Internal CF Reader Installation

Hey, I just ordered everything I should need to get up and running. Let me know if Im missing anything. My question is, once I get the CF, how do I format it properly? I heard and seen some stuff about doing it on the MPC but it was vague so I just wanted some more details. Ill be using a 1GB San Disk CF Card. Also, how can I check what os my XL is running? And with this setup and can put wav songs and chop them from the card since I don't have a turntable or anything?

What I bought:

Bay Mount: http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_ ... didecf.asp

IDE Cable 40-PIN #20 hole not blocked: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

Card Reader (For Laptop): http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

1GB San Disk CF Card: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

Thanks in advance for all the help and input. Appreciate it!

For those of you who would like to install an IDE card reader into your XL but have more questions than answers, we have put together the entire kit: nice new IDE card reader drive, install kit with detailed instructions (with pictures!) and a 1.2 install floppy - all for $55.00. It's called the XL Flash and the drives come in beige, black or red - your choice. You can see them here:

http://scsiforsamplers.com/cf-mpc.asp

Contact me with any questions via our website.

Now for Wes4President:

To check os version: Shift 8, then VER. This will show the installed os version. You must be running 1.2 to use the card reader drive you purchased, so install that. The easiest way to do that is to format a floppy disk on your MPC, then put it in your computer's floppy and copy the one .bin file onto the floppy. If you need 1.2, we have it on the Free Downloads page of our website. Put the floppy disk back into the MPC and load the bin file. That will start the update.

After you upgrade the os and install the card reader, start your MPC up with the 1GB CF card in the drive, then select Format and format the card. That is it - you'll be rolling after that. If you have a USB card reader, you can access the CF card in your computer and copy wav files to it for loading into the MPC.

Ahh! Thank you so much. You've helped a ton! Ok, im running 1.14 so I going to have to find an ancient PC somewhere. Now the wait for these parts begin :*(

Don't forget that the mounting bracket on the CF adapter you bought does not have the holes you'll need drilled into the bottom, so I hope you have a drill and some skills in that area.

One more plug for our XL Flash drive and kit - it's already drilled for the MPC and all you do is screw the bracket in. If you can use a screwdriver, you are good to go.

Hmmm, thanks for the heads up. Never heard of this issue. Would you happen to have a pictured illustration of where the holes are? Thanks again for all the help

Your best best is to turn the MPC over in your lap (with the case bottom and floppy drive removed) and hold the mounting bracket in place. Use a marker to put a dot where each of the two holes will need to be on the bracket. Then take the bracket out of the MPC and drill the two screw holes using the dots you marked as your guide. If you don't have a drill press, you can use a hammer and a big nail to make a nail punch in the spot you want to drill each hole, as that will keep the drill bit from sliding when you start the hole. I recommend using a 3/32" drill bit. You really only need to drill the two holes in the upper part of the bracket, as that is sufficient to hold the bracket in place. Best of luck!

Thank you so much for your time and approximate specifications. Great Help!!!!!!

Wes4President wrote:Thank you so much for your time and approximate specifications. Great Help!!!!!!

Glad to help. Just be sure you remember me when you become president and give me a cabinet post. "Secretary of SCSI" sounds good.

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Will definitely do!

Wes,

PM me your email and I'll shoot you my PDF installation instructions, which should help.

I custom manufacture my brackets, so mine are different, but it will show you everything you need.

Also, YOU WANT ALL 4 MOUNTING HOLES DRILLED AND SCREWED

You don't want to leave the front or back loose, it will rattle, and might mount like crap....

There are two at the front, and two at the rear, of the drive.

Also, keep in mind that the flat face brackets dont look clean in the openings, so take some care before marking to drill....
Bend and position the front flat face until it looks ok, then mark it for drilling.
(That's one reason why I manufactured custom brackets)
But you can get it to look ok if you have patience.....

Later

You could drill only 2 holes but why stop there and leave it to potential problems

I second SMC's instructions on drilling ALL 4 holes, for the sake of completeness, clean-look, noisy-free operation (as SMC says). Do the whole 10 yards so you don't have to go back and drill the 3rd and 4th holes. Listen to SMC and you will be glad you did. Get the pdf installation instructions. peace.

Ok, installed the Reader and when I boot MPC is says "NO FLOPPY DRIVE". Is it supposed to say that? I installed the IDE cable with the long end going to the board and the middle going to the CF. The other short end is just loose. Also connected the previous power cord to the new one as well. Where should my card be when loading?(Floppy, SCSI-0, SCSI-1, F-ROM, ETC.) And you all were right, mounting this thing is a B****.

Wes4President wrote:I installed the IDE cable with the long end going to the board and the middle going to the CF. The other short end is just loose. Also connected the previous power cord to the new one as well. Where should my card be when loading?(Floppy, SCSI-0, SCSI-1, F-ROM, ETC.) And you all were right, mounting this thing is a B****.

I'm having exactly the same problem as Wes. Upgraded to 1.20, installed and plugged up a MCD with a 1GB San Disk flash card and now the MPC does not show any ATAPI drive. Just cycles through the floppy, SCSIs and F-ROM. Any ideas?

IDE cables that have 3 connectors is known as a crossover cable. Try plugging the card reader into the other connector at the end of the cable. Is there a jumper to set the reader as a master device.

Yes, I have the jumper set to master device.

Last night I tried it with two different IDE cables (not jumpers) both ways and neither worked...