HELP!!! External CF Reader problems

I bought a MPC Storage Solutions external CF reader from Ebay. I can't get it to work. It came with some no name 1 gb card. I bought a new 4gb Sandisk card and it still won't be recognized by my 2000XL. I don't have any way to test my scsi port. At least I don't know anybody that has any kind of scsi device to hook up to my MPC. Is there any other way to test the port? Also I thought I read somewhere that 2000XLs don't have the fuse blowing issue that 2000s have. Is that true? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am totally bummed that I can't use the reader.

some readers work, some dont. SOME CARDS WORK, SOME DONT...

No way to test the scsi port without a scsi device.

you bought the drive 'directly' from mpcstoragesolution.com and you are having a problem?

i am surprised because before mpcstoragesolution.com ships they test completely on mpc2000 mpc2000xl. their machines are pretty solid. if you contacted them, they probably told you to check the scsi port with another sci drive. they are very helpful there.

you really need to check your mpc2000xl scsi port with another drive, like a scsi zip drive with a zip disk in it. if the zip drive is recognized, then you know it is not the sampler, but someting else. also, it is possible to blow the scsi port fuse on a mpc2000xl. if that happens, then no drive will work on the scsi port as the sampler will not see it.

tell us about your mpc2000xl. (history)

are you the original owner of your mpc2000xl or did you buy the sampler from someone else?

you mentioned you have no scsi drive to test drive now, but in the past, did you ever connect a scsi drive to the port?

you really should get your hands on a scsi drive to test the port. try ebay for a 100mb scsi zip drive with 2 switches. it is a starting point for troubleshooting.

I bought the MPC off Ebay. It has worked perfectly so far. I have only had to clean up the slider to make it perfect. I bought the card reader off Ebay as well. I contacted MPC storage solutions and they told me I need to try another device in the scsi port. Unfortunately I don't know anybody who has an MPC or any knowledge of them. I already dropped $100 on the card reader so I don't really want to buy some other device just to test the scsi port. But it sounds like that is my only option. I just though someone might have some other solution for me. What to do?!?!?

Where you from?
Maybe someone here can help hook you up?

I live in a town called Conway in northern lower Michigan about 30 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge.

I'm on the wrong continent myself but, maybe someone in Michigan could help you out?
You've come to the right place anyhow.

Only thing I can suggest is if anyone you know still runs an old Apple Mac (with SCSI) they may still have either a zip drive, Jaz or a syquest drive you could use to test with.

it sounds like you bought it on ebay from someone else other than mpcstoragesolution.com

not sure why you just dont buy a scsi zip drive on ebay to test the sampler port but i was checking to see if i had a zip drive laying around and just ship it to you. but i dont. but if anyone on this forum is willing to lend or give away a scsi zip drive and a zip disk they are not using anymore to help this guy out. but at least pay the shipping costs.

if there is someone in your local area who can help that would be great.

other than checking the scsi port, i do not know what i can do to help you out.

I really appreciate everyones replies so far!! Thank you so much for looking for a zip drive to hook me up with. Man you guys are the best!! Hopefully something will work out. I was thinking if my scsi fuse is blown I'm pretty much up shit creek right?! Those things aren't easy to replace or anything so I will have to come up with another solution for storage. Bummer.

Those things aren't easy to replace or anything so I will have to come up with another solution for storage.

There is light at the end of the tunnel...I think they are cheap and easy to replace. Someone care to elaborate? Or start searching the forums.

I have zip drives but no disks.
Hit up the thrift stores in your area. Hit up the pawn shops. Don't be afraid to use your mouth and ask around...shit like zip drives are abundant but nobody knows what to do with them.
Check craigslist.
Spend the time, spend the effort, spend the cash, it's the only way to keep your vintage gear running. Think of it like a classic car.

what's up fellow michigander... I live in Metro Detroit, so might as well be Mexico since ur spitting distance from the U.P.

I personally had an issue with cards when I first copped my MP. its got the mcd drive so I was using the SD cards. I had about 3 different ones and none of them worked. The one I got to finally work was a 1gb SanDisk. I tried another 1gb Sandisk and that one will format and save but once it's in my pc, nothing is recognized. So i basically use the one card to move files on.

So, it might be an issue of the card Brand, or perhapse the card Size. I'm almost certain that The OS is responsible for the SIZE issues, so an older OS might be restricted to a 1gb or smaller card.

Also wondering if the card may have to be formatted by the MPC before you can use it. As for zip drives and any outdated technology... Craigslist is the spot. Ebay is full of people who bought up all that junk and wanna sell it at a mark up. Craigslist is where you'll find some dude who cleaned out his closet and wants to make 20 bucks on a zip drive... i'd check there.

So what zip drive should I buy to see if my scsi port is working??? 100, 250 what cables work? Sorry I don't know shit!!!