SP 404 OG won't turn on with CF card inserted

[Transmisser]

I picked up an OG 404 that's cosmetically in mint condition. If I don't have a CF card inserted, it turns on just fine and seems to operate as normal. If I power it off, insert the card, and turn on, I get nothing on the screen (no letters / lights / etc.). I've reset the internal memory, but still I get nothing.

I grabbed a card reader and formatted both my cards to FAT 32 on my computer, but the 404 still won't turn on. I'm using a Roland 1GB M-1G and a Transcend 133x 1GB.

The only thing I've read is that you can turn on the 404 and quickly insert the card and hopefully it auto formats, but I don't want to mess with that.


Should I just return this 404 and try another?

[YUBA]

hey i had this problem when i first got my OG and same size transcend brand card. i think its something wt that card. i gave up on it and bought a grip of cheaper cards.
never had a problem since! i have not formatted these cheap cards in years, never had a problem

hope this helps. i remember the frustration of having a 30$ useless flashcard that nobody needs

[YUBA]

oops just saw u have a roland card too.
i only use smallers cards 512mb or something
it might be worth a shot. some generic cards are pretty cheap and maybe try the smaller memory size?

also therr is a firmware update for OG 404s
not sure if it was done on yrs yet
i did it and it fixed some resample problems i had



good luck. if yr machine works fine without the card it seems likely that the card or card reader is the issue

[Transmisser]

oops just saw u have a roland card too.
i only use smallers cards 512mb or something
it might be worth a shot. some generic cards are pretty cheap and maybe try the smaller memory size?

also therr is a firmware update for OG 404s
not sure if it was done on yrs yet
i did it and it fixed some resample problems i had



good luck. if yr machine works fine without the card it seems likely that the card or card reader is the issue

So I checked the firmware on this 404 and it's at 1.05 - that's the last firmware, right?

It's weird this 404 has this issue because it's literally in mint condition. I contacted my local tech who repairs these things and he said he's never run into that issue before and that it might be worth it to just get another one.

Anyways, I started the return process and picked up another one. I'm really hoping I don't find out that it's the CF cards causing the issue.

Thanks for chiming in.

[YUBA]

no worries do whats best for u
i got mine from a friend for a ok price so i wasnt too stressed about the purchase. and had no return deal.

the flashcards can rack up some $ though. its no fun
i consider getting a sx for the sdcard\extra memory

peace, go easy

[scopebeats]

just turn the 404 on without card
insert card
format card

i had similar "problems" too with a few cards but this way i could format them on the sp and never had problems. i'm only using 1GB cards btw.

just try it this way and let us know if it worked. no need to "put card quickly in to auto format". just let the 404 power up and then put it in and format it.

[Transmisser]

just turn the 404 on without card
insert card
format card

i had similar "problems" too with a few cards but this way i could format them on the sp and never had problems. i'm only using 1GB cards btw.

just try it this way and let us know if it worked. no need to "put card quickly in to auto format". just let the 404 power up and then put it in and format it.

It worked! I turned the OG 404 on, waited for everything to load, then I put the card in and did the formatting. Both cards now work and the 404 will start up if they're inserted before powering on.

it still won't turn on if I have an unformatted card in there though. I wonder why it's doing that?

Either way, I'm glad I got it working. Thanks for your help everyone!

[djazid]

it still won't turn on if I have an unformatted card in there though. I wonder why it's doing that?

Yeah, that happens on a number of cards, like my integral.
You can format it with FAT (not FAT32) and rename the card as FUGUEFAT (all uppercase). This should work as well.