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Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-27 by factormax86

Hi all,

Just joined the forum having just obtained an EMAX II (had an EMAX I for a while).

It's a 2212 that has been expanded to 4Mb memory.  I'm booting from floppy with OS v2.14.

I have a SCSI ZIP drive attached as SCSI #5 and with Termination set "on".

I can't see anything in the manual about formatting ZIPs, but I went through the format process using the Master module and Option #5 "Format", and I get to the point where it says "Format Disk Select a Drive", and when I try to select SCSI #5, it says "Not an EMAX2 Disk".

I believe the ZIP drive is connected correctly because I can load banks from the ZIP disk that the previous owner supplied, and it works absolutely fine.

I've tried it with both re-used and brand new unopened ZIP 100 disks, and it's no different.

I tried formatting first on a PC using an USB ZIP250 drive, but again, the EMAX II won't recognise it as an EMAX2 disk.

I looked at EMXP, but that also says it can not format an EMAX2 ZIP.

Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong?  (For example, is there any write-protection on a ZIP disk - I can't see anything obvious like there is on a floppy?)

Any help welcome.

Re: [emax] Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-27 by Francis Cote

Hi,

I got my Emax 2 about 2 months ago and I had no issues formatting a Zip.
There is a write protection on ZIp disks, but you wouldn't be able to format
it on the PC either...

Does it just stay there saying "Not an Emax 2 drive"? I can't even try it
again as all my music equipement is in a pile somewhere while I'm moving my
workspace.

Someone has to have an idea.


On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 12:04 PM, factormax86 <factormax86@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Just joined the forum having just obtained an EMAX II (had an EMAX I for a
> while).
>
> It's a 2212 that has been expanded to 4Mb memory. I'm booting from floppy
> with OS v2.14.
>
> I have a SCSI ZIP drive attached as SCSI #5 and with Termination set "on".
>
> I can't see anything in the manual about formatting ZIPs, but I went
> through the format process using the Master module and Option #5 "Format",
> and I get to the point where it says "Format Disk Select a Drive", and when
> I try to select SCSI #5, it says "Not an EMAX2 Disk".
>
> I believe the ZIP drive is connected correctly because I can load banks
> from the ZIP disk that the previous owner supplied, and it works absolutely
> fine.
>
> I've tried it with both re-used and brand new unopened ZIP 100 disks, and
> it's no different.
>
> I tried formatting first on a PC using an USB ZIP250 drive, but again, the
> EMAX II won't recognise it as an EMAX2 disk.
>
> I looked at EMXP, but that also says it can not format an EMAX2 ZIP.
>
> Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong? (For example, is there any
> write-protection on a ZIP disk - I can't see anything obvious like there is
> on a floppy?)
>
> Any help welcome.
>
>  
>


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

Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-27 by esynthesist

This is not normal...

The Emax-II should *not* check the disk for Emax-2 compatibility at all when selecting the Master->5.Format Disk option
It will only check the drive for Emax-2 compatibility. 
The Emax-II only reports "Not an Emax2 disk" when trying to load data from the disk or when trying to write data to the disk.

So even when *no* ZIP disk is inserted in the ZIP drive, you can go quite far into the Format process.
I just checked it, with a ZIP 100 drive on SCSI 5, Termination ON on an Emax-II 4MB, booted from internal HD on SCSI 1. 
No (!) ZIP disk is inserted into the drive.
Here's what happens in that case:

1/ I select: Master->5.Format Disk
   Emax-II displays: Format Erases Memory OK ? (Y/N)
2/ I select: Yes
   Emax-II displays: Loading Software 
     (Emax-II loads the software from the most recent drive which was selected just before going into the Master->5.Format Disk module...)
   Emax-II displays: Format Disk: Select a drive
3/ I select: 5
   Emax-II displays: SCSI 5: IOMEGA  Z
4/ I select: enter
   Emax-II displays: Format Drive #5 ? IOMEGA ZIP 100
5/ I select: yes
   Emax-II displays: Formatting Drive
     (after a while...:)
   Emax-II displays: SCSI: Hardware Error
     (that's because no disk is inserted in the drive of course :-)

So... it actually seems that your Emax-II does not recognize the drive on scsi id 5. It happens from time to time with Emax-IIs out there. But in that case you should also not be able to load/save data to that drive. Strange.
If the Emax-II does not see the SCSI device, it may be required to first boot the Emax-II and only then power the zipdrive. Although this is exactly the opposite of how things should be done according to the "book" :-)

PS: it's correct that EMXP can't format Emax-II and Emulator-III Zip disks; I didn't succeed in this when I was coding that part of EMXP - but I will give it another try in the future...

