"Insert MPC2000XL disk!"

Hi,

I recently bought a 2KXL with a built-in CF reader. It worked fine, but it didn't recognize any of my CF cards (SanDisk 1GB, SanDisk Ultra II 512MB and Transcend CF-80 1GB). The seller said that everything worked with his 1GB card, but the manufacturer is unknown. The MPC always displayed “No floppy device !!”. The only reaction in connection with the Transcend CF card was that the MPC hung up when I pulled out the card. From this I concluded that the CF reader must at least work somehow.

I then read that the IDE cable might not be plugged into the port firmly enough, so I opened the MPC to check. I discovered that there is no cable for a power supply. Unfortunately, there is nothing on the CF reader except “Access” on the front and a sticker with the serial number. However, since everything worked for the previous owner, I assume that the reader probably works without an extra power supply.

Anyway, I unplugged the IDE cable and plugged it in again. When I started the MPC again, I only got the message “Insert MPC2000XL Disk!" I installed the OS on all cards and started the MPC with it (as described here: https://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=153475). However, nothing happens at all. Neither with 1.14, nor with 1.20 (the MPC was running 1.20 before the crash).

Now the question arises whether I have to buy a floppy drive or how I can proceed. The seller has offered to give me his CF card and I will pick it up asap, but I have also read that it sometimes only works with floppies.
If it needs a floppy drive, I would buy one of the two: TEAC FD-235HF or MITSUMI D359T7. Is that correct? And what do I need to consider with the floppy disks other than unpacking the ZIP directly onto them?

I've tried hard to search, but haven't really gotten anywhere, thanks for any help!

Wait until you receive the seller‘s CF card, then compare it‘s disk info (via PC/Mac) with your CF cards.
Those cards have a controller inside and not all are created equal.
(there are various standards, disk info will tell which, regardless of brand printed on the thing)

blondbert_xl wrote:Hi,

I recently bought a 2KXL with a built-in CF reader. It worked fine, but it didn't recognize any of my CF cards (SanDisk 1GB, SanDisk Ultra II 512MB and Transcend CF-80 1GB). The seller said that everything worked with his 1GB card, but the manufacturer is unknown. The MPC always displayed “No floppy device !!”. The only reaction in connection with the Transcend CF card was that the MPC hung up when I pulled out the card. From this I concluded that the CF reader must at least work somehow.

I then read that the IDE cable might not be plugged into the port firmly enough, so I opened the MPC to check. I discovered that there is no cable for a power supply. Unfortunately, there is nothing on the CF reader except “Access” on the front and a sticker with the serial number. However, since everything worked for the previous owner, I assume that the reader probably works without an extra power supply.

Anyway, I unplugged the IDE cable and plugged it in again. When I started the MPC again, I only got the message “Insert MPC2000XL Disk!" I installed the OS on all cards and started the MPC with it (as described here: https://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=153475). However, nothing happens at all. Neither with 1.14, nor with 1.20 (the MPC was running 1.20 before the crash).

Now the question arises whether I have to buy a floppy drive or how I can proceed. The seller has offered to give me his CF card and I will pick it up asap, but I have also read that it sometimes only works with floppies.
If it needs a floppy drive, I would buy one of the two: TEAC FD-235HF or MITSUMI D359T7. Is that correct? And what do I need to consider with the floppy disks other than unpacking the ZIP directly onto them?

I've tried hard to search, but haven't really gotten anywhere, thanks for any help!

"Insert MPC2000XL Disk!" means the on board flash that holds the operating system was corrupted.

If you have a working floppy drive, you can copy the 1.14 or 1.20 files to a floppy disk, insert it in the drive, hold REC and OVERDUB and turn the unit on. Provided that the bootloader isn't corrupted (which it doesn't sound like it is) the XL will load the operating system off the disk and go to the main screen.

From the main screen, go to load and load the OS again - It'll ask if you want to flash the unit, hit yes - It'll re-write the flash which should resolve the "Insert MPC2000XL Disk!" message.

Now for what caused it? Something to know - A lot of people over the years, when upgrading their XL's to IDE CF card readers make the mistake of plugging in the IDE cable to the drive the wrong way around, causing an electrical short and consequently corrupting the on board flash.

I see you wrote that you pulled the CF card out when it hung - is it fair to say that you did this while the unit was on? If so, then that can cause damage to the unit as well. So don't do that.

Now after all of this, if some how you're unable to do what is mentioned above - There is a RECOVERY ROM chip available on eBay which can be used as a last resort to reprogram the on board flash. If the on board flash is some how physically damaged and unable to handle any more writes, then what you can do is boot off the RECOVERY ROM chip instead.

