MPC 2000xl white screen and LED problem

Hey guys,

I have seen a few threads similar to this topic but none that solve the problem.

I recently purchased the MCD reader for my akai MPC 2000xl. I carefully read the instructions and watched the youtube tutorial on how to install the reader and I just finished.

Unfortunately, I am having trouble getting my MPC to start up. When I assembled the unit I turned it on and the screen turns on but stays white and doesn't display anything. Also, all of the LEDs remain on and the machine is otherwise unresponsive.

To troubleshoot I did the following things:

1. Opened the back and disconnected and reconnected the MCD connections, but it did not work.

2. I disconnected and reconnected the connections to the mother and power boards. Everything is firmly seated but the MPC still does not work.

I was sure to update the os to 1.2 prior to the install. I was wondering if you could offer any insight into this issue?

Thanks

I had the same thing happen when I did mine. But it was like 2 years ago and I can't remember what I did different opening it a second time.

I think the CF drive may have a jumper piece on the back, it may have fallen off in mine and I had to re-seat it. If it wasn't that maybe it was a loose connector.

Sorry I can't offer more, but a bump always helps to get more views. Generally speaking there's probably dozens of people who come here that can answer your question if it isn't already covered in the archives.

I'll check back and see if anyone else can offer a more definitive suggestion. If you get no more replies and can't find a previous thread with an answer I'll take of my casing off and take flicks of all the cables and connections.

Make sure that the IDE cable is oriented the correct way.

It should be connecting pin 1 on the card reader to pin 1 on the MPC PCB.

Pin 1 on the MPC IDE/ATAPI connector is at the other end of the connector to pin 1 on the floppy connector, the IDE/ATAPI and floppy connectors are right next to each other, but oriented opposite directions.

Does it power up normally if you disconnet the card reader?

This is an IDE cable problem... Invert the cable on the drive

Thanks for the suggestions.

@Beatdiggerjazzcat: When you say to invert the cable on the drive what do you mean? The ide cable can only fit one way into the drive and the MPC due to a notch on the top. It fits like a puzzle piece. Do you mean disconnect the ribbon cable from the plastic ide connector and flip it around?

@SimonInAustrailia: it does not power up normally if i disconnect the card reader.

@Metatron72: I will check the jumper when i get home and try to include some pictures.

Hey guys, here are some pictures of the connections from the MCD to the PCB of the MPC.





thanks again for the help.

The cable looks like it is oriented the correct way at both ends.

The card reader looks like a CompuApps ATAPI 741 model, which works OK here...
http://www.compuapps.com/index.php?opti ... Itemid=208

If you removed the IDE cable from the MPC PCB connector all together, it should operate the same way it did before you tried to fit the card reader, without the card reader and IDE cable connected the card reader can not be causing the problem, so I am not sure what is wrong.

Yeah, it worked with the floppy and i tried to install the floppy back in and it wouldn't work. Since it does not work with no drive connected i am assuming the problem is elsewhere. I think I am just going to fork over the $100+ to take it to an akai repair center and have them look at it. Thanks for all the help and I will update with what they say the problem was once they tell me.

Just to make sure, when you remove the IDE cable and plug the floppy cable back in, is the red line on one edge of the floppy cable, used to indicate which end of the connector is pin 1, at the opposite end of the connector to how the IDE cable in your photo is oriented?

As pin 1 on the floppy connector is towards the front of the MPC in the photo above, while pin 1 on the IDE connector is towards the rear of the MPC in the photo above.

Does it have the same problem with both floppy and IDE card reader, and their cables, completely disconnected from the MPC PCB connectors?

I have not tested the MCD card reader or the floppy on a computer but they both light up so i can only assume they work. (The floppy worked before and the MCD was brand new).

If i disconnect both of them and have no drive plugged into the MPC and turn it on I still have the same problem.

I dropped it off at the shop today and they said it would probably be around a week. I will update on what the diagnosis is when I get it and what it takes to fix it when they tell me.

In the meantime it looks like im going back to the trusty 500. Thanks for the suggestions.

My next suggestion was to check all internal fuses.

Please do let us know how you go, the white screen/LEDs problem seems to come up often.

i come across this might help just a thought

http://akaimpcnetwork.ning.com/forum/to ... eader-in-a

Hey guys,

Sorry it took so long to update but the repair shop just got back to me today. They said that the issue is with the motherboard (they couldn't specify where) and that it would cost ~$400 more to ship and replace it. I have already paid $100 to have them look at it and im not going to pay another ~$400 to replace something I could do myself.

At this point im trying to decide what to do next. I have already spent $600+ on this unit and idk whether i should pay the $225 for a new motherboard and hope it works or just sell it for parts (effects board, 8-outs, etc) and keep using my mpc500.

I really wanted to get this thing workin and have some classic boom-bap but im not sure if it is worth it.

Thoughts?


Thanks

Does this repair center specialize in MPCs or just Akai gear in general? You paid for a diagnosis. I'm surprised that they aren't giving you more information -- "bad motherboard" is a pretty generic and lousy analysis.

If this place would do the repair, do they send the bad motherboard back with your repaired unit? Anytime you have parts changed (electronic, automobile, appliance, etc), make sure the repair center gives you the old parts back or at least let you see them to prove they actually did a repair and didn't just rob you wallet.

I'm not sure how a botched install of card reader would kill an MPC to the point where it won't even boot and need a new motherboard.

As Simon suggested, have you checked the fuses with a multimeter to see if any are blown?

If you don't have a multimeter to check voltages, then blindly changing parts (motherboard) may not be the best option. In the event a motherboard swap wouldn't fix your issue, what would do?

You can buy complete MPC 2000XLs with defective LCDs on eBay for nearly the same price as a used motherboard from MPC Stuff. This would be the route I would go if I were in your situation and wanted to repair the MPC.

I would also try disconnecting the effects board and 8 outputs option, as well as the card reader/floppy, and remove all memory modules, then see if it boots without any options/drives connected.

Be careful poking around fuses with a multimeter, if you don't know what you are doing, you could get electrocuted fairly easily.