buying.

I use my Gypsy for each layout..hate to lose it. I don't like working at a computer for 'fun' so the Gypsy is my gal.

Wow.... I hope they can help you out soon!!!

I never use my cricut without my gypsy. I like being able to take images from different cartridges and put them together. My BFF has all my cartridges and my original cricut. She loves it and uses it all the time. She would totally give my the cartridges back to link them, but I don't want to ask her to give them back permanently. Besides, the ability to weld, cut exactly the part of each image I want, and where I want on mat is something I'd have to have. I do lots of vinyl lettering for walls for people. I need to look at M's. I think they may have a gypsy or two left. Or do I want to just get a Silouette instead? Like you said, I don't want to throw more money into something they aren't keeping up with. I haven't updated mine since cricut craft room came out, because I've heard horror stories of it erasing everything on your gypsy. Wanted all the bugs out first. If I bought a new one, I'd have to hook it up and update. I probably have 20-25 cartridges I've bought over time.

Alissa be sure to post what they tell you. That way I'll know if it does any good to call. From what I read surfing internet, it is death.

Geez, after reading this, I am afraid to turn on my G.
I would be so lost w/o my G.
As far as PC goes- they seem to have a real problem with maintaining what they have on the market and seem to focus on new products. Very frustrating. I want the G to work with the Craftroom, until then, I rarely use the Craftroom.
But I use my G with every cut I make, so much so that I don't even know how to use my E2.
I tried once and couldn't believe I didn't know what to do! I've been using Cricuts since they hit the market 6 yrs ago, I should know how to use my machine, but I don't- but that G is like an extentsion of my right arm when I'm scrapping!!

Does anyone else think that PC is going to come up with another version of the Gypsy??
Ya know, bigger and better type thing?
Different design maybe?
Just seems odd they'd do away with it.

Trish, I'm like you. My Gypsy does it all. I love that I can lay in bed and design things to cut. That's usually when the ideas come.

Wasn't Provo Craft having some administration issues like 6 months to a year ago? I was thinking about the time they fired Jinger Adams, they were having a big up-heavel. Haven't seen much new since then, I keep thinking once they get that all ironed out, things would start moving along.

I just use my Cricut w/SCAL, but also have a Cameo for print & cut...but I still usually fussy cut. Anyway, it struck me as weird how many of you are saying your Gypsy died within the past few days. Was there an update or something that did them in...or timed obsolescence, or just coincidence?

I had a HugClub membership through PC, which had wonderful clipart, but it went belly-up at the end of 2010, I think it was. Sounds like Provo has some issues~

I just checked Cricut's site. I always register my stuff. I got my Gypsy in July 2010. Two years ago. I got my Expression in 2008 and my original in 2007. I have 27 cartridges, plus some that I got for free w gypsy or downloaded free.

wow, what a wealth of information you ladies must have, i have soooo much to learn lol.

thank you so much runzalot and sunnydi for answering my questions and thank you all for sharing.

sounds like even if i wanted a gypsy, i'd have a hard time getting it, and though i haven't looked around the australian suppliers yet, am assuming being in australia might make it even harder??

To Solitaire:
I know that once you upload your cart you cant use them... however I am scared they will upgrade like they did with the cricut imagine (which I dont care for) and stop selling the others... and then I will be stuck and have to get a new one that I dont care for .. that is why I will buy a cricut E to store also... and in November you can get a whole set up for like 75 (if you catch it right. I dont do well with INK things... I HATE WHEN THEY NEW AND IMPROVE SOMETHING !!!! Just me that I dont like the imagine... and I LOVE my E and Gypsy. kajunkat

I have a gypsy. I rarely use it. Heck, I rarely use any cartridges. I use SCAL pretty much everytime I do anything craft related. For me, this points me in the direction of buying a cameo or gazelle when my cricut dies.

On the phone with Jenny from PC. So far, I've been told that I can buy the Gypsy bundle for $150 on the Cricut website. I pointed out that I'm willing to invest in new, updated technology but not this old failing technology. Next.

Stay tuned....

Okay, Kids! We're rollin' here...

So, I've got CCR downloaded to my old Toshiba 2004 laptop, which is still running nearly like new on Windows XP. Just a li'l shout out to Toshiba as I type from my Mac...

