Emax

I did the CF/SD Card upgrade.  Have this drive as a secondary, keeping the disk drive as the first.  I just got my keyboard back from repairing 2 broken keys.  I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB SD Card which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.

What should I do?

Cheers,

Paul

--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "pauldays1" <pauldays1@...> wrote:
>
> I did the CF/SD Card upgrade.  Have this drive as a secondary, keeping the disk drive as the first.  I just got my keyboard back from repairing 2 broken keys.  I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB SD Card which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.
> 
> What should I do?
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Paul
>
This is exactly my fear as well from our earlier exchange where I had a theoretical idea of what to do but wasn't getting it to work with my CF reader in my laptop.  With all the varied sizes and makes of CF cards, it may be a compatibility issue.  As well, if you have a CF reader on your computer, there is no way to format the CF through the EMXP software, only a way to create CDROM and ZIP images of 100,239,and 639mb.  MAYBE a solution is to try writing a ZIP100 image to the card, when assigned to H: in your computer, but the basic recognition of the card is the dilemma.

Maybe a solution is to download the diagnostics manual here: 

http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/Emax%20II%20Diagnostics.pdf

And see if there is some HD diagnostic portion such as MASTER,9,9,3629,8 that will allow the Emax to correct the reason why it cannot recognize the drive.  I dunno, as I haven't gotten my CF upgrade finished yet.  Ted or Esynthesist would be the best one to answer.

I can't answer on an Emax 2- I don't have one (yet).

Regards,
Ted

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM, thenewyorkcowboy <
thenewyorkcowboy@...> wrote:

>   --- In emax@yahoogroups.com <emax%40yahoogroups.com>, "pauldays1"
> <pauldays1@...> wrote:
> >
> > I did the CF/SD Card upgrade. Have this drive as a secondary, keeping the
> disk drive as the first. I just got my keyboard back from repairing 2 broken
> keys. I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB SD Card
> which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.
> >
> > What should I do?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Paul
> >
> This is exactly my fear as well from our earlier exchange where I had a
> theoretical idea of what to do but wasn't getting it to work with my CF
> reader in my laptop. With all the varied sizes and makes of CF cards, it may
> be a compatibility issue. As well, if you have a CF reader on your computer,
> there is no way to format the CF through the EMXP software, only a way to
> create CDROM and ZIP images of 100,239,and 639mb. MAYBE a solution is to try
> writing a ZIP100 image to the card, when assigned to H: in your computer,
> but the basic recognition of the card is the dilemma.
>
> Maybe a solution is to download the diagnostics manual here:
>
> http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/Emax%20II%20Diagnostics.pdf
>
> And see if there is some HD diagnostic portion such as MASTER,9,9,3629,8
> that will allow the Emax to correct the reason why it cannot recognize the
> drive. I dunno, as I haven't gotten my CF upgrade finished yet. Ted or
> Esynthesist would be the best one to answer.
>
> 
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Is there a Solid State card reader/writer that will work with the Emax
II's?  If so, are any currently available?  I've searched all over for the
Microtech SCSI-DPAI PC drive but, they are pretty much extinct now.  I've
been told that the SCSI to IDE adapter + IDE card readers have some issues
but, if anyone knows which ones work and where they can be found, could you
please post a link on here?

Thanks,

-s*

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 6:14 PM, Ted Summers <djtbs1@...> wrote:

>   I can't answer on an Emax 2- I don't have one (yet).
>
> Regards,
> Ted
>
> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM, thenewyorkcowboy <
> thenewyorkcowboy@... <thenewyorkcowboy%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
>
> > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com <emax%40yahoogroups.com> <emax%
> 40yahoogroups.com>, "pauldays1"
>
> > <pauldays1@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > I did the CF/SD Card upgrade. Have this drive as a secondary, keeping
> the
> > disk drive as the first. I just got my keyboard back from repairing 2
> broken
> > keys. I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB SD Card
> > which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.
> > >
> > > What should I do?
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Paul
> > >
> > This is exactly my fear as well from our earlier exchange where I had a
> > theoretical idea of what to do but wasn't getting it to work with my CF
> > reader in my laptop. With all the varied sizes and makes of CF cards, it
> may
> > be a compatibility issue. As well, if you have a CF reader on your
> computer,
> > there is no way to format the CF through the EMXP software, only a way to
> > create CDROM and ZIP images of 100,239,and 639mb. MAYBE a solution is to
> try
> > writing a ZIP100 image to the card, when assigned to H: in your computer,
> > but the basic recognition of the card is the dilemma.
> >
> > Maybe a solution is to download the diagnostics manual here:
> >
> > http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/Emax%20II%20Diagnostics.pdf
> >
> > And see if there is some HD diagnostic portion such as MASTER,9,9,3629,8
> > that will allow the Emax to correct the reason why it cannot recognize
> the
> > drive. I dunno, as I haven't gotten my CF upgrade finished yet. Ted or
> > Esynthesist would be the best one to answer.
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ted,

