Topic: microtrack doesn't work with my microdrive .HELP !!!!

[slowblow]

Hi There !
i have a problem with my mt.it doesn't boot when the microdrive 4 gb (from a broken ipod) is in the mt.
i'm sure the microdrive works cause with my computer i have no problem with the microdrive.
with the kodak 64mb compactflash i have no problem at all.the mt boot without problem.
the battery is full and i have updated the firmware to the 1.2.3 version.
what can i do ?
please help me !!!

[jtessier]

Hi There !
i have a problem with my mt.it doesn't boot when the microdrive 4 gb (from a broken ipod) is in the mt.
i'm sure the microdrive works cause with my computer i have no problem with the microdrive.
with the kodak 64mb compactflash i have no problem at all.the mt boot without problem.
the battery is full and i have updated the firmware to the 1.2.3 version.
what can i do ? Sad
please help me !!!

What kind (Brand) is the drive or does Apple get them unlabeled from their supplier?  If it's unmarked, are there any identifying numbers on it anywhere like on the edge opposite the connector?  Maybe send this info to M-Audio support. If you post the brand info here, maybe someone here can tell if they've had any success with similar drives (most are made by Hitachi but there are also some other OEMs). The M-Audio support site list the GS Magicstore as a brand/type of Microdrive that is not compatible with the Microtrack. Could it be one of these?

J.T.

[dallman]

Here is a list of approved media from the M-Audio website. I have been using the 5 gb Seagate, and have had no problems at all.
*Tested and approved CF cards for the MicroTrack:

Hitachi Microdrive 2GB, 4GB, 6GB
Seagate 5GB drive ("microdrive" type)
Transcend 4GB CF, 45x
Corsair 4GB CF (47-00057)
Lexar 1GB CF Professional 80x
SanDisk 1GB CF
JAMedia 1GB CF
Toshiba 512MB CF
JAMedia 256MB CF
SimpleTech 128MB CF
Kodak 64MB CF

Kingston Elite Series

CF/1024-S 1 GB Compact Flash Card (SLC) (50x)
CF/2GB-S 2 GB Compact Flash Card (SLC) (50x)
CF/4GB-S 4 GB Compact Flash Card (SLC) (45x)

Kingston Standard Series

CF/128 128MB Compact Flash Card
CF/256 256MB Compact Flash Card
CF/512 512MB Compact Flash Card
CF/1024 1024MB Compact Flash Card

Kingston Elite Series

CF/1024-S 1 GB Compact Flash Card (SLC) (50x)
CF/2GB-S 2 GB Compact Flash Card (SLC) (50x)
CF/4GB-S 4 GB Compact Flash Card (SLC) (45x)

Kingston Standard Series

CF/128 128MB Compact Flash Card
CF/256 256MB Compact Flash Card
CF/512 512MB Compact Flash Card
CF/1024 1024MB Compact Flash Card

[slowblow]

Hi !
the microdrive is an hitachi 4gb.i really don't understand what's happen ...
when i connect the microtrack in the usb connector to my pc,my computer recognize the mt like a hard drive and i can take or cut some mp3 or others things in the microdrive.
but when i disconnect the mt and boot,the mt don't want to work.the 4 levels indicators leds are red and green and nothing more happen 
i contact m-audio support (france) but no news at this time.
maybe it's a fat32 problem ?
do i format the microdrive in fat only ?
if anyone have an idea, i take !!!!

[jtessier]

maybe it's a fat32 problem ?
do i format the microdrive in fat only ?

No it shouldn't be formatted Fat. Fat doesn't support volumes that large so you shouldn't even be able to format it fat if you wanted to (at least not with commonly available tools).  The Microtrack will always format it fat32 but that's only if it can read and write to it.  This is the first I've heard of a drive or card that can be used with the Microtrack in card reader mode and not in the regular usage mode. When the LEDs come on like you describe it indicates that the Microtrack is having trouble reading or writing to the drive. Maybe it puts the drive in a different mode when used as a recorder than when it's used just as a card reader and maybe the drive is somehow bad and won't work in that 'other' mode. Can you get another Microdrive to try? It could also be that the Microtrack itself is bad in some way that it won't work with any Microdrive as these as I understand it do operate differently than CF cards (I think Microdrives support DMA and most card don't but don't quote me on that). If another Microdrive didn't work I'd look at getting a replacement Microtrack.

J.T.

[slowblow]

well all seems to be ok now 
i have boot with the cf 64 mb, take out the cf and insert the microdrive.
the mt tells the recordable time available is 3'54 mn (like the cf time)
i connect the usb plug and format 3 times the microdrive by windows.
i unplug the mt and boot ( 3 times  )
the mt have finally boot and the total time available is 3'54 hour (in wav,24 bits, 48 khz)
and now it records !!! 
thanks for helping 
slow

[jazzharper]

I had the same problem with a hitachi microdrive.  My PC regonized it so I tried formating it though the computer and it worked.  Now I have no problems with it.

[jtessier]

well all seems to be ok now

Glad to hear you're up and running (or should I say recording).

I was  thinking that maybe you ran into the problem that Len Moskowitz discovered which is that the Microtrack will not work with media that has been formatted without having a backup FAT on it.  Maybe cards from Apple ipods are formattd in this way. I should have thought of this and suggested reformatting the card under Windows XP (which would create the backup FAT on it).  Here's the info about the backup FAT problem for your perusal:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=55010.0

[jcocci]

Speaking of this, I just received my Micro Track today and need to get media for it. Is there a difference with the micro drive and compact flash? I know the micro drive is an actual drive and the CF is solid state. Any performances differences, etc? It seems that the micro drives are a lot cheaper than CF cards. Thanks.

John

[ghibliss]

The Microdrive will add a small amount of "self-noise" as it has moving parts whereas the CF Card is completely digital with no moving parts so it will be superior!  Just don't purchase the slowest media use a mid grade or better card such as a 45X speed so the transfer rate will not cause any problems.

[cpatch]

It's also my understanding that the MT format command does not actually format the CF/MD but simply initializes it, clearing off any existing data on a previously formatted card.

Craig