Help- computer can't find MR-8

[Ricklh]

Okay, so I've bounced to tracks 7-8, converted the track to a .wav file and have my USB cable hooked to my PC. The manual says, "Open 'My Computer', you will see the 'Removable Disc' drive added." Well, no I didn't see that but before I got that far, a pop-up said my computer had detected new hardware, so I go in to try to find the driver related to the Fostex but don't see any drivers for it What do I need to do? Is there a driver I need to download from Fostex?

Update: I went the Fostex site and checked the FAQ section. I didn't realize when I posted above that my OS is Windows 98SE in which case I'll have to buy a card reader. Does anyone here transfer using a card reader? Pretty easy procedure? I assume the card reader just reads the .wav file that's on the card?

[realityflaw]

It's a pretty easy (and Painless) process. You can copy files using Windows Explorer or you can download Wave Manager from the Fostex support site. I like using Windows Explorer myself. I recently set up XP on another Hard drive to have a Dual OS computer but have not tried connecting to the MR-8. All of the software I use for music is Windows 98 or earlier anyway. I like to use Cool Edit Pro 1.2 for mixing live drafts of my band's songs. I just mix mono right and left tracks into a stereo wave file. I have not done any multiple track mixing yet but will be soon.

[Ricklh]

Okay, my OS is Windows 98SE. According to the Fostex website, I should be able to use a card reader to transfer the data from the CF card to my hard drive. I've tried it and it simply did not work. My wife loaded up some pics she had taken without any problem whatsoever - they popped right up, but the Fostex CF card would not allow me to access the drive from the card reader, and the computer would even lock up. Checking the Fostex manual, it clearly states that only Windows Me, 2000, & XP will work with the MR-8. Anyone else here running Windows 98 that has successfully transferred from your MR-8 CF card using a card reader? Next step will be to send Fostex support an email...

[dave in toledo]

I think you need to download the wav manager from the fostex site, and you should update the software on your mr8 also .

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by dave in toledo
I think you need to download the wav manager from the fostex site, and you should update the software on your mr8 also .

Thanks Dave, how do I go about updating the software on the MR-8?

[Ed Dixon]

See here:

http://66.12.44.170/km/pages/help_tree.jsp?id=291


Ed

[Ricklh]

Thanks Ed, I'll work on this tonight. I'll probably go with "Method B".

[mrx]

Originally posted by Ricklh
Anyone else here running Windows 98 that has successfully transferred from your MR-8 CF card using a card reader? Next step will be to send Fostex support an email...

Should work fine - I use it all the time.

When you had the lockup, was that around the same time as your wife got the pictures loaded? Shouldn't be an issue, but I wonder if you need to reboot. Something else to be aware of is that data may be fully copied, even though Windows says it is. Not sure with the MR-8, but with the Tascam, Windows would report the copy was complete, but it took another 30 seconds for the files to actually copy.

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by mrx
Should work fine - I use it all the time.

When you had the lockup, was that around the same time as your wife got the pictures loaded? Shouldn't be an issue, but I wonder if you need to reboot. Something else to be aware of is that data may be fully copied, even though Windows says it is. Not sure with the MR-8, but with the Tascam, Windows would report the copy was complete, but it took another 30 seconds for the files to actually copy.

mrx, thanks but my attempt to transfer the file was totally separate from the picture-upload. And, I rebooted many times, nothing changed.

Ed, I tried the software download from that site and couldn't get it to open after downloading. I think the problem is mostly the fact my OS is Windows 98. We're getting a different computer set up this weekend with Windows 2000, so I should be able to use my USB cable when that happens. Or, is it still easier and/or quicker to transfer with a card reader?

FWIW, until I get the computer issue resolved, I've got a Sony cassette deck right next to my Fostex and can easily master over to it for playback. So far, I've not used the mastering function on the MR-8, how much of a difference does it make in the final sound?

[dave in toledo]

i dont like them personally, it changes the eq or compression or something and i think it sounds to harsh. When just mixing down to tape, i get great results just send unchanged signal to the tape deck

[mrx]

Originally posted by Ricklh
mrx, thanks but my attempt to transfer the file was totally separate from the picture-upload. And, I rebooted many times, nothing changed.

I think the problem is mostly the fact my OS is Windows 98. Or, is it still easier and/or quicker to transfer with a card reader?

FWIW, until I get the computer issue resolved, I've got a Sony cassette deck right next to my Fostex and can easily master over to it for playback. So far, I've not used the mastering function on the MR-8, how much of a difference does it make in the final sound?

Hmm - strange, since many users (myself included) have card readers working with 98.

I find the card reader more convenient than a usb cable, since you don't need to have the MR-8 lashed to the PC.

As Dave is exactly right about the mastering effects. 'Natural' is ok sometimes, but they basically just make everything louder.

[creosote]

Ho-ho, mr ex-lax! Just admite you don't know the ansoer!

Rick - trade it in man! Get cubase or sonar or something an do some DECENT recording!!!Don't let this jerk lead you any fartehr astray!!!

Geez! this site needs some faster servers, too!zzzzz...

[mcarp]

Originally posted by creosote
Ho-ho, mr ex-lax! Just admite you don't know the ansoer!

