Alesis Data disk Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter KIDD
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KIDD

New member
Hey Everyone,
I just join this forum I thought I might find common ground and an answer to my problem.I've used the Alesis data disk and Ensoniq SQ1 for 13 years making a living ,teaching etc.Here recently ,for no apparent reason, The data disk fails on occasion to send or recieve info to /from the keyboard.It also makes more noise than usual ,including some "new noises"if never heard before indicating that the problem is probably mechanical....Alesis informed me that there are no replacement parts for this unit , nor can THEY repair it , and they no of any other unit that could replace it...Its as if it never existed or all parts or history of the unit has been moved to another planet and is no longer applicable here on earth????Anyway, I tried cleaning the little "wheel" inside along with other parts I could reach inside the diskdrive with alcohol but it didnt really help much..Is there something else I should be cleaning like the "eye" that reads the disk?If anyone out there knows anyone that could repair or provide any info pertaining to this problem, or know where I could post this info to get a more concise detail ifo , it would be most appreciated . I make my living with these 2 units and Im dead in the water with out the data disk.Also, about 3 years of creating 300+ songs I could never take the time to recreate is on those disks.I havent aquired much computer knowlege over the
last 15 years so Id really like to keep with the data disk technology if possible.
Thanks ,
John in WV.
 
Kidd,
Everything advances and we must advance with it.
You had 13 wonderful years with your Data Disk but it's time to move on.
Why would you be "dead in the water" without the Data Disk?
You would be deader if you never bothered to write down your stuff on paper,would you not?
There is newer better technology out there and you should take advantage of it-re-educate yourself-it doesn't have to hinge on "computers"
 
What format is the data stored in? If it's just standard midi files than you can probably open it in a computer or other hardware sequencers.
 
Update

Here is a specific drive that will work in the Alesis DataDisk:

Mitsumi Floppy Drive Model #D359M3D Black

It is very easy. With the DataDisk turned off remove the screws from the top cover. Also remove 4 screws from the bottom of the unit directly beneath the floppy drive. Unplug the ribbon cable and power cable from the old floppy drive and plug them into the new one. Push the new drive in place and replace the 4 screws in the bottom. Make sure no wires are pinched as you replace the top cover. You now have a working DataDisk.

The floppy drive is a common point of failure on the DataDisk. The original drive is a 720 kb unit and the disk is formatted with FAT12 but they use a proprietary system. That’s why Windows can’t access it. There is nothing quite like the DataDisk out there these days. It is well worth the effort to resurrect the one you have.

If you just want to recover the data on your existing disks get the Alesis Diskette Manager from Giebler Enterprises to use with your PC. With it you can do the following:

· List/Print Datadisk Directory/Label
· Copy Disk To/From HardDisk
· Copy Datadisk Files To HardDisk
· Copy File From HardDisk
· Format Datadisk Diskettes
· View/Analyze Diskettes

http://www.midifile.com

Tim :cool:
 
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Alesis data disk n sq1

John just found this....i hAve both of the same units In very good condition make offer if interested
 
That was his one and only post on HR, eight years ago. I'm sure he's moved on by now.
 
Are you sure about that, diggy? I'd bet he's been lurking here, ever since, just waiting for someone to make that offer...:rolleyes:
 
I think the floppy drive crash ruined his livelihood and he hanged himself from the chandelier in a fit of despair. :(
 
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