Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By djtilapia Sat Jul 13, 2013 3:25 am
hi. I was wondering if anyone knew out there knows of a program for Mac or Windows that would allow me to format a USB stick as FAT12 format? I know you'd be able to format partitions up to 16MB. I already have programs that allow me to create FAT12 partitions, but for only 1.4MB. and i'd like to be able to format partitions to be larger.

I currently have a USB Floppy Emulator installed on my MPC2000, which works fine. I'm able to create 100 1.4MB partitions, but i'd like to be able to create larger partitions, preferably 16MB.

I've tried EaseUS Partition Master, and other programs with no success. any help or suggestions would greatly be appreciated. thank you.
User avatar
By SimonInAustralia Sat Jul 13, 2013 4:02 am
djtilapia wrote:any help or suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

My suggestion, use SCSI instead.

I doubt that the MPC2000 would read larger floppy disks than 1.44MB.

Also, without folders/directories, you start running into maximum number of files per folder/directory problems with larger disk sizes.
By JVC Sat Jul 13, 2013 3:21 pm
djtilapia wrote:hi. I was wondering if anyone knew out there knows of a program for Mac or Windows that would allow me to format a USB stick as FAT12 format? I know you'd be able to format partitions up to 16MB. I already have programs that allow me to create FAT12 partitions, but for only 1.4MB. and i'd like to be able to format partitions to be larger.

I currently have a USB Floppy Emulator installed on my MPC2000, which works fine. I'm able to create 100 1.4MB partitions, but i'd like to be able to create larger partitions, preferably 16MB.

I've tried EaseUS Partition Master, and other programs with no success. any help or suggestions would greatly be appreciated. thank you.


I had a 2000 Classic, but I switched to XL, because I hated 2000 Classic's lack of decent data management functions. I think you are spinning wheels, you won't have a solutions that will satisfy you with 2000 Classic.
If the USB Floppy Emulator works with your 2000, then you should use it as it is. Probably what you are trying to do will not work with USB Floppy Emulator.

If you really want a larger partitions with your 2000, I'd recommend a SCSI MO drive, but it is not easy to get in the US.
By djtilapia Sat Jul 13, 2013 4:58 pm
yeah, i figured i'm just beating a dead horse.

i do have a zip drive connected to it which works fine, but like you said, the 2000's file management is a pain. I just figured if i could get a few 16mb partitions on a usb stick, it would work well for managing files and songs, and the partition would be big enough to save bigger samples. i don't want to invest money in a scsi CF reader or anything like that, it's just not worth it for a 2000.

but if anyone still hears of any programs that i can format 16mb FAT12, please let me know.

thanks.
By Clint Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:45 pm
djtilapia wrote:yeah, i figured i'm just beating a dead horse.



Some people just don't get it. A floppy emulator is an EMULATOR, no more, no less.

SCSI is your best bet, or move up to the 2KXL for better file management.
By Jeff_HxC2001 Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:18 am
Clint wrote:
djtilapia wrote:yeah, i figured i'm just beating a dead horse.



Some people just don't get it. A floppy emulator is an EMULATOR, no more, no less.



Some people just don't get it :wink: . Some floppy emulators does more than emulating 1.44MB & 720KB and are able to generate 4.5MB or more FAT12 virtual disk (already tested on MPC3000 and a lot of DOS based machines).

Just contact me by PM for more details.
By JVC Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:11 pm
Jeff_HxC2001 wrote:Some floppy emulators does more than emulating 1.44MB & 720KB and are able to generate 4.5MB or more FAT12 virtual disk (already tested on MPC3000 and a lot of DOS based machines).

HxC floppy emulator is one of the kind device, and it is very relevant to old samplers (it can be used in SP-1200!), so I wouldn't mind his postings with a hint of solicitation.
And I think that they've been only making a modest amount of profit (I have some idea how much each parts and PCBs would cost in small runs. It is more costly than many people would think.)

I didn't know HxC can do such things. For FAT12, the maximum partition is 32MB. But the question is, does the MPC-2000 classic would recognize such partition?
If that is possible, it seems to be the best data storage option for 2000 classic.
By djtilapia Tue Jul 23, 2013 3:34 pm
just an update. I was able to partition a usb thumb drive into a couple 8mb FAT12 partitions, but unfortunately the MPC2000 wasn't able to read them. So i'm guessing it never will read partitions over 1.4mb using a floppy emulator, or until the MPC2000's firmware will be updated, but probably never will. I just want to save anyone from headaches. but if you're still willing to try a floppy emulator to get away from using floppy disks, then by all means. For right now, the best option is my Zip drive.