I tried using a 1GB SD card, no luck either  :-(

Paul


--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Ted Summers <djtbs1@...> wrote:

>
> I can't answer on an Emax 2- I don't have one (yet).
> 
> Regards,
> Ted
> 
> On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM, thenewyorkcowboy <
> thenewyorkcowboy@...> wrote:
> 
> >   --- In emax@yahoogroups.com <emax%40yahoogroups.com>, "pauldays1"
> > <pauldays1@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I did the CF/SD Card upgrade. Have this drive as a secondary, keeping the
> > disk drive as the first. I just got my keyboard back from repairing 2 broken
> > keys. I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB SD Card
> > which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.
> > >
> > > What should I do?
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Paul
> > >
> > This is exactly my fear as well from our earlier exchange where I had a
> > theoretical idea of what to do but wasn't getting it to work with my CF
> > reader in my laptop. With all the varied sizes and makes of CF cards, it may
> > be a compatibility issue. As well, if you have a CF reader on your computer,
> > there is no way to format the CF through the EMXP software, only a way to
> > create CDROM and ZIP images of 100,239,and 639mb. MAYBE a solution is to try
> > writing a ZIP100 image to the card, when assigned to H: in your computer,
> > but the basic recognition of the card is the dilemma.
> >
> > Maybe a solution is to download the diagnostics manual here:
> >
> > http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/Emax%20II%20Diagnostics.pdf
> >
> > And see if there is some HD diagnostic portion such as MASTER,9,9,3629,8
> > that will allow the Emax to correct the reason why it cannot recognize the
> > drive. I dunno, as I haven't gotten my CF upgrade finished yet. Ted or
> > Esynthesist would be the best one to answer.
> >
> > 
> >
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Paul-

I don't have an emax 2.
I have no way of testing.
I do not know what drive sizes are valid for an emax 2.
The original HD was a 520MB if I recall from what I have read here on  
the group in the past.
Did you try a 512MB SD?

What I can say about CF is this:
1) It could be an incompatible PCMCIA to CF/SD adapter
2) It could be the actual SD itself is incompatible.
3) Also- and this is possibly very important.
You may not want one of the newer "high speed" SD cards.
The emax units have a very old and SLOW scsi bus.
Too quick of a response time of the SD card could cause an issue.
The chances of a high speed SD card being incompatible would be  
increased.
So the other question would be- is your SD a high speed SD card?

Digital camera enthusiasts may want the fastest biggest SD around, but  
your emax 2 may not like a card with those features....

Regards,
Ted







On Apr 4, 2009, at 3:21 PM, pauldays1 wrote:

Ted,

I tried using a 1GB SD card, no luck either :-(

Paul

--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Ted Summers <djtbs1@...> wrote:
 >
 > I can't answer on an Emax 2- I don't have one (yet).
 >
 > Regards,
 > Ted
 >
 > On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM, thenewyorkcowboy <
 > thenewyorkcowboy@...> wrote:
 >
 > > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com <emax%40yahoogroups.com>, "pauldays1"
 > > <pauldays1@> wrote:
 > > >
 > > > I did the CF/SD Card upgrade. Have this drive as a secondary,  
keeping the
 > > disk drive as the first. I just got my keyboard back from  
repairing 2 broken
 > > keys. I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB  
SD Card
 > > which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.
 > > >
 > > > What should I do?
 > > >
 > > > Cheers,
 > > >
 > > > Paul
 > > >
 > > This is exactly my fear as well from our earlier exchange where I  
had a
 > > theoretical idea of what to do but wasn't getting it to work with  
my CF
 > > reader in my laptop. With all the varied sizes and makes of CF  
cards, it may
 > > be a compatibility issue. As well, if you have a CF reader on  
your computer,
 > > there is no way to format the CF through the EMXP software, only  
a way to
 > > create CDROM and ZIP images of 100,239,and 639mb. MAYBE a  
solution is to try
 > > writing a ZIP100 image to the card, when assigned to H: in your  
computer,
 > > but the basic recognition of the card is the dilemma.
 > >
 > > Maybe a solution is to download the diagnostics manual here:
 > >
 > > http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/Emax%20II%20Diagnostics.pdf
 > >
 > > And see if there is some HD diagnostic portion such as MASTER, 
9,9,3629,8
 > > that will allow the Emax to correct the reason why it cannot  
recognize the
 > > drive. I dunno, as I haven't gotten my CF upgrade finished yet.  
Ted or
 > > Esynthesist would be the best one to answer.
 > >
 > >
 > >
 >
 >
 > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
 >






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I had to change some jumpers in the card but it wasn't actually neccessary because I used an external scsi CF card and it was recognized as well.

