Does this fix your SCSI transfer errors?? D or V series...

[chrisbc]

I've discovered (after many hours of fiddling) that my SCSI reliability problems were actually caused by the main IDE hard drive!!

I set up this poll to see if this helps others with similar problems

Typical symptoms:
- Fostex doesn't recognise format of SCSI device.
- Backups work, but restored wav files are all 'hiss an cracks'.
- Wav files are corrupted - PC (or MAC) software can't read them. BTW there's a workaround for this.
- Can't transfer wav files form PC to Fostex.
- Fostex corrupts the FAT format, chkdsk reports errors.

I had all of these problems, and it seems many others have too, with various model of Fostex HD recorders esp. D series and maybe V series too.

I tried many things, including JAZ drives, External SCSI HD and SCSI ZIP. All were very unreliable on Fostex, yet worked fine with the PC. I tried different cables etc, etc, with no joy (and many wasted hours) .

I started to think that my D1624 SCSI interface was totally %$!!ed. Then, I decided to try again, using lower sampling rates to minimise load on the SCSI. I picked up a spare 6.4GB hard drive and formatted it in my Fostex. Huh - it works!! I try a several different formats including 96Khz, 24 bit and it still works 100%. I put my 20GB (Samsung) disk back in, reformatted it and, yep the SCSI is once again stuffed.

Incidentally, the Samsung SV2001H IDE drive was installed by the NZ service agent for the original owner of my unit. It worked fine for everday recording purposes.

SCSI devices that are now working fine...
- IOMega 1GB Jaz disk in 2Gb drive
- IOMega 100MB Zip Plus (SCSI/Parallel)
- IBM DCAS-34330 4GB hard-drive.

After all the hassles I almost can't believe it

The IDE drive that works well is a Fujitsu MPE3064AT 6.4GB unit. If you find the same issue with other IDE drives, please post the details here (including whether it was good or bad).

 

[carelessorc]

SCSI errors

I haven't had SCSI problems with my VF160, but I thought I'd chip in the fact that for some time VF owners have been advised that before fitting newer types of IDE drives, a hardware modification needs to be carried out to the main circuit board (older drives don't have the problem). When I queried this, I was told that in some cases the new drives cause problems on the SCSI buss.

Perhaps this is the reason why the SCSI connector has been removed from the new VF160EX.

'Orc

 

[chrisbc]

Credit where credit's due!

I got this help from Shane - a Kiwi sound engineer in Nelson. BTW, the IDE removal trick (lasts para) may only be needed if you have the 'classic' SCSI problems.

If you want the 2.02 firmware, see here this https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=1109375

>>>
Hello,

You probably don't want to hear this.... but I gave up!

I have a D2424 which I have now tried about 10 different SCSI HDDs on - all SCSI-2 or SCSI-3. The last one showed promise but that coincided with me deciding that I had wasted enough time already. The Zip drive works well with the 2424 - but 100/250Mb?????!!!!???? - useless.

So I am struggling on with the bay/caddy system using a Fat16 IDE which often becomes corrupt by something that the Fostex does and then won't be recognised by the PCs bios.... Oh Joy!

I'm tempted to look at the ethernet option, but if it's as good as the fostex bay/caddy R&D it will probably just result in more heartache!

I wish that I could help you with the D1624. I've had a D824 in the studio over the last month and tried many ways to transfer a wave file to it - resulting in either failure or a file full of glitches and hiss. I asked Fostex Japan about this but they chose that point at which not to comprehend any English!

In the end I used the toslink optical to transfer 8 tracks from the computer to the D824 which worked well but did rely on my poor old computer keeping a high pace.

Incidentally, the D824 was using the same OS as the D1624 - v2.something. I used a zip to change it back to 1.something which removed the chain play option from the setup - and then I changed it back to v2 without any problem. However, I did have to remove the HDD for the flash to work properly - I'm sure they should have mentioned that in the manual somewhere!!! Bloody Fostex - fantastic standalone machines which refuse to interface consistently with the rest of the world!

Regards,

Shane

 

[chrisbc]

Thanks 'Orc, it'd be nice if Fostex would be more open about this issue! I haven't actually seen a VF, but it seems they have some design in common with the D series.

Cheers Chris

 

[oliver_p]

Thanks!

Hi Chris,

a late response
Thanks for your posting, I had exactly the same evil symptoms with my D824 and the SCSI chain. Changing the internal Maxtor 20GB drive to a 160GB Western Digital cured all problems

Cheers, Oliver

 

[chrisbc]

Thats great Oliver - thanks for the feedback