2000XL Connection Question

So I've been reading through everything I can find on this forum about how these compact flash card readers work. I have the same problem as a couple people who bought the MCD Drive Kit from MPCStuff.com where if I have neither the floppy or the MCD drive hooked up, the MPC turns on just fine but if I connect the MCD drive all it does is either flash a blank LCD screen with all the lights or it just freezes with a blank screen and all the lights on. I've connected the IDE ribbon cable in every direction possible and nothing changes. When I re-connected the floppy drive it turns on. I read that the MPC won't boot without a card in the card reader so would this flashing blank screen and lights be what happens when I don't have a card in? I feel like if it turns on with the floppy drive in but no floppy, it should be able to turn on with the mcd drive in but no card. Is my best option really to buy a card? Any other thoughts as to what else could be the issue are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

MPC does boot w/o card in the reader, at least with my reader (ADDONICS ADIDECFB).
I can't tell why your MPC doesn't booth w/o card, maybe it depends on the reader.
either is the MCD from mcpstuff a piece of junk, or a ripoff.
Sorry, 125 dollars for 10 dollars worth oudated electronics... weird businness rules.

If you have 20 spare dollars, just try with the Addonics ADIDECFB and let us know.

what software you running on the mp?

harry.ethics wrote:what software you running on the mp?

says "Operating System: 1.2 Jul. 15,2004"

hummmmmmmmmmmm can't help you then breadbin

maybe someone else will chime in with a bit of help otherwise i'd be speaking to the dudes at mpcstuff. I bought my card reader from them and in my experience they have always been very helpful.

word. thanks ya'll. I'll talk to mpcstuff and if they can't help me i'll try the ADDONICS reader.

Can you post some pictures showing how you have the ribbon cables installed in your MPC?

MPCHunter wrote:Can you post some pictures showing how you have the ribbon cables installed in your MPC?

I will if what MPCStuff told me doesn't work. Apparently they got a "bad batch" of drives from the manufacturer that don't have the rubber grommets that separate the chips from the metal drive bay so they're sending me the rubber grommets to install. If that doesn't work I'll email them again and post pics of my situation.

Word, the Addonics joint mentioned is the way to go, It cost me like £40 all together with the card n extra fresh cables and crap.

Other than this, my MPC was really temperamental when i was fitting my cf reader like I'd fit it perfect and it wouldnt register it woul still say no floppy drive inserted or whatever damn error msg it says, cut it short, I had to really push every cable in like force it (obv dont get out Mjolnir and beat them around) maybe try other cables theyre cheap enough to be disposable.
If that doesn't work then MPC-stuff probably sent you a dodgy reader, which if you're in the UK SUCCCKKKSSS.

just got the rubber grommets from mpcstuff.com; i installed them and now everything works perfectly. very strange problem. Thanks again for your help ya'll.

pleased you got it sorted

Grommets Who'da thought?

wasn't 100% on "grommet" either.

is the above going to translate across the atlantic?

if you don't know... get to know.

http://www.wallaceandgromit.com/

Pretty sure W&G are as popular stateside as they are here