Card reader busted- What's the best solution?

I believe my card reader is broken. I bought this MPC off of eBay recently so I am not sure of its history. Everything else seems to be working great but when I insert a flash card and try to save a sample it says "card is full!" and it also says this when there is no card inserted. When I try to format the card it says "no memory card!" I peeked inside the card reader slot and it seems like the top right corner pin is missing. I think mine only has 49 pins. I am assuming that this is not a normal looking card reader and that it's broken and that one missing pin is making it not able to read the cards. Can anyone verify this for me?

Well, I have been searching the forums for the past couple hours trying to find out how to solve my woes with the card reader. I have read a couple different ideas about how to replace the functionality of it but I am a bit confused as to how to move forward.

In a perfect world, I would love to just drop all my samples onto my laptop's hard drive and have the MPC load from there- but I have been reading that this isn't possible without a functioning card reader. The same goes for using an external hard drive or zip drive, right?

Another option is to install an internal hard drive using a compatible hard drive and the Akai HDM10 adapter. I am confused about what OS I should have for this, or if it matters what OS I am using?

And last but not least- I can get a replacement card reader, which seems to be the most expensive option and most labor intensive.

What do folks recommend?

Thanks.

( I have to just say that I have had the worst luck in the world with MPCs. I bought my last one used and the data wheel was busted but I got by and then it got stolen out of my home in an armed robbery. I just bought this one off of eBay and the card reader is broken. What gives?)

two ways:

1) install a HD, this will work with akai OS 2 and upwards, and JJ OS, pay or free version.
You will be able to see th HD from your PC with a USB connection and drop samplEs and stuff from your PC to the HD and then load them in the MPC.

2) replace the CF drive, this is doable, through VST and other MPC parts dealers.

However if you install the HD the CF becomes quite redundant.

Do I have to upgrade the OS I have now to install an internal hard drive? I just have the factory fresh OS (I have the blue MPC1000). I am not sure what OS it's running on currently.

And how difficult is it to replace the card reader without a lot of circuitry knowledge? I appreciate the advice, thank you!

you have to upgarde the OS to at elast version 2.00 (Akai) or 3.04 (JJ) to use the HD.
You also need to buy the HDM10 cradle to install the HD in the MPC. The whole lot will cost you maybe 100$ (dependingy on how big a HD you want - the HDM10 kit is about 30$).
Installing the HD and HDN10 kit is really easy.

The CF replacement looks like this:
http://1226354.estore.networksolutionsd ... bok?no=226

it seems quite easy to install, but comes very expensive (125$) so I suggest you get a HD instead. More value for the ssame money.

i like the jjos for my harddrive due to it's usb functionality(definate improvement). my cf drive is fine, but i don't even use it. i have a 30 gig hd and with hdm-10 included it cost a grand total of $60. u can go way up on gigs but that brings a price increase as well.

OK, I'm sure this is a silly question but I am having a hard time figuring out what OS is installed in my MPC. Is there a screen which shows it?

If it's lower that OS 2.0 can I update my OS without the card reader? From what I've read it seems like I need the CF reader in order to upgrade.

Thanks so much for the information! It's so appreciated.

Mode, other, global (f1)

Ah, thanks for that tip. So my OS is v1.03. Damn I guess that means no internal hardrive option. I am guessing there is no way to update the OS without a card reader. So a new card reader it is...