///E-Synthesist
  


--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "factormax86" <factormax86@...> wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text

>
> Hi all,
> 
> Just joined the forum having just obtained an EMAX II (had an EMAX I for a while).
> 
> It's a 2212 that has been expanded to 4Mb memory.  I'm booting from floppy with OS v2.14.
> 
> I have a SCSI ZIP drive attached as SCSI #5 and with Termination set "on".
> 
> I can't see anything in the manual about formatting ZIPs, but I went through the format process using the Master module and Option #5 "Format", and I get to the point where it says "Format Disk Select a Drive", and when I try to select SCSI #5, it says "Not an EMAX2 Disk".
> 
> I believe the ZIP drive is connected correctly because I can load banks from the ZIP disk that the previous owner supplied, and it works absolutely fine.
> 
> I've tried it with both re-used and brand new unopened ZIP 100 disks, and it's no different.
> 
> I tried formatting first on a PC using an USB ZIP250 drive, but again, the EMAX II won't recognise it as an EMAX2 disk.
> 
> I looked at EMXP, but that also says it can not format an EMAX2 ZIP.
> 
> Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong?  (For example, is there any write-protection on a ZIP disk - I can't see anything obvious like there is on a floppy?)
> 
> Any help welcome.
>

Re: [emax] Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-28 by Pete Catley

Thanks,
 
I guess that's not what I was hoping to hear.  I thought maybe I was doing something stupid.
 
I'll try unplugging & re-plugging etc. a few times.  
 
It's strange though because it reads from the ZIP absolutely reliably.
 
I don't have a second SCSI zip drive to try - maybe I'll have to get one.
 
I'll let you know if I get any joy.


________________________________

Show quoted textHide quoted text

From: esynthesist <esynthesist@yahoo.com>
To: emax@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, 27 September 2011, 22:41
Subject: [emax] Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

This is not normal...

The Emax-II should *not* check the disk for Emax-2 compatibility at all when selecting the Master->5.Format Disk option
It will only check the drive for Emax-2 compatibility. 
The Emax-II only reports "Not an Emax2 disk" when trying to load data from the disk or when trying to write data to the disk.

So even when *no* ZIP disk is inserted in the ZIP drive, you can go quite far into the Format process.
I just checked it, with a ZIP 100 drive on SCSI 5, Termination ON on an Emax-II 4MB, booted from internal HD on SCSI 1. 
No (!) ZIP disk is inserted into the drive.
Here's what happens in that case:

1/ I select: Master->5.Format Disk
Emax-II displays: Format Erases Memory OK ? (Y/N)
2/ I select: Yes
Emax-II displays: Loading Software 
(Emax-II loads the software from the most recent drive which was selected just before going into the Master->5.Format Disk module...)
Emax-II displays: Format Disk: Select a drive
3/ I select: 5
Emax-II displays: SCSI 5: IOMEGA Z
4/ I select: enter
Emax-II displays: Format Drive #5 ? IOMEGA ZIP 100
5/ I select: yes
Emax-II displays: Formatting Drive
(after a while...:)
Emax-II displays: SCSI: Hardware Error
(that's because no disk is inserted in the drive of course :-)

So... it actually seems that your Emax-II does not recognize the drive on scsi id 5. It happens from time to time with Emax-IIs out there. But in that case you should also not be able to load/save data to that drive. Strange.
If the Emax-II does not see the SCSI device, it may be required to first boot the Emax-II and only then power the zipdrive. Although this is exactly the opposite of how things should be done according to the "book" :-)

PS: it's correct that EMXP can't format Emax-II and Emulator-III Zip disks; I didn't succeed in this when I was coding that part of EMXP - but I will give it another try in the future...

