I remember reading some time ago that it was possibile to re-format the PA80 hard disk from FAT16 to FAT32, with a huge increase in capacity. The author of the topic (Rhumba) wrote also that connecting the HD to a PC it was much easier to handle all the files.
Does anyone know if the SD1 hard disk is FAT16 or FAT32 formatted and if it's possibile to take it out of the keyboard and connect it to a PC to make file exchange easier?
Thanks,
Andrea

Andrea,

I don't know whether the SD1 hard disk is FAT16 or FAT32. I do not think it is FAT16 because FAT16's partition size limit is only 2GB. SD1 comes with a 6GB hard disk so it has to be something similar to FAT32. In any case, I do not recommend connecting the HD directly to a PC. It's much easiler to use the Ketron File Transfer software available for PC or Macintosh computer.

You can manage the SD1's hard disk using the Ketron File Transfer software (available free on Ketron's website) along with a $20 PC-to-host cable on a PC or Macintosh computer . The Ketron FT software is a very easy to use GUI software that allows you to transfer any type of files (midi, wave, sounds, registrations, user settings etc.) between the SD1's hard drive and your PC. It also allows you to create, rename & remove directories (folders) easily.

Henry

Henry,
do you think that I need a special cable (one to be ordered only at a Ketron dealer) or it's just a simple PC cable to be connected to a serial, parallel or USB port?
Thanks,
Andrea

[This message has been edited by Dreamer (edited 06-03-2002).]

Hi Andrea and Henry,

I purchased a 'To Host' cable of an unknown brand. Almost every music-store sells them in The Netherlands. Mine is mini-DIN to 9-pin sub-D for COM1 or COM2 on your PC (RS232). (price about 15 Euro's)
You only need to dowload the software from the Ketron.it site.

Roel

Henry and Roel,
thank you for your informations.
Too bad I have no need to open the SD1 anymore... :-(

Andrea:
I read several reports of failures with non-Ketron connection cables (in the Solton Club, I believe). If you do not buy from Ketron, make sure it fits your needs. I purcheased mine from Ketron (around 12 Euros), and in Italy you shouldn't have problems with long delays...

-- José.

José,
thank you for your information. I guess I'll have to order my cable at a local Ketron dealer (or I could just go to Ancona and maybe meet George Kaye there...)
Best regards,
Andrea

It's better to get the Ketron cable. It's very inexpensive anyways... $20 in Canada. But as Roel said, any PC-to-Host cable will work.

Henry