Need help! SCSI problem from nowhere!

Can someone please help...

From nowhere the Iomega ZIP100 drive connected to my MPC3000 is no longer being recognised.

I've been using the drive for over a year with no problems. Last night I tried to format the zip then half way through I recieved an error messege. When I tried to format again the MPC said there was no SCSI drive connected. ''???????'' I didn't touch anything.

I tried other zip drives that I know work, changed the cables but still nothing. The MPC can't find a drive connected, even after the 30 second scan. Even the MPC is beginning to freeze on ocasion. (Freezes on main screen after start up). However, this is random as I was using the MPC earlier.

Does anyone know what the hell just happened?

I appreciate any response.

turn it off for a bit and let it rest. then try later. dont press the buttons so quickly. you might be pressing them quicker then the thing can keep up. other than that im not sure what to say. someone else might know.

you said you tried other zips and nothing worked so im not sure.

It was off all night and I never touch the buttons until the OS has loaded.

I was hoping for a more advanced response since I'm far from a beginner but thanks anyway. I appreciate your response all the same.

Can anybody else help? At the moment I've had to resort to going back to using the floppy drive which only highlights my frustration even more as it's so slow compared to what I was used to when using the zip drive.

Try a different disk, make sure the scsi cable is screwed in tight with both units turned off.

format a new one and see, it might be that your zip drive is failing, do you hear weird clicks from it?

SCSI fuse???

Don't scare him just yet.

>From nowhere the Iomega ZIP100 drive connected to my MPC3000 is no >longer being recognised.

Either the drive has gone bad or the MPC3000 SCSI board seems to be malfunctioning.

>I've been using the drive for over a year with no problems. Last night I >tried to format the zip then half way through I recieved an error >messege.

Did you write this message down ? FFXX ?

>When I tried to format again the MPC said there was no SCSI drive >connected. ''???????'' I didn't touch anything.

If the system is saying that no drive is connected you could verify the MPC3000 to be OK by plugging in a different drive as a method of confirmation.

>I tried other zip drives that I know work, changed the cables but still >nothing.

Try another type of drive all together. IE, A fixed SCSI drive.

>The MPC can't find a drive connected, even after the 30 second scan. >Even the MPC is beginning to freeze on ocasion.

Not finding any drive connected but having access to the SCSI menus indicates that the SCSI board is not making correct electrical contact with the connected drive.

With the power turned off...

Open the machine up.

Remove the ribbon cables that connect the SCSI board to the system board. Also the rear interface cable. Re-connect them.

Power up the box.

Try again.

Still a problem ?

SCSI fuse links ( the MPC3000 has many of them ) could be blown.

>(Freezes on main screen >after start up). However, this is random as I >was using the MPC earlier.

Hmmm.

I would check the power supply of the machine as it could be getting a little flakey with age.

Check also the SCSI board fuse links.

Get a tech to look at the machine.

>Does anyone know what the hell just happened?

Hard to say without seeing the machine on my bench.

Rohan.

''Try a different disk, make sure the scsi cable is screwed in tight with both units turned off'
The first thing I did. Several times in fact.

''it might be that your zip drive is failing, do you hear weird clicks from it?''
As I mentioned, I already tried alternative zip drives that I know work. Apart from the zip100 that was connected when the problem occured, I've tried connecting 2 zip250 drives (on seperate occasions) with the same result. I've also tried changing the lead. As for the clicks, no.

''Did you write this message down ? FFXX ? ''
I didn't write the messege down. As for the FF... error code, I get the messege that everyone would get if nothing was connected to the SCSI port and you tried to access it. Hence, nothing has been detected at the SCSI connection.

''you could verify the MPC3000 to be OK by plugging in a different drive as a method of confirmation''
Was the first thing I did. I have around 3 zip drives that I tested which all failed to get recognised. This leads me to believe that the MPC is at fault. Namly the SCSI port. I'm just surprised as one minute it was operating fine then from nowhere this all happened after I tried to format a zip disk. I've formatted disks in the past without any problems.

''Try another type of drive all together. IE, A fixed SCSI drive''
I've tries 3 zip drives that I know should work. All iomega. The drives work fine with my other studio gear. Also, at some point, I've used the above 3 drives with my MPC so I know that they're all compatable. I don't think buying a new SCSI drive would be the smartest thing to do at the moment as all evidence is suggesting the MPC is at fault.

''Not finding any drive connected but having access to the SCSI menus indicates that the SCSI board is not making correct electrical contact with the connected drive. Open the machine up.''
I don't want to open the machine up in case I make things worser then they already are. However, as a last resort I just might. But only as a last resort. If that's what people suggest I do let me know....

''SCSI fuse links ( the MPC3000 has many of them ) could be blown''
How would I know? If so what could I do?

>(Freezes on main screen >after start up). However, this is random as I >was using the MPC earlier.
Now that nothing is connected to the SCSI port, it no longer freezes.

''I would check the power supply of the machine as it could be getting a little flakey with age. Check also the SCSI board fuse links. Get a tech to look at the machine. ''
I live in London. I can't find anywhere that is willing to try and fix it since it's old and discontinued. If anyone in London knows a place...

''Hard to say without seeing the machine on my bench. ''
You don't by any chance live in London do you?

Thanks for the response especially Ronan for his lengthy reply. However the problem is still an issue.

What should I do now?

You got to find a good tech.

There's a guy in cumbria I know who might look at it, but that's kinda far from London I think. Not as far as Rohan, he's in Australia.

The Synthesizer Service Centre in England can fix this machine for you.

http://www.synth-service.co.uk/

Try them out.

Rohan.

Looks like that's my last resort.

I gave the synth centre a call. They said they can help but I have a feeling this is gonna cost me quite a bit. £45 ($75) an hour plus cost of parts. It's making me wonder if I should just use the floppy drive....

Thanks for the link Rohan, I appreciate it.

Thanks to everyone else who responded. Looks like this is one fault that needs to be fixed the old fashion way.

Cheaper then sending the unit to the US or AUSTRALIA for repair

Good luck.

Rohan.

If you do not mind opening up your MPC (I think instructions have been posted), you could check a couple things with a cheap multimeter.

Some electrical precautions would need to be taken since you have to check LIVE gear. A bit of risk would be involved since it is possible damage the MPC further. That is the trade-off for 75/hr. At that price, they take the responsibility for breaking it further.