///E-Synthesist

--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "factormax86" <factormax86@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> 
> Just joined the forum having just obtained an EMAX II (had an EMAX I for a while).
> 
> It's a 2212 that has been expanded to 4Mb memory. I'm booting from floppy with OS v2.14.
> 
> I have a SCSI ZIP drive attached as SCSI #5 and with Termination set "on".
> 
> I can't see anything in the manual about formatting ZIPs, but I went through the format process using the Master module and Option #5 "Format", and I get to the point where it says "Format Disk Select a Drive", and when I try to select SCSI #5, it says "Not an EMAX2 Disk".
> 
> I believe the ZIP drive is connected correctly because I can load banks from the ZIP disk that the previous owner supplied, and it works absolutely fine.
> 
> I've tried it with both re-used and brand new unopened ZIP 100 disks, and it's no different.
> 
> I tried formatting first on a PC using an USB ZIP250 drive, but again, the EMAX II won't recognise it as an EMAX2 disk.
> 
> I looked at EMXP, but that also says it can not format an EMAX2 ZIP.
> 
> Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong? (For example, is there any write-protection on a ZIP disk - I can't see anything obvious like there is on a floppy?)
> 
> Any help welcome.
>

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

Re: [emax] Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-28 by Pete Catley

Thanks for the reply
 
Yes, it just sits there saying "Not an Emax 2 drive"
 
I'm going to try the basics - unplugging & re-plugging etc, and see if I can find where the problem lies - at least I know that I should be able to do it the way I was trying (I had thought I might have been barking up the wrong tree completely).
 


________________________________

Show quoted textHide quoted text

From: Francis Cote <francis.cote@...>
To: emax@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, 27 September 2011, 17:51
Subject: Re: [emax] Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

Hi,

I got my Emax 2 about 2 months ago and I had no issues formatting a Zip.
There is a write protection on ZIp disks, but you wouldn't be able to format
it on the PC either...

Does it just stay there saying "Not an Emax 2 drive"? I can't even try it
again as all my music equipement is in a pile somewhere while I'm moving my
workspace.

Someone has to have an idea.


On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 12:04 PM, factormax86 <factormax86@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Just joined the forum having just obtained an EMAX II (had an EMAX I for a
> while).
>
> It's a 2212 that has been expanded to 4Mb memory. I'm booting from floppy
> with OS v2.14.
>
> I have a SCSI ZIP drive attached as SCSI #5 and with Termination set "on".
>
> I can't see anything in the manual about formatting ZIPs, but I went
> through the format process using the Master module and Option #5 "Format",
> and I get to the point where it says "Format Disk Select a Drive", and when
> I try to select SCSI #5, it says "Not an EMAX2 Disk".
>
> I believe the ZIP drive is connected correctly because I can load banks
> from the ZIP disk that the previous owner supplied, and it works absolutely
> fine.
>
> I've tried it with both re-used and brand new unopened ZIP 100 disks, and
> it's no different.
>
> I tried formatting first on a PC using an USB ZIP250 drive, but again, the
> EMAX II won't recognise it as an EMAX2 disk.
>
> I looked at EMXP, but that also says it can not format an EMAX2 ZIP.
>
> Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong? (For example, is there any
> write-protection on a ZIP disk - I can't see anything obvious like there is
> on a floppy?)
>
> Any help welcome.
>
>  
>


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



------------------------------------

Emax and Emax II User's Group Website

http://www.silveriafamily.comYahoo! Groups Links



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

Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-29 by factormax86

Update: I examined the way I'd plugged in the ZIP drive to the EMAX, and found that the SCSI cable was the wrong way round per the ZIP Drive Manual (which states that the plug connector labeled "ZIP" should connect to the ZIP drive)

Given that both ends of the cable have a DB25 connector, I didn't think it mattered, but I had high hopes this may resolve the issue, so I connected it as per the ZIP manual and...

...it appeared to make no difference.  I still get the "Not an EMAX2 Drive" message when trying to format the ZIP.

I did however notice that the DB25 plug at the EMAX end is not fully engaging with the EMAX socket as it's being obstructed by the EMAX plastic casework on the left side (when viewed seated at the keyboard).  Whether this is an issue or not I don't know, as it's certainly partially engaged, and as I said, is perfectly able to read reliably from the ZIp drive - it just doesn't seem to want to Format.

The other thing I found was that the ZIP Drive is a ZIP 250, where previously I'd thought it was a ZIP 100 drive.  Does this matter?  I've read that a 250 will read a 100 disk fine, but that write performance is much slower.

Any more ideas anyone?

Re: [emax] Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-29 by jammie.emma@...

yres it does it wont format 100 zip disks thats your problem it can only read them

Show quoted textHide quoted text

----- Original Message -----
From: factormax86
To: emax@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 4:20 PM
Subject: [emax] Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

Update: I examined the way I'd plugged in the ZIP drive to the EMAX, and found that the SCSI cable was the wrong way round per the ZIP Drive Manual (which states that the plug connector labeled "ZIP" should connect to the ZIP drive)

Given that both ends of the cable have a DB25 connector, I didn't think it mattered, but I had high hopes this may resolve the issue, so I connected it as per the ZIP manual and...

