ATAPI Zip ERROR... Frozen MPC!!!!!

I have tried searching for an explanation for this, but couldn't find any situations matching mine.
I recently bought an mpc2000xl second hand but in mint condition, with an internal 250mbZip drive. Everything seemed to work fine until I tried to use the zip drive a couple days ago. I bought a brand new disk and put it in and when I tried to format it, I just get an error message with a couple numbers/letters after it, and the machine freezes!! I had to turn it off and start it up again a few times before I could even get the disk out of the drive-- the green light on the drive would just stay lit so I couldn't eject it.
I have been doing this all from the "load" screen, so maybe there is another way about which I might do this...
Also, when I turn the jog wheel so that ATAPI is selected, it doesn't even seem to acknowledge the zip drive. It always says "0mb free" and usually doesn't have a little icon.
Perhaps this has something to do with the OS I'm using? ...if so, i'm not even sure which version it is. How can I find that out?
Does anyone have some suggestions? Much appreciated.

Had that b4 it's your internal zip that's iis dying or died on you. You will need to get it repaired or better replace it with an internal card reader.

get a floppy(cheap,temporary solution) and find a external zip drive

infinitskills_villain wrote:get a floppy(cheap,temporary solution) and find a external zip drive

Nah, don't do that. You can get an internal Carder Reader like pt3r said.... they are cheap and dependable...... don't waste your time with floppies or zips, both only lead to problems and frustration.

what exactly is a card reader? i didn't see any mention of these anywhere before i bought the mpc...

Nah, don't do that. You can get an internal Carder Reader like pt3r said.... they are cheap and dependable...... don't waste your time with floppies or zips, both only lead to problems and frustration.

As a broke ass i'll go for the floppy

beheresean wrote:what exactly is a card reader? i didn't see any mention of these anywhere before i bought the mpc...

It's a storage device that writes to memory cards like you find them insiide a digital camera. See mpc2000xl MCD of mpc1000 those are equiped with card readers. You can easily install one yourself in an older MPC2000xl.

..... and you can even use the large, 1 or 4 or 8gb compact flash cards with the cardreader in an mpc?

at least up to 2Gb haven't tested anything bigger.