MPC 2000XL off Craigslist too good to be true? Help please!

I found a local guy with a mpc2000xl who wants less than $350 for it and it also has a cf drive installed but the issue is the operating system isn't loaded onto it and this guy doesn't seem to know how to do so. I'm new to MPC stuff so unfortunately I don't know how to do this either but supposedly the guy has the operating system loaded onto a flash card already but just doesn't know how to make it load up onto the MPC. If anybody could help that would be greatly appreciated! Do you have to hold shift and press something else to make it load once the card is in? I know this is beginner stuff but like I said I'm brand new to the MPC.

well that actually may be a problem issue.

the OS is something that should be loaded already... the only time you have to boot while holding buttons to do what you are talking about is to switch OS versions.

if it doesn't boot.. perhaps the guy bricked the machine.. it's tough to say without knowing more i guess.

So Lamp can I update my 2kxl OS from a newly installed card reader will the mp recognize the card reader?

this depends on the model of card reader. some work with older version, some NEED the newer OS.

If OP means that the MPC-2000XL does not boot up, then it is not a good deal at all.
Unlike MPC-2000 classic, XL has flash RAM built-in, so you don't need start up disk each time you turn on the unit.
$350 for bricked MPC is not a good deal at all (I hope it is not a case though.)

if the XL boots up when using a floppy disk (maybe a friend of you has a floppy from the XL for testing!) you can write the OS to the flash chip again. if this works, you can boot up normally. then install the latest OS and put the cf reader back in. you should be able to test this out at the sellers home within 1 hour. just be prepared with a test floppy drive with cables and the OS disk copies (maybe two copies to be on the safe side).

personally, i wouldn't waste your or the sellers time with this at that price. this mpc, in unworking shape, is not worth $350... it is worth $50-100 as a gamble. don't waste your time trying to fix it at the guys house unless yall are really cool with each other.

the post above is correct, this could be a fixable problem. but while not working, this is not a $350 machine - this is a broken sold for parts as is gamble. either you get lucky and end up with a working mpc for cheap, or the seller still gets at least a little something for selling garbage.

if you keep looking you'll find a working mpc for that price.

Well 3 years ago I paid $350 for my nearly-flawless XL with max RAM and 8 outs, but I don't think you're gonna find one in similar condition at that price if Craigslist & eBay is any indicator these days. My advice is find one that works and save up the money for it; the one thing buying and modding cars has taught me over time is to never buy the fixer-uppers, buy the ones with all or most of the work done by the previous owners and is coming how you want it. I pretty much apply that to any purchase now.

The Jackal wrote:...the one thing buying and modding cars has taught me over time is to never buy the fixer-uppers, buy the ones with all or most of the work done by the previous owners and is coming how you want it. I pretty much apply that to any purchase now.

this is my favorite metaphor for vintage equipment: old cars. glad this makes sense to others.

i hadn't looked at ebay mpc prices in a while - you are not kidding. last i looked a couple years ago, i was amazed how many excellent condition units were going for $300. it seems folks are trying to flip them now, upgrade them with aftermarket parts, and sell at a higher price. i would recommend against ebay - there should be plenty localish - they pop up a lot in most metro areas in the states.

i still suggest op either use this as a significant bargaining chip and be prepared to eat the loss, or move on to find another working mpc. you could get really lucky though.