Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By poppyzD Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:55 am
Just got a cf card reader and something went wrong while trying to install the 1.2 os. It asks for an mpc200xl disc.
From the threads I've read I should first try a formatted disc with the os loaded on to it. Unfortunately, my PC doesn't have a floppy drive. Just to save opening up the mpc and checking the connections, can someone tell me if I can take the floppy from the mpc and install it on my PC, load the os, then put it back in the mpc? I know floppy drives are super cheap but I really would never use it ever again.

Thanks
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By mr_debauch Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:11 am
yes it is possible as long as your computer has the port on the mother board which I am pretty sure it does. be careful, unplug the computer and mpc before doing anything like that... and before touching any internal components make sure to touch the case of the machine first... it will protect your parts.
By poppyzD Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:14 pm
It seems like a pretty standard floppy drive. I couldn't get it to register on my pc though. Had the right fdd/power connection, enabled in the bios etc. but it would not power or acknowledge a disk.

My uneducated guess would be that you need to configure the jumpers back to whatever their original settings were (assuming the drives were originally manufactured for use in pc's).
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By mr_debauch Mon Dec 20, 2010 2:41 am
poppyzD wrote: (assuming the drives were originally manufactured for use in pc's).


for sure, they didn't make a custom floppy for the mpc.

maybe the jumpers would need to be switched around. I suggest you maybe asking scsiforsamplers to mail you one. he may only charge you for the shipping... I doubt he will ask for more then 10 bucks.
By poppyzD Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:04 am
I found a drive today for $10. Seemed to be able to load the os 1.2 on again fine. However, after installing
the cf reader and powering on again, it still asks for a disc.

Forum search time I guess...
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By mr_debauch Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:24 am
wait, so you installed the 1.2 and it doesn't do anything? so, then I am not sure what the problem is because I personally never wound up with that kind of problem. take a look around the 2000/xl section of the forum at some of the threads. I KNOW somebody here had something that sounds like your problem and somebody had a suggestion but I dont remember what the solution was.
By poppyzD Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:11 am
I was able to reload 1.2, or seemingly. It installed and was functioning normally under 1.2 I then shut it off to install the cf reader. Now when I power on, I'm stuck on the 'insert mpc2000xl disc' screen. I've since switched back to floppy, but I'm stuck on that screen as well.

The only thing I could find searching was this:

Not a 100% sure , but it sounds like you need to load the O.S. from floppy disk again.
And then if that works, if i remember correctly, there's a big chance you need to save the O.S.
to the internal memory again.


Firstly, I have to figure out how to boot up again (what with being stuck on the screen), secondly how would saving anything to the internal memory help, given that it's just RAM?
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By mr_debauch Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:14 am
I believe what he is talking about is the EPROM, the internal rom chip the OS is stored on.... basically... reinstall the OS.

That shouldn't be hard to do. try reinstalling it again, and maybe even a couple more times. it may be having trouble storing it or writing it or something... who knows.
By poppyzD Mon Dec 20, 2010 12:14 pm
Finally got it working. Don't know what was going on. I had to revert back to os 1.14 then install 1.20 again. CF reader in and working now. :P
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By mr_debauch Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:51 pm
oh nice! yeah these machines take patience! :D

now you can get down to business.