MPC 2000XL Floppy disk Guru's help?!

So I've checked other threads before and I know I have to format to FAT, I read 12 is best but I don't get what 12 represents like 12kb or something?

So I formatted to FAT on an external floppy drive via PC windows 10 not quick format (also tried default allocation size and 16kb but no dice), then put WAV files on with 8 character names, and into the MPC but it shows 'Type=No disk'.

It does the little light flash and little sound when i turn it on to load up, it's not a continuous sound just a little 'dunh' off an on but still no disk...what's the deal?!

I got these disks;

Could really use some input on this, want to save some sample's as I got no floppy when i just got my mpc. I have read the bits of the manual i needed to, didn't get a copy and I bought the tutor one.....

have you tried formatting in the mpc?
you didn't need to spend money on a manual, it's freely available on this site even. still, money well spent as the books tutor produces will help you.

tapedeck wrote:have you tried formatting in the mpc?
you didn't need to spend money on a manual, it's freely available on this site even. still, money well spent as the books tutor produces will help you.

I tried on the MPC but it doesn't read the floppy... There's an internal F-ROM of course so I could save a certain amount to that I'm guessing, not sure what the space is. From what I've read these floppy's should be cool 1.4mb 2hd etc.

I wanted to format on the PC via the external floppy, so I could put some drum samples I've already got onto them. It worked but people were talking about doing a certain FAT format and there's only one FAT format on mine, but it still doesn't read on the MPC anyway, yet the drive on it seems to be fine, so maybe the floppy's aren't good or they need to be formatted a certain way before they can be read...

Wal Martian wrote:Ditch the floppies and get a CF reader.

Yeah I get that it's convenient, but I like the original style, plus I've got a 950 with a floppy drive in and I haven't even got on that yet as I want to get the MPC down first, so I'd rather just learn the floppy's and stick with it, rather than modifying the machines.

ThirdEye wrote:

tapedeck wrote:It worked but people were talking about doing a certain FAT format and there's only one FAT format on mine...

now i'm lost - if it worked, do what worked.

long story short - cut out the variables. try to format only in the mpc. if this doesn't work, you will know either yer drive or yer disks are bad. yer throwing this other variable into the mix which includes the computer, the file system, etc. simplify - troubleshoot logically.

tapedeck wrote:

ThirdEye wrote:

tapedeck wrote:It worked but people were talking about doing a certain FAT format and there's only one FAT format on mine...

now i'm lost - if it worked, do what worked.

Sorry, I meant the format on PC works, but the MPC just won't read it says there's no disk, that part doesn't work. So I was thinking I might have to format on PC a certain way and possibly format before putting in the MPC anyway as I've read certain disks need formatting before use.

cut out the pc - get it working 100% mpc first.

this might involve opening it up and checking that its all connected, trying a different drive, and trying different disks. but you are not going to get anywhere until it works on the mpc so focus on that and forget the computer for now.

tapedeck wrote:cut out the pc - get it working 100% mpc first.

this might involve opening it up and checking that its all connected, trying a different drive, and trying different disks. but you are not going to get anywhere until it works on the mpc so focus on that and forget the computer for now.

I'll take a look at the inside of it, hopefully it's a loose cable, not too sure what to look for otherwise, the drive seemed to be doing everything normally though (flashing light/noise) . I tried a different floppy disk that came with my s950, but it does the same.

ThirdEye wrote:

tapedeck wrote:have you tried formatting in the mpc?
you didn't need to spend money on a manual, it's freely available on this site even. still, money well spent as the books tutor produces will help you.

I tried on the MPC but it doesn't read the floppy...

have you tried FORMATTING it on the mpc? what error does it give?

tapedeck wrote:

ThirdEye wrote:

tapedeck wrote:have you tried formatting in the mpc?
you didn't need to spend money on a manual, it's freely available on this site even. still, money well spent as the books tutor produces will help you.

I tried on the MPC but it doesn't read the floppy...

have you tried FORMATTING it on the mpc? what error does it give?

Yes. I did but it just shows 'no disk ! !', I'll open it up and check for loose cables like you said, hopefully it's that because it won't see the disks, or maybe I need a new one otherwise.

Wal Martian wrote:^Yes, format it on the MPC disk screen, once that's done pop it out of the MPc and put it in the computer. If it asks if you want to format/repair say no and drop the files on the MPC formatted disk.

Alright thanks.

ThirdEye wrote:Yes. I did but it just shows 'no disk ! !', I'll open it up and check for loose cables like you said, hopefully it's that because it won't see the disks, or maybe I need a new one otherwise.

ok now we're getting somewhere. if it shows 'no disk' you are either selecting the wrong drive, your drive is bad / not connected, or ALL your disks are bad.

the first two are the most likely. you are sure it says 'floppy'? (i can't remember what it is supposed to say as i took the floppy out years ago)