I believe the only caveat with booting off the RECOVERY ROM is that certain settings one would set such as the default volume you set your XL would not be retained once you power it off, as those settings are stored on the flash. the RECOVERY ROM would be read only. But besides that, if you worked on a beat, any settings you had on the beat would be saved and reloaded anyway.

Is there any difference with the CF card inserted or not, on booting?

No difference - It just means that when the XL is turned on and scans the bus, that it won't find any CF card "drive" installed. It would not limit your ability to use the XL, but of course you would not be able to save anything.

And whatever you do, don't try to insert a CF card in the drive after the XL is on - it's not hot swap.

Thank you very much for all the helpful answers.

richie wrote:I see you wrote that you pulled the CF card out when it hung - is it fair to say that you did this while the unit was on? If so, then that can cause damage to the unit as well. So don't do that.

That could have been the problem. However, the error message (insert MPC disk) only appeared after I unplugged the IDE cable and plugged it back in.

Dillionaire_ wrote:Is there any difference with the CF card inserted or not, on booting?

No difference at all.

So I picked up the CF card from the seller today. When I insert it into the MPC, the MPC stays at the “Insert MPC2000XL Disk” screen, but I didn't expect anything else.

Since I don't have a floppy drive available, I also ordered an EPROM with OS 1.20. (This one: https://www.ebay.de/itm/275824570503) It arrived yesterday evening, but I don't want to rush things. Since I have both the 8 Out extension and the FX extension installed in the MPC, it's a bit more difficult to get to the actual mainboard. I have to remove the 8 Out card before I can attach the EPROM.

Here are the installation instructions from the EMPROM vendor:

3-3. Boot block recovery
3-3-1. Operating system The MPC2000XL is designed to operate with an operating system that is held in flash ROM. If this becomes corrupt, or an operating system upgrade is needed, the contents of the
flash ROM must be reprogrammed.

3-3-2. OS recovery with boot EPROM
Note: Turn the unit's power off before starting.
1) Set the JP20 jumper to the 2-3 position on the PC MAIN.
2) Insert the updated EP-ROM into the IC20 socket.
3) Set the JP30 jumper to the 2-3 position.
4) Turn the power on.
5) Press the "F5" (BOOT) button on the "DISK SAVE" screen.
The "JP20 Change P-ROM = F-ROM" message will
appear on the display.
6) According to the instructions, set the JP20 jumper to the
1-2 position. 7) Press the "F6" (GO) button. The "FROM Boot write
complete!!" message will appear on the display.
fi8) Turn the unit's power off.
9) Return the JP30 jumper to the 1-2 position.
10) Disconnect the EP-ROM from the IC20 socket.

There was also a little note in the package:
"Be sure to take note of the marked orientation notch on the side of the EPROM to a correct installation. Ensure that notch on EPROMs match notch on the sockets. EPROMS inserted backwards will be destroyed."

Unfortunately, I'm not sure which orientation notch he's talking about. I have not found any markings on the EPROM itself?

Now to my actual question: should I first remove the 8 Out card, the FX card and the CF reader from the mainboard before I install the EPROM or should I try it first with everything plugged in? I'm a bit afraid of destroying the EPROM and I would have to wait another week for a new one (I live in Germany, the seller ships from Italy).

The notch is on the EPROM chip.

See the indentation on the corner of the EPROM chip? That is also referred to as a notch.

So if you installed the EPROM chip the wrong way around, you effectively fried the chip and corrupted any data on it.

Also, you can't do the recovery with the 8 out installed because it would clearly be in the way for you to follow the task list above. Have a look at the mainboard, look at it and you'll see that what I'm saying makes complete sense.

The best thing to do, insert the recovery chip, follow the directions you wrote, recover your XL and then once you verified everything is good, reinstall your FX card, your 8 out and start making beats again.

Everything worked out wonderfully. My MPC is running again without any problems. Many thanks for your help!

I already knew that I had to remove the 8 Out card, but I wasn't sure whether I also had to remove the plug. Turns out it wasn't necessary. Nevertheless, I can only recommend removing it completely, as I only realized during the reinstallation of the OS that I had to move the one jumper while the MPC was switched on. I then had to put it upright on its side, but fortunately it worked fine. FX card, RAM and the CF reader were also all connected.

The CF card from the seller works now too ... will have a look at the disk info. Maybe I can find others that work.

Well, can definitely recommend the EPROM I posted for anyone from Europe. Hopefully the info will help someone who has a similar problem. All the best!