I installed a 1GB card inside the emax II and it was just fine. I imported all the sounds using a USB adapter with the EMXP and that was it.

REi,

I contacted the person you told me.....but no luck, he doesnt sell EMAX kits anymore.

Did you simply select the CF card and format it?


--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "Rei" <vjrei@...> wrote:

>
> I had to change some jumpers in the card but it wasn't actually neccessary because I used an external scsi CF card and it was recognized as well.
> 
> I installed a 1GB card inside the emax II and it was just fine. I imported all the sounds using a USB adapter with the EMXP and that was it.
>

Just came across this description on Ebay, and it got me thinking that there might be CF cards out there that don't respond correctly to the adapter, just an $0.02.

TOPRAM 8GB Compact Flash Card Item: 220395779485	

TOP Quality Samsung IC

Features
CompactFlash™ specification type-I (3.3 mm) standard.
3.3V / 5V single power supply operation
Card density is 8 Giga bytes maximum
Three variations of mode access which are memory card mode, I/O card mode and true IDE mode
Fast ATA host-to-buffer transfer rates supporting PIO Mode 4 and Multi-Word DMA 2 in True-IDE mode also support removable device or fixed device
High reliability based on internal ECC (Error Correcting Code) function
Integrated 512 Byte PCMCIA Sector Buffer and 256 Byte PCMCIA Attribute Memory
PCMCIA Configuration Option Register, Card Configuration and Status Register and Pin Replacement Register support
Automatic power-down mode and sleep mode

True IDE Mode
The card can be configured in a True IDE mode of operation. This card is configured in this mode only when the –OE input
signal is asserted GND by the host. In this True IDE mode Attribute Registers are not accessible from the host. Only I/O
operation to the task file and data register are allowed. If this card is configured during power on sequence, data
register are accessed in word (16-bit). The card permits 8-bit accesses if the user issues a Set Feature Command to put the
device in 8-bit mode.

So maybe the SCSI interface on the EmaxI/II series needs 8bit access, or a true IDE mode when translated across the SCSI/IDE adapter.

BTW no one has answered my question yet what does a CDROM say on an EmaxII when there is no disc in the drive?  Does it identify itself or does it say "NOT EMAXII DRIVE"  I can't figure out if I am burning my CDs wrong or I need a different CDROM than the one I am experimenting with, a Toshiba XM-3401BMA.

Thanks!

thanks


--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "thenewyorkcowboy" <thenewyorkcowboy@...> wrote:

>
> --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "pauldays1" <pauldays1@> wrote:
> >
> > I did the CF/SD Card upgrade.  Have this drive as a secondary, keeping the disk drive as the first.  I just got my keyboard back from repairing 2 broken keys.  I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB SD Card which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.
> > 
> > What should I do?
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > 
> > Paul
> >
> This is exactly my fear as well from our earlier exchange where I had a theoretical idea of what to do but wasn't getting it to work with my CF reader in my laptop.  With all the varied sizes and makes of CF cards, it may be a compatibility issue.  As well, if you have a CF reader on your computer, there is no way to format the CF through the EMXP software, only a way to create CDROM and ZIP images of 100,239,and 639mb.  MAYBE a solution is to try writing a ZIP100 image to the card, when assigned to H: in your computer, but the basic recognition of the card is the dilemma.
> 
> Maybe a solution is to download the diagnostics manual here: 
> 
> http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/Emax%20II%20Diagnostics.pdf
> 
> And see if there is some HD diagnostic portion such as MASTER,9,9,3629,8 that will allow the Emax to correct the reason why it cannot recognize the drive.  I dunno, as I haven't gotten my CF upgrade finished yet.  Ted or Esynthesist would be the best one to answer.
>

Yes, just locate the scsi ID and that is it. I did it as well with an Ensoniq ASR 88.


--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "pauldays1" <pauldays1@...> wrote:

>
> REi,
> 
> I contacted the person you told me.....but no luck, he doesnt sell EMAX kits anymore.
> 
> Did you simply select the CF card and format it?
> 
> 
> --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "Rei" <vjrei@> wrote:
> >
> > I had to change some jumpers in the card but it wasn't actually neccessary because I used an external scsi CF card and it was recognized as well.
> > 
> > I installed a 1GB card inside the emax II and it was just fine. I imported all the sounds using a USB adapter with the EMXP and that was it.
> >
>

Can someone who has it working look into their card?

