Akai S950

[banksy76]

Ok, I have now had my HxC for just over 2 weeks now and after a fair bit of tweaking and some great support from Jeff and the team I have been able to make good progress. I am able to save and load to a DD disc image but I am still having issues with any HD images, both blank ones and those containing S950 data.

Whenever I attempt to either load samples from an image that I have converted (using the HxC software) from one of my existing floppies containing S950 samples or try to save fresh samples onto a blank HD image, the sampler beings to respond but then promptly stops displaying the message 'bad data from disc'. Jeff has suggested for me to try a different SD card and one of a higher class so a 4GB Kingston (Class 10) will be my next stop.

Just wondered if anyone here could confirm if they have successfully managed to save/load to a HD disc image. Your input here would be of great value.

[Jeff]

Just wondered if anyone her could confirm if they have successfully managed to save/load to a HD disc image. Your input here would be of great value.

Of course nobody have tried the HD support until now...

Anyway : Have try the 220 ohms pull up ?

[banksy76]

Yes, I tried the 220 ohm pull up earlier tonight but it appears to make no difference.

I have ordered a higher class SD card which I hope to have within the next few days. I will try this out and post back with some feedback.

[Jeff]

Yes, I tried the 220 ohm pull up earlier tonight but it appears to make no difference.

ok. And with an 2.2Kohms resistor (or 2 1Kohms in series) ?

EDIT : In a mail you wrote me this :

Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 1:17 AM
Subject: RE: HXC / AKAI S950

The pull up resistor has been applied between the #30 and the +5 wires.

The DD image from the from the HxC website still work as it always has done.

Regarding the HD disc images...
You previously sent me 2 HD images:
T01_PC144.hfe now appears to read and write data.

So T01_PC144.hfe works or No ?

[banksy76]

When I first applied the pull up resistor the S950 then acknowledged the T01_PC144.hfe image when pressing 'DISK' and when attempting 'Save entire memory' it appeared successful with the S950's very short default 'tone' unlike with all the other HD floppy images.

Since then I have encountered various issues, for example...

Just now I selected the file and was able to save the single default 'tone' sample.

I then made a copy of this 'tone', and I was able to successfully save both these 2 very short samples and likewise was able to copy and save a 3rd and 4th. However, as soon as I had made a 5th copy and tried to save the entire memory I receive the 'bad data from disc' message. When I tried to re-load the samples it then wasn't recognizing the image anymore.

I then powered down the S950/HxC and upon powering up I am now unable to even save just the single tone. It will start to save but now freezes up. I try to un-mounting the image and re-select the file but it still wont save. I then power down and back up again, re-selected the image but now it wont even accept the image and the S950 displays 'Disk not mounted'

The only image that appears to remain consistent and without issue is the DD image that I downloaded from the website.

[banksy76]

I have now tried the HxC with a Kingston 'Class 10' SD card as advised and the results are the same. This new SD card has been tested with both the 1k Ohm pull up resistor and the 220 as suggested.

This is a summary of what happens...

1. When saving samples, it will allow me to save up to 4 short samples but upon saving a 5th sample it will then stop with the S950 reporting "bad data from disk".

2. I will then exit 'Disk' mode on the S950.

3. When I then scroll through the files on the HxC all the DD images will now show:
T:001/080 or
T: 002/080

4. I then select an image/file on the HxC

5. I then enter 'Disk' mode again on the S950 and choose either 'save entire memory' or 'save sample'.

6. The S950 displays "Disk is unprepared. you must Format it."

7. I attempt step #5 a number of times but the S950 will always show the same message claiming that the disk is unformatted.

8. I then try unmounting the image/file on the HxC and remounting it.

9. Steps #1-4 are repeated.

10. Now when I try entering 'Disk' mode on the S950 to repeat step 5, the S950 now displays "Disk not mounted".

11. I will try entering 'Disk' mode a number of times but it still insists that the disk is not mounted. I try unmounting and remounting an image on the HxC but it is still not excepted.

12. I then have no option but to power off the S950/HxC and then turning the system back on again.

13. Upon powering up, the HxC still displays the files/images as either:
T: 001/080 or
T: 002/080

14. I then unmount the image/file and physically remove the SD card.

15. Upon re-inserting the SD the images/files are now shows as:
T: 000/080

16. And I am back to step #1

[Jeff]

Can you try with an 2.2Ko resistor ? (or 2 1Kohms resistors in series) ?

Yes, I tried the 220 ohm pull up earlier tonight but it appears to make no difference.

ok. And with an 2.2Kohms resistor (or 2 1Kohms in series) ?

[banksy76]

I have just tried with two 1k Ohm resistors in series and the results are the same as that described in my previous post.

[Jeff]

I have just tried with two 1k Ohm resistors in series and the results are the same as that described in my previous post.

In this case sorry, but there are nothing to do for the moment.
I need to found an S950 near me and test myself the hxc on it to figure out what is the cause of the issue...
I don't know when i will be able to "touch" an S950.

If you want to be refund contact me by email.

EDIT: Last tries :

1- ReFormat your Class 10 SD in FAT32, and put only the cfg file and the attached HFE file.

Start the with the 220 ohms pull-up on the floppy cable

2- try to READ (no write) the HFE file.

3- If still doesn't works : update your firmware https://hxc2001.com/floppy_drive_emulat ... 6_3_6A.UPD
Retry step 2-

4- If still doesn't works : Remove the 220 ohms pullup from the floppy cable and move it on R18 inside the S950.
Retry step 2-

5- If still doesn't works : Change the floppy cable. If possible as short as possible.
Retry step 2-

[banksy76]

I have followed steps 1-2 as suggested but the results remain the same.
I shall proceed with step 3, update the firmware, and will post back the results shortly.

[banksy76]

I have performed 'step 3' and updated the firmware but my results are the same.

Regarding your suggested 'step 5', the cable that I have been using is one from an Akai S950 and is as short as possible.

As a last resort I shall try 'Step 4' later today and swap the R18 resistor in the S950 itself with the 220 ohm type. So I just need to swap these resistors over, nothing else is required, yes?

[Jeff]

I have performed 'step 3' and updated the firmware but my results are the same.

You still able to read the files names present on the Floppy ?

[Jeff]

As a last resort I shall try 'Step 4' later today and swap the R18 resistor in the S950 itself with the 220 ohm type. So I just need to swap these resistors over, nothing else is required, yes?

Yes, as far as know for the moment (you mount the resistor on R18 without removing R18 if you want).

[banksy76]

I have now replaced the R18 resistor on the S950 board with one rated at 220 Ohm and have tried reading the HFE file that you supplied with both my original firmware and the update that you posted but I still cannot seem to make any progress.

[Jeff]

I have now replaced the R18 resistor on the S950 board with one rated at 220 Ohm and have tried reading the HFE file that you supplied with both my original firmware and the update that you posted but I still cannot seem to make any progress.

Are you able to list the floppy content ?