Akai MPC-2000XL IDE ZIP questions

Hi, I recently purchased a used MPC 2000XL, it came fully loaded with 32 meg of ram and the 8 out expansion board but unfortunately it still had a floppy drive fitted.
I heard fitting an internal IDE zip drive was easy so I went along and got a used Iomega ZIP100 IDE/Atapi drive from ebay, I am a qualified electronics engineer so modifying the Akai power cable was very easy.
Now here is my problem, when I power the MPC up the green load LED on the ZIP flashes and after it detects memory it boots into the OS ok with no error messages.
Now I should point out at this point that I still haven’t received my ZIP disks (Waiting for them in the post) so I havent got any media yet but when I go to the load screen on the MPC it says “No floppy device!!” and the zip doesn’t make a sound, surely if the ZIP device was detected I would receive a different message right?
I have confirmed the ZIP drive is recognised on a windows PC.
My MPC is running OS 1.14

Thanks

Are you sure you connected the data cable right as well? Maybe it's not plugged in securely on the board, that happens sometimes.

Mine says "Not ready" when I switch to ATAPI without a disk in it.

_Stilo_ wrote:Are you sure you connected the data cable right as well? Maybe it's not plugged in securely on the board, that happens sometimes.

Mine says "Not ready" when I switch to ATAPI without a disk in it.

Thanks for your quick reply.

I have the drive set to master and I also tried all the other jumper settings but no luck, the cable is defiantly the right way round as it is keyed and can only go in one way, I have also confirmed the ide cable is ok as I just tested it on my PC.
I will re-check the IDE connection again a bit later

I might try and see if I can get a NEC drive as this is what Akai used in the Zip version apparently.

Thanks

Martin

There is no NEC zip drive - Iomega is the only company that ever made the zip drive. They did allow other companies to brand them, like NEC and Epson, but they were all made by the same company.

That said, if you want to buy another one of the same drives, just with NEC stamped on it, here is one for $8.

http://www.weirdstuff.com/cgi-bin/item/16537

scsiforsamplers.com wrote:There is no NEC zip drive - Iomega is the only company that ever made the zip drive. They did allow other companies to brand them, like NEC and Epson, but they were all made by the same company.

That said, if you want to buy another one of the same drives, just with NEC stamped on it, here is one for $8.

http://www.weirdstuff.com/cgi-bin/item/16537

I didn't know that, I did read some where that some Iomega ZIP drives didn't work with the MPC 2000XL so that's why I mentioned the NEC ones cos they were installed by Akai not the Iomega branded ones.
I would buy that but I'm from the UK and there is one on ebay going cheap.
In the pic though the jumper settings are completely different for the NEC to my Iomega. I checked the Iomega support and apparently it's still under waranty after I typed the serial number! WTF?!
Could it be my IDE cable i'm using that the MPC doesn't like? I tried the cable and ZIP in my PC and it was all ok, even instaled Iomega tools

Ive been having zip problems, which Ive now sorted.

1, if you power the zip without the data cable it will still power up. either the drive is shagged or the cable is wrong. just connevt the 5 volt positive (red) and the next negative (black).

I was getting the error error 0000:BFF2 when you browse the apti drive. Swapped out the 250 for another 250 and it worked first time. Check the other thread about zip problems.

Good luck with the problems

B

bcitral wrote:Ive been having zip problems, which Ive now sorted.

1, if you power the zip without the data cable it will still power up. either the drive is shagged or the cable is wrong. just connevt the 5 volt positive (red) and the next negative (black).

I was getting the error error 0000:BFF2 when you browse the apti drive. Swapped out the 250 for another 250 and it worked first time. Check the other thread about zip problems.

Good luck with the problems

B

I give up with this biatch lol I just stuck the floppy drive back in. I have tried everything and it's been driving me mad.
The IDE cable is ok cos I have tried it with the zip drive on the PC, I couldn't try anothe IDE lead as all the others I have that keeying thing making them 39 pin not 40
Also power connections are ok as I checked my wiring with a voltage meter, I even tried connecting the 12v and still no joy.
Are 100MB zips compatible with 250 drives as I might get one of those now

For the time being I have summoned the MPC to the corner of the room and made it wear a dunce hat until it behaves, I had enough of its shenanigans for today that and it’s evil plans of me using it more this week than my turntables, how dare it with its silky smooth sequencer.

I know how you feel, I was the same. Buy another internal 250 zip drive and try that I bet you it works. If not mail me direct and we'll bet the twat into submission.
It will be something simple.

Using 100 carts with 250 drives are VERY slow. Stick to 250's and you'll be cool.

B

bcitral wrote: If not mail me direct and we'll bet the twat into submission.
It will be something simple.

B

Lol ok, as to zips I have ordered some 100ZIP's last week so I'm going to have to get some 250's, are they slower then floppy then? cos that is the most annoying thing of the MPC that and to my limmited knowlage you cant preview a sound before pressing load then hitting preview

I think so, theres not much in it.

I don't know how you work but, I arrange all my banks with MPCedit and recycle / soundforge and then onto zip from the PC then across into the mpc. I find its lots quicker than doing everything internally. But Im a MPC newbie to some respect. The purist on here will tick me off, I supose. Give me an EMU E4 series and Im good but the MPC isn't yet my master tool just yet.

B

bcitral wrote:I think so, theres not much in it.

I don't know how you work but, I arrange all my banks with MPCedit and recycle / soundforge and then onto zip from the PC then across into the mpc. I find its lots quicker than doing everything internally. But Im a MPC newbie to some respect. The purist on here will tick me off, I supose. Give me an EMU E4 series and Im good but the MPC isn't yet my master tool just yet.

B

Simmilar story here mate, only just getting back into makin music again after my PC lost all my un-backed up shit in 2005 after that I couldn't get back into it so sold all the gear and got everything I always wanted DJ gear wise like 1210's and a Urei rotary mixer instead of shitty Numark stuff that I had since 2000.
Prev I was using Logic audio on the PC and a bunch of hardware synths as I can't get into programing software...
I love the MPC it's just sooo ummm I don't know nice to use, cant wait to get more gear.

have a look at the problems i had connecting an internal reader...
although its different media its the same principal so it might give u some clues


viewtopic.php?f=1&t=97884


It should actually be very easy


Peace

MosDef wrote:have a look at the problems i had connecting an internal reader...
although its different media its the same principal so it might give u some clues


viewtopic.php?f=1&t=97884


It should actually be very easy


Peace

Thanks, I did have a read of that after I posted and did try a few various things but still no joy, last night I cased it back up sticking it in the corner but it kinda went all wrong....at 12am I turned it on to sample a synth thinkin mmm yah I wonder how this would sound and well I have a new beat I'm working on lol
I just love using this thing but man I HATE FLOPPIES!

Well I ordered me a Iomega ZIP250 IDE drive, if that doesnt work then let war comence!

Also just got one of these today
Soundcraft/Spirit SX


I'm a Soundcraft boy lol