Jenny told me to register all my carts with the Cricut website and then shoot her an email when I'm done. Then, she will manually upload them all to my CCR account for me so that I can use it without the mess of carts flying everywhere (just a perk!). I'm very excited!

I told her that I would be interested in a new Gypsy with updated technology but it makes no sense to repurchase old technology these days. You don't retrograde your phones, TVs, computers, or even your stove, right?

I'm excited to be well taken care of

Good for you! I played with CCR yesterday. It really was simple. I just winged it. I may have to give them a call.

Glad you are getting some help. I too am wondering if they will come out with an improved Gypsy.

Sheryl; I'm like you...I use mine at night to design... I use my Gypsy for every layout. I don't want to be in front of a computer to use my Expressions.

I need to start praying over my Gypsy at night... I've had it about 2 years now.

Diana, if you have been diligent about the updates, you should be okay. One of the updates (maybe back in Feb) had a specific fix/prevention for the Black Screen of Death. I rarely updated because I rarely buy carts. My Gypsy was a workhorse for what little I had on it- less than 20 carts. We had a good time together and now I must move on



I would also say the big lesson here is to register your stuff! Machines and carts! Don't sell them. If I had sold mine or given them away, I'd be Super Duper SOL right now.

At this point, I can use the CCR and all it's perks and I will be able to use a new G if I decided to buy into any new technology PC puts out.

I have always wondered about those who have sold their carts because they are on their Gypsy. I can't even get rid of the stinkin boxes they come in, let alone the actual cart!

I am glad it is working out for you.
I like CCR, it's just the whole switching out carts thing that bugs me. But I do use it every now and then with my Mini.

• ChansGram Said:

If your carts are already linked to a Gypsy and you still have the carts, be sure to register your carts at the Cricut website. Call CS and let them know how you're set up and someone will be able to add your carts to your CCR account for you, from your registered carts list.

From what I understand about CS, if you don't like the person you're talking to, hang up and call again. They have lots of helpful people but don't waste your time with the random dud.

Jenny, my CS person, is currently working on loading my registered carts into CCR. All these carts were linked to my dead Gypsy. So, in a few days, I should be smooth sailing in CCR on my little laptop and I won't have to use the carts one at a time. I can box them back up and tuck them away in a closet.

Also, if you have new carts, be sure to link them to CCR first. Then, let CCR tell your Gypsy about it. CCR can talk to the G but the G can't talk to CCR yet.

Cross your fingers!!!!! I got my Gypsy to come on. It's hooked up to PC and updating (5 updates behind). Maybe I can get that update that kept them from dying the blue light death. is made me restart it once and it came on, I took that as a good sign.

I decided I was going to try everything to fix it before I bought a silhouette or a new gypsy. I held down the little silver button on the right first and hit the power button. I kept having to reset (push the little button on the back). But it finally came on. I had to do it over and over.

I'll let you know my final results.

good luck, hope it keeps working for you. That is one thing that I have to get finished up; registering my carts. Thanks for the reminder.

So far, so good. It's running. All updated. I've turned it off and back on. Yea!!!!!!!

That's awesome! So glad you got it to work.

I do have all my carts registered, have always been pretty
diligent about that.
Question tho, so if I get them linked to CCR via PC support,
Will my G still be functional?
I want the best of both worlds!!

• SherylEb Said:

I will have to try this. I did attempt to turn it on again this past weekend and got nothing. Even tried the hard restart and that didn't work. I will try again.

• ChansGram Said:

Let me know. I have all mine registered and on my G. I don't use CCR yet but might if they'll work with both.

Just wanted to share my Gypsy story.
My Gypsy died about three months ago, I was completely heartbroken.

I called Provo Craft twice, the first time while talking to someone we got the Gypsy to come back on, but after getting off the phone with her I turned it off to see if it would come back on again and it didn't. I felt that the person I talked to didn't fully understand what I was saying to her.

When I called the second time I got a different customer service person.
She too walked through all the trouble shooting with me and was able to understand when I told her that I got the blue light, but no screen at all. After being on the phone with her for close to an hour; while being on hold for a good portion of the time, I had managed to tell her more about my unhappiness that my Gypsy wasn't working because I love it so much. The whole time I stayed calm and positive.

