Kingston CF16GB and 2500

Greetings,

MPC: 2500
OS: JJ OS 3.10
Memory: 16 MB

I recently ordered a Kingston CF16GB Compact Flash card (http://www.adorama.com/KGCF16GBU2.html? ... QgodsCgA6A) for the 2500, but ran into a few issues when utilizing the card.
Firstly, I had to purchase an additional compact flash reader to be able to format the CF16GB on my PC. I formatted it to FAT32 but still encounter issues.

Starting the 2500 up with the CF16GB loaded will normally cause it to hang. After multiple reboots (or booting without the CF16GB inserted), I will be able to utilize the MPC; but when trying to load ANYTHING it will either hang or take an EXTREMELY long time.

Another issue is encountered when utilizing the USB mode on the MPC. It seems to either take forever to actually connect to the PC, or it is hanging again.

At this point, I'm not sure how to fully diagnose the MPC to detect read/write rates. This limits me to assume that either the MPC is hanging, or taking a VERY long time to read/load data.

Surprisingly, saving data is much quicker. But I have been waiting for a kick to load the entire time I spent typing this message; and it is still loading.

Based on previous threads, I checked out the pins on the CF reader and everything is fine. I actually have another 128 MB CF Card by Akai that works just fine.

Is this an issue related to compatibility? And if so, would it be related to the OS, CF, CF card reader, or another aspect that I haven't considered?

If the only solution would be to utilize a different CF, or possibly a hard drive, please let me know.

Thanks.

Also, since I am considering returning the CF16GB, can anyone recommend another CF card that functions with the 2500 without any issues.

Thanks.

I deal with smaller cards myself, and I might recommend just sourcing an older 149GB IDE HD and let the 2500 format that at I believe 129GB (OS limitation). This works well unless you think your MPC wil get thrown around in travel worse than a laptop. (the HD platters safety the concern)

I am using these -

Transcend CF 133x 2GB

Lexar Platinum II 200x 4GB

SanDisk ultra CF 15MB/s* 2GB

Maybe get a penlight and look in the slot for any bent pins in the CF reader on the 2500. Or open it up to get a better look.

maybe try to format the card in the MPC but I can't say for sure it will format the whole 16GB. Perhaps you already tried that and that's why you got the CF for the computer.

When the 2500 is mounted on a PC/Mac as a removable drive it only transfers at USB 1.1 speeds. The internal transfer rates probably aren't much faster. But like you said it would be a pain to try and clock it.

Also I don't think all Kingston cards work 100%. What's it labelled like?

I missed it the first view, but you only have the stock 16 MB internal sample RAM? You'll want to get a 128MB upgrade for sure. Did you try to load more than 16 MB of sounds at once off the card? Although I see you had issues even booting or loading a sound that's like 300kilobytes. Yeah maybe something with the pins and reader.

Metatron72; thank you for the quick response.

Yes, originally I tried to format the CF on the MPC, but was unsuccessful. That is why I purchased the CF reader.

I am not sure what you meant by, "What's it labelled like?" Everything on the label is similar to the image displayed online (http://www.adorama.com/KGCF16GBU2.html? ... QgodsCgA6A).

Yes, I have already ordered the 128MB RAM upgrade. 16MB is straight torture, but it's trained me to become very minimalistic and sample only what I need.
No, I didn't try loading more than 16MB worth of samples. It was only a a very small sample.

I will also look into the 149GB IDE HD and CFs you mentioned.

Thanks again.

My pleasure man. I wanted to check the specifics of the card model against other Kingston cards. The ones with flowers on the sticker seem to always work. I wanted to see if the transfer speed listed and what not differed. Like how I listed mine, the flick sufficed.

I think the HD will be labelled ATA actually, check the legacy threads on here. I usually get them from mom and pop PC shops for pretty cheap for an older less produced drive (like a $100 tops I bet).

Hope it's just the card itself.

Awesome! Thanks again, Metatron72. Appreciate the knowledge.

Just an update for those interested:

For testing purposes, I formatted the CF16GB in the following combinations:

FAT32 with 4.5 GB Free as Primary Drive (11.5GB Unallocated)
FAT32 with 2.5 GB Free as Primary Drive (13.6GB Unallocated)
FAT16 with 4 GB Free as Primary Drive (maximum allowable for FAT16)

In each of these scenarios, the issues persisted and I was either unable to load samples, or the MPC hangs when trying to boot/operate. I have also verified that the pins are in perfect condition.

I will be substituting the CF with a IDE HD to resolve this issue.

Thanks.

Format your CF using the MPC.

Thanks, m:t:c.

I've tried that but was not successful. I have since returned the CF.