Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By just charlie Wed May 13, 2009 7:40 am
SMC wrote:$18 homie.

Only crappy thing is it doesn't include insurance or tracking.

If you want either, you get both, but it goes to $46

WOW

Shipping sux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


word, thank you. I will make my order soon! I'm glad you're taking the time to do this, doing the community a real service.
By eibou Wed May 13, 2009 8:22 am
One more information would be nice from you fellas. So I could know if the problem is in the OS.

When I put the power on, card readers light is on. So it gets power. When I go to load/save screen, mp gives me the info "no floppy device!" and offers floppy as a primary device. U can change it into f-rom but nothing happens - mp doesn't recognize the cards(tried several). It may of course be that none of em cards is compatible.

But, yeah, that's the thing I'd like to get some info from some of you who has the similar reader. So I could know if something's f#cked up.

Thanks!

edit. some more specified data: I flipped the ribbon once more and now when I put any of the cards in the reader, mpc loads up memory very much more longer than earlier. I guess it is trying to use the cards memory but it isn't compatible. I GUESS, only.

Second thing: when I'm in load/save screen and hot-swap the card, mpc goes nuts, like it is supposed to go. So I think everything is right, card is the problem. I'm just afraid how many cards I have to test to get a working one... tested 5 now with failure :(
By eibou Wed May 13, 2009 11:13 am
I GOT IT ROCKIN!

There are numerous ways how u can put the ribbon. My problem wasn't due to bad os installation or corrupted file or neither the card - two of the cards that I tested works fine!

It was the ribbon. It can be put in totally 8 different ways - there is no info anywhere how it is supposed to be installed. You can flip the ribbons head in both ends(mp and reader)and do the same thing after flipping the whole ribbon. You can also flip the other head and leave the other unflipped. I got it right with luck and numerous testings.

Crazy thing is that one card that isn't working is just ignored - mp won't even recognize it. And the other card then locks the whole machine - all leds lit up and the OS doesn't load.


All in all, I'm glad that I got it done. For future, the installation instructions could be a little more specific. I almost lost my interest in the whole thing after trying everything possible and thinking everything over and over again.
Thanks SMC for this product - it's cheap and works after a little brainstorm session :D Now I just gotta get a bigger CF card - current is only 128 megs =)
User avatar
By SMC Wed May 13, 2009 2:34 pm
Yeah, sorry guys, I WILL have installation instructions before too long. With pics.

I will also insert the correct end of the ribbon in the card reader in the correct configutarion to simplify things.

That and I'll label the other end for clarification... unfortunately the ribbons I got do not have the key on them, so they can be installed incorrectly. Kind of a bummer, but it keeps costs lower.

And I will also include a known, good, copy of the OS on CD, if I can get permission from AKAI

Just been hella tied up with numerous projects and other things.

Glad you got her up, sorry for the confusion.
By eibou Wed May 13, 2009 3:25 pm
yea, I saw the projects u have going on. Ur hands are full of job mos def, no doubt.

Just to make sure, the comment that I said was no diss in any way. I'm just giving the ideas away that I had during the process.

If u can get those pics, labels for the ribbon and cd with the reader then u just can't go wrong. Then this package is unbeatable :)
User avatar
By SMC Wed May 13, 2009 5:25 pm
eibou,

No prob. Not taken the wrong way. Even if it had been a dis you would have been entitled anyway.

The more discussion on it the merrier. I'd much prefer to have peoples experience aired out, good or bad.

Thanx, labels, cd with OS, and instructions soon.
By namotu Thu May 14, 2009 12:38 am
hey so i just recieved your card reader, looks real nice. i was about to install it when i realized the 2000xl is runnin on 1.14 right now, i just picked it up from a member on the forum.

how do i get 1.2 on the XL? he sold it to me with the standard floppy drive in it, and i dunno how to get the OS .bin file onto a floppy so i can install it...

floppys seem so outdated, i dunno how to get a file from a mac onto one. any suggestions?
User avatar
By SMC Thu May 14, 2009 2:03 pm
You HAVE TO get the OS onto a Floppy and install it.

That, or use the rear SCSI and hook up an external Zip or CD burner or something.

Either way I'm guessing you don't have a way to interface the media or external drives to your computer.

But you're going to have to do it somehow.

You have to get 1.20 installed..........
By just charlie Thu May 14, 2009 2:50 pm
namotu wrote:hey so i just recieved your card reader, looks real nice. i was about to install it when i realized the 2000xl is runnin on 1.14 right now, i just picked it up from a member on the forum.

how do i get 1.2 on the XL? he sold it to me with the standard floppy drive in it, and i dunno how to get the OS .bin file onto a floppy so i can install it...

floppys seem so outdated, i dunno how to get a file from a mac onto one. any suggestions?


the easiest way is probably buy a usb external floppy drive. I got a used one one locally for $5 and the seller threw in a small stack of free disks
By eibou Thu May 14, 2009 3:24 pm
don't you have an older model standard pc somewhere around you? When I got the OS, I went to my parents' home and borrowed their computer which had a floppy drive. Then just dl the os, extract the zip-file and drop the bin.file to floppy.
User avatar
By SMC Fri May 15, 2009 4:29 pm
Hey, can you guys all do us all a favor and list the CF Cards you are using with my readers?
(Brand, Size, Where you bought, any other specs)

I'll go first, though I bought mine over a year ago, the cards may have changed....
Also, they sell them in their stores, but only list a 2GB online

Microcenter private labeled 1GB
By scsiforsamplers.com Fri May 15, 2009 9:53 pm
??? Why does he have to install 1.20 to use this card reader? I've sold tons of SCSI readers for the MPCs and none of those ever required any particular version of the os. Are you saying this IDE card reader will only work with 1.20? Sorry if you addressed this earlier in the thread - I'm too lazy to read through all those pages :P
User avatar
By SMC Mon May 18, 2009 5:09 pm
5 More on Ebay! Snatch em! I need money. houses are expensive

A lot changed in the OS, in initial testing with multiple different circuitboard designs, I found the best compatibility with 1.20

To be honest, I don't even remember now if mine actually does need it, I just remember getting to the point I installed it for all of them I was testing with....

:)

How bad is that huh?

Anyway, My guy dropped the 2KXL off at my studio yesterday, so I'll grab it today or tomorrow and test with the older OS, and make installation instructions for these jokers.
User avatar
By mr_debauch Mon May 18, 2009 5:11 pm
SMC wrote:5 More on Ebay! Snatch em! I need money. houses are expensive

A lot changed in the OS, in initial testing with multiple different circuitboard designs, I found the best compatibility with 1.20

To be honest, I don't even remember now if mine actually does need it, I just remember getting to the point I installed it for all of them I was testing with....

:)

How bad is that huh?

Anyway, My guy dropped the 2KXL off at my studio yesterday, so I'll grab it today or tomorrow and test with the older OS, and make installation instructions for these jokers.


could you post the ebay link again for the most recently posted readers?