MPC 3000 PCD Problems Redux

Okay, so last summer I went through a bunch of card readers found one that worked:



Put it in another reader's nice exteral case (the logo is the power button):



Allright, I could save & read off this badboy last year.
I haven't used the MPC for several months right?
Started it up today, made some chops in the PC & used the MPCEditor to transfer files to a SD card:



Now it won't read a preformatted (on MPCEditor) disc, and basically when I try formatting it just acknowledges the "hard drive" is there to format but then I get a hard disc format failure.

Ummm HELP? I'm baffled.


Oh, and here's the inside just cause...what the hell, it's opened since I just checked to see if any wires were loose:


P.S. HELP!

Well, since its open I'll comment on what I see first.

If your machine is upgraded to 32 megabyte of RAM ( looks like it from the photo ) ...... then remove the AKAI EXM3002/EXM3008 memory board.

See the discussion in this recent thread:

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=68300

Now ...... onto the SCSI stuff.

Does the MPC3000 report the "FF51 ? / Format Failure message".

A: when you commence the format procedure ? In 3.16 this is the <SLOW> softkey. In OS versions lower than 3.16 this is the <Format Now> softkey.

A: when you initiate the partition procedure ? In 3.16 this is the <FAST> softkey. In OS versions lower than 3.16 this happens when the format stage has completed.

A: when the partition procedure has completed ? Any OS version. When the partition structures have been written to disk and the MPC3000 is attempting to log back into said disk.

A: none of the above.

There are several stages with the format procedure where a failure response could be reported.

Have you tried manual SCSI ID assignment when trying to format a card ?

Check the termination status on your external case.

All I can think of right now.

Rohan.

PS: As a side note I have not used SD cards with my MPC3000. I use the same drive type as you but opt for use of CF media.

mpc3000le wrote:Well, since its open I'll comment on what I see first.

If your machine is upgraded to 32 megabyte of RAM ( looks like it from the photo ) ...... then remove the AKAI EXM3002/EXM3008 memory board.

Done and done.

mpc3000le wrote:Does the MPC3000 report the "FF51 ? / Format Failure message".

A: when you commence the format procedure ? In 3.16 this is the <SLOW> softkey. In OS versions lower than 3.16 this is the <Format Now> softkey.

B: when you initiate the partition procedure ? In 3.16 this is the <FAST> softkey. In OS versions lower than 3.16 this happens when the format stage has completed.

C: when the partition procedure has completed ? Any OS version. When the partition structures have been written to disk and the MPC3000 is attempting to log back into said disk.

Yup, get the FF51 with SLOW or FAST softkeys after it requests the number of partitions.

mpc3000le wrote:There are several stages with the format procedure where a failure response could be reported.

Have you tried manual SCSI ID assignment when trying to format a card ?

I tried changing the SCSI ID on the PCD several times. Unless you're referring to something else?

mpc3000le wrote:Check the termination status on your external case.

It's all tight & right.

mpc3000le wrote:PS: As a side note I have not used SD cards with my MPC3000. I use the same drive type as you but opt for use of CF media.

I was wondering myself if it could be the media or the PMCIA adpater.

Thanks for the help thus far.

quo wrote:Yup, get the FF51 with SLOW or FAST softkeys after it requests the number of partitions.

Ok ... so after "partitioning" the disk it returns with the FF51 error.

This suggests that the MPC3000 is unable to write the partition structures to disk.

Or ... that it is unable to read the disk in order to "log in" said partition structures.

If you have a disk/hex editor on your computer.

Then try wiping the card by writing "zero to all sectors".

After which, attempt a format within your MPC3000, remove the card, check it in the computer, observe the presence of any data on the card.

No change to the data would suggest a failure of the MPC3000 where writing to the card is concerned.

quo wrote:I tried changing the SCSI ID on the PCD several times. Unless you're referring to something else?.

Yes. Some thing else.
In the MPC3000 when you go to format the disk.
Selecting the SCSI ID there, in the format screen ...... and not leaving the MPC3000 set to AUTO.

Same in the "MAKE ACTIVE" screen. Manual assignment rather AUTO SCSI ID assignment.

Or AUTO instead of manual is you've already manually assigned a SCSI ID.

quo wrote:I was wondering myself if it could be the media or the PMCIA adpater.

Could be.

Before we start attacking your MPC3000 with a multimeter and test tricks.

See if you can find a CF card and adapter to try.

Rohan.

HEADS UP:
Just tried a CompactFlash & adapter and it works fine (again)!
Thank God!
I think SD doesn't work since it's a more modern storage medium (came out in 1999), as I see CF was invented in 1994.
I believe SmartMedia works as well, that what I had used before.
Anyway, just another heads up for MPC3000 Card Reader owners!

Thanks to Rohan & all once again!

as does Compact Flash. Didn't try Smart Media yet.
Just wanted to share that.

Reggie