Sample shows up as a block not as a wave (MPC 2000xl)

I'm new to the MPC but not music production and am just wondering if I am doing something wrong when recording or if there is something wrong with the MPC?

When I record in a sample (I don't have any disks as yet so this is my only way of getting sound into the MPC) the display shows the sound just as a block and not as a waveform. Anyone know why this might be? I have tried adjusting record gain until it is ridiculously low, checking the output from my mixer, tried going direct in from the turntable and also tried recording in from my computer but all three things have the same problem. The thing is to my ears it seems to be recording fine and then i'm able to edit as usual but as it is a block I can't see where to chop properly.

Anyone?

Ooops! Excuse me in my haste to get this fixed I forget to introduce myself - how rude!. My name is Olly and i'm new here

Hey Olly and welcome to the gang. You now have to tattoo 'Akai MPC' under your left eye like a tear drop to complete your membership.

How does the sample sound though? Could be a visual glitch on the OS. Do you think its the LCD? Like, do you see lines across the screen from time to time? Maybe its dying and to display a waveform is too much, so it just shows that block. Screens are pricey so before you go that route, try some DIY maintenance of cleaning the inside boards, knobs, pad sensors and slider with Contact or Deoxit. Also, disconnect any cables within and spray the connectors. If you know how to solder (which is child's play but becomes an art after much practice) then resolder all the weak capacitors and shit. This machine been around the late 90's so its been through helluva lot. Show some TLC.

Ill-Green many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Yeah I suspect it is something like a fault with the LCD but what's weird is there doesn't seem to be any lines across it and everything else seems to work perfectly.
When I sample something it sounds fine. I have tried different types of sounds from vinyl and laptop and even resampled them at lower bit rates etc and all sounds good to these ears.
Funny, the reason I wanted to get away from making beats on the computer is that I wanted to use my ears more and my eyes less!
As far as taking it apart goes, I may leave that to someone that knows what they are doing but would like to try and get an idea of whats wrong before I take it to be fixed - if it does need to be fixed.
As for the tatoo I think i'll get that once i'm up and running properly

Thanks Lampdog but I have tried this and it doesn't work. Can't zoom in or out. Have followed instructions in the manual. Thing is everything else works fine. Sample plays and everything can be edited but it is just a block on the screen and not a waveform.
Could it be the OS I wonder?

Try reflashing the OS to see if it fixes the problem, that will tell you.