Microtrack Bug Work-Around

[lds490]

This comes from Len Moscowitz.  Also, it requires a PDA running Windows.  However, it does explain why some of y'all are having trouble with "time remaining" and corrupted files.

The CF memory card must be formatted to FAT32 and most importantly, with a
backup FAT.  If the format does not include a backup FAT, the MicroTrack
24/96 will be able to record to the CF card the first time
the CF card is used, but if power is t hen cycled off and then on, when next
an attempt is made to record, the CF card disk formatting will be corrupted,
sometimes in such a way that that the card may not be
formattable in the MicroTrack 24/96 nor by a Win XP PC.  Another method of
formatting the CF card will be required to make the card usable again (e.g.,
using a Windows Mobile PDA running Softwinter's Storage Tools).

One way that might ensure that the bug does not occur is to require that a
brand new CF card be formatted in the MicroTrack 24/96 before using it for
recording.  Using the card as formatted from the manufacturer (if a backup
FAT is not provided by the manufacturer) or as formatted by other format
utilities (e.g., Win 98SE's format utility does not provide the backup FAT)
may make the card unusable in the MicroTrack 24/96 and Win XP PCs after
cycling the MicroTrack 24/96's power and attempting to record.

The format's cluster size is relatively non-critical.  We tested cluster
sizes from 512 Bytes to 64K Bytes. Cluster sizes above 4 K Butes all worked
fine in MicroTrack 24/96 as long as the backup FAT was present.
Cluster sizes smaller than 4K resulted in sluggish operation -- the smaller
the cluster size, the more sluggish the operation -- and so are not
recommended.

[End]

To recover a corrupted CF card that Win XP can't format, we use Softwinter's
Storage Tools installed on a Dell Axim X50v or an HP iPAQ h2215 PDA.  Any
Windows Mobile/Pocket PC PDA that has a CF card slot should work with
Storage Tools to recover and re-format the CF card.  There may be other ways
to recover and correctly reformat a corrupted CF card that Win XP can't
re-format, but at the moment we're not aware of any.


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com
Home of PDAudio

[lds490]

Accidently put this in the wrong topic.  Mods, please move.  Thanks.

[Chris K]

is core-sound selling the microtrack 24/96?

[Zaphod]

is core-sound selling the microtrack 24/96?

Yep

[sunrisemusic]

Please excuse the question, I'm not 100% sure, but I may have the same issue (but I'm on a Mac), and I'd love some clarification.

I'm using the latest firmware update. Yesterday I was recording some old cassettes thru the Line In to mp3 on the original CF card that came with the Microtrack (still haven't gotten a bigger card - so far only needing to record mp3s, will upgrade shortly).  I was able to transfer files from the card to my computer twice, then the third time it seemed to have become corrupt. That time I had recorded 2 x 22 min cassettes and 1 x 10 min. Before I started recording  I noticed the time remaining for the card said something like 19 minutes but the card was empty (BTW I tend to delete the contents of the card from the computer after copying them over, rather than deleting from the MT,).  I wasn't sure why that should be, so I reformatted the card and (rebooting didn't work) and all was fine, at least I thought it was.

After I finished recording the final 10 min file I connected the MT to my powerbook to copy the files over and when I looked (on the computer) for the files all I had was many many gibberish things in there. If I selected some they disappeared, and when trying to send everything (or even just select files) to the trash I was first given a warning that they'd delete immediately (I've never seen that kind of warning before - they weren't even in the trash yet so I wasn't trying to empy trash). So I clicked okay, and was told I couldn't delete the files because they were locked.  (and the disappearing files would reappear later after the unsuccessful delete ... gremlins?    (I'm using a 3rd party USB2 card, but I doubt that's the issue)

So, I disconnected the MT from the powerbook to check it and it seems the card is now corrupted.  It boots up, but once the bootup is finished, a couple of the LEDs flash together and then all I get is a screen with M-AUDIO on it and nothing else.  If I take the card out the MT will boot up just fine, but tells me there's no card in there. Putting in the card gives me the same issue, so I can't reformat it from the MT.

I don't have any kind of device that holds CF readers, at any rate I shouldn't have to try and use third party hardware to fix an issue that should never have happened in the first place, so I'll be calling M-Audio to get them to replace or fix the card. In this case I can rerecord those files, but if it was some kind of live situation where the recording is irreplaceable, that's a bit scary. AND, if it had done that to a new card that I'd bought myself M-Audio probably wouldn't replace it and those cards aren't cheap enough to toss out after a few weeks....

Anyway,  I couldn't find this issue in the more recent Microtrack reports and there's just soooo many threads to wade thru (which were all made before the latest firmware fix), so I'm hoping someone who's up on it all could comment.  Is this some kind of issue that affects some MT cards?

At any rate the time remaining thing was strange too.

Thanks for any coments.