MPC 2000XL CF CARD READER UPGRADE

Hi to all the mpc 2000xl users, I am deciding to upgrade from my 100mb Zip drive to this cf card reader: https://www.jauce.com/auction/f128969916, it states in the description that I need to upgrade to 1.20 but some threads say 1.14 works fine with a certain cf card reader and some don't say that, anyways, I'm confused, so could you guys explain to me what I should do. Thanks

EliteTurk wrote:Hi to all the mpc 2000xl users, I am deciding to upgrade from my 100mb Zip drive to this cf card reader: https://www.jauce.com/auction/f128969916, it states in the description that I need to upgrade to 1.20 but some threads say 1.14 works fine with a certain cf card reader and some don't say that, anyways, I'm confused, so could you guys explain to me what I should do. Thanks

Yes, that card reader will not work with 1.14, as it says in the description.


As I understand it, a card reader that directly connects the CF pins to the IDE cable, without additional active circuitry in-between, as that reader does, needs 1.20.

A card reader that has additional active circuitry in-between the IDE cable and the CF card, to to provide the ATAPI protocol, and therefore hotswap capability, should work with both 1.14 and 1.20, depending on the model, but some of these still seem to require 1.20.

Additionally, not all ATAPI readers work with the MPC, there only seem to be a very limited number of readers that do work, and that are available new.


If you are OK with non-hotswap, then one of the cheaper IDE readers, on OS 1.20, will be sufficient.

If you want hotswap, you need a compatible ATAPI reader.


Upgrading to OS 1.20 is easy, but forces a IDE CF reader to format cards as a single 1GB PC compatible partition. This is most likely not an issue, and probably preferable for many users.

Yes, I know upgrading is easy but I only have one Zip disk that I have been using without a Zip drive to connect to my PC (I would either find someone with a Zip drive on their PC or buy it pre installed since I don't want to buy a Zip drive) By the looks of it would it mount in without needing to mod it?

Yes, it looks like it should mount up without any mods, and is being sold specifically as an MPC2000XL reader, so I would expect it should.

Could I install the cf card reader with 1.14 then update to 1.20 with a cf card, a lot of people are saying this will work, what's your opinion?

EliteTurk wrote:Could I install the cf card reader with 1.14 then update to 1.20 with a cf card, a lot of people are saying this will work, what's your opinion?

No.

Once you install the card reader, you have no way of updating to 1.20, as it will not communicate with the card reader on 1.14.

You need to find someone with a Zip drive on a computer to copy the OS file onto a Zip for you.

Ok, but why do people post on threads and say it works?

OK, if they say it will work, then it probably will, and I am wrong, just disregard everything I have told you.

I wasn't saying you are wrong, you are probably right, maybe it works with certain mpcs or card readers. I don't want to pay $10 for another Zip disk, do you happen to have one with os 1.20 installed?

I have already tried to explain to you how I believe it works, how 1.20 is required for IDE-CF adapters/readers, and 1.14 will only work with ATAPI readers.

The seller of the reader that you posted the link to above says that it needs 1.20 to operate.

You don't want to listen to me, or the seller.

You say that other people say it works, maybe it does, I have told you what I know, I really don't have any more to add, maybe someone else will tell you what you want to hear.

It is quite possible I am wrong, and that it will work with 1.14, good luck with it.

You got it all wrong, I just wanted your opinion and I thought os 1.14 works with all card readers (not only atapi) sorry for the confusion take it easy. Thanks for your help