Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
By Mango Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:16 pm
I have been loaded my internal MPC harddrive a "40GB IBM Deskstar Model: IC35L040AVVA07-0" with new samples for 2 months now. Today when I started it up, it said "NO DRIVE". I have checked every cable, tried to change slave-master settings, but still "NO DRIVE". This is crazy!!
You cant even hear the harddrive runnin anymore.
I have never had this problem with it the 18 months I have had it...

I have seen that others have had this problem too, and this harddrive I have installed, someone called it "IBM deathstar", hehe.
But not so funny for me, neither will it be for the guy who picked it out for me.


QUESTIONS

1.
What can I do to get the harddrive runnin again?
And how do I make it safe from this.

2.
Whats the right setting for the harddrive (I dont have any CDRW installed):

- DEVICE 0 (MASTER) or
- DEVICE 1 (SLAVE) or
- CABLE SELECT or
- DEV 0 FORCING DEV 1 PRESENT

and which area

- 16 heads or
- 15 heads or
- 32GB CLIP or
- Auto Spin Disable

3.
Which harddrive is the most secure one I can get to my MPC. I want the one build for MPC... Anyone you can recommend? ( I will start a new TOPIC about this)

THANKS IN ADVANCE.
User avatar

By The-Shadow Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:33 pm
There is no point in changing the settings if it worked one day and it died the next. The lack of activity likely means the motor has died or the drive had crashed. Sometimes a HD will make clicking noises and when you start hearing it, take it as a sign your drive will die soon. But sometimes it just goes in an instant.

I hope you used Ak.Sys to transfer out your stuff and back it up regularly. You can try to install it in a PC as a slave to a primary boot drive and see if you get a hit off it. If it manages to work, start transferring yer shyte off. Otherwise, pick up a Seagate or WD 7200 rpm drive.

The 4000s I've serviced seem to be coming from the factory with either of these drives.

I know how you feel, I was there after the big blackout. You gotta develop good backup habits. It helps prevent future grief.

Peace.

By Mango Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:45 pm
Thx for your reply.
Well the good thing is I did backups some weeks ago, so the most samples I have on DVD´s.

But still I need a new harddrive.
So those harddrives you recommend are the best for mpc4k?

And should you always have the harddrive as a "16 HEAD 0 DEVICE MASTER"?
User avatar

By The-Shadow Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:51 pm
I don't know what the best is, these are the ones I have seen installed in units. If it comes from the factory with these, I would get it, because on some level the designers deem these drives the best fit for the unit.

Set your new drive to master, and you should be ok.
User avatar

By Kalei Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:09 pm
I remember some people having problems with the drives showing up after OS 1.51 (I think?). Put the drive in a windows machine and check if it finds it, if it does then backup what you havent already and go get a Seagate ;)

Kalei

By Mango Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:49 pm
Does every seagate model fit?
Plz, post a link or somethin to a nice one! So I know I will get THE ONE. THX for your help!
User avatar

By Kalei Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:18 am
Im sorry I cant check what exact model I got, Im not at home. I can check it on wednesday for you though if thats not too late.

Kalei

By Mango Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:25 am
THX, but I have to buy a harddrive tomorrow. I am in middle of a production here that has to be finished before the weekend ends, so... Well if you/anyone know a nice model, feel free to tell. thank you.

By ddot_SFV Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:27 am
I've been trying warn cats about the IBM "Deathstar". Its not a question of if its going to crash, but when. Same sh*t happened to me. There's a class action lawsuit pending against IBM concerning these drives.

http://www.sheller.com/SubPage.asp?SubPageID=88

I feel your pain.