Making a backup from CF card to PC. (2000xl)

Hey everybody,

I have a CF reader in my mpc2000xl, and now I have a question about backing up the card/files onto PC. I already googled and searched for how to do this properly without messing up the files on the card, but couldn't find a good answer...

Question 1:
Is it save for me to just put the CF card from the mpc straight into the available PC slot? And back up this way? Or would that damage the files or the card?

Question 2: (my guess is that this will not work)
I have an extra CF card which I bought intentionally to back-up with.
As in 'load one beat, switch cards, save onto other', and use the 'backup card' to insert into my PC. Is that even possible or is that a hotswapping no-no

Question 3:
If I managed to back-up the files onto the PC, is it possible to just drag and copy the files on my spare CF card? Or do I need a special program for this? (I've seen mpcpgmmaker and mpc editor mentioned)

What's the best way to do this?

Thanks in advance!

It is quite possible to back up your mpc files to a pc.
However there is one caveat in that when transferring files between the mpc and pc and back, the file names may be corrupted.
This only happens when the file names you created in the mpc are longer than 8 characters. Some how in the transfer these long file names get shortened and abbreviated.
The result of this is, when you load your program back into the mpc for instance, it no longer recognises the sample files and does not load them.
The easy way to eliminate this problem is to keep all your mpc file names to 8 characters or less, then the problem will not arise.

Having said that, I like many users, keep a separate card or disk to use as a transfer disk and only use that to transfer files (just in case) to and from the PC.
I would recommend in future, backing up as you go. ie. everytime you save to a card, make a back up to a second card. That way you always have two copies in case one goes wrong.

*Pilchard* wrote:I would recommend in future, backing up as you go. ie. everytime you save to a card, make a back up to a second card. That way you always have two copies in case one goes wrong.

Thanks for the reply pilchard! I understand the concept of backing up as you go.
But that means I have to switch cards when the MPC is still powered on with all programs and sequences loaded. That is hotswap right?

My CF reader is not hotswappable as far as I know, thus the question on how to back up the safest way.

I think I will bounce all the tracks from beats that I like and will go with the first route mentioned. Everything is saved with filenames shorter than 8 figures I think..
Unless someone has a better idea!

sjeff wrote:
My CF reader is not hotswappable as far as I know, thus the question on how to back up the safest way.

!

Understood.
You could always back up to a different media from your scsi port.
I know zip has a bad rap but it's still useful as back up.
Jaz works too.
I don't know how cheap or available these are so it will need some research.

I have CF, zip, jaz and hard drive all in my chain allowing me to back up important work multiple times across various media.
Not suggesting you go that far but it works for me.

you should have no problems if you do these things:
- format the card as fat filesystem, so the mpc and computer can both see it.
- keep all your filenames on the mpc to 8 characters or less
- use a windows pc, or virtual pc, because mac adds garbage files that will confuse some card readers.

thats it though - there will be no other problems and getting those three things straight is a lot easier than the trouble you're asking for if you go to the dark side of zips

Didn't think of that.. I already have a zipdrive laying around for my s3000xl.
I guess I will backup on that first before risking the CF card with going straight to PC.
Don't know if the card is formatted as .fat and if all the filenames have less than 8 characters, as Tapedeck said. Gonna try that when I got all the beats safe though

Thanks for the tips guys