Rick - trade it in man! Get cubase or sonar or something an do some DECENT recording!!!Don't let this jerk lead you any fartehr astray!!!

Geez! this site needs some faster servers, too!zzzzz...

?

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by creosote
Rick - trade it in man! Get cubase or sonar or something an do some DECENT recording!!

Not a very helpful post to anyone, there, creosote, but computer recording is the whole reason I decided to go with the MR-8 - I can't stand the technical problems associated with computer recording, and the learning curve on those software programs you mention are just too much of a hassle or at least more of a hassle than I want to have to put up with. I like the "hands on real knobs" aspect of the MR-8 and it's simplicity of use. I recently again tried Cakewalk's Guitar Tracks 2 and quickly re-discovered why I like the MR-8 better.

[Ricklh]

Thought I'd try this once more on this fine Saturday afternoon, still getting the same problem. (Win 98SE is the OS) Here exactly is what happens: (or doesn't happen, I should say)

1. I've recorded some tracks on the MR-8 and bounce them to 7/8, then convert to a .wav file.

2. I go to my desktop and open "My Computer", and the card reader is attached to the USB port. There are four icons appearing in My Computer from the GE card reader, one of them is labeled "CF". I can click on it and get the pop-up, "device is not ready" - (right, I have not yet inserted the CF card.)

3. So, I take the CF card out of the MR-8 and insert it into the card reader exactly as the card reader instructs. Now, I attempt to click on the CF icon on my screen and absolutely nothing happens - it just sits there, the icon does not pop up anything, no error message. I've tried this several times, I also tried opening the other icons - no response from the system at all.

Any ideas what could be wrong? Thanks.

[mrx]

Originally posted by Ricklh
Not a very helpful post to anyone, there, creosote,

Try the 'ignore' feature with Creosote. She's some self-medicated freak show that shows up every few months when paroled from the Central Florida Home for Wayward Girls.

Your CF problem sounds like an incompatibility between the card and the reader. Do have access to another reader to make sure something's not wrong with the card itself?

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by mrx
Your CF problem sounds like an incompatibility between the card and the reader. Do have access to another reader to make sure something's not wrong with the card itself?

Well, the card works fine in the MR-8, it's the original card that came in it but I guess it's a possibility. I also have a Memorex card reader I tried that should pop up a "Memorex" icon, but it instead shows an icon of a cd drive (Drive G) and nothing happens when I click on it either. ?????????????

[cellardweller]

I am skimming here, and not sure if you have tried this, but did your CF card reader come with a CDrom w/ driver?

And have you tried re-installing the driver?

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by cellardweller
I am skimming here, and not sure if you have tried this, but did your CF card reader come with a CDrom w/ driver?

Yes


And have you tried re-installing the driver?

Yes. I'll probably keep messing with it and install it again, though because it's ticking me off! Alternatively, I could just buy a new CF card and see if maybe it is the card itself that's the problem. The card doesn't have to be filled up to maximum storage for it to be recognized by the reader, does it? Also, what replacement cards can be purchased that will work with the MR-8?

[cellardweller]

There is a pretty extensive thread here on replacement CF cards. I've not been very adventurous, and have stuck with the overpriced toshibas'. A lot of people here have tried others and had good results, the most prevalent problem was with bouncing tracks if I recall correctly.

No the card does not need to be full.

Is the 7/8 .wav file a stereo .wav? I seem to recall something about 98 not recognizing these or some other step you may have to take for recognition. Is it necessary that you bounce before, why not just try sending them from their original location?

[mrx]

There was a wav/mix problem. but I believ that was repaired with an OS upgrade.

May be drastic if you want to keep what's on the card, but have you reformatted?

[cellardweller]

Okay, a long shot:

is your reader a USB2 while your computer only has USB1 compatability?

You are sure you have 98SE, right? When I went to check on mine, I couldn't even find anywhere in Sys Info that specified 98 or 98SE, so I went ahead and upgraded to SE, and still could not find it specified which OS was installed. Probably just an issue with mine, but noteworthy.

Oh yeah, and have you tried the Fostex .wav manager???
It's a pretty quick d/l, even on my clunky old dial up connection.

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by mrx
There was a wav/mix problem. but I believ that was repaired with an OS upgrade.

May be drastic if you want to keep what's on the card, but have you reformatted?

I don't need to keep what's on the card. I'll try re-formatting. Thanks.

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by cellardweller
Okay, a long shot:

is your reader a USB2 while your computer only has USB1 compatability?

You are sure you have 98SE, right? When I went to check on mine, I couldn't even find anywhere in Sys Info that specified 98 or 98SE, so I went ahead and upgraded to SE, and still could not find it specified which OS was installed. Probably just an issue with mine, but noteworthy.

Oh yeah, and have you tried the Fostex .wav manager???
It's a pretty quick d/l, even on my clunky old dial up connection.

The reader works with a different CF card that has pictures my wife took with her camera, so the USB2/USB1 shouldn't be an issue, should it? Yes, I do have 98SE. I'll check out the .wav manager but I would think I would need to get the .wavs recognized first, right?