Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By lordmess Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:22 am
I have an mpc 2000xl and I recently bought an internal ide cf reader but it doesnt show up in the menu. I was wondering if this happens beacause of the cf card or if its the cf readers problem. My question is does the atapi option shows up regardless if the card is in or not or it shows up only if I boot up with the card in.
By lordmess Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:30 pm
Tha atapi option doesnt show up even when I boot with the cf card in. I have 1.14 os and the card I use is a pretec 512mb and an akai 128mb which was originaly sound library. The IDE cable is not the problem its same one I was using when I had the zip drive. My cf reader is this one http://www.frys.com/product/4574977?sit ... IN_RSLT_PG I dont know maybe my problem is that none of this cards is in fixed disk mode. here is a thread I found http://www.mpchunter.com/compact-flash- ... eshooting/ but on the other hand how so many people in here use sandisk that is not in fixed mode either as far as I know? correct me If I'm wrong
By twist1ne Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:00 am
You're going to need to update your O.S. to version 1.20 before you will be able to use that specific CF reader.

From the link you posted/MPCHunter:

"If you are installing a ATAPI/IDE card reader inside a MPC 2000XL, you will need to download OS version 1.20 from Akai before you install the card reader. Only use OS version 1.14 if you are using a SCSI Compact Flash reader."
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By Lampdog Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:09 pm
I have an atapii cf reader in my 2kxl, os1.14, 512mb Lear card and it works fine. Not all cf readers act the same, some require 1.20, some only work with certain brands of cf cards. Update to os1.20 and follow the advice given.
By MPCHunter Mon Jul 02, 2012 2:59 pm
The Compact Flash adapter you are using is a passive one and it only converting the pinout from the CF card to IDE. So I would rule hat out as being an issue.

I've not had any luck getting the Akai branded 128MB CF card to work in a MPC 2000XL or MPC 60 for that matter. I don't have any experience with the Pretec brand of CF cards.

The sweet spot for compact flash cards working in a MPC 2000 and MPC 2000XL seems to be the 1GB - 4GB Sandisk branded cards. Try one of those and see if it works any better for you.
By twist1ne Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:05 am
lordmess,

Please let us know if it turns out to be the OS or the CF card, as I would love to play around with the 1.14 OS and the ability to partition larger cards (I think that was one of the features removed from 1.20?)

That reader pretty much has the same exact specs as the StarTech CF2IDE and Addonics ADIDECF/B readers...neither of which I was able to install in XL's without first updating to 1.20. Good luck either way!
By lordmess Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:39 pm
I have 1.14c installed now, I'm going to buy sandisk anyway cause I will need them whatever os or cf reader I'll install in the future. So, I will get back at you guys with news when I'll try it. Are there any specific sandisk cards I should use or just any cf card branded as sandisk? .

twist1ne The exact difference between 1.14 and 1.2 is that 1.2 can not partition large cards (larger than 2 gb I think) but it can read them If they are already partitioned. So all you need is a software to partition the cards in your pc (not any software I think it has to be one with xl format). It also has way more chances to be compatible with cf readers cause even when they are not atapi it somehow makes them appear like they are. Finally I think it has a pc format so you can partition and add files from your pc without any special software added. These are information I found by googling try for yourself if theres any more.

p.s I need some advice on 1.2 cause people say it has bugs but I havent heard any details as to what are the exact problems it causes.
By lordmess Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:40 pm
Lampdog wrote:I have an atapii cf reader in my 2kxl, os1.14, 512mb Lear card and it works fine. Not all cf readers act the same, some require 1.20, some only work with certain brands of cf cards. Update to os1.20 and follow the advice given.


is it hot swappable?