Thanks,

paul

PS- I am starting to believe that it's my CF/SD card adapter...


--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "thenewyorkcowboy" <thenewyorkcowboy@...> wrote:

>
> Just came across this description on Ebay, and it got me thinking that there might be CF cards out there that don't respond correctly to the adapter, just an $0.02.
> 
> TOPRAM 8GB Compact Flash Card Item: 220395779485	
> 
> TOP Quality Samsung IC
> 
> Features
> CompactFlash™ specification type-I (3.3 mm) standard.
> 3.3V / 5V single power supply operation
> Card density is 8 Giga bytes maximum
> Three variations of mode access which are memory card mode, I/O card mode and true IDE mode
> Fast ATA host-to-buffer transfer rates supporting PIO Mode 4 and Multi-Word DMA 2 in True-IDE mode also support removable device or fixed device
> High reliability based on internal ECC (Error Correcting Code) function
> Integrated 512 Byte PCMCIA Sector Buffer and 256 Byte PCMCIA Attribute Memory
> PCMCIA Configuration Option Register, Card Configuration and Status Register and Pin Replacement Register support
> Automatic power-down mode and sleep mode
> 
> True IDE Mode
> The card can be configured in a True IDE mode of operation. This card is configured in this mode only when the –OE input
> signal is asserted GND by the host. In this True IDE mode Attribute Registers are not accessible from the host. Only I/O
> operation to the task file and data register are allowed. If this card is configured during power on sequence, data
> register are accessed in word (16-bit). The card permits 8-bit accesses if the user issues a Set Feature Command to put the
> device in 8-bit mode.
> 
> So maybe the SCSI interface on the EmaxI/II series needs 8bit access, or a true IDE mode when translated across the SCSI/IDE adapter.
> 
> BTW no one has answered my question yet what does a CDROM say on an EmaxII when there is no disc in the drive?  Does it identify itself or does it say "NOT EMAXII DRIVE"  I can't figure out if I am burning my CDs wrong or I need a different CDROM than the one I am experimenting with, a Toshiba XM-3401BMA.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> thanks
> 
> 
> --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "thenewyorkcowboy" <thenewyorkcowboy@> wrote:
> >
> > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "pauldays1" <pauldays1@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I did the CF/SD Card upgrade.  Have this drive as a secondary, keeping the disk drive as the first.  I just got my keyboard back from repairing 2 broken keys.  I go through the MASTER menu and decide to format a 128MB SD Card which is loaded but I get the "HD not EMAX2" error on the LCD.
> > > 
> > > What should I do?
> > > 
> > > Cheers,
> > > 
> > > Paul
> > >
> > This is exactly my fear as well from our earlier exchange where I had a theoretical idea of what to do but wasn't getting it to work with my CF reader in my laptop.  With all the varied sizes and makes of CF cards, it may be a compatibility issue.  As well, if you have a CF reader on your computer, there is no way to format the CF through the EMXP software, only a way to create CDROM and ZIP images of 100,239,and 639mb.  MAYBE a solution is to try writing a ZIP100 image to the card, when assigned to H: in your computer, but the basic recognition of the card is the dilemma.
> > 
> > Maybe a solution is to download the diagnostics manual here: 
> > 
> > http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/Emax%20II%20Diagnostics.pdf
> > 
> > And see if there is some HD diagnostic portion such as MASTER,9,9,3629,8 that will allow the Emax to correct the reason why it cannot recognize the drive.  I dunno, as I haven't gotten my CF upgrade finished yet.  Ted or Esynthesist would be the best one to answer.
> >
>

Mine is working using a Kingston 256, got 3 of them, 2 formatted OK and the third did not. It had a different product code, (or lot or manufacturer, not sure what the numbers on it meant). A friend of mine is having similar issues formatting CF cards. He is working on those touch-screen video games you see in bars and apparently they use flash cards also. According to him, he's had best results using SanDisk and says

"512MB or 256MB either "Shoot & Store" or "Standard Grade"
AVOID! Transcend or Generic cards….!!"

Assuming it's probably the same for emax.

I have a question though, when I was having issues it would give the error "SCSI Hardware Error" or something to that effect. When it asks you what drive you want to format are you just hitting the number of the drive or are you hitting the drive select button, then the number? 

If you are doing the second, when you hit the drive select it takes the emax out of format mode and then tries to mount the drive you selected which would give the "HD not EMAX2" error. Or at least that's what mine did before I figured out just to hit the #.