Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
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By Harmoncj Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:48 pm
My mpc2000 has been working fine for years when using a separate OS floppy disk, but lately I've been trying to make a floppy to with both the OS and APS so I can autoload about 800k of drum samples on startup.

I've tried making this disk several times now and I'm consistently getting "Div.Error at 3000:00F4" I'm almost certain I'm copying the OS from good disks.

Do you think the problem is with the autoload process or do you think I have a bad floppy drive?
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By tapedeck Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:06 pm
Harmoncj wrote:Do you think the problem is with the autoload process or do you think I have a bad floppy drive?

or a bad disk?

what is the exact process you are using to create this disk?
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By mr_debauch Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:16 pm
I suggest you format the disk... and drag and drop the os on there from a computer. then try saving an aps. and sequences/songs after that.... I was thinking of doing that to my stuff too... but didn't wind up in the end.
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By tapedeck Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:19 pm
mr_debauch wrote:I suggest you format the disk... and drag and drop the os on there from a computer. then try saving an aps. and sequences/songs after that.... I was thinking of doing that to my stuff too... but didn't wind up in the end.

and i would recommend doing it all on the mpc :mrgreen:

try both
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By mr_debauch Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:22 pm
well the reason I suggest the computer... is because I made a stack of OS disks that way... and they all work. Oh, also... use some new floppy disks. Dont use old worn out ones.
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By Harmoncj Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:54 pm
Wow thanks for all the quick replies! I think I'll take all your advice and make a new OS disk from computer. I wonder if I had a magnet or something close to my disk pile.

tapedeck wrote:what is the exact process you are using to create this disk?


1) first OS disk is definitely bad but there are 2 others that I was pretty sure would work.
2) drum samples dropped in a PGM using MPC editor V3, written to IBM formatted floppy over USB floppy drive.
3) boot MPC from trusted disks
4)load PGM and samples from IBM disk. At this point I test it out and yes I have all the samples I want and used up only around 900k, looks good.
5)format an extra disk,
6)copy OS to extra disk
7)save ALL PROGRAMS with samples to extra disk
8)use this newly created disk to boot MPC next time.

The first try I have to assume was a bad OS disk because I couldn't make it a few minutes without freeze. The 2 other disks seem to work a little better but after an hour or so "Div.Error at 3000:00F4"
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By tapedeck Thu Feb 14, 2013 8:09 pm
Harmoncj wrote:The first try I have to assume was a bad OS disk because I couldn't make it a few minutes without freeze. The 2 other disks seem to work a little better but after an hour or so "Div.Error at 3000:00F4"

if the problem only shows up after an hour or so it might not be the disk.

1) do not leave the disk in the drive if you are not using it. load / save what you want, then 'eject' the disk so it is not loaded
2) this could be something else other than your disk - or does it ONLY happen when saving/loading?

if it just happens randomly 'after an hour or so' then i would guess your memory is failing / needs a cleaning. take out the ram, clean the contacts (pencil eraser works) and put it back in firmly.
:mrgreen:
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By Harmoncj Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:00 pm
tapedeck wrote:if the problem only shows up after an hour or so it might not be the disk.

1) do not leave the disk in the drive if you are not using it. load / save what you want, then 'eject' the disk so it is not loaded
2) this could be something else other than your disk - or does it ONLY happen when saving/loading?

if it just happens randomly 'after an hour or so' then i would guess your memory is failing / needs a cleaning. take out the ram, clean the contacts (pencil eraser works) and put it back in firmly.
:mrgreen:

I do think I will have to clean. after this:
1)attempted disk made with computer: pretty much instant freeze
2)attempted disk OS only, separate disk for samples: eventual freeze
3)found another OS disk w auto load program and 1 sample, this I know I've been able to use many times in the past. after 15 minutes freeze.

I bet it's something obvious if I just open it up and clean everything out. Thanks for all the help so far! I've become so dependent on this thing I'll spend a whole day to fix it
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By mr_debauch Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:02 pm
^ yeah I agree.. while you got the mpc open.. might as well disconnect all connectors and reconnect them all one by one.. to ensure they are properly seated (they can come loose over time) .. the 2000 classic is a pain to get down to where the motherboard is so you might as well do that too while you're at it.
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By Harmoncj Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:27 pm
Good news! maybe too soon to tell but I opened it all up wiped out some dust, took out the RAM to wipe down, made sure all the connectors were sturdy. After this I gave it pretty rigorous test performing as many functions possibly could in TRIM, PROGRAM, and MAIN sequencer, looks like I'm back in biz :smoker:

Thanks everyone!! Left to my own I might've ordered a floppy drive, I really appreciate the help!