Masterlink NO OPERATING SYSTEM?

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mr. torture

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My Masterlink after failing to burn a redbook CD giving me that HDCD error.
Decided to die. Now when i power the unit up it states "No OS"
Does this mean that the hard drive is shot?
It was version 2.15 with the 20GIG HD.

Also when trying to load an upgrade to the OS before it died and after following all the instructions on how to make a OS disc. It said "Incompatable disc" I have EZ CD creator 5.0 and was attempting to upgrade to masterlink version 2.19.

If it is the HD which one do i get? Can i go with a 7200 rpm? Or am i limited to the 5400?

Thanks for any help you can provide.
 
Update:

After letting the unit sit (powered off) for a couple of hours i turned the unit on and everything loaded up fine, right back to normal. I then burned a playlist backup without a hitch.
I think the problem is that the unit gets overheated and starts messing up.
The unit was "on" most of that day.
Mine is in a rack next to the heat run, a little too stuffy for the masterlink i think.
They should have incorporated a small computer fan in the unit, i wonder if this can be done?

As for as the software update they specify using Adaptec EZ CD creator and i have Roxio EZ CD creator. Which is probably why the disc i created did not work.

I have another computer that has adaptec software and a plextor CD writer.
I will burn the update using that and will update this post if it works or not.

Again i believe poor ventilation was the factor in the errors.

For future post searchers as of 3/26/05 the OS (Operating System) update for Masterlink is at 2.19
 
Ok, maybe i spoke too soon and figured the problem was solved. I was wrong!
Yesterday i turned the unit on and mixed a song down from my DAW through the spdif coax into the masterlink. All this took approx. 20 minutes.

I then tried to create a playlist backup. When it reached 1:30 into the final song the unit gave me an error and said the backup failed.

I then shut off the unit, turned it back on, inserted a fresh CDR and tried to make a CD24 the unit gave me another error at track #2 and said it failed.

I have gotten every error message this thing has in it from "No Operating System" to error 178 to cd writer failed etc. etc. etc.

I then went out to dinner and came back a couple hours later.
I turned it on and burned a perfect CD24 without a problem.
Then i put in another blank cdr to make a redbook cd and it crapped out again.
I have had this unit for a year and i am dissapointed that it is dying on me already considering it gets limited use. All i need is a mixdown deck that can burn CDS!!! I dont use any of the other functions no cropping, No DSP nothing!!
I have a brand new 40 GIG western Digital HD that i am going to put in it.
I am also going to replace the cd writing drive. If that does not cure my issues i am going to take it out into my back lawn and beat it to death with a large blunt instrument.
It has had the 2.15 operating system since new.
I should have known better after the Multiple $700.00 repairs years ago with the original ADAT's. Alesis in my book has a great idea but have failed on keeping systems stable.
 
The Masterlink is an excellent unit, and is extremely stable but all electronics can fail.... that doesn't make it a bad product at all.

I bought one of the first Masterlink units and it's been going strong for many years until 3 weeks ago when the power supply died. I sent it in for service, got it back and it's fine.... that's normal stuff.

Gear can fail - even the good stuff can fail (but the cheap junk just tends to fail more often!) - get used to it.
 
Blue Bear,
Where did you send yours for service? Do you think that is a better option than replacing hardware myself?
Thanks
 
Mine had similar problems. It ended up being the burning/laser/drawer thingy. I sent it to Alesis in RI, and they did an excellent job of replacing it. I also had them put in the big HD.

Good customer service, in my experience.
 
hasbeen said:
Mine had similar problems. It ended up being the burning/laser/drawer thingy. I sent it to Alesis in RI, and they did an excellent job of replacing it. I also had them put in the big HD.

Good customer service, in my experience.

If you dont mind me asking how much was the repair?
 
mr. torture said:
Blue Bear,
Where did you send yours for service? Do you think that is a better option than replacing hardware myself?
Thanks
I have a local guy that does a lot of my tech work.... cost about $100...

If you know the xact issue, and can do the repair, then sure, DIY -- otherwise, if you're not sure of where the problem is exactly, then you have no choice but to send it off.
 
The repair, which included the new burner/drawer thing and the biggest hard drive was around $200.
 
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