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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: boyerlaurier on November 01, 2008, 12:01:16 PM

Title: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: boyerlaurier on November 01, 2008, 12:01:16 PM
Hello,

I'm new in this forum, this is my first message, so please go easy if I ask a question that's been answered before  8)

I've used a JB3 40gb for the last few years. (firmware 1.40.06).  I do NOT have a firewire input on my PC, so I depend on the painfully slow USB transfer.  I tried several drivers, including the most recent ones available (dating back to 2003)

Problem is that it's getting increasingly erratic.  The only software I ever used was the horrible creative PlayCenter.  When I start transfering my .wav files after a concert, I can't get past 10% of a transfer (usually much less) when I get an error message that says the device is either unplugged or unavailable!

I just switched to the more user-friendly Nomad Explorer.  But here, the message I get everytime I attempt a transfer is "access denied"...  (Nomad Explorer does recognize the machine and list the tracks in its window).

I've heard about the RedHat Notmad software, but the trial version doesn't allow for file transfers, and before I buy it, I want to make sure that the problem is elsewhere.

Same thing with firewire.  I could buy a firewire card and cable, but before I invest the time, money and trouble, I want to make sure I'm not missing out on something.

Thanks for any advice, I got a couple of shows on the machine which I can't wait to transfer.

BTW, I'm running Windows XP Media Center on an AMD Athlon 64 2ghz, with 2gb of memory.  And I usually don't create multiple files during recordings, meaning the files on the JB3 are often above 800mb.
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: flipp on November 01, 2008, 12:54:21 PM
The best software I found for the JB3 is gnomad in Linux. Download a .iso image of Ubuntu, boot from the cd you burn of it and then transfer the JB3 files to a Windows partition/drive. In both W98 and W2K I had problems similar to what you are experiencing but I wouuld usually get into the 40% transferred range before problems occurred. I built a new box (Sempron 2ghz w/2gb mem) and dual boot W2K and Linux. In Linux I've been able to transfer the contents of three JB3s in their entirety with no problems (about 58gb total).

The above may not be the direction you wanted to go but it is what worked best for me when I still used a JB3 as a bit bucket.
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: boyerlaurier on November 01, 2008, 01:05:20 PM
Wow, not sure if I'm computer savy enough for that.  But I'll give it a try on an old computer.

Do you use a USB or a FireWire connection?

Thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: Brian Skalinder on November 01, 2008, 02:01:48 PM
Does the USB port work with other devices?
Does the USB cable work with other devices?
Does the JB3 work with other USB cables?
Does the JB3 work with other USB ports / computers?
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: boyerlaurier on November 01, 2008, 02:17:28 PM
Quote from: Brian Skalinder on November 01, 2008, 02:01:48 PM
Does the USB port work with other devices? YES
Does the USB cable work with other devices? YES
Does the JB3 work with other USB cables? NO
Does the JB3 work with other USB ports / computers? NO

I highlighted my answers above.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: heyitsmejess on November 01, 2008, 06:00:26 PM
maybe a bad hard drive?

i had a similar problem a while back....turns out the hard drive was shot.
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: boyerlaurier on November 01, 2008, 08:31:51 PM
Quote from: heyitsmejess on November 01, 2008, 06:00:26 PM
maybe a bad hard drive?

i had a similar problem a while back....turns out the hard drive was shot.

Thanks for the heads-up.  In the end, I bought a firewire card and cable, and it solved my problem.  I wish I knew why it was problematic in the first place, but I'm starting to think that maybe my USB cable was damaged.  And since it's proprietary, well...
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: sunjan on November 04, 2008, 05:21:10 PM
Quote from: boyerlaurier on November 01, 2008, 08:31:51 PM
Quote from: heyitsmejess on November 01, 2008, 06:00:26 PM
maybe a bad hard drive?

i had a similar problem a while back....turns out the hard drive was shot.

Thanks for the heads-up.  In the end, I bought a firewire card and cable, and it solved my problem.  I wish I knew why it was problematic in the first place, but I'm starting to think that maybe my USB cable was damaged.  And since it's proprietary, well...

+t for your troubles...
It might be a good idea to run an fdisk anyway, errors like that could mean that the hard disk is going down. If you intend to keep taping with the JB3, consider doing the CF mod to get rid of the HD.
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: heyitsmejess on November 04, 2008, 06:29:27 PM
you can do a CF mod for the jb3?

got any details???
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: sunjan on November 05, 2008, 05:52:42 PM
Quote from: heyitsmejess on November 04, 2008, 06:29:27 PM
you can do a CF mod for the jb3?

got any details???

Sure, why not! All HD-based Nomad Jukebox models can be modded. It's a standard 2,5" IDE connector inside, just pick up a 2,5">CF adapter and you're good to go. It's more space than inside the iriver, and no firmware piggybacking needed, AFAIK.
Here's a previous thread about it:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79609.msg1071392.html#msg1071392
Title: Re: Yet another JB3 question: transfer of files.
Post by: heyitsmejess on November 06, 2008, 06:32:24 AM
sweet!  looks like a trip to microcenter for me!