...it appeared to make no difference. I still get the "Not an EMAX2 Drive" message when trying to format the ZIP.

I did however notice that the DB25 plug at the EMAX end is not fully engaging with the EMAX socket as it's being obstructed by the EMAX plastic casework on the left side (when viewed seated at the keyboard). Whether this is an issue or not I don't know, as it's certainly partially engaged, and as I said, is perfectly able to read reliably from the ZIp drive - it just doesn't seem to want to Format.

The other thing I found was that the ZIP Drive is a ZIP 250, where previously I'd thought it was a ZIP 100 drive. Does this matter? I've read that a 250 will read a 100 disk fine, but that write performance is much slower.

Any more ideas anyone?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.914 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3925 - Release Date: 09/28/11 19:34:00

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

Re: [emax] Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-09-29 by jammie.emma@...

it can only format 250 zips in a 250 drive it will read 100 zip disks only

try formating a 250 zip disk

Show quoted textHide quoted text

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: jammie.emma@... 
  To: emax@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 4:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [emax] Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

  yres it does it wont format 100 zip disks thats your problem it can only read them
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: factormax86 
  To: emax@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 4:20 PM
  Subject: [emax] Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

  Update: I examined the way I'd plugged in the ZIP drive to the EMAX, and found that the SCSI cable was the wrong way round per the ZIP Drive Manual (which states that the plug connector labeled "ZIP" should connect to the ZIP drive)

  Given that both ends of the cable have a DB25 connector, I didn't think it mattered, but I had high hopes this may resolve the issue, so I connected it as per the ZIP manual and...

  ...it appeared to make no difference. I still get the "Not an EMAX2 Drive" message when trying to format the ZIP.

  I did however notice that the DB25 plug at the EMAX end is not fully engaging with the EMAX socket as it's being obstructed by the EMAX plastic casework on the left side (when viewed seated at the keyboard). Whether this is an issue or not I don't know, as it's certainly partially engaged, and as I said, is perfectly able to read reliably from the ZIp drive - it just doesn't seem to want to Format.

  The other thing I found was that the ZIP Drive is a ZIP 250, where previously I'd thought it was a ZIP 100 drive. Does this matter? I've read that a 250 will read a 100 disk fine, but that write performance is much slower.

  Any more ideas anyone?

  ----------------------------------------------------------

  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 9.0.914 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3925 - Release Date: 09/28/11 19:34:00

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 9.0.914 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3925 - Release Date: 09/28/11 19:34:00

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

Re: Dumb question from a newbie - Can't format a ZIP on EMAX II

2011-10-17 by factormax86

Just to let you all know, I've solved my problem, and it was, as I suspected, dumb operator error!

When the message came up to select the SCSI Id of the drive to format, I was pressing the Drive Select button again, and getting the message "Not an EMAX2 Disk".  I should, of course, have just been pushing the numeric keypad #5 - simple as that!  I was tearing my hair out, but I knew it could be something that simple.

Thanks to those who made suggestions.

Cheers.

--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "factormax86" <factormax86@...> wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text

>
> Hi all,
> 
> Just joined the forum having just obtained an EMAX II (had an EMAX I for a while).
> 
> It's a 2212 that has been expanded to 4Mb memory.  I'm booting from floppy with OS v2.14.
> 
> I have a SCSI ZIP drive attached as SCSI #5 and with Termination set "on".
> 
> I can't see anything in the manual about formatting ZIPs, but I went through the format process using the Master module and Option #5 "Format", and I get to the point where it says "Format Disk Select a Drive", and when I try to select SCSI #5, it says "Not an EMAX2 Disk".
> 
> I believe the ZIP drive is connected correctly because I can load banks from the ZIP disk that the previous owner supplied, and it works absolutely fine.
> 
> I've tried it with both re-used and brand new unopened ZIP 100 disks, and it's no different.
> 
> I tried formatting first on a PC using an USB ZIP250 drive, but again, the EMAX II won't recognise it as an EMAX2 disk.
> 
> I looked at EMXP, but that also says it can not format an EMAX2 ZIP.
> 
> Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong?  (For example, is there any write-protection on a ZIP disk - I can't see anything obvious like there is on a floppy?)
> 
> Any help welcome.
>