I had explained to her how I got the machine pretty quickly after the roll out (so I paid almost full price for it) and that I have had my baby bug for over four years now and use it almost every single day (no exaggeration) and that I have over 40 carts and a wish list of 15 more (not to mention a couple of newer ones that were just announced).
She was so patient with me and very empathetic to my stress.
While I was on hold with her I downloaded CCR to my laptop and was running through the tutorial, it looks like we will all have to eventually move to digital for any of the Cricut items anyway - especially now that a lot of the carts and content is going digital - but you know how it is with anything new...it's not easy to deal with at first.

So after an hour of her helping me and trying to get answers for me,I had to accept that there wasn't anything they could do to help my Gypsy without sending it in for repair. Since I had gotten it so early after its release it was definitely out of warranty, but they replaced it with a refurbished one for free since I had been so loyal to the brand and Provo Craft!!!
They even paid for the shipping there and back!

I was a little nervous sending it, and was anxious the whole time it was out of my hands, but lil' Gypsy was back home in a week and a half.
I had to go through and sync it and reload all my carts, but it was worth it!!

And now my baby bug won't read any of my cartridges
Luckily it still talks to my Gypsy and I had bought me an Expression earlier this year.
So I will be dealing with that next.
And learning how to work with CCR.

So hopefully Provo Craft will be able to help you in some way.
Good Luck!

So glad they helped you with a refurbished one. Have you updated your baby bug? Might give it a try. Plug Gypsy into it and on the gypsy there is an update cricut button. I use my expression cause I love the 12" width, but gypsy and cartridges still work with the baby my BFF now has.

• runzalot81 Said:

I have updated twice this year so you've made me feel a little more safe. I'm wondering if I should invest in a new one??? I'm afraid they are going to do away with them.. I LOVE mine.

• runzalot81 Said:

Thanks for this tip Alissa.

• SherylEb Said:

Good news.

I've been using it for a couple of hours, no problem.
Alissa, you should give it a shot. Just use the pin thing in the end of the stylist to push the reset button on back. Hold down little menu button and turn on. If it doesnt work, just keep resetting and pushing it again and again to see if you get it on. I had to do that the last time i used it, but i didnt know i wouldnt get it back on again, or i would have updated the first time. Once I got mine on this time, i plugged it in and updated. That way the fix probably loaded. I'm betting it will be fine now.
We're so happy to be back together.

• runzalot81 Said:

If only I had stayed current with the updates. But like you, I barely bought cartridges so didn't feel the need.

So is CCR like a gypsy, where if you have your cartridges loaded, you can just cut or do you have to have a jukebox if you use multiple cartridges on a design?

• SherylEb Said:

I will definitely try! I did get it to come back on once after it died but not since...

• pugs223 Said:

If your carts are not linked to your Gypsy, you can link them to CCR. You would be able to pack them away and you wouldn't need a jukebox.

Most of my carts were linked to my G. When I started a CCR account, the account wouldn't accept my carts because they were already linked. That's why I called CS. They were able to manually install my carts for me and now I can use CCR without the carts.

If I hadn't called CS, I would still be able to use my carts one at a time or with a jukebox.

My Gypsy was $200 when we got it that first year. Buying another would be at least another $150. May as well invest in a new, small laptop instead of throwing out $150 for old technology. I'm lucky that my Toshiba laptop from 2004 is still kickin'! I replaced it with a desktop Mac back in January so I'm very glad I didn't get rid of the Toshiba.

Hmmm....sometimes I'm happy I procrastinate. My Gypsy has been broken for a couple of months. Did some research on the black screen of death but just haven't had time or energy to be on the phone with customer service.

You bring up a very good point. Instead of buying another G which could only last me a year again and thinking that PC is focusing on other technology now, I could just get a small laptop. Do you think a netbook has the capacity to run CCR?

I tried out the CCR when my gypsy was broken. It was fine, but to cut you have to put the cartridges in your cricut.

If you used more than one to design with on CCR, it tells you when to insert each one. I didn't want to hassle with keeping them right there and putting them in and out. Besides my BFF has my cartridges. I did go get what I needed to cut what I was doing.

The gypsy keeps your from having to have the cartridges around. Probably why they don't make it anymore. You couldn't put them up somewhere. You have to have cartridge or buy image online. Someday you may have to buy all online like Silhouette, but as many machines as they have out there that take cartridges, that may be a while.

As fast as technology changes, there will be something